Top 10 Most Liked Winners At The 2018 Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest meeting of the year in national hunt racing and one in which racing fans look forward to the most. Here is a list of the 10 most likely winners at this year’s meeting next month.

10. Willoughby Court – JLT Novices Chase (5/1)

Last season’s Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle winner Willoughby Court has made a strong start to his chase career with three victories from his open four starts. His only defeat over fences came on heavy ground which he did not enjoy. He can avenge that loss on Good going at the Festival next month.

9. Burning Ambition – Foxhunters Chase (9/2)

Burning Ambition is the 9/2 favourite in the Oddschecker ante-post comparison page for the Foxhunters Chase. The seven-year-old has shown excellent form in Ireland this season and looks to be the horse they all have to beat here.

8. Apple’s Shakira – Triumph Hurdle (7/2)

Nicky Henderson’s four-year-old hurdle has won all three of her starts this season, all of which have come at Cheltenham. The combined length those of victories is over 26 lengths therefore it is easy to see why she is many people’s best bet of the Festival.

7. Might Bite – Cheltenham Gold Cup (3/1)

Last year’s RSA Chase winner has demonstrated this season why he is good enough to score in the Blue Riband event of the Festival, with the highlight of campaign being his victory in the King George VI Chase.

6. Un De Sceaux – Ryanair Chase (11/4)

Un De Sceaux is a two-time winner at the Cheltenham Festival and goes into the Ryanair Chase as the defending champion. The Irish chaser should be too quick for his rivals in this 2m5f contest.

5. Laurina – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2/1)

Willie Mullins has been so dominant with his mares in recent years at the Festival and it looks like he has another potential superstar on his hands here with Laurina.

4. Altior – Queen Mother Champion Chase (8/11)

2017 Arkle winner Altior is 7 from 7 over fences and it hard to see his 100% record going in the Champion Chase where the challenge against him does not look very strong.

3. Samcro – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (4/5)

There has been a lot of debate over with race Samcro should line up in at the Festival where the betting points to the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Whichever contest he features in, he should win as he is a class above the novice hurdlers.

2. Apple’s Jade – Mares’ Hurdle (4/7)

Apple’s Jade won the Mares’ Hurdle in 2017 in a hot race. This time around the task should be easier for the Irish raider.

1. Buveur D’Air – Champion Hurdle (4/9)

The banker of the Festival this year is Buveur D’Air who is bidding to defend his title in the Champion Hurdle. There is nothing we have seen in the division this season to suggest the 2017 winner will not be able to prevail again.

Enjoy the racing at the Festival and good luck if you are having a bet.