Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Selections
Champion Chase
I think Marine Nationale is the worthy favourite here. His comeback run at Leopardstown where he finished second to course specialist Solness, was very encouraging when it comes to retaining his Champion Chase crown. But I think the price is probably right at 9/4.
I know he looks like a different horse at the moment, but Il Etait Temps has simply not produced his best at Cheltenham. He’s run in 3 Festivals and even though he’s not run terribly, he has been some way below his best. On that basis I just couldn’t take a short price about him.
On the face of it, he probably shouldn’t be good enough, but from a betting perspective, I think L’Eau du Sud is a fair price. I can see this race being a small field and you probably won’t get 3 places on the day, so I immediately think the place portion is a key part of this bet. So, if you’re having any each way multiples ahead of Cheltenham, he’s one to stick in there.
He is a horse who tends to produce his best at Cheltenham. He was second in the County Hurdle in 2024 before hacking up in the Arkle Trial on his second chase start in the same year. In the Arkle itself last season, they went quite hard and I think he got into the race a bit too early and so he didn’t have enough left in the tank at the finish. Making his seasonal return in the Shloer Chase in November, he waltzed in, absolutely destroying the field. That was his best performance to date and re-enforced the theory that he saves his best for Cheltenham.
I’m putting a line through the Tingle Creek as he looked a bit flat and never finished off his race. I like that Dan Skelton is freshening him up for Cheltenham and going straight there. He will be A1 and for a horse who saves his best for this venue, he’s definitely got a good shout at what looks like a more than reasonable price.
Recommended Bet
Back L’Eau du Sud @ 14/1 Each Way
Mares Novices Hurdle
We don’t have any entries for this race yet, but I want to get in early with Echoing Silence. She cost a whopping £410,000 which goes to show what was thought of her at an early stage. She won her bumper last season and has won both her hurdles starts this campaign.
Visually impressive at Cork in November, she was more workmanlike in a Listed event at Punchestown, but she was professional. It was effortless to get to the front and despite not pulling away from rivals, she was always holding them comfortably. She is evidently a very talented mare.
Given the yard she’s from, I am keen to get her on side. Henry De Bromhead won this race in 2021 and 2025. He’s got another great chance this year with Echoing Silence.
Recommended Bet
Back Echoing Silence @ 14/1
|
The rest of this article is for Platinum members. You've just seen what our experts do with publicly available data — the Platinum section is where the specific angles, numbers and actionable conclusions live. Platinum members also get daily system selections in their inbox by 2am, tips from top tipsters, Win Big Golf selections, and access to 11 years of magazine archives. |
