Cheltenham Festival: Ante post favourites in EVERY race, latest updates and best free bets

THE Cheltenham Festival ante post markets have been in full swing since March.

Shrewd punters have been busy plotting and predicting how this year’s races will finish.

Irish trainers dominated last year and with the likes of Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead having such strong yards, it’s no surprise many of their superstars lead the way again.

Here, SunSport looks at the ante post betting – and best free bet offers.

All odds correct at the time of writing and generally taken at best on offer. Favourite for every race listed.

Tuesday March 15 2022

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

9-4 Constitution Hill (Trainer: Nicky Henderson)

2021 winner: Appreciate It

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle news

Jonbon looked very, very, very impressive for Henderson when winning by six lengths on hurdling debut at Newbury.

But Constitution Hill is a mega market mover after winning on hurdles bow at Sandown on Tingle Creek weekend, with Hendo saying: “He is the most extraordinary creature I have come across.”

He backed it up with a facile success in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on January 8 and duly replaced stablemate Jonbon as favourite.

But Matt Chapman thinks Constitution Hill should at least be entered for the Champion Hurdle.

Kilcruit is a big drifter out to 10-1 following his shock defeat at 1-14 to Largy Debut – now 14s for this race – at Cork.

Jonbon won again at Ascot on December 17 in a Grade 2 and Henderson said he’s set for one more run before the Festival.

Arkle Chase

6-4 Ferny Hollow (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

2021 winner: Shishkin

Arkle Chase news

Ferny Hollow came into 10-3 and Edwardstone 8-1 after their respective wins on the weekend ending December 5.

Appreciate It was the big early favourite but an injury to the Willie Mullins-trained former Supreme winner means he will stay over hurdles for now.

Mullins’ Ferny Hollow has since shortened even more after winning at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

Ultimate Handicap Chase

8-1 Shan Blue (Trainer: Dan Skelton)

2021 winner: Vintage Clouds

Champion Hurdle

4-5 Honeysuckle (Trainer: Henry de Bromhead)

2021 winner: Honeysuckle

Champion Hurdle news

Keep an eye on Appreciate It at 8-1. He will remain over hurdles after an injury put back plans for him to go chasing.

Sharjah has been trimmed to 8-1 also after winning the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle for a fourth time, and could be seen as Honeysuckle’s biggest rival.

Henry de Bromhead’s horses have not been firing on all cylinders lately and he will be looking to turn around the form as the run up to Cheltenham really kicks into gear.

behind them in the betting sit Epatante (10-1), Zanahiyr (14-1) and Teahupoo (20-1).

Mares’ Hurdle

6-1 Telmesometinggirl (Trainer: Henry de Bromhead)

6-1 Stormy Ireland (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

Mares’ Hurdle news

Royal Kahala’s victory in the Advent Surety EBF Mares Hurdle (Grade 3) didn’t go unnoticed, and neither did Telmesomethinggirl’s third-place finish, with Heaven Help Us sandwiched in between.

This race looks an intriguing ante post market but a devilishly difficult one to solve.

One at a bigger price could be 12-1 Mrs Milner, who scored in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle last Festival.

2021 winner: Black Tears

National Hunt Chase

9-2 Run Wild Fred (Trainer: Gordon Elliott)

9-2 Stattler (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

2021 winner: Galvin

National Hunt Chase news

Keep an eye on Ahoy Senor – a giant 31-length victory at Newbury at the end of November saw his odds come into 6-1.

And the six-year-old is already being touted as the 2023 Gold Cup horse.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

10-1 Champion Green (Trainer: Joseph O’Brien)

2021 winner: Jeff Kidder

Boodles Juvenile Handicap news

Keep an eye on Britzka. He was joint-fav before finishing fourth to White Pepper at Fairyhouse on January 9.

He is 16-1 with some firms but 33s with others.

Wednesday March 16 2022

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

6-1 Sir Gerhard (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

6-1 Journey With Me (Trainer: Henry de Bromhead)

2021 winner: Bob Olinger

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle news

Two top Irish trainers head the betting here but Gordon Elliott looms large with the impressive Ginto (8-1).

He gave his Bective Stud owners their first Grade 1 with victory at Naas on January 2.

Stage Star has also tightened in price to around 7s after a win at Newbury on December 29.

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

11-8 (in from 6-1) Galopin Des Champs (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

2021 winner: Monkfish

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase news

This is shaping up to be a belter should the horses touted to run actually do so.

Nicholls’ Bravemansgame looks a monster and has started this season in style, deservedly going into 11-2.

Ahoy Senor has also come into 5-1 for this race on the back of his ridiculous 31-length win at Newbury at the end of November. although he now looks more like a contender for the National Hunt Chase.

As it is, Galopin Des Champs looks much the best horse in this race.

The six-year-old won on the snaff by 22 lengths at Leopardstown on December 28 and had the usually reserved Mullins waxing lyrical about just how good he was.

He continues to be backed, either alone or in multiples.

Champion Chase

11-10 Shishkin (Trainer: Nicky Henderson)

2021 winner: Put The Kettle On

Champion Chase news

You might agree with Matt Chapman in the sense that Shishkin has nothing to worry about in Energumene.

But the horse owned by billionaire Brighton owner Tony Bloom can only win what’s in front of him and he did that well at Cork on his seasonal bow.

Is it enough to see off Henderson’s superstar though…? He’s into 9-4 with Tingle Creek winner third-fav at 6-1 currently.

And, really, Shishkin looked as good as ever when winning at Kempton on December 27, seeing off Tingle Creek victory Greaneteen by ten lengths.

Cross Country Chase

Prengarde 5-1 (Trainer: Enda Bolger)

2021 winner: Tiger Roll

Cross Country Chase news

This market changed dramatically overnight with the news JP McManus had bought leading French jumper Prengarde.

The horse has rocketed to the top of nearly all ante post markets, usurping Tiger Roll and Easysland (6-1).

Elliott said had he been at Aintree on December 4 then Tiger Roll wouldn’t have run – as it was the horse was pulled up but was reported to be fine the day after.

The dual Grand National winner remains something of an enigma but we know he loves Cheltenham so expect him to be back to his best come March.

He and Easysland have accounted for the past four wins of this race.

Champion Bumper

3-1 (in from 7-1) American Mike (Trainer: Gordon Elliott)

2021 winner: Sir Gerhard

Champion Bumper news

The big question between now and the Champion Bumper is just who the heck is going to come through and challenge American Mike?

Elliott has American Mike plotting the same path as notables Don Cossack, Death Duty, Samcro, Envoi Allen and Sir Gerhard.

The Bective Stud-owned four-year-old took a part rivals by 31 lengths to win the Listed Future Champions INH Flat Race on December 18 – a race won by subsequent Champion Bumper winner Sir Gerhard in 2020.

Nipping at his hooves though is 7-2 second-favourite Facile Vega, with 6-1 Redemption Day and 10-1 Pink In The Park – all Mullins-trained- close behind.

Grand Annual Handicap Chase

16-1 Gentleman De Mee (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

16-1 Editeur Du Gite (Trainer: Gary Moore)

2021 winner: Sky Pirate

Coral Cup

20-1 Good Time Jonny (Trainer: A J Martin)

20-1 Winter Fog (Trainer: Emmet Mullins)

20-1 Soaring Glory (Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill)

20-1 Heaven Help Us (Trainer: Paul Hennessy)

2021 winner: Heaven Help Us

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Thursday March 17

Paddy Power Plate

10-1 Noble Yeats (Trainer: Emmet Mullins)

2021 winner: The Shunter

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

16-1 Glenloe (Trainer: Gordon Elliott)

16-1 Secret Reprieve (Trainer: Evan Williams)

2021 winner: Mount Ida

Turners Novices’ Chase

11-8 (in from 11-4) Bob Olinger (Trainer: Henry de Bromhead)

2021 winner: Chantry House

Ryanair Chase

7-4 Allaho (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

2021 winner: Allaho

Ryanair Chase news

Allaho ground out a real dogged victory in the John Durkan at Punchestown, leaving behind the likes of Envoi Allen and Asterion Forlonge, who was travelling supremely well before falling.

Winning jockey Patrick Mullins said: “It was hard work. He never really carried me forward. He was going left everywhere and never really had a cut at his fences.”

Read into that what you will…

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

5-2 (in from 6-1) Klassical Dream (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

2021 winner: Flooring Porter

Stayers’ Hurdle news

Will Buzz prove Henderson’s other banker at the Festival?

The Cesarewitch winner has made all the right noises so far and looks like he could stay longer than the mother-in-law – until a hip fracture threw his entire racing career into serious doubt.

In his absence steps forward Champ, the winner of that unforgettable RSA in 2020… and the winner of the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 18.

But will he go back to fences – or stay over hurdles?

Either way he will have his work cut out to beat Klassical Dream, who benefitted from a slight headstart to win the Grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle by two lengths from Flooring Porter.

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Mares’ Novice Hurdle

6-1 Allegorie De Vassy (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

2021 winner: Telmesomethinggirl

Mares Novice Hurdle news

A big odds-on success at Fairyhouse at the end of November has sent Grangee to near the top of the betting.

Statuaire 8-1 was arguably the most impressive so far though when seeing off the highly touted My Mate Mozzie at the same venue.

They are all looking up to Allegorie De Vassy, a nice winner at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day.

Pertemps Network Final

14-1 Dunboyne (Trainer: Gordon Elliott)

14-1 Mr Fred Rogers (Trainer: Gordon Elliott)

14-1 Ardhill (Trainer: Gordon Elliott)

2021 winner: Mrs Milner

Friday March 18

Triumph Hurdle

11-4 (in from 12-1) Fil Dor (Trainer: Gordon Elliott)

2021 winner: Quilixios

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

10-1 Langer Dan (Trainer: Dan Skelton)

2021 winner: Galopin Des Champs

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

9-2 Blazing Khal (Trainer: Charles Byrnes)

2021: Vanillier

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle news

A winner over the old and new courses by a combined seven lengths on his past two runs, Byrnes looks to have a cracker in Blazing Khal, who clearly loves the course.

Cheltenham Gold Cup

7-2 A Plus Tard (Trainer: Henry de Bromhead)

2021 winner: Minella Indo

Don’t miss SunSport’s Cheltenham Festival 2022 Gold Cup guide including free bets and complete odds

Cheltenham Gold Cup news

A Plus Tard has drifted slightly since being beaten by a short head by the now 6-1 Galvin in the Grade 1 Savills Chase in December.

Minella Indo is very weak to 8-1 after flopping in the King George, while that race’s shock 28-1 winner Tornado Flyer comes into 10-1 for the Gold Cup, ahead of 12-1 Al Boum Photo, who returned to win at Tramore on New Year’s Day, as is tradition.

County Hurdle

12-1 West Cork (Trainer: Dan Skelton)

12-1 Echoes In Rain (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

2021 winner: Belfast Banter

Mares’ Chase

5-2 Concertista (Trainer: Willie Mullins)

2021 winner: Colreevy

Mares’ Chase news

Concertista looked better the further she went on chasing debut at Cork in the first weekend of December.

She loves Prestbury Park and heads the betting here ahead of former Champion Chase winner Put The Kettle On.

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Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org