13:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Tips
The traditional curtain-raiser to the Cheltenham Festival and one of the fastest-run races of the entire week. A large field, strong early tempo and the famous Cheltenham hill combine to create a severe test for inexperienced hurdlers. Horses need tactical speed to hold position turning for home but also enough stamina to finish strongly up the final climb.
Recent renewals have favoured lightly raced novices with strong bumper or Irish maiden hurdle form, while horses arriving unbeaten often cope best with the occasion. Market leaders have a respectable record, but placed horses frequently emerge from runners held up off the pace.
TipMan Selection:
Tip will be updated closer to the race once final declarations, ground conditions and pace angles are confirmed.
Danger:
To be updated race week.
Outsider:
To be updated race week.
14:10 Arkle Challenge Trophy Tips
The Arkle is the championship race for novice chasers and places an enormous emphasis on fluent jumping at high speed. Errors are heavily punished due to the relentless gallop and aggressive riding tactics usually employed by front-running contenders.
Historically, previous Grade 1 hurdle form translates strongly into Arkle success, particularly for horses that possess the pace for two miles rather than staying types dropping back in trip. Prominent racers hold a strong strike rate as they avoid traffic problems, while inexperienced jumpers rarely recover from mid-race mistakes.
TipMan Selection:
Tip will be updated closer to the race following final field confirmation and jumping performance analysis.
Danger:
To be updated race week.
Value Angle:
To be updated race week.
14:50 Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
One of the Festival’s most competitive handicaps and traditionally a race where course experience proves invaluable. The long distance and uphill finish reward proven stamina, while the big field ensures a strong pace and significant attrition late in the race.
Historically, winners tend to be aged between 7-10 and often have prior Cheltenham form. Horses carrying extreme weights struggle, with mid-range handicappers outperforming market expectations. Prominent racers often fade late, bringing hold-up stayers strongly into contention from the final two fences.
TipMan Selection:
Tip will be updated closer to the race once weights and pace projections are finalised.
Each-Way Play:
To be updated race week.
15:30 Champion Hurdle Tips
The feature race on opening day and the premier two-mile hurdle championship. Unlike many Festival contests, this race is rarely about stamina — instead it revolves around pace, positioning and the ability to quicken after the final hurdle.
Recent winners typically arrive with established Grade 1 form and elite speed figures rather than progressive handicap profiles. The race is often tactical in the early stages before developing into a sprint from the home turn, favouring horses capable of travelling comfortably off a strong tempo.
TipMan Selection:
Tip will be updated closer to the race once confirmed runners and tactical pace map are known.
Main Rival:
To be updated race week.
16:10 Mares’ Hurdle Tips
A race that has increasingly developed into a championship contest rather than a secondary event. Class mares with previous Festival experience often dominate, while inexperienced or lightly raced runners frequently struggle with the intensity of the occasion.
Track position is important, as steady early fractions can turn the race into a tactical sprint. Horses proven on undulating tracks and stiff finishes consistently outperform flat-track specialists.
TipMan Selection:
Tip will be updated closer to the race after final declarations and ground assessment.
16:50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips
One of the most unpredictable races of the week and a prime source of big-priced winners. Many runners are improving rapidly having switched from the Flat, making official handicap marks difficult to assess.
Historically, lightly raced juveniles with strong finishing efforts in large fields perform best, particularly those stepping up in trip. British runners often outperform expectations in this contest compared to other Festival handicaps.
TipMan Selection:
Tip will be updated closer to the race once handicap marks and market movements are analysed.
Big-Price Angle:
To be updated race week.
17:30 National Hunt Chase Tips
A thorough stamina test for novice staying chasers and often run at an honest gallop throughout. Jumping rhythm, endurance and composure matter far more than speed in the Festival finale.
Winners frequently have proven form beyond three miles and arrive with strong staying chase profiles rather than speed-based novice form. Horses able to maintain consistent jumping late in the race often pass tiring rivals up the hill.
TipMan Selection:
Tip will be updated closer to the race following final declarations and stamina profile analysis.
