*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
The Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching and punters are planning their betting strategy ahead of the 2021 meeting.
With that in mind, Paddy Power have picked out some of the shortest-priced favourites who could bolster your accumulators – without causing you too much stress on the day.
Remember, we’re offering non-runner money back on every single race at Prestbury Park so you don’t lose out if your selection withdraws.
Appreciate It
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is traditionally an open affair as the festival curtain-raiser, but APPRECIATE IT looks likely to be sent off clear favourite for Willie Mullins this year.
Paul Townend is almost certain to take the ride on the highly-fancied seven-year-old, who is unbeaten this season and looks the class of the field.
My Drogo could be one to watch if the ground comes up firm, but Appreciate It stays the trip and has the jumping ability to get your week off to a cracking start.
Shishkin
Punters won’t have long to wait for the first big match-up of the festival, with the second race on Tuesday – the Arkle Chase – pitting SHISHKIN up against Irish raider Energumene.
Some claim the gulf between the two horses is not as big as the market suggests, but Nicky Henderson’s novice chaser is currently odds-on after an eye-catching debut campaign over fences.
Last year’s Supreme Novice Hurdle winner is yet to be truly tested, winning his three previous starts by a combined total of over 44 lengths, so it will be interesting to see how much Nico de Boinville has under him if Energumene and Allmankind are still in touch on the run-in.
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Concertista
A Willie Mullins dead-cert in the Mares’ Hurdle? That sounds familiar.
While Dan Skelton and Henry de Bromhead upset the normal order of things with Roksana and Honeysuckle in 2019 and 2020 respectively, the Mares’ Hurdle has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for Mullins with nine wins in 13 renewals.
CONCERTISTA is the latest prospect for the Closutton conjuror in the 2m4f contest, and the seven-year-old is expected to be sent off at a very short price with Dame De Compagnie the biggest threat.
Monkfish
MONKFISH is arguably one of the bankers at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, having seemed unbeatable in his debut season over fences.
Latest Exhibition came closest on two occasions but never really looked like reversing the form from last year’s Albert Bartlett, which saw Monkfish triumph by a neck.
The pair are expected to face off yet again in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (formerly the RSA) and, with Royale Pagaille potentially targeting the Gold Cup, the Willie Mullins charger appears set for another routine win over his regular rival.
Chacun Pour Soi
You have to be something special to be odds-on favourite for a Queen Mother Champion Chase, particularly when the legendary Altior is also in the field.
CHACUN POUR SOI is just that, having beaten a host of top Irish talent since making the switch to fences in 2019.
Willie Mullins’s French-bred nine-year-old is yet to race in the UK but punters are expecting him to take the trip in his stride and see off the likes of Nube Negra, Politologue and A Plus Tard as well as Altior.
Envoi Allen
ENVOI ALLEN is the superstar of Gordon Elliott’s stable and remains unbeaten throughout his career, including the Champion Bumper in 2019 and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle last year.
The seven-year-old is now looking to add the Marsh Novices Chase to his haul and appears to have been given a free shot at the race with Energumene and Monkfish aimed elsewhere.
There will still be plenty of challengers in the field, but none should come close to threatening Envoi Allen’s perfect record if the bay gelding turns up on the day.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL‘S BIG RACES
March 16 – 13.20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 16 – 13.55 – Arkle Chase latest odds and tips
March 16 – 15.05 – Champion Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 16 – 15.40 – Mares’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 17 – 13.20 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 17 – 13.55 – Festival Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips
March 17 – 15.05 – Queen Mother Champion Chase latest odds and tips
March 18 – 13.20 – Marsh Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips
March 18 – 14.30 – Ryanair Chase latest odds and tips
March 18 – 15.05 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 19 – 13.20 – Triumph Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 19 – 14.30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips
March 19 – 15.05 – Gold Cup latest odds and tips
March 19 – 16.15 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase latest odds and tips
*Paddy will be all over your telly box throughout the Cheltenham Festival sponsoring ITV’s live coverage from Prestbury Park – and you can get free and exclusive tipping columns EVERY DAY from Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman and Mick Fitzgerald here on PP News.
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