Last Updated on 22/01/2026 by Andy Clark
Brian joined the team a couple of years ago but he has a long background in writing horse racing content and betting tips. Having worked for a number of publications in the past, such as RacingTips, Brian made the move to thatsagoal and is the main content writer across flat and National Hunt racing.
Ante-post betting on the Cheltenham Festival is hugely popular amongst punters, offering the chance to bag a big price on their selections well ahead of the Festival kicking off, especially if those horses keep winning and their price contracts in the weeks leading up to the Festival.
With 28 races going to post over four days, there’s plenty of available ante-post betting available with the Graded races generally offering win markets weeks and months in advance of the race itself; while bookmakers’ Non-Runner No Bet incentives offer a safety net, albeit with a concession.
Every punter looking forward to Cheltenham will have their ante-post fancy; some will be a short-priced ‘banker’, often perming several together in an accumulator or permed bet such as a Lucky 15. Others will look for some each-way value, often taking on favourites in the more tricky races throughout the four days, where enhanced place terms could be on offer.
With ante-post betting firmly in mind, here’s an each-way Lucky 15 to consider, which could yield a decent return and covers one race on each of the four days, offering excitement right to the end of the Festival.
TUESDAY 10th MARCH – The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
It is difficult to predict the final field for the first handicap of the Cheltenham Festival, but MINELLA STUDY (14/1) looks one who could well make his presence felt if lining up.
Adam Nicholl’s star is 3-3 over hurdles, winning once at Tipperary for his previous handler before wins at Wetherby in a Listed Hurdle, where he beat Ammes and then, latterly, beating Winston Junior by six lengths in the Triumph Hurdle Trial.
That winner has since posted an impressive victory at Ascot and jumped to the head of the betting for this race on the back of that success. But it is debatable whether he’d have won here despite some interference, given how Adam Nicholl’s charge sprinted away on the run-in, who was also giving the runner-up 7lbs.
If taking his chance here, he could uphold that form, given he’s got plenty of improving still to do, although connections may opt instead for the Triumph Hurdle, and so he’s not certain to feature. If he does, he could take some beating.
WEDNESDAY 11th MARCH – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Arkle has usually provided a solid pointer to future winners of this race, and of those featuring in the ante-post marke,t the best of them may yet prove to be L’EAU DU SUD (8/1), given both Majborough and Il Etait Temps have shown jumping frailties here in the past.
Marine Nationale has to be respected again as the defending champion, but in Dan Skelton’s charge, he could face stern opposition. The Lord Du Sud gelding finished fourth in last season’s Arkle, but he only gave way late and was beaten just over one length in a thriller; he had won all four previous chase starts, including one here, and he possibly found the Aintree run coming too soon after his exertions on his final start of the campaign.
Having demolished Jonbon back here in the Shloer Chase in November, he did underperform at Sandown three weeks later in the Tingle Creek, where he had no answer to Il Etait Temps and Jonbon. It may be that he’s best fresh, and his record following a break is impeccable, so while he does likely need to improve, it wouldn’t come as a big shock to see him do so.
THURSDAY 12th MARCH – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Teahupoo will once again be the one to beat as he bids to regain his crown from Bob Olinger, who is also likely to line up. However, improving IMPOSE TOI (11/2) could spring a minor shock, and Nicky Henderson’s charge can end the Seven Barrows drought in this race, which stretches back to Bacchanal in 2000.
Narrowly beaten in the Coral Cup here last March, the It’s Gino gelding has improved markedly since stepping up to three miles, winning all three starts this term over the longer trip, which includes the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
That race ties in quite well with the Stayers’ Hurdle, the likes of Paisley Park, Thistlecrack, Baracouda and Big Bucks all won that Ascot showpiece enroute to Cheltenham Festival glory and Nicky Henderson’s charge could prove the latest in that line to do the double.
He confirmed earlier Newbury form with Strong Leader – a solid yardstick – in taking that Ascot prize despite meeting that one on worse terms, and the fourth home has since gone on to win to boost the Ascot form. He has a desire to win, is not afraid of a battle, and he’s shown he can handle a range of underfoot conditions. Still likely to have further improvement over three miles and beyond, he looks destined to have a big say in Thursday’s Cheltenham Festival main event.
FRIDAY 13th MARCH – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The ante-post betting for the Albert Bartlett has the race wide open, and the waters might only become clearer nearer the time when horses’ intended targets are decided. An early fancy for this race however, is THEFLYINGKING (20/1) from the Gordon Elliott stable.
A winning pointer for Donnchadh Doyle, the Jukebox Jury gelding got off the mark at the third attempt following his switch to Cullentra House, landing a Wexford bumper, and he surely would have gone close on his hurdles debut at Down Royal back in October last year when falling at the last while holding a narrow advantage.
He’s since finished runner-up in a Grade Three at Navan behind I’ll Sort That, run down late by the winner, but possibly finding the trip an inadequate test, and there could be better to come from him when the emphasis is more on stamina.
That winner went on to land a Grade One next time at Naas, and with plenty of scope to improv,e he could go well faced with this longer trip, while he’s proven on a range of underfoot conditions. He does have an entry in the Turners’ Novices Hurdle, but the conditions of this race may well suit him better.
Cheltenham 2026 Ante-post Each-way Lucky 15 Tip
Tuesday 2.40pm – MINELLA STUDY (14/1)
Wednesday 4pm – L’EAU DU SUD (8/1)
Thursday 4pm – IMPOSE TOI (11/2)
Friday 3.20pm – THEFLYINGKING (20/1)
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Brian joined the team a couple of years ago but he has a long background in writing horse racing content and betting tips. Having worked for a number of publications in the past, such as RacingTips, Brian made the move to thatsagoal and is the main content writer across flat and National Hunt racing.
