Given the importance of the Festival and the major races taking place during it, Cheltenham tips today are all the rage. From Grade 1s to handicap company, the ante-post betting markets on this meeting let you wager throughout much of the season.

Detailed analysis is what some punters crave, but most simply want to find the winners. This is our in-depth guide to Cheltenham Festival tips where our experts drill down into the championship races and more besides.

Before we get into the granular details of individual selections, it’s worth assessing the different kind of picks expert tipsters make on the action. After the specifics, we also have some general Cheltenham betting tips that should help you make better decisions when you take a punt on the Festival.

Different Types of Cheltenham Tips Explained

The beauty of Cheltenham horse racing tips is you can take different angles with them. There is an imperative for some tipsters to seek value above all else. That means looking carefully on Cheltenham betting sites and asking whether favourites are too short.

We believe in calling a spade a spade here. Our experts provide tips for Cheltenham today not just based on value, but on likelihood of success. All betting odds reflect implied probability. There is probably good reason why a market leader has a prohibitive price.

Broadly speaking, our experts’ approach to providing Cheltenham races tips breaks down into three areas. There are NAPs, NBs and each-way selections. Each should appeal to different types of punters within the broad church of the gambling community.

NAPs

A NAP is a tipster’s top bet. In other words, these are the best Cheltenham tips with the greatest chance of success in the opinion of our experts. Value isn’t a consideration here, only a high probability of winning.

Chances are that following our NAPs from Cheltenham Racecourse don’t yield big returns on their own. You may wish to combine such selections in multiples like doubles, trebles and even accumulators.

NBs

In the biggest races of all over jumps, more than one horse can win them. Our Cheltenham Festival tips recognise that with NBs. An abbreviation of Next Best, the selected horse should push the NAP all the way.

Think of it like a star rating system. While NAPs are the five-star selection, NBs are right behind them on four stars. Although not the main fancy, such horses are a danger and it wouldn’t surprise you if they won instead.

Each-Way Tips

Perhaps more with the ultra-competitive handicaps in mind where there’s a history of big-priced winners, each-way tips have their place too. Such Cheltenham racing tips are about value alternatives to the market leaders and have the abbreviation EW.

These may be dark horses sneaking in under the radar, or ones with bits and pieces of form which, if conditions are just right, show they can have a say in the finish. Our each-way tips are ones with definitive prospects of a place and the odds on offer reflect that.

Cheltenham Festival Tips by Race

That’s enough preamble. We all know why you’re here. You want top tips for Cheltenham today and you want them right now. We take a day by day and race by race approach to everything happening at the Festival.

In other words, we precede in chronological order from the start of the meeting through to the end. Each of the four days at Cheltenham Racecourse has a feature race during the Festival each year.

We’ll come onto those soon enough. There are other early closing races to consider besides the main events, though. Many of these produce future stars who come back to the meeting and feature among Cheltenham race tips year after year. We start at the beginning…

Cheltenham Day 1 Tips – Champion Hurdle Day

Straight off the bat, there is some top-level action on the track. Opening Cheltenham Festival tips for day 1 is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle Chase for novices over fences. After a staying Premier Handicap in the Ultima Handicap Chase, another Grade 1 in the Mares’ Hurdle follows.

Most Cheltenham tips for Tuesday surround the Champion Hurdle, though. This dates back to 1927 and sees the best two-mile hurdlers compete for glory. Rounding off the opening day is the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle restricted to four-year-olds and the National Hunt Chase, now a novice handicap and open to professional jockeys.

Supreme Novices Hurdle Tips

After a much-improved round of jumping and authoritative win at the Dublin Racing Festival, KOPEK DES BORDES (NAP) sets the standard here. His demolition of the field in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle earned him an official rating of 157.

Kopek Des Bordes looks the one to beat in the Supreme, although earlier Cheltenham Tuesday tips for the Festival opener focused on Willie Mullins stable companion Salvator Mundi. He took his form to a new level with Moscow Flyer success at Punchestown, but didn’t jump well.

Paul Townend must choose between them, but the Closutton stable jockey will surely stay aboard Kopek Des Bordes. Gordon Elliott runner Romeo Coolio (NB) should be a strong stayer at this trip, meanwhile, after his own Leopardstown Grade 1 win.

Last season’s Champion Bumper second bounced back from Royal Bond defeat at Fairyhouse with a Christmas victory. Romeo Coolio comes to Cheltenham fresh, then, and can once again have a say in the finish.

At bigger prices, Workahead only has the Supreme as a Cheltenham option for Henry De Bromhead. He fits into the dark horse category, but there are others to consider here.

Irancy (EW) ran third behind Firefox (placed in this race in 2024) and the mighty Ballyburn last term. He has since won a Punchestown maiden impressively for Mullins and JP McManus, so could get in amongst the market principals.

Arkle Chase Tips (Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase)

Looked like boiling down to a match between two highly-regarded five-year-olds. An infected bone joint four weeks before the Festival ruled Sir Gino out of the meeting for a second consecutive season.

His absence leaves the other young gun MAJBOROUGH (NAP), who won the Triumph Hurdle at the 2024 Festival, as one of the odds-on Cheltenham favourites now. Although a little low at some of his fences when landing the Irish Arkle, he is another for the powerful combination of Willie Mullins and JP McManus.

Majborough bids to become seventh winner of the Arkle trained in Closutton since 2015. When it comes to day 1 Cheltenham tips, price and what constitutes value are factors.

Course and distance winner L’Eau Du Sud (NB) has suddenly had the enormity of his task reduced, meanwhile. Dan Skelton’s charge landed the official Arkle Trial and Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase earlier in the season.

L’Eau Du Sud defied a penalty with a workmanlike success in the Kingmaker around local course Warwick, but this is his target. The Arkle Chase also sees Jango Baie drops back in trip as Nicky Henderson seeks better ground for the Scilly Isles second.

Receiving weight all-round is Gavin Cromwell’s talented mare Only By Night (EW), who has taken well to fences. Gordon Elliott runner Touch Me Not completes the field of five in a small but select Arkle.

Ultima Handicap Chase Tips

Recent impressive Kempton winner KATATE DORI (NAP) is eye-catching toward the foot of the weights. A 12lb penalty sounds severe for his Ladbrokes Trophy rout, but Sam Thomas’ charge won as he liked and has a previous 3m 2f win around Chepstow.

A more galloping track is no problem for Katate Dori, then, who has Dylan Johnston back in the saddle and taking 3lb off with his claim. Fellow market principals The Changing Man, who saw the Reynoldstown fall apart at Ascot last time, and Broadway Boy, out of sorts here on New Year’s Day, are potential traps for punters.

Masaccio also falls into this category as he might find a distance between this trip and 2m 4f optimum. Also of interest among Cheltenham tips for day 1 here is Henry’s Friend (NB), who won the Mandarin very nicely.

He looks as though he’s improving for Ben Pauling at a time when Broadway Boy and Victtorino, who were both home in front of him in the Coral Gold Cup, are in the grip of the handicapper. Crebilly often flatters to deceive for Jonjo O’Neill and JP McManus, meanwhile.

Whistle Stop Tour comes down from Scotland for this race that the Lucinda Russell stable have done so well in before. Course winner Malina Girl should be a strong stayer at this trip, though, and Gavin Cromwell’s mare seems versatile as regards ground.

As he made the cut, fellow Irish raider The Short Go (EW) could be dangerous for Henry De Bromhead. Last year’s fourth Famous Bridge and course winner King Turgeon fit the ratings profile.

Close Brothers Mares Hurdle Tips (David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle)

Last year’s winner LOSSIEMOUTH (NAP) is a late defection from the Champion Hurdle picture, but in a different league to these. Connections always left the decision about which race on the Cheltenham schedule they went to open until the last minute and run here.

Willie Mullins also has Jade De Grugy in the race. The problem with her is all her graded form is on clockwise tracks like Fairyhouse and Punchestown. Nicky Henderson supplements Joyeuse for JP McManus, meanwhile, and she’s respected up in trip.

It’s the proven stamina of JULY FLOWER (NB) feared most, though. She might keep Henry De Bromhead’s excellent record in the Mares’ Hurdle going. July Flower had subsequent Doncaster Grade 2 winner Jetara well-beaten when scoring at Leopardstown over Christmas.

At bigger prices, connections of Queens Gamble (EW) could roll the dice and try her outside of handicaps. Harry Derham is an ambitious trainer and the longer trip may suit. Warfield winner Take No Chances and Gordon Elliott’s Kala Conti could take minor honours.

Champion Hurdle Tips

With the mare BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD (NAP) so impressive at Leopardstown, she shades the vote. Gordon Elliott’s mare routed subsequent Irish Champion Hurdle winner State Man (EW) over Christmas. With a pacemaker also engaged by connections, Brighterdaysahead can’t be opposed lightly.

A rejuvenated Constitution Hill (NB) is a major threat as he bids to regain his crown. Nicky Henderson’s star is super talented but fragile, and ought to have the same Cheltenham odds or better on the day of the Champion Hurdle with a couple of mares taking him on.

Any sort of each-way angle apart from State Man into the big race with just seven declared is difficult. After getting up at Wincanton on a track plenty sharp enough for her, the rejuvenated Golden Ace could also go well.

She inflicted a shock defeat upon Brighterdaysahead in the Dawn Run at last year’s Festival with Jade De Grugy back in fourth and wasn’t stopping at the line. Jeremy Scott’s mare has something to find on ratings, but has also delivered on the big occasion.

Fred Winter Hurdle Tips (Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle)

Tricky as ever. JP McManus looks as though he has a strong hand of unexposed types with the market siding with Stencil. It might be Joseph O’Brien, who does well with his runners in this race, rather than the French raider that represents his best chance, though.

BEYOND YOUR DREAMS (NAP) should turn around Navan form with Total Look at the revised weights. Puturhandstogether was the best of the O’Brien runners based on Flat ratings and can also have a say in proceedings.

If Out For A Stroll (EW) makes the final cut, though, she also has claims for the same connections. He beat a subsequent three-time winner at Limerick and that ties him in with Willie Mullins filly Murcia (NB). She really caught the eye when finishing fast up the hill at Naas behind a horse who came out and landed a graded event at the same venue.

Slurricane also ties in with some of the market principals in an edition of the Fred Winter where the Irish have plenty of talent. British contenders are tougher to find, but Hot Fuss and Liam Swagger aren’t forlorn hopes.

National Hunt Chase Tips (Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase)

The dynamic of Cheltenham tips completely changes from previous editions here. This is because the National Hunt Chase is now a handicap rather than a Grade 2 novice chase. Course winners HAITI COULEURS (NAP) and Transmission (NB) look the obvious places to start.

Haiti Couleurs represents Rebecca Curtis’ Welsh stable who won this race back in 2012. He jumped well and beat Transmission fair and square. Although worse off at the weights, Haiti Couleurs has a big advantage over his old rival.

That boils down to Transmission forfeiting ground at every fence by jumping to his right. It’s not ideal at Cheltenham, but the Neil Mulholland runner still has claims. JP McManus has two UK entries, but Aworkinprogress may struggle to get into the final field of 18.

Hashthing shaped like stepping up trip could suit him when fourth at Ascot after a couple of wins around Windsor, meanwhile. Resplendent Grey and Herakles Westwood are other contenders for the home team to consider.

The Irish contingent includes the likes of closely matched pair Captain Cody and Now Is The Hour. Topweight Duffle Coat, Stuzzikini and Will Do are Gordon Elliott’s three runners.

Cheltenham Day 2 Tips – Style Wednesday

The former Ladies Day also has plenty to offer on the Cheltenham betting tips front. Starting off with two Grade 1s in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, we also witness some unique race on the card.

They include the Cross Country Chase, now reverting to a limited handicap, and Weatherbys Champion Bumper. In amongst these events, many day 2 Cheltenham tips concentrate on the feature Queen Mother Champion Chase over two miles.

Fans of handicaps also have the always difficult to fathom Coral Cup over hurdles and historic Grand Annual Chase over fences on this day too. Read on for the latest Cheltenham races tips from what we now call Style Wednesday.

Turners Novices Hurdle Tips (Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle)

While it’s definitely possible that Final Demand (NB) has the class to drop back slightly in trip for this, he shaped like an Albert Bartlett horse when pulling effortlessly clear at the Dublin Racing Festival.

JP McManus purchase THE NEW LION (NAP) hasn’t been asked any questions whatsoever over hurdles so far and this is the race for him. Dan Skelton’s emerging star took his form to a whole new level with a facile success in the Challow at Newbury over the festive period.

The New Lion has since joined the ranks of leading Irish owner McManus, so confidence is sky high. Irish challenges abound, meanwhile, with The Yellow Clay also goes here and not to the Albert Bartlett.

Gordon Elliott avoids that slog, even though he might be better suited by the relentless galloping of that staying race after going through the grades at Navan and Naas.

Festival Trials Day 1-2 Sixmilebridge and Potters Charm (EW) are both each-way contenders, but Cheltenham Wednesday tips feel the Irish challenge looks very strong to the home team.

Brown Advisory Novices Chase Tips (Broadway Novices’ Chase)

Hard to oppose BALLYBURN (NAP), who re-established his authority at the Dublin Racing Festival. His bloodless victory here 12 months ago in what is now the Turners over hurdles marked him down as a real star. Ballyburn caught the eye on his chasing debut and wasn’t disgraced when lacking the gears against Sir Gino at Kempton.

Stepped back up in trip around Leopardstown last time out, he showed his class. Going even further holds no fears for Ballyburn and he’s one of the big-name Cheltenham horses at the Festival. There are plenty of dangers within the Willie Mullins yard, however, and the market rates Dancing City highly.

He disappointed in the Albert Bartlett here 12 months ago, so that’s a worry but can improve for fences. Lecky Watson needs to brush up on his jumping, meanwhile. Gordon Elliott inmate Better Days Ahead (NB) might be the biggest threat to one of the leading Cheltenham tips for day 2 of the Festival, though.

A season-ending setback for The Jukebox Man, and defections by Jango Baie and Jingko Blue, leaves British contenders thin on the ground. Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story (EW) saved his best for Cheltenham last term, but forecast ground is a concern.

Coral Cup Tips (Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle)

Quick turnarounds aren’t usually a plus here, nor is it easy to lay one out for this most competitive of Premier Handicap Hurdle races. Despite the latter, there is definitely more to come from IMPOSE TOI (NAP) over this trip and he likes sound surfaces.

One of two in the race for JP McManus, Nicky Henderson has a good Coral Cup record as all those giving Cheltenham tips should know. Impose Toi very much looks the owner’s and stable first string, but Comfort Zone for Joseph O’Brien in the same silks commands respect too.

Sandor Clegane (NB) definitely has a big race him, so appeals most from those towards the top of the weights. Also in that contingent besides Paul Nolan’s charge is last Ballyadam, a gallant runner-up 12 months ago. Al Gasparo had a sighter at the course earlier in the season and didn’t stay three miles, but should have no problem over this trip.

Be Aware, who keeps threatening to win one of these big handicaps, solely represents the Dan Skelton stable this time. He has obvious claims and been ante-post favourite for some time. Value lies elsewhere as a result, though.

Clonmel 1-2 Beckett Rock (EW), who like Ballyadam represents Henry De Bromhead, and Bunting both could go well with the latter one of three for Willie Mullins. King Alexander may outrun his odds for that stable too with Jimmy Du Seuil off for almost a year.

Vischio and Beat The Bat both have more to offer stepping up in distance, while Anna Bunina ran well here in October. Grade 2 course and distance winning novice Minella Missile is still working his way back from a lengthy layoff.

Cross Country Chase Cheltenham Tips

Now this is a (limited) handicap again, it may no longer be the Gordon Elliott benefit of recent years. STUMPTOWN (NAP) is one of two contenders for the Gavin Cromwell stable that catches the eye. He likes Cheltenham and won a Cross Country handicap cosily here in December when completing a hat-trick in this sphere.

If not topweight Stumptown, then fellow Punchestown banks scorer Vanillier (NB) threw his hat into the ring with a much improved round of jumping last time. The Cromwell duo are both definite Cheltenham tips for Wednesday against Gordon Elliott old favourite Galvin who needs good ground.

One who should improve for going back up in distance, however, is Coko Beach (EW). The grey who likes testing ground is younger than his stable companion, and will also be much better off at the weights with Vanillier from Punchestown.

We should also see some other veterans perhaps for the last time at the Cheltenham Festival. Latenightpass and Roi Mage both fit into that category and have Cross Country experience. Longstanding maiden Mister Coffey chased home Stumptown in December, so could go close again for Nicky Henderson..

Queen Mother Champion Chase Tips

The stars may have aligned for JONBON (NAP) to finally get a Festival win despite past Cheltenham results showing two previous seconds at the meeting. Nicky Henderson and JP McManus have a full-brother to the great Douvan in his prime at a time when Irish opposition has questions.

Jonbon has looked better and better all season, again landing the Shloer Chase and Tingle Creek before adding the Clarence House at Ascot to his CV. Positive tactics work and he stays further after winning last season’s Melling Chase at Aintree. Expect there to be plenty of pace on in the Champion Chase, though.

With French raider Il Est Francais and Gaelic Warrior going for the Ryanair Chase, many Wednesday Cheltenham tips suggest each-way alternatives to the market principals here. Solness has improved no end this term with back-to-back Grade 1s around Leopardstown from the front.

Nico de Boinville on Jonbon won’t give the Joseph O’Brien runner too much rope, and he needs to prove himself on a more undulating track at this level. Willie Mullins still has the veteran Energumene, put in his place in the Clarence House, for the Champion Chase.

Marine Nationale (NB) is usually on the premises in these two-mile Grade 1s and has solid prospects of hitting the frame. If there’s a strong pace set by Solness, that could bring Libberty Hunter (EW) into it from off the pace at a big price. Last year’s winner Captain Guinness just doesn’t seem the force of old.

Grand Annual Chase Tips (Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase)

Last year’s winner Unexpected Party is back for more. The problem with a successful defence for Dan Skelton’s runner is he has 6lb more on his back now. Cian Collins may have laid former Festival winner JAZZY MATTY (NAP) out for this, though, after his unlucky course and distance head second in October.

Gavin Cromwell launches a three-pronged attack in the Grand Annual with the classy My Mate Mozzie (NB), Midnight It Is and The King Of Prs, who fell in this race 12 months ago, all have claims. Most Cheltenham tips won’t put you off any of his runners in the handicaps.

Preference from the Cromwell trio is for My Mate Mozzie, who keeps knocking on the door in big races. The other two for the yard must prove they can run well outside of Ireland. Midnight It Is could reverse Fairyhouse form with The King Of Prs now racing left-handed.

Henry De Bromhead pair Dancing On My Own and Jasko Des Dames (EW) are also worth closer looks. Especially as the latter made the cut, he could be very dangerous off a low weight back on a sounder surface.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper Tips

Hard to find many standout National Hunt Flat race winners this season, so wide-margin Gowran Parl scorer AQUA FORCE (NAP) looks a notable recruit for Willie Mullins. He has won this with mares in the past including Relegate and JP McManus has purchased this female after her romp.

Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud have four for the race, but Listed Navan scorer Kalypso’chance looks thee pick of those. Unbeaten in three starts, he has been laid out for a tilt at this.

Mullins has a record 13 Champion Bumper wins, so plenty of Cheltenham Festival horse racing tips say to consider Bambino Fever (NB). As another of the mares lining up, she receives 7lb from the boys here and took her form to a new level with Leopardstown Grade 2 success last time.

Copacabana and Gameofinches are other Mullins mounts prominent in the betting. Coming to Cheltenham off just one bumper run could be risky, however. Against this Irish contingent, Harry Fry’s Idaho Sun has done nothing wrong at all in landing both his starts.

Paul Nicholls could run No Drama This End (EW) in colours made famous by Denman, meanwhile. Another unbeaten runner, he may outrun his odds with Ditcheat saddling Captain Teague to third place in this in recent years.

Cheltenham Day 3 Tips – St Patrick’s Thursday

The penultimate day of the Festival means terrific Thursday Cheltenham tips below. For 2025, the card has a new running order. St Patrick’s Thursday begins with the Dawn Run, a Grade 2 novice hurdle for mares only and the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase follows.

It’s a somewhat handicap heavy with four of the seven races being of this type. The Pertemps Final is the series finale and culmination of a number of staying handicap hurdles held throughout the British Isles. There are two feature races for the price of one on St Patrick’s Thursday, meanwhile.

Firstly, the Ryanair Chase over fences. Following that is the Stayers’ Hurdle. Also look out for Cheltenham tips on day 3 on two more handicaps. These are the Festival Plate and Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup for amateur jockeys. Both of these races come over fences.

Ryanair Mares Novices Hurdle Tips (Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle)

Gavin Cromwell has been developing a great reputation for his training of mares, so SIXANDAHALF (NAP) looks very smart. Thought speedy enough for a Flat campaign over the summer and autumn, she impressed with a wide-margin hurdles debut success at Fairyhouse. Sixandahalf also beat Dublin Racing Festival Grade 2 bumper Colcannon at Punchestown last spring.

That gives her real form claims. Plenty of Cheltenham Thursday tips favour Maughreen (NB), however. Unbeaten in two starts for Willie Mullins and the Closutton Racing Club, she’s also a Punchestown bumper winner who also made a successful hurdles debut there. Maughreen looks more like a type for the Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse over Easter, though.

Mullins pair Karoline Banbou for JP McManus and Aurora Vega, a daughter of the great Quevega, are both ones to note too. Joseph O’Brien gives four-year-old Galileo Dame an eye-catching entry against her elders, meanwhile. British trainers have won this in each of the last three seasons, though.

It looks as though Jubilee Alpha (EW) has improved with Listed success and then defying a penalty at Windsor over the winter. Paul Nicholls doesn’t have many realistic Festival chances in Grade 1 races this season, but Jubilee Alpha has claims in Grade 2 company here. Ditcheat could also have Just A Rose running.

Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Tips

A brand new Cheltenham Festival race and conditions could be just right for NURBURGRING (NAP) to add to his Galway Hurdle heroics. Joseph O’Brien saddled him to a fine fourth in the Triumph Hurdle on Gold Cup day at last year’s meeting.

Plenty of others have chances, however, with topweight Springwell Bay impressing over course and distance when bolting up last time out. Gordon Elliott pair Firefox and Dee Capo should both go well despite being in the upper echelons of this limited handicap.

It could pay to look lower down the weights for Cheltenham tips, though, and another course and distance present himself in Moon D’Orange (NB) for John McConnell. He shed the maiden tag when scoring on Festival Trials Day here.

The Other Mozzie is one to note for yet another Irish trainer in Gavin Cromwell, meanwhile. Newbury 1-2 Lord Of Thunder and Pic Roc (EW) are closely matched down in trip with the latter 3lb better off for Ben Pauling over Joe Tizzard’s charge.

Pertemps Final Tips (Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle)

The eye is drawn to two horses rated 134 with progressive novice WILL THE WISE (NAP) a real contender. Gavin Cromwell’s charge placed behind a dark horse for the Supreme in Irancy and subsequent Grade 1 winner Final Demand earlier in the season.

Since then, Will The Wise scored at Punchestown and qualified for this by storming up the hill at Naas. A hefty rise from the handicapper may not stop him from going in again. If rain hits Cheltenham, then Henri The Second (NB) could have a big say too.

Paul Nicholls won this 12 months ago with Monmiral and could’ve used that one to control the weights for his stable companion but doesn’t. Many Irish raiders have rises in the handicap to overcome, but six-year-old pair D Art D Art and Win Some Lose Some could be anything still.

Nicky Henderson has three runners, and all have bits and pieces of useful form. Don’t be surprised if Doddiethegreat, Jeriko Du Reponet and Shanagh Bob feature among Cheltenham tips for the Pertemps Final this year.

Two previous course and distance winners that might sneak in at the foot of the weights are also of interest. Zain Nights and first reserve Long Draw (EW) are no strangers to Cheltenham and may not have been so lucky as to get a run in previous renewals for Lucy Wadham and Olly Murphy respectively.

Ryanair Chase Tips

Plenty could change with the make up of this race. Logic suggests JP McManus and Willie Mullins will reroute FACT TO FILE (NAP) here after consecutive defeats by Galopin Des Champs over three miles. The leading Irish owner no longer has Spillane’s Tower entered, so the John Durkan winner is his only bullet.

French raider Il Est Francais looks set to give it a go from the front, however, with many Cheltenham tips for Thursday Grade 1 action considering him a big threat.  How the yard splits up its top chasers across the Cheltenham race cards will also shape the market.

While Banbridge goes for the Gold Cup, last year’s winner Protektorat (NB) defends his crown, but may find life tougher against the mighty Mullins-McManus combination. Dan Skelton is very much a target trainer, however, and his charge beat previous multiple Cheltenham Festival winner Envoi Allen 12 months ago.

He could be back for more, but aged 11 is even older than Protektorat. Henry De Bromhead also has Heart Wood (EW) and Jungle Boogie entered. Both of those could feasibly outrun their odds and won’t be their current prices if the Ryanair Chase cuts up.

Heart Wood beat Corbetts Cross around Wexford and then finished a rallying narrow second in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse. Although no match for Galopin Des Champs subsequently, dropping back to this trip makes sense. Similar comments apply to the very lightly-raced Jungle Boogie too.

Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle Tips

An on-song TEAHUPOO (NAP), who goes well fresh, wins this again. He showed all the necessary improvement last season when lightly-campaigned and targeting this to land the spoils for Gordon Elliott and Robcour. Teahupoo has little to fear from re-opposing and quirky third Home By The Lee, who isn’t the easiest ride.

He won a second Lismullen Hurdle around Navan and Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle this winter. Teahupoo lost little in defeat to Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, meanwhile, and has once again been laid out for this.

One improving rival day 3 Cheltenham tips can’t ignore is Lucky Place (NB), who has definitely progressed from handicaps. Last season’s Coral Cup fourth has landed two Grade 2s this winter in the Ascot Hurdle and Relkeel Hurdle at the home of the Festival. Nicky Henderson has every right to step Lucky Place up in trip at Cheltenham races and have a tilt at this now.

Elliott has another Stayers’ Hurdle contender in The Wallpark (EW), meanwhile. He ran fourth in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot just before Christmas on his first start outside of handicap company and since JP McManus purchased him.

The Wallpark runs here and not in the Pertemps Final. Young pretender Rocky’s Diamond is another improver after landing the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park. Cheltenham racing tips shouldn’t overlook a course regular in Cleeve Hurdle hero Gowel Road either. Locally trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, he has a lot more on his plate now.

TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase Tips

Plenty of previous course and distance winners in the line-up, but something unexposed may go well. It could be worth chancing Irish raider AN PEANN DEARG (NAP) upped in trip seeking a hat-trick after Paul Nolan chose to run him here and not in the Grand Annual.

A much-improved model around Leopardstown this winter, he gets in off just 10st 5lb and could have more to offer over a longer trip. An Peann Dearg has 12lb more on his back than his Dublin Racing Festival success, but won with such authority that it might not stop him.

Talented novice Jagwar is the obvious one, but what most Cheltenham tips don’t tell you is the swing in weight with Masaccio. Alan King’s horse is 6lb better off with the JP McManus runner from Festival Trials Day here and that could be key.

Jordans (NB) placed in a Grade 1 over Christmas and has since been freshened up for a tilt at this Premier Handicap, though. Another novice and representing Joseph O’Brien, he now goes handicapping over fences for the first time.

Gavin Cromwell has a trio of runners as the Emerald Isle raiders just keep on coming. La Malmason (EW) down in distance is most interesting of these as the mares has won over this track and trip before. Path D’Oroux and Thecompanysergeant have bits and piece of form that give them a shout as well.

Few of the course regulars in races like these look well-handicapped. Fugitif might be the best of these with forecast ground against Ginny’s Destiny, but neither are in their best form.  Gemirande and Il Ridoto still look too high in the weights, while the veteran Seddon is 12. Ben Pauling claims off last year’s winner Shakem Up’Arry and fits first-time cheekpieces on Personal Ambition.

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Tips

Provided there is nothing of last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin’s calibre in this edition of the amateur jockeys’ handicap chase, the runner-up GIT MAKER (NAP) should go one better. Jamie Snowden again books crack amateur Will Biddick for the ride.

He also reaches for first-time cheekpieces on Git Maker, who is just 1lb higher than when second 12 months ago. Those in-behind him in 2024 like Where It All Began, Daily Present, Grozni and Dom Of Mary have it all to do improve on their finishing positions.

A bigger danger among Cheltenham tips for St Patrick’s Thursday is Willie Mullins’ Sa Majeste (NB). Well-fancied for last year’s Coral Cup, switching to fences could be the making of him and he’s two from four over the larger obstacles.

Others who appeal all have good runs around Prestbury Park. The likes of Manothepeople and last year’s Hunter Chase heroine Sine Nomine fit that bill. It’s Midnight Our Fred (EW) who might be best of these after an excellent second in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

The forecast sounder surface is something topweight Fantastic Lady won’t mind either after Nicky Henderson’s mare ran all right in Listed females only races. She’s a Grade 2 winner from last spring in a handicap.

Cheltenham Day 4 Tips – Gold Cup Day

Last but not least, we arrive at the final day of the Festival. Three more Grade 1 races represent the best of Friday Cheltenham tips from the concluding card of this major meeting. Gold Cup day begins with the Triumph Hurdle, the top race for four-year-olds over obstacles.

Premier Handicap fans and our experts alike then have the puzzle of the County Hurdle to try and solve. The Mares’ Chase moves up the order of running now and take place before the Albert Bartlett, registered as the Spa Novices’ Hurdle.

Cheltenham Gold Cup tips are what day 4 is all about for most punters, though. The blue riband of steeplechases is an obvious Festival highlight. The Hunter Chase for amateur jockeys and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle bring proceedings to a close.

JCB Triumph Hurdle Tips

Realistic British hopes head the market here with Nicky Henderson’s LULAMBA (NAP) and James Owen Flat convert East India Dock (NB). While the latter has course experience, the former won his UK debut at Ascot without coming off the bridle. Lulamba could be another smart purchase for the “Shishkin connections”.

East India Dock brings graded Cheltenham form to the table, so you can make an easy case for him. There’s less to like about the Irish crop headed by Spring Juvenile scorer Hello Neighbour, however.

Gavin Cromwell’s horse seems to idle in front. Either Hello Neighbour is very clever and just doing enough, or that’s a worry. In amongst the obvious contenders and Cheltenham Friday tips for the opener, it’d be foolish to ignore Willie Mullins’ recent record in the Triumph.

He has four wins in the last five seasons and Lady Vega Allen (EW) has twice placed behind Hello Neighbour. As a filly, she receives 7lb from the boys here. Mullins runs 10 others including a number making their hurdling debuts, so most are difficult to assess.

County Hurdle Tips (County Handicap Hurdle)

As competitive as it gets at Cheltenham. Of the market principals, Willie Mullins mare KARGESE (NAP) looks feasibly handicapped in a wide-open contest. Last year’s Triumph second could now be the bride herself on a mark of 141. Kargese has the same rating and is the same age as stable companion State Man when he won it for the yard in 2022.

There are any number of serious dangers in the line-up including others from Closutton. Don’t rule out another bold show from last year’s winner Absurde despite an 8lb higher mark. Ethical Diamond also runs for the same owners.

McLaurey is a progressive type for JP McManus and Emmet Mullins, meanwhile, who has a whopping 16lb rise from the handicapper for his cosy Dublin Racing Festival success. That also brings re-opposing third Irish Panther into calculations.

Dan Skelton always does well with his County Hurdle horses, so Valgrand (NB) looks best of the home team. Like Kargese, he’s among Cheltenham tips for the Gold Cup card because he appears feasibly handicapped on past course form. Valgrand routed the opposition here in an Old Course novices’ Grade 2 on a sound surface in October. That performance still stands out in the mind.

Lark In The Mornin, who landed the Fred Winter last year, is another with claims for Joseph O’Brien, but third home Ndaawi (EW) is 4lb better off with him on that run. Gordon Elliott’s charge finished second in the valuable Galway Hurdle over the summer and may have been laid out for this.

Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase Tips (Liberthine Mares’ Chase)

JP McManus should see his stranglehold on this race continue with the defection of Only By Night to the Arkle and the absence of Telepathique. In their absence, last season’s 1-2 Limerick Lace and Dinoblue (NAP) resume their rivalry both carrying his green and gold silks. Preference is for the latter.

Dinoblue gave weight to and fended off Closutton stable companion Allegorie De Vassy, whose tendency to jump out to her right makes her frustrating to the follow at the Festival. Gavin Cromwell still has a decent if diminished hand.

Limerick Lace, among day 4 Cheltenham tips in the past, hasn’t looked the force of last season when connections went to the Grand National after her triumph here. Cromwell also runs Brides Hill (NB) in the race, who should get conditions to suit.

Albert Bartlett Cheltenham Tips (Spa / Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle)

Defections to the Baring Bingham by ante-post favourite Final Demand and The Yellow Clay diminish this race considerably. The run posted by the former at the Dublin Racing Festival could be key to this event where Wingmen and Jasmin De Vaux (NAP) chased him home.

Preference is for the latter for those looking for Cheltenham tips on day 4 in a below par Albert Bartlett. Jamsin De Vaux returns to the scene of his greatest triumph after landing the Champion Bumper in style 12 months ago.

Going up to 3m over hurdles makes sense, because there isn’t so much focus on his jumping. Jasmin De Vaux almost got up for third at Leopardstown while Wingmen toiled in the wake of Final Demand, notably flashing his tail on the home turn.

Prominent alternatives in the market include Henry De Bromhead mare The Big Westerner (NB) and French raider Jet Blue (EW). The former could be anything and brings an unbeaten record to the table after landing the Dorans Pride at Limerick over Christmas. Jet Blue, meanwhile, has a course and distance victory in a Grade 2 Cheltenham trial for David Cottin.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips

A hat-trick in the blue riband of steeplechasing beckons for GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (NAP). Despite prohibitive odds in the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting for a third consecutive triumph, he is impossible to oppose. Galopin Des Champs has looked as good as ever in landing two more Leopardstown Grade 1s.

The latest of those was a third Irish Gold Cup during the Dublin Racing Festival. Expect a similar feat here. With Fact To File swerving a rematch with Galopin Des Champs for the Ryanair instead, King George VI Chase hero Banbridge (NB) looks as though he’ll get his ground.

Joseph O’Brien saw his charge mow down frontrunner Il Est Francais at Kempton in such a way on Boxing Day that he could well stay the extra couple of furlongs. Despite JP McManus supplementing last year’s facile Kim Muir winner Inothewayurthinkin into the Gold Cup, there are no stamina doubts about National Hunt Chase winner Corbetts Cross (EW).

Emmet Mullins could have a chance of upsetting his uncle Willie. Many experts now include Corbetts Cross in Cheltenham Gold Cup tips as a value alternative to Galopin Des Champs. The Ascot Chase, over way too sharp a trip, was merely another unusual prep race for a tilt at the blue riband.

British trainers look to have all but surrendered the Gold Cup with Grey Dawning and L’Homme Presse defecting. Ahoy Senor, The Real Whacker and Royale Pagaille, who has run into the minor places before, look some way below the others. Don’t rule out further improvement from Monty’s Star for Henry De Bromhead, though.

Festival Hunter Chase Tips (St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase)

Past Kim Muir winner ANGELS DAWN (NAP) is a classy recruit to the hunter chase scene and could win a second Cheltenham Festival race for trainer Sam Curling. An excellent third in last season’s Thyestes Chase around Gowran Park, the pick of her handicap form is plenty good enough to win this.

Angels Dawn is one of the top Cheltenham tips on Friday because she’s a mare. They receive a 7lb sex allowance from the geldings and Sine Nomine used that weight to great effect when landing the spoils 12 months ago. Sam Curling also has Wonderwall entered.

Last year’s second Its On The Line came good after the Festival with wins at Aintree and Punchestown, but doesn’t look in that form this term for Emmet Mullins and JP McManus.

With David Christie’s battalion of hunter chasers notably absent, Willitgoahead (NB) from the Sean Thomas Doyle stable and Ross O’Sullivan runner Ryehill are both unexposed types.

For the home team, Fairly Famous won over course and distance on the Hunter Chase Evening. Shearer (EW) is a course winner, however, and unbeaten since switching to fences and this discipline for Paul Nicholls and daughter Olive.

Marin Pipe Cheltenham Tips (Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle)

And so to the final race of the Festival. Always difficult, the mare WODHOOH (NAP) successfully stepped up in trip to score over course and distance on reappearance. Gordon Elliott always save a good one for the Martin Pipe as the master of Pond House mentored him.

Wodhooh proved her juvenile Listed success were no fluke when besting subsequent Newbury Premier Handicap heroine Joyeuse here in December. Despite an 11lb higher mark, she can continue her winning sequence. Minella Sixo could also be of interest dropped back in trip.

Willie Mullins also targets the race, and talking horse Kopeck De Mee runs here. A French recruit for JP McManus, he could be anything on stable debut. The same silks are also carried by Paul Nolan’s Park Of Kings (NB), who has twice gone close to landing a big pot this season.

The home team have chances too, though. Course and distance winner Doyen Quest, Ben Pauling’s No Questions Asked, and Electric Mason for the Christ Gordon stable are worth mentions. It’s the attractive low weight of East India Express (EW) that appeals most from the British contingent, however.

Nicky Henderson’s charge won a couple of decent races at Ascot earlier in the campaign and only has a 6lb higher mark now. Act Of Authority for Olly Murphy and last year’s Fred Winter fourth Harsh have bits and pieces of for that say they could outrun big odds.

General Cheltenham Betting Tips

Now that the specifics of individual Cheltenham Festival out of the way, we felt some general advice wouldn’t go amiss. Lying behind any of our Cheltenham tips for today are broader strategies and thought.

There are smart ways to go about betting on the Festival overall. We thus discuss how to go about it in a logical, methodical way. This advice isn’t prescriptive or fool-proof and can’t guarantee winners, but it should at least help you reach better decisions when wagering.

What You Should Avoid with Cheltenham Tips Today

There are also some pitfalls worth pointing out to you. Avoiding them will hopefully enhance your chances of successful betting on Cheltenham. Learning from mistakes made by others can save you from disappointment.

Just as we provide horse racing tips for Cheltenham on how to go about it above, this is all about what not to do. Follow this advice in tandem with the general guidance and you’ll walk the line just fine.

FAQs

Who gives Cheltenham tips today?

You’ll find lots of betting tips on the Cheltenham Festival right here on our site.

How are horse racing tips for Cheltenham created?

Our experts study form and individual race trends, then come up with a shortlist of three. The NAP is our more likely winner, while NB denotes a big danger to the main selection. We also have an each-way tip in every Festival race.

Should I follow Cheltenham betting tips when tipsters give different selections?

Everyone has an opinion, but when the wider consensus is divided, it puts punters in a difficult situation. No every winner at Cheltenham is the obvious one, though, so it’s down to you to decide which tipsters to follow and horses to back and why.

Can I get Cheltenham Festival tips on all 28 races?

Yes, we have Cheltenham tips on every single one of the Festival races. Ones for the handicaps, which close later than the graded events, follow the championship races at a later date.

Why offer free tips for Cheltenham today?

We employ experts to follow the Festival and the entire jumps season as a whole. Part of their work is to provide Cheltenham tips for you. It’s a key part of our ethos that those selections should be free of charge.