ULTIMATE CHELTENHAM BETTING GUIDE: Mail Sport’s experts, including Ed Chamberlin and Lizzie Kelly, name their best bets and outsiders to back across the four days of the Festival


The Cheltenham Festival roars into action tomorrow and everybody has an opinion about which horse to back in which race. 

Our top team of racing experts ED CHAMBERLIN, LIZZIE KELLY, MARCUS TOWNEND, PETER SCUDAMORE and DOMINIC KING will point you in the right direction every day. 

Here are their top picks.

Thousands of fans are set to flock to the Cheltenham Festival this week

Thousands of fans are set to flock to the Cheltenham Festival this week

Punters will be hoping to win some money during a thrilling week of racing

Punters will be hoping to win some money during a thrilling week of racing

ED CHAMBERLIN

BEST BET

I’ve been sweet for a long time on JADE DE GRUGY in the Mares Novices Hurdle on Thursday. 

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic contest, as I hear they love Brighterdaysahead in Gordon Elliott’s stable and there is a lot of confidence behind Dysart Enos but Jade De Grugy runs in the colours of Honeysuckle and she is capable of upholding the tradition.

NEXT BEST

There WILL be success for British trainers and Dan Skelton has got some potent bullets to fire. GREY DAWNING jumps well and travels powerfully. 

I’ve been impressed with him this winter and he can land the Turners Novices Chase on Thursday. I expect he will be well-backed to do it. He is unlucky not to be unbeaten in his last three starts.

OUTSIDER

CORACH RAMBLER is a fantastic each-way bet in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He loves weaving his way in and out of rivals and will be coming up the hill strongly. 

It’s being said this is a warm up race for his Grand National defence but he can show his class.

Mail Sport expert Ed Chamberlin has provided his best bets and outsiders for the week ahead

Mail Sport expert Ed Chamberlin has provided his best bets and outsiders for the week ahead

Jade De Grugy (pictured) should shine in the Mares Novices Hurdle on Thursday

Jade De Grugy (pictured) should shine in the Mares Novices Hurdle on Thursday

Corach Rambler (pictured) triumphed at last year's Grand National, and is a fantastic each-way bet for the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Corach Rambler (pictured) triumphed at last year’s Grand National, and is a fantastic each-way bet for the Cheltenham Gold Cup

MARCUS TOWNEND

BEST BET

I’ve had my eye on LIBBERTY HUNTER for most of the season as he switched to fences. He fell at the third last when coming to win at Chepstow in November but has since won at Wincanton and at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. 

The rapid tempo of Wednesday’s Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase will suit and he has a good turn of foot. The booking of Harry Cobden to ride looks significant.

NEXT BEST

Expectations were once so huge it seems the exploits of ENVOI ALLEN, who runs in Thursday’s Ryanair Chase perhaps do not get the full credit they deserve. 

But’s he is running at his sixth Festival and already has three wins there – the 2019 Festival Bumper, 2020 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and last year’s Ryanair Chase. He’s been kept fresh for the repeat and he’ll take some stopping.

OUTSIDER

She is not a massive longshot but you should get double-figure odds about GOLDEN ACE in Friday’s Mares’ Novice Hurdle. 

She is taking on some hot-pots but she has definitely taken a step forward in winning two races at Taunton and Jeremy Scott, a trainer whose feet are planted firmly on the ground, hasn’t hidden how highly he rates her.

Grade One winning jockey Lizzie Kelly has delivered her best tips for the four days of racing

Grade One winning jockey Lizzie Kelly has delivered her best tips for the four days of racing

Libberty Hunter (pictured) should be well suited to the Grand Annual Chase on Wednesday

Libberty Hunter (pictured) should be well suited to the Grand Annual Chase on Wednesday

Envoi Allen (pictured) will take some stopping in Thursday's Ryanair Chase

Envoi Allen (pictured) will take some stopping in Thursday’s Ryanair Chase

LIZZIE KELLY

BEST BET

KARGESE in Friday’s Triumph Hurdle. I feel she is a little underestimated after leading home a Willie Mullins-trained 1-2-3-4 in the Grade One juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival.

NEXT BEST

SA MAJESTE in Friday’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle. He has not run since beating 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats at Limerick in December, form enhanced by the latter’s victory in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January.

He has only race four times which makes him tough for the handicapper to accurately assess.

OUTSIDER

MR VANGO, who runs in Tuesday’s National Hunt Chase, has a lot to do on paper in terms of his rating compared to his opponents but he was an unbelievably easy winner of the Devon National on only his second start over fences. 

The more rain the better for him to make it as tough a test of stamina as possible.

Kargese (pictured) has been a little underestimated ahead of Friday's Triumph Hurdle

Kargese (pictured) has been a little underestimated ahead of Friday’s Triumph Hurdle

Mr Vango (pictured) could do well in Tuesday's National Hunt Chase, especially if it rains

Mr Vango (pictured) could do well in Tuesday’s National Hunt Chase, especially if it rains

PETER SCUDAMORE

BEST BET

BALLYBURN is a horse with a massive reputation. His odds aren’t great but he looks the most certain of the week’s short-priced hotpots to go in when he lines up in Wednesday’s Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle. 

It was a surprise when he was beaten on his seasonal debut, albeit by a useful rival in Firefox. But he has easily won his two races since including a grade one at Dublin’s Racing Festival.

NEXT BEST

I like the chances of THE GOFFER in Tuesday’s Ultima Handicap Chase. He was fourth to Corach Rambler in the race last year and has a second shot at the race off a slightly lower handicap mark. He is still only seven and I like it that he looks to have been saved for this race all season.

OUTSIDER

It has to be my old ally and Grand National winner CORACH RAMBLER. His odds of 20-1 are too big. He’s three from three at the track, won the Ultima Chase at the past two Festivals and has had a carbon copy preparation to previous seasons. 

Yes the Gold Cup is a far tougher race but he’s closely matched on form with Fastorslow and I don’t think he deserves to be four times the odds. If he can keep tabs on the runners early, he will certainly finish strongly.

Ballyburn (pictured) has won his last two races ahead of Wednesday's Gallagher Novices' Hurdle

Ballyburn (pictured) has won his last two races ahead of Wednesday’s Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle

The Goffer (pictured) should do well in Tuesday's Ultima Handicap Chase

The Goffer (pictured) should do well in Tuesday’s Ultima Handicap Chase

DOMINIC KING

BEST BET

Let’s start the week with a bang. TULLYHILL is improving at a rapid rate of knots and the gelding’s warm up win for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Punchestown last month was taking. 

With hotpot Ballyburn having been rerouted to the Gallaghers Hurdle on Wednesday, his stablemate can take advantage of a glorious opening.

NEXT BEST

GINNY’S DESTINY in the Turners Novices Chase. I loved how he came up the hill on Trials Day at the course in January, his jumping and attitude a sight to behold. 

To listen to Paul Nicholls, his trainer, speak so enthusiastically both then and subsequently at his stables struck a chord. This is a proper horse and they won’t get past him.

Tullyhill (pictured) has rapidly improved and should be in the mix for the Gallaghers Hurdle

Tullyhill (pictured) has rapidly improved and should be in the mix for the Gallaghers Hurdle

Ginny's Destiny (pictured) will be a major threat in the Turners Novices Chase

Ginny’s Destiny (pictured) will be a major threat in the Turners Novices Chase

OUTSIDER

Willie Mullins tends to win the Champion Bumper but not necessarily with the stable’s first choice. I would suggest 16/1 about Argento Boy, who runs in the same colours as Gold Cup Hero Galopin Des Champs, would reward each-way backers.

The trainer had a glint in his eye when discussing him recently. It wouldn’t be the worst bet.



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