Last Updated: 14:23, 13/03/22

Previous Weeks

Cheltenham Festival ground update

14:23 Sunday

Ground officials have indicated that they expect little to change in terms of ground conditions between now and the start of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Old course is currently good to soft, soft in places while the New course is soft, good to soft in places.

Dysart Dynamo into favourite for the Cheltenham Festival curtain raiser

13:54 Sunday

With the entries for the Supreme Novice Hurdle confirmed the money has come for Willie Mullins' Dysart Dynamo to win the festival opener.

Prior to declarations, the Nicky Henderson trained Consititution Hill had been the favourite but has since been eclipsed by Dysart Dynamo.

The majority of bookmakers now have Dysart Dynamo at a best price of 9/4 while Consitution Hill can be found at best odds of 5/2.

22 for the Boodles

12:05 Sunday

  • Petit Tonnerre
  • The Tide Turns
  • Brazil
  • Doctor Churchill
  • Ebasarit
  • Britzka
  • Bell Ex One
  • Gaelic Warrior
  • White Pepper
  • Hms Seahorse
  • Prairie Dancer
  • Feigh
  • Iberique du Seuil
  • Saint Segal
  • Champion Green
  • Sea Sessions
  • Milldam
  • Doctor Brown Bear
  • Too Friendly
  • Forever William
  • Swinging London
  • Skycutter

Confirmed entries for the Ultima

12:04 Sunday

  • Frodon
  • Lostintranslation
  • Does He Know
  • Ben Dundee
  • Noble Yeats
  • Floueur
  • Foxy Jacks
  • Doctor Duffy
  • Tea Clipper
  • Death Duty
  • Fantastikas
  • Vintage Clouds
  • Rapper
  • Discordantly
  • Grumpy Charley
  • Kiltealy Briggs
  • Full Back
  • Corach Rambler
  • Run To Milan
  • Our Power
  • One More Fleurie
  • Belargus
  • Oscar Elite
  • Gericault Roque

Ten confirmed runners for the Champion Hurdle

10:42

  • Adagio
  • Appreciate It
  • Glory And Fortune
  • Not So Sleepy
  • Saint Roi
  • Teahupoo
  • Tommy's Oscar
  • Zanahiyr
  • Epatante
  • Honeysuckle

Mares Hurdle final declarations

10:23 Sunday

  • Telmesomethinggirl
  • Queens Brook
  • Stormy Ireland
  • Echoes In Rain
  • Burning Victory
  • Heaven Help Us
  • Mrs Milner
  • Maries Rock
  • Martello Sky
  • Indefatigable
  • Western Victory
  • Nada To Prada

Just seven remain in the National Hunt Chase

10:22 Sunday

  • Run Wild Fred
  • Stattler
  • Vanillier
  • Braeside
  • Ontheropes
  • Pats Fancy
  • Beatthebullet

10 runners in the Arkle

10:21 Sunday

  • Edwardstone
  • Blue Lord
  • Riviere D'etel
  • Haut En Couleurs
  • Saint Sam
  • Magic Daze
  • Coeur Sublime
  • Gabynako
  • Brave Seasca
  • War Lord

Final declarations for the Supreme Novices Hurdle

10:07 Sunday

With just over 48 hours until the Cheltenham festival gets underway, final declarations have been made for the Supreme Novices Hurdle:

  • Constitution Hill
  • Dysart Dynamo
  • Jonbon
  • Kilcruit
  • Mighty Potter
  • Bring On The Night
  • Shallwehaveonemore
  • Silent Revolution
  • Jpr One

A decision on Sir Gerhard has finally been made

16:09 Saturday

It has now been confirmed that Sir Gerhard will run in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham! There had been plenty of talk that we could see him line up in the Supreme to take on Constitution Hill and Jonbon however he is now confirmed in the race in which he is clear odds on favourite in the market (best price 10/11).  

13 Left in the Cheltenham Gold Cup

12:47 Saturday

There are 13 remaining hopefuls for the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup with four names dropping out today in the shape of Allaho (a heavy favourite for the Ryanair Chase), Mister Fisher (20/1 for Ryanair Chase), Fiddlerontheroof and Chatham Street Lad. 

  • A Plus Tard
  • Galvin
  • Minella Indo
  • Protektorat
  • Al Boum Photo
  • Conflated
  • Tornado Flyer
  • Chantry House
  • Royale Pagaille
  • Asterion Forlonge
  • Melon
  • Santini
  • Aye Right

John Pullin gives his verdict on the ground for Day One

10:24 Saturday

Clerk of the course - John Pulling spoke to ITV Racing on the ITV Opening Show and he gave his prediction for the ground on Day One of the festival. He is expecting it to be "Good to soft, good in places".

He has not ruled out some selective watering on the Old Course which hosts racing on Tuesday and Wednesday, before the start of the festival with a decision to be made over the weekend.

No surprises in the Turners six-day entries

12:44 Friday

Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs, Stuart Williams' pick to win, still head the market for the Turners Novices' Chase 2022.

Williams said: "This could well prove to be a match race between Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs, with marginal preference for the latter. 

"Both possess superstar potential at this stage; however, last year’s Martin Pipe winner could prove very hard to peg back if jumping for fun out in-front and he could even rekindle memories of Willie Mullins' former superstar chaser Vautour, who dazzled when making virtually all in this contest in 2015."

Injury takes Sporting John out of contention for the Stayers' or Pertemps Network Final

12:38 Friday

Willie Mullins "leaning towards the Ballymore" for Sir Gerhard

11:07 Friday

When speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Richard Thompson indicated that Willie Mullins was likely to run Sir Gerhard in the Ballymore but refused to rule out the Supreme option.

Sir Gerhard is the even money favourite for the Ballymore with punters expecting the seven-year-old to be stepped up in trip with Dysart Dynamo to run in the Supreme.

Robbie Power on board for Minella Indo's Gold Cup defence

10:58 Friday

He is a best price 5/1 third favourite behind A Plus Tard and Galvin.

Who's on your WhatsApp hit list for next week?

09:50 Friday

Ginto set for Hillcrest battle in the Albert Bartlett

08:26 Friday

The two leading runners share favouritism at best price 3/1.

Russell to re-unite with Tiger Roll?

08:19 Friday

Don't miss Architect Tips' Cheltenham Lucky 15...

15:14 Thursday

With just five days until the start of the Cheltenham Festival, Architect Tips has put forward four horses well worth including in your multiples.

Jungle Boogie misses out on Brown Advisory

13:08 Thursday

Jungle Boogie comfortably defeated Diol Ker on his solitary start over fences, but a lack of experience may be the reason for his omission from the day two race.

Read more about the leading runners here.

Thedevilscoachman among those not confirmed for Coral Cup

13:00 Thursday

Not entered: El Fabiolo for Ballymore & Mercurey in the Champion Bumper

12:51 Thursday

As expected, Sir Gerhard and Dysart Dynamo head the entries for the Ballymore.

To find out who Stuart Williams is backing, click here.

Betfair Cheltenham Offer: Tiger Roll & Bravemansgame 8/1 Double

10:30 Thursday

Betfair have boosted our double on Bravemansgame (Brown Advisory Novices Chase) and Tiger Roll (Cross Country Chase) to 8/1 (from 13/2) - industry best price for this tasty Wednesday double. You can back this selection on desktop here (if you’re viewing on mobile click here).

For more information and offer T&C's, click here.

Henry Daly confirms Hillcrest will run in the Albert Bartlett

09:31 Thursday

Confirmation from trainer Henry Daly that race favourite Hillcrest (best price 10/3) will be entered in the Albert Bartlett on Saturday (final decs next Wednesday).

Architect Tips: Hillcrest and Ginto to contest Albert Bartlett favouritism after Minella Crooner injury

17:00 Wednesday

"Earlier today, it was reported that one of the initial leading contenders for the Albert Bartlett, Minella Crooner, who was as short as 3/1 for the Grade 1 event, will miss the Cheltenham Festival after pulling a muscle during a workout. 

"This is a real shame for his fans but hopefully he will be back for Punchestown or Aintree as he's a very promising youngster for the Gordon Elliott team. 

"With Minella Crooner’s deflection, this has now changed in the complexity of the ante-post market for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle with Ginto and Hillcrest now heading the market, with the latter just about shading favouritism. 

"At this stage, it is very difficult to split the pair, but it still has the makings to be a great race and one that I am very much looking forward to witnessing.

"In the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, it is very likely last year's runner-up Langer Dan will go off a well-supported favourite, having somehow got in the race off a very fair mark of 137 in his bid to go one better. He’s been trained for the race and, with no Galopin Des Champs in his way this time round, he’s a massive player."

Minella Crooner will miss the Cheltenham Festival 

15:40 Wednesday

Six-year-old Minella Crooner will miss the Cheltenham Festival after pulling a muscle during a workout. Gordon Elliott's horse was the favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at 3/1 but now Hillcrest is the favourite at 4/1. 

Stuart Williams on confirmed Ballymore runner Journey With Me

13:02 Wednesday

Journey With Me (best price 6/1) is in really good form and "will go for the Ballymore" confirmed trainer Henry de Bromhead yesterday. Here's what Stuart Williams had to say about his chances:

"Journey With Me has been riding the hype train from the very moment that he landed the same bumper in which Bob Olinger made a successful racecourse debut 12 months earlier, with many predicting that he could emulate his stablemates success in this very contest.

"An impressive hurdling debut a Leopardstown further fanned those flames as Journey With Me comfortably dispatched current Albert Bartlett favourite Minella Crooner and Supreme contender Kilcruit in the manner of a very smart horse.

"It’s fair to say that there were less fireworks at Naas last month, however, the striking son of Mahler got the job done and will head to Cheltenham with an unbeaten record to defend.

"Like with the aforementioned Ginto, connections of Journey With Me will be hoping for plenty of pace in this race as Henry de Bromhead himself has expressed the opinion that he doesn’t possess the same gears as Bob Olinger and is already shaping-up as a staying chaser in the making.

"The form of his Leopardstown success puts him firmly in the mix and the De Bromhead yard have begun to rediscover their form in recent weeks.

"Journey With Me looks a big player."

Market Mover Alert: The Shunter for the Coral Cup

12:31 Wednesday

The Supreme saga rolls on...

12:23 Wednesday

Day 1 Cheltenham Festival Entries: Horses NOT confirmed

12:18 Wednesday

Check out this Gigginstown House Stud Lucky 15...

10:15 Wednesday

The Gigginstown maroon and white silks have been a standing dish at the Cheltenham Festival since Ryanair owner Michael O’Leary caught the bug in 2006 when War of Attrition won the Gold Cup.

And with multiple Festival winners still a regular occurrence, Hanbury Racing has put together a Gigginstown Lucky 15 made up of the following four picks:

You can read the full analysis here.

Gabynako looks set to enter the Arkle, while My Mate Mozzie isn't a certain runner for next week 

09:54 Wednesday

It is believed that trainer Gavin Cromwell is set to roll the dice on seven-year-old Gabynako and enter him into the Arkle Chase. This is certainly a twist in fate as Gabynako was believed to be running in the Brown Advisory or the Turners Novices' Chase but can be found in the Arkle market at 20/1.

Meanwhile, another Cromwell-trained horse My Mate Mozzie is not certain to run next week but if he does it will be for the County Hurdle. The six-year-old can be backed at the best price of 14/1.

Racing Weekly: Willie Mullins guessing game dominates Cheltenham Festival build up

16:19 Tuesday

Rishi Persad and Sam Turner take Racing Weekly viewers on a day-by-day tour of the Cheltenham Festival and discuss the rides for 2016 Gold Cup winning jockey Bryan Cooper.

Be in with the chance to win 2 tickets for the Club Enclosure on Tuesday 15 March at Cheltenham thanks to Unibet

12:47 Tuesday

With Cheltenham less than a week away, we are giving you the chance to win two tickets to the Club Enclouse on Cheltenham's opening day on 15th March courtesy of Unibet.

All you have to do is follow Unibet & oddschecker and retweet the tweet below.

Be quick as entries for this prize ends at 23:59 today! 

Brave Seasca set to run in the Arkle and not in the Grand Annual

12:06 Tuesday

Brave Seasca looked set to take part in the Grand Annual this year at Cheltenham, where the seven-year-old can still be backed at 8/1 and is the second favourite in the market.

However, trainer Venetia Williams has now confirmed that she plans to run him in the Arkle where he is a worst price of 16/1 and a best price of 25/1. 

Apparently, the decision was made in the last 24 hours and Brave Seasca team is hoping to close the gap on current favourite Arkle Chase Edwardstone, who is a best price of 9/4. 

These two horses last met on February 12th where Edwardstone came out as the victor and Brave Seasca finished third.

Venetia Williams aiming L'Homme Presse at the Brown Advisory

11:31 Tuesday

L'Homme Presse has long had options at the Cheltenham Festival; however, Venetia Williams has confirmed that the Brown Advisory and a match up against Bravemansgame is the aim for the seven-year-old.

"The owner is very keen to step the horse up to three miles. Unless we get plenty of rain, I think we’ll run him in the Brown Advisory."

L'Homme Presse can currently be found at a best price of 5/1 for the race.

Ginto goes for the Ballymore over the Albert Bartlett

10:58 Tuesday

The Gordon Elliott trained six-year-old is a best price 9/2 for the Ballymore.

The Twitter Spaces Festival for Cheltenham

10:08 Tuesday

We have teamed up with bet365 to preview the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’ via the Twitter Spaces Festival for Cheltenham. Every day from Wednesday 9th March to the final day of the Cheltenham Festival (Friday 18th March) there will be a fresh preview delivered through Twitter’s live audio conversation platform, ‘Spaces’. Read more about it here or see the full schedule below.

DATE & TIME TITLE HOSTS
Wednesday 9th March
20:00 - 21:00		 Championship Races Steve Ryder, Ryan Summerfield, Tom Pearson, Ryan Morgan, Dan Overall
Thursday 10th March
20:00 - 21:00		 Handicaps Steve Ryder, Ryan Summerfield, Ryan Morgan
Friday 11th March
20:00 - 21:00		 Novices Steve Ryder, Michael Willoughby, Stu Williams, Joe Norris, Dan Overall
Saturday 12th March
10:00 - 11:00		 Banker or Bust, Festival Favourites Michael Willoughby, Stephen Dowler, Ryan Morgan, Stu Williams
Sunday 13th March
19:00 - 20:00		 Unscripted Festival Preview Michael Willoughby, Tom Pearson, Dan Overall, Alex Keating
Monday 14th March
20:00 - 21:00		 Ireland vs Great Britain & Listener Questions Michael Willoughby, Stephen Dowler, Tom Pearson, Stu Williams
Tuesday 15th March
10:00 - 11:00		 Day 1 Race-by-Race Preview Ryan Morgan, Stephen Dowler, Stu Williams, Joe Norris
Wednesday 16th March
10:00 - 11:00		 Day 2 Race-by-Race Preview Steve Ryder, Stephen Dowler, Ryan Morgan, Stu Williams
Thursday 17th March
10:00 - 11:00		 Day 3 Race-by-Race Preview Steve Ryder, Andy Holding, Ryan Morgan
Friday 18th March
10:00 - 11:00		 Day 4 Race-by-Race Preview Steve Ryder, Stephen Dowler, Ryan Morgan

 

The Cheltenham Festival 2022 from the Irish angle

17:03 Monday

George Elek is joined by oddschecker's Andy Holding, racing journalist Johnny Ward and 888sport ambassador Barry Geraghty to preview the Cheltenham Festival 2022 from the Irish angle.

Sir Gerhard most backed despite Supreme or Ballymore saga

16:44 Monday

The Supreme or Ballymore saga for Sir Gerhard at the Cheltenham Festival 2022 might have a few days left to run, but he was still last week's number one ante-post racing pick through oddschecker.

However, there were four horses who took more bets for an individual race at Cheltenham than Sir Gerhard did for either the Supreme or the Ballymore.

To find out more, click here.

Cheltenham Tips: Andy Holding’s Pre-Festival Yankee

12:48 Monday

With just eight days until the Cheltenham Festival 2022, Andy Holding has put forward four horses worth including in your multiples for next week. For the article in full, click here.

But heavy ground could scupper Stattler's chances...

10:57 Monday

Architect Tips said: "Testing conditions would definitely test Stattler’s mettle in terms of stamina for the National Hunt Chase. His best form has undoubtedly been on a better surface.

"However, if conditions on the day are better than soft (it is currently soft with rain forecast), he would remain as the one to beat in the day one finale."

Architect Tips: Teahupoo to test Honeysuckle if the rain comes?

10:53 Monday

"If conditions on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival are soft/heavy, this will definitely help the chances of the Gordon Elliott-trained Teahupoo (best price 8/1) in the Champion Hurdle, whose form figures on soft or worse reads an impressive unbeaten record of 11111."

The next few days look set to be dry at Cheltenham, but there is the prospect of light rain on Wednesday, while a band of rain from Friday to Sunday will determine the ground that the Festival starts on.

The five most backed for 2022... almost 12 months on

09:29 Monday

With the exception of Appreciate It - still set to run but in the Champion Hurdle against Honeysuckle - and Monkfish, ruled out with a tendon injury, the five most backed horses for the Cheltenham Festival 2022 (published just after last year's Festival) have firmly stood the test of time in the last 12 months. 

How many of these did you back just over a year ago? And does the Sir Gerhard, Shishkin and Bob Olinger treble still take your fancy at a best price still a shade longer than 10/1.

Time for a Monday morning poll...

08:27 Monday

For the latest Supreme Novices' Hurdle odds, click here. Gordon Elliott, whose best hope for the opener is Mighty Potter (11/1), said this about Dysart Dynamo (now third favourite):

"I thought Dysart Dynamo was good in Punchestown, he looked awesome from what I saw. It was only a Grade Two, but that’s as impressive on the eye that I’ve seen."