*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
The Cheltenham Festival 2021 takes place between Tuesday March 16 and Friday March 19 – and we can’t wait for four days of National Hunt heaven.
NEW TO PADDY POWER? CLICK HERE FOR A £10 BET
A bumper 28-race schedule over four mouthwatering days of action awaits National Hunt fans. While there won’t be any punters in attendance (thanks coronavirus…), you’ll be able to watch from home and you won’t want to miss a second. Paddy Power News has rounded up all the key dates, race times and tips from our experts to keep you in the loop. You’re welcome!
TUESDAY MARCH 16 – CHAMPION DAY
What better way to start the Cheltenham Festival than with the double hit of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle Chase. The opening day’s feature race is the Champion Hurdle – won last year by the Nicky Henderson-trained Epatante. Can she see off the threat from Honeysuckle to defend her crown? Generous Uncle Paddy’s even giving away FREE £/€5 bet to every Paddy punter for the opening race of the day. Jurassic Park!
13:20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y
Ruby Walsh: “APPRECIATE IT has the pace to win, he’s a good jumper and ticks all the right boxes”
FULL PREVIEW: SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE ANTEPOST TIPS FROM RUBY WALSH
BETTING: SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE LATEST ODDS
13.55 – Arkle Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 199y
Ruby Walsh: “I think SHISHKIN is the best horse in the race”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH’S ARKLE CHASE ANTEPOST TIPS
BETTING: ARKLE CHASE LATEST ODDS
14.30 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m 1f
Frank Hickey: “The one I like is HAPPYGOLUCKY trained by Kim Bailey. I am very sweet on this one.”
FULL PREVIEW: ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE ANTEPOST TIPS FROM FRANK HICKEY
15.05 – Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y
Ruby Walsh: “Before Christmas I would have fancied Epatante but since the Irish Champion Hurdle, I would be all over HONEYSUCKLE”
FULL PREVIEW: CHAMPION HURDLE ANTEPOST TIPS FROM RUBY WALSH
Frank Hickey: “The Irish or Epatante will win the Champion Hurdle, and HONEYSUCKLE should be clear favourite and is the most likely winner”
FULL PREVIEW: CHAMPION HURDLE ANTEPOST PICKS REVEALED BY FRANK HICKEY
BETTING: CHAMPION HURDLE LATEST ODDS
15.40 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 3f 200y
Ruby Walsh: “Concertista, Roksana and Dame De Compagnie are ahead of the others – but if one was going to break into the top three it’s probably GREAT WHITE SHARK”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH’S MARES’ HURDLE ANTEPOST BEST BETS
Frank Hickey: “We can’t ignore INDEFATIGABLE, who has a very decent Cheltenham record”
FULL PREVIEW: FRANK HICKEY’S MARES’ HURDLE ANTEPOST PICKS
BETTING: MARES’ HURDLE LATEST ODDS
16.15 – Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 87y
Ruby Walsh: “I can see Saint Sam going to the Triumph so I would maybe tip up BUSSELTON for Joseph O’Brien”
Frank Hickey: “The one that stands out to me is HOUX GRIS for Paul Nicholls”
FULL PREVIEW: JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE ANTEPOST SELECTIONS FOR RUBY WALSH AND FRANK HICKEY
16.50 – National Hunt Chase (Grade 2) 3m 5f 201y
Ruby Walsh: “David Pipe’s horse, REMASTERED, won the Reynoldstown recently and although he is in a couple of handicaps, the races will start cutting up soon as people start seeing who will go where”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH’S NATIONAL HUNT CHASE ANTEPOST TIPS
- TOP TIPS: GINA BRYCE’S SELECTIONS FOR EVERY RACE ON DAY ONE
- BEST BETS: MATT CHAPMAN’S PICKS FOR DAY ONE’S SEVEN RACES
- SLICK PICKS: MICK FITZGERALD’S BEST BETS FOR DAY ONE
- PADDY’S PUNTS: PADDY POWER’S TIPS FOR TUESDAY AS EPATANTE FAVOURED TO HONEYSUCKLE
WEDNESDAY MARCH 17 – LADIES DAY
The Queen Mother Champion Chase takes centre stage on the second day of racing. Politologue took advantage of the absences of Chacun Pour Soi and Altior to claim victory last year. The feature race is followed by the Cross Country Chase, which is set to see Grand National hero Tiger Roll take on Easysland after a 17l defeat last season. Once again, we’re dishing out a FREE £/€5 bet to every Paddy punter for the opening race of the day. Result!
13.20 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 5f
Ruby Walsh: “I’m a big fan of BOB OLINGER – he was good at Naas and I loved him at Navan”
Frank Hickey: “BEAR GHYLLS has a right engine if he can learn to jump better”
FULL PREVIEW: BALLYMORE NOVICES’ HURDLE ANTEPOST PICKS FROM RUBY WALSH AND FRANK HICKEY
BETTING: BALLYMORE NOVICES’ HURDLE LATEST ODDS
13.55 – Festival Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m 80y
Ruby Walsh: “MONKFISH is a very polished chaser already, and he does everything that you would want a horse to do”
FULL PREVIEW: FESTIVAL NOVICES’ CHASE ANTEPOST TIPS FROM RUBY WALSHS
BETTING: FESTIVAL NOVICES’ CHASE LATEST ODDS
14.30 – Coral Cup (Grade 3) 2m 5f
Ruby Walsh: “The one I would give a chance to at a price is BIRCHDALE”
FULL PREVIEW: CORAL CUP ANTEPOST BEST BETS FROM RUBY WALSH
15.05 – Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 199y
Ruby Walsh: “CHACUN POUR SOI’s in great form and he looks the best in the field”
Frank Hickey: “I think NUBE NEGRA will have a right chance of definitely hitting the frame”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH AND FRANK HICKEY’S QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE ANTEPOST PICKS
BETTING: QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE LATEST ODDS
15.40 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 3m 6f 37y
Ruby Walsh: “I’ll most certainly be siding with EASYSLAND”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH’S CROSS COUNTRY CHASE ANTEPOST PICK
16.15 – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m 62y
Paul Jacobs: “This is a race which lends itself to finding the value with recent winners at 40/1, 20/1, 28/1 and 16/1 twice and I can see ZANZA running a huge race if he turns up on the day.”
FULL PREVIEW: 6 PICKS TO GET YOUR KICKS IN THE FESTIVAL HANDICAPS
16.50 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) 2m 87y
Ruby Walsh: “I have been a SIR GERHARD fan since I watched him winning at Down Royal and I don’t have any reason to change my mind”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH’S CHAMPION BUMPER ANTEPOST TIPS
BETTING: CHAMPION BUMPER LATEST ODDS
- TOP TIPS: OUR PUNDITS’ CHEAT SHEET FOR ALL WEDNESDAY’S RACES
- BEST BETS: FRANK HICKEY’S SELECTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY’S RACES
- SLICK PICKS: MICK FITZGERALD’S BEST BETS FOR DAY 2
- PADDY’S PUNTS: PADDY POWER’S TIPS FOR DAY 2
DON’T MISS
- DON’T MISS OUR BRAND NEW SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY SINGLE RACE TODAY
- … THEN CHECK OUT ALL THE WINNERS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WITH OUR FAST RESULTS
THURSDAY MARCH 18 – ST PATRICK’S DAY
It’s only right that the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle features prominently on St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham – so to celebrate we’re giving away a FREE £/€5 bet to every Paddy punter for any race. Simply click on the banner below to redeem the offer. The 2020 renewal produced a shock 50-1 winner as Lisnagar Oscar romped to glory but Paisley Park will be hoping to regain his crown.
13.20 – Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 168y
Ruby Walsh: “A relatively new race and the most perfect horse in training – ENVOI ALLEN – is an odds-on shot”
Frank Hickey: “You just can’t see any of the others beating ENVOI ALLEN”
FULL PREVIEW: MARSH NOVICES’ CHASE ANTEPOST TIPS FROM RUBY WALSH AND FRANK HICKEY
BETTING: MARSH NOVICES’ CHASE LATEST ODDS
13.55 – Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3) 2m 7f 213y
Ruby Walsh: “THE BOSSES OSCAR was second at Leopardstown and has been duly penalised for that. He runs off 151 when he could end up with a mark in the 160s.”
Frank Hickey: “I know the handicapper’s been harsh on THE BOSSES OSCAR but a claimer is set to be put up so he will have a huge chance”
FULL PREVIEW: PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL ANTEPOST TIPS FROM RUBY WALSH AND FRANK HICKEY
EXPLAINED: PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL QUALIFYING PLUS ODDS AND TIPS
14.30 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f 127y
Ruby Walsh: “MIN is a classier, speedier horse than Allaho”
Frank Hickey: “The one I can’t get away from is SAINT CALVADOS”
FULL PREVIEW: RYANAIR CHASE ANTEPOST PICKS FROM RUBY WALSH AND FRANK HICKEY
BETTING: RYANAIR CHASE LATEST ODDS
15.05 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y
Gina Bryce: “PAISLEY PARK showed his characteristic brilliance last time at Ascot”
FULL PREVIEW: GINA BRYCE’S TOP PICKS IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES
Matt Chapman: “Although he ran deplorably in this race last year, PAISLEY PARK for me, is still the best stayer in the business”
FULL PREVIEW: MATT CHAPMAN’S 4 TO SCORE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES
BETTING: PADDY POWER STAYERS’ HURDLE LATEST ODDS
15.40 – Paddy Power Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3) 2m 4f 166y
Ruby Walsh: “The trip and pace of the race will suit FILS D’OUDAIRIES”
FULL PREVIEW: PADDY POWER PLATE ANTEPOST TIPS FROM RUBY WALSH
BETTING: PADDY POWER PLATE LATEST ODDS
16.15 – Daylesford Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 179y
Ruby Walsh: “If I was riding, based on form, I would pick Hook Up but I do have a preference for ROYAL KAHALA”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH’S MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE ANTEPOST TIPS
Frank Hickey: “THE GLANCING QUEEN is without a doubt the best of the British and with no standout Irish contender in the race, she has every chance”
FULL PREVIEW: FRANK HICKEY’S MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE ANTEPOST TIPS
16.50 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup 3m 2f
Frank Hickey: “A 5lb rise for that isn’t excessive and I think DEISE ABA has got strong each-way claims”
FULL PREVIEW: FRANK HICKEY’S KIM MUIR ANTEPOST SELECTIONS
- TOP TIPS: GINA BRYCE’S SELECTIONS FOR EVERY RACE ON DAY THREE
- BEST BETS: MATT CHAPMAN’S PICKS FOR DAY THREE’S SEVEN RACES
- SLICK PICKS: MICK FITZGERALD’S BEST BETS FOR THURSDAY
- PADDY’S PUNTS: PUNDITS’ CHEAT SHEET FOR THURSDAY’S ACTION
FRIDAY MARCH 19 – GOLD CUP DAY
It’s all eyes on the Gold Cup for the final day of the Festival. Al Boum Photo made it back-to-back wins in the race last year – and the nine-year-old is expected to return for a third shot at glory. The card is stacked full of high-quality races including the JCB Triumph Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. There’s also the brand-spanking new Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase to keep you entertained.
13.20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y
Ruby Walsh: “I’m going to leave Zanahiyr on the betting front and say you should back QUILIXIOS because he has to run in this”
Frank Hickey: “TRITONIC is the one that could cause a little upset”
FULL PREVIEW: JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE ANTEPOST BEST BETS
BETTING: JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE LATEST ODDS
13.55 – County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 179y
Frank Hickey: “CIEL DE NEIGE has been peaking for this and I expect a much better run that last year”
FULL PREVIEW: COUNTY HURDLE ANTEPOST BEST BETS FROM FRANK HICKEY
14.30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y
Ruby Walsh: “BARBADOS BUCKS looks like he will stay forever – and then stay forever again”
Frank Hickey: “FAKIERA is just crying out for 3m and I would just love it if they stepped him up on his next start”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH AND FRANK HICKEY’S ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE ANTEPOST PICKS
BETTING: ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ CHASE LATEST ODDS
15.05 – Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y
Ruby Walsh: “It will not be straightforward, but AL BOUM PHOTO is the most likely winner”
FULL PREVIEW: GOLD CUP ANTEPOST TIP FROM RUBY WALSH
Frank Hickey: “AL BOUM PHOTO will take an awful lot of beating”
FULL PREVIEW: GOLD CUP ANTEPOST BEST BET FROM FRANK HICKEY
BETTING: GOLD CUP LATEST ODDS
15.40 – St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup 3m 2f 70y
Ruby Walsh: “I’m lukewarm on Billaway as jockeys will be key here, and the advantage he had is now gone. I’m therefore going to go for BOB AND CO.”
FULL PREVIEW: ST JAMES’ PLACE HUNTERS’ CHASE ANTEPOST BETS FROM RUBY WALSH
Frank Hickey: “STAKER WALLACE has a big chance”
FULL PREVIEW: ST JAMES’ PLACE HUNTERS’ CHASE ANTEPOST BETS FROM FRANK HICKEY
16.15 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f 127y
Ruby Walsh: “ELIMAY’s tiny but a real character, as brave as a lion”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH’S MRS PADDY POWER MARES’ CHASE ANTEPOST PICK
BETTING: MRS PADDY POWER MARES’ CHASE LATEST ODDS
16.50 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 56y
Ruby Walsh: “GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is an each-way play for me”
FULL PREVIEW: MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP HURDLE ANTEPOST TIPS FROM RUBY WALSH
- TOP TIPS: GINA BRYCE’S SELECTIONS FOR EVERY RACE ON DAY FOUR
- BEST BETS: MATT CHAPMAN’S PICKS FOR DAY FOUR’S SEVEN RACES
- SLICK PICKS: MICK FITZGERALD’S BEST BETS FOR FRIDAY
- PADDY’S PUNTS: PUNDITS’ CHEAT SHEET FOR FRIDAY’S ACTION
*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.
Read More on Cheltenham
- Cheltenham Festival 2022: When is the 2022 Cheltenham Festival?
- Cheltenham Festival 2022 antepost betting on the Gold Cup and more
- Paddy Power punter pockets €575,000 from €20 Henry de Bromhead bet
The Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
