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With the 2023 Cheltenham Festival just around the corner, punters are busily putting the finishing touches to their betting plan for the four-day meeting. Many bettors will be eager to boost their bankroll ahead of the big event and this crypto casino in the USA will likely see plenty of activity before the action gets underway. Dropping a bumper jackpot on one of their top-class slots games undoubtedly requires a bit of luck – a factor that is also in play at the biggest event in the National Hunt calendar.
However, we have scoured the race cards to identify six horses we think have an excellent chance of adding their name to the Cheltenham Festival roll of honor.
Honeysuckle – Mares’ Hurdle
Honeysuckle’s connections have been criticized for not allowing the horse to bid for a third Champion Hurdle victory, but the decision will probably prove to be sensible. Constitution Hill looks a cut above the opposition in the big two-mile event and would likely have swept Honeysuckle aside with contemptuous ease.
The nine-year-old has an excellent chance of getting another Festival win under her belt in the calmer waters of the Mares’ Hurdle. With retirement awaiting Honeysuckle after the race, this should be the perfect swansong to what has been a glittering career.
Mighty Potter – Turners Novices’ Chase
Mighty Potter was pulled up behind Constitution Hill in last season’s Supreme Novices Hurdle but is strongly fancied to make amends in the Turners Novices’ Chase. Gordon Elliott’s charge bounced back from that defeat with an impressive victory at Punchestown before embarking on a career over more significant obstacles this season.
He recorded an easy win at Down Royal on his seasonal reappearance, before claiming Grade 1 events at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown on either side of Christmas. Elliot also entered Mighty Potter in the Brown Advisory, but the Irish trainer’s decision to target this race looks like the right call.
Sir Gerhard – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
The unbeaten Gerri Colombe is the favorite for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase but could struggle to fend off the Willie Mullins-trained Sir Gerhard. The eight-year-old has won at the Festival for the last two seasons and looks the value bet to bring up the hat trick in a competitive race.
Sir Gerhard was hugely impressive on his chasing debut at Gowran Park and was much the best of this field during his short stint over hurdles. Mullins immediately targeted this race after that victory and the top Irish trainer knows the time of day when it comes to training Festival winners.
Shishkin – Ryanair Chase
Having won at two previous Festivals, many people thought Shishkin was finished when he ran a lifeless race in last season’s Champion Chase. Those fears appeared to be confirmed when he ran poorly in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in early December.
However, trainer Nicky Henderson pulled off a masterstroke by stepping the nine-year-old up in distance for the Ascot Chase in February. Shishkin secured a brilliant victory on that occasion and is a banker bet to follow up in the Ryanair Chase at the Festival.
Teahupoo – Stayers’ Hurdle
The Stayers’ Hurdle features several fancied horses, making it one of the toughest races of the 2023 Festival to predict. Established performers such as Flooring Porter and Paisley Park will attract plenty of interest in the market, but they may find it tough to keep pace with younger opponents.
Blazing Khal was an impressive winner of Grade 2 at Navan last month, although a recent setback makes him a risky betting proposition. On that basis, Teahupoo is the one to beat following his effortless victory in Grade 2 at Gowran Park at the end of January.
Galopin Des Champs – Cheltenham Gold Cup
The reigning champion has reportedly been working well and should make a bold bid to emerge victorious in this season’s renewal. A Plus Tard turned last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup into a procession but is on a recovery mission after running a stinker at Haydock last November.
However, Galopin Des Champs is a star in the making after rattling off three consecutive victories in Grade 1 events in Ireland. The horse was an unlucky loser in last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase, but he looks nailed on to reward punters who have kept the faith.
Cheltenham Festival 2023 – The Final Word
Picking winners at one of the biggest races in the calendar can be tricky, with most of the races featuring numerous horses who have a genuine chance of winning their respective races.
However, we strongly fancy Honeysuckle, Mighty Potter, and Shishkin to deliver the goods and reward punters who combine them in a treble.
Michael specializes in journalism, digital content production and social media management. He has a passion for numerous sports including football, horse racing and ice hockey. Michael currently works on a freelance basis, producing daily content for various outlets within the sports industry.
