Arkle tips: Your best Cheltenham bets for the Arkle revealed by Paddy Power experts

FRANK HICKEY

Notebook (5/2) is top of the market, but I’m cautious of him. Generally, a really good hurdler will win the Arkle. Notebook is only rated 135 and that’s a worry.

Cash Back (6/1) is only rated 141. Even though the form is good, it’s worth having in the back of your head they’re not top, top class and they could be vulnerable. The way the race is going to be run, there’s loads of pace. it could be a burn up.

One I like, and he’s been off the track for a while now, is Brewin’upastorm (6/1) for Olly Murphy. He was very impressive over two miles on his hurdles debut at Huntington and has stepped it up to two-and-half-miles since.

The strong pace will really suit. I think he’s a really solid each/way punt in a race that’s set up for him.

The winner Brewin’upastorm (Richard Johnson,2) jumps the 2nd flight in the 2m novices hurdle
Huntingdon 9.12.18 Pic: Edward Whitaker

LIZZIE KELLY

I really like Brewin’upastorm (6/1). His form when winning at Carlisle back in October was very impressive. Olly Murphy’s been looking after him and getting him ready for this so he should be all set to go well.

PADDY POWER

I agree with Brewin’upastorm (6/1). Olly Murphy seems to have been in-and-out of form for a while, but this season he’s really hit the ground running, especially in recent weeks.

Notebook has done absolutely nothing wrong – but Frank has put me off!

Hopefully, Brewin’upastorm will drift out on the day if us Irish get a bit carried away and lump on something else.

PAUL JACOBS

I think everyone has made the right point. When you are assessing a race, it’s the make-up of it. How is the race going to pan out?

And there’s lots of pace here. It’s going to suit a stayer and a jockey who has the balls to say ‘I’m going to sit on the pace and wait and wait for as long as I can’.

I think if Esprit Du Large (12/1) was trained by a Mullins, Nicolls or a Henderson instead of Evan Williams he’d be half the price. He’s a big, rangy horse. He jumps his fences well and I hope Evan says just hold on, hold on for as long as you can.

He can stay and I think he’s been underestimated.

RUBY WALSH

I think the one that will stay best is Fakir Doudairie (9/2).

*All odds correct at time of publication