Mick Fitzgerald’s NINE Cheltenham Festival 2023 Ante-post Picks

Last Updated on 23/02/2023 by Andy Clark

Former jockey turned pundit Mick Fitzgerald has picked out no less than nine Cheltenham Festival 2023 ante-post betting tips across all four days of the Greatest Show on Turf, starting on Tuesday 14th March. The pundit has been writing in his Paddy Power column ahead of Cheltenham and his tips include four day 1 selections, a pick from day 3 and two picks from day 2 and day 4. It is interesting that he has picked out Impaire Et Passe, the same we we did earlier in the season but for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle tip. However, if you believe the rumours then it looks like he will go to the Ballymore Novices Hurdle instead, with stable mate Facile Vega lining up in the Supreme despite his poor run at the Dublin Racing Festival where he didn’t fire after getting into an early battle with High Definition.  

Mick Fitzgerald’s Day Cheltenham 1 Tips

Impaire Et Passe (Supreme Novices Hurdle) Jonbon (Arkle) Epatante (Mares Hurdle) Gaillard du Mesnil (National Hunt Chase)  

Impaire Et Passe to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

• Current best NRNB odds – 5/1 with William Hill’s £30 sign-up offer.

Mick Fitz said: “The whole point of non runner money back is that we can consider IMPAIRE ET PASSE for the Supreme Novices Hurdle. There is no guarantee he will run in this contest as the stable have Facile Vega, but I’m willing to take a punt on him in the knowledge that I’ll get my stake back. I was really impressed with his win at Punchestown in the Moscow Flyer and am keen to have him on side.”  

Jonbon to win the Arkle

• Current best NRNB Odds – 13/8 with Betfred’s £40 sign-up offer. 

“I put him up as a horse to follow at the start of the season and I see no reason to change my mind. Yes, he made hard work of it at Warwick last time, but it was a fast time and he blew for a long time afterwards, indicating he may have needed the run and will come on from it. He is more relaxed this year and taking his homework better so he probably needed the run to get race-fitness up a notch a two.”

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Epatante to win the Mares Hurdle

• Current best NRNB odds – 4/1 with William Hill. 

“She still has to be supplemented for this race after ‘trainer error’, but non-runner money back allows us take that chance she will be. It seems very unlikely she’ll take on stablemate Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle and looked really good when winning easily at Doncaster. She loves Cheltenham – is a previous Champion Hurdle winner – and can win the Mares’ Hurdle.”  

Gaillard Du Mensil to win the National Hunt Chase

• Current best NRNB odds – 11/8 with LiveScore Bet’s £20 sign-up offer.

“GAILLARD DU MESNIL took his time to get his head in front which he eventually did at Leopardstown as a second-season novice and has strong form at Cheltenham. He sets a high standard in this 3m 6f contest.”  

Mick Fitzgerald’s Day 2 Cheltenham Tips

Impaire Et Passe (Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle) Sir Gerhard (Brown Advisory Novices Chase)  

Impaire Et Passe to win the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

• Current NRNB odds – 7/2 with Bet Victor’s £40 sign-up offer. 

Mick Fitz explained his decision to tip the same horse for two different races. This is exactly why you should use a Cheltenham NRNB bookies for your bets. “I know I’m putting him up in two races but I really like him and don’t want to miss out on him – no matter what race he runs in. If Willie Mullins chooses to run him in this contest over 2m 5f, he is the one they all have to beat.”  

Sir Gerhard to win the Brown Advisory Novices Chase

• Current best NRNB odds – 6/1 with the bet365 Cheltenham sign-up offer. 

“An impressive winner of the Ballymore Hurdle last season he made a winning debut over fences at Gowran Park. I was impressed with him and looks a value bet in this contest over 2m 4f.”

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Mick Fitzgerald’s Cheltenham Day 3 Tip

Shishkin (Ryanair Chase)  

Shishkin to win the Ryanair Chase

• Current best NRNB odds – 11/10 with the bet365 Cheltenham £50 offer.

Mick Fitzgerald’s quote when tipping Shishkin to win the 2023 Ryanair Chase: “After last weekend’s staggering performance at Ascot, he will take all the beating in the Ryanair Chase now. The step up in trip proved no barrier to this former Champion Chase winner and he can get back in the winner’s enclosure at the Festival for Nicky Henderson again.”  

Mick Fitzgerald’s Day 4 Tip

Blood Destiny (Triumph Hurdle)

Hurricane Highway each-way (Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle)

Blood Destiny to win the Ballymore Novices Hurdle

• Current best NRNB odds – 11/4 with bet365’s £50 offer. 

“I was really taken with Blood Destiny when he won at Cork. His stablemate Lossiemouth heads the market and was unlucky at Leopardstown as she got caught in a pocket and got pushed wide when trying to deliver her challenge in the straight. I really like this son of No Risk At All and he could be improving at a rate of knots and beat Common Practice, Nusret and by 18 lengths at Fairyhouse. ”  

Hurricane Highway Each-way in the Albert Bartlett

• Current best NRNB odds – 40/1 with Coral’s £20 Cheltenham offer. 

“HURRICANE HIGHWAY is a little left-field but worth it non-runner money back. He will be ridden to finish the race well and I was super impressed with him as a physical specimen at Ffos Las when I saw him win. That contest may not have had strength in depth but if his shrewd trainer Evan Williams runs him in this contest you have to take notice.”

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  Read More: Ruby Walsh predicts the 1-2-3 in the Champion Hurdle Gold Cup and Coral Cup ante-post tips Brown Advisory and Cross Country tips for Cheltenham