*Odds quoted on the widget are Non Runner Money Back prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you’ll get your stake back
- Paddy Power’s Cheltenham Preview Night was an action packed jamboree from start to finish and you can watch it all back right now on Paddy’s YouTube channel or by clicking the video below.
- The man himself, Mr Patrick Power, was joined by the great Ruby Walsh, top broadcaster Lydia Hislop, king of the craic Tony Mullins and our trader Frank Hickey to guide you through all the races and major talking points at Prestbury Park this year with best bets for loads of races as well as NAPs and ones to avoid.
- The Cheltenham Festival 2022 begins on Tuesday, March 15 and we’ve got four quality days of racing to enjoy before the curtain comes down on Friday, March 18. You can get all the best tips, coverage and previews right here at Paddy Power News.
- We’re Non Runner Money Back on all 28 races and you can check out the latest odds via our dedicated Cheltenham betting hub on paddypower.com.
And that’s a wrap!
That’s all folks. Thanks to Ruby, Lydia, Frank and Tony for putting up with Paddy for close to three hours. You heard all the winners here first.
And thanks to everyone who tuned in – hopefully the juices are well and truly flowing with the start of the Festival just a week away now. Remember, we’ll be going above and beyond every day here in the Paddy Power News penthouse with an absolute barrage of best bets everyday from the brightest and best names in the game.
Paddy will probably be piping up as well. Never mind, the countdown is officially on. Cheltenham is upon us. Bring it on.
NAPs TIME
Frank – Hillcrest.
Ruby – Allaho’s the NAP but not a price. I think Stormy Ireland will win at a big price. One each way is Capodanno in the Brown Advisory.
Lydia – Dinoblue is my NAP, Telmesomethinggirl is my next best
Tony – Dinoblue is my NAP. My next best is Galopin Des Champs and my each way bet is Minella Cocooner.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Ruby – Good Risk At All. I think this track is made for him. I think 2m5f on the new course, I’d fancy him in this.
Tony – Watch the riders here, this is a claimer. Jack Foley is just unreal. Shane Fitzgerald as well.
Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase
Tony – Elimay is the rock solid one. If Concertista can swap to chases there’ll be nothing between them. Elimay’s a fantastic horse and will take all the beating here. She’s a very, very good mare.
AP – Mr Showbiz himself pipes up with some celeb gossip. Paddy attended a glitzy London event last week where AP McCoy tipped up Elimay as his best bet for the Festival. How the other half live, eh?
Lydia – Elimay looked back to her old self last time out. I’m worried Concertista might get caught out. There’s something that’s making my uneasy about this race but I’d say Elimay.
Frank – If Mount Ida ran in the Gold Cup I’d back her. That’s how good I think she is. I think Mount Ida is progessing while Elimay has plateaued.
Ruby – I think Elimay will win. She’s small but well built. Cheekpieces have bought about a big improvement.
Gold Cup
Time for the big one!
Lydia – I can’t have Protektorat I think he’ll make mistakes early. I like Galvin. Do I like Galvin at the price? I’d like him at 6/1! Looking at that field and the prices, Minella Indo is where I’d go.
Tony – I’m going for A Plus Tard. I thought he was brilliant at Haydock, was beaten a short head by the big favourite at Christmas.
Ruby – Al Boum Photo will wear cheekpieces I think. Paul Townend said to put them on and he’s happy with it. What do I think? I’d ride A Plus Tard.
Frank – From a price point of view Tornado Flyer is priced as if the King George was a fluke. As a 3 miler he’s completely unexposed. Recently there’s been a lot of horses starting at a shorter distance moving up. From a price point of view I think you have to back him because he could improve for another 1/4 mile. I don’t think it was a fluke at Kempton.
Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
Frank – Hillcrest is a potential Gold Cup horse. There’s nothing else in this that has that. I love him, I really love him. I’d be gutted if he doesn’t run.
Ruby – I’m in the Hillcrest camp, I’d be gutted if he doesn’t run!
Lydia – Could Stag Horn run really well? He’s really neat over his hurdles and has a grizzled staying record on the flat. I think he could run well.
County Hurdle
Lydia – Can I make a confession? I don’t think I’ve ever backed a winner in the County Hurdle!
Tony – It’s the only race I ever won in!
Ruby – State Man’s rating of 141 is fair. It’ll be this or the Martin Pipe for him.
Frank – The one I thought was interesting is Gringo d’Aubrelle. He’s got a mark of 135 which is bang on. We’re non runner no bet so if he doesn’t go you get your money back.
Triumph Hurdle
Ruby – Il Etait Temps is incredible each way value, for me.
Lydia – I backed Il Etait Temps at 20s, he’s now 12/1 and I think that’s still too big.
Tony (while looking at pictures of Princess Zoe on his phone again) – The Willie horse, what’s it called? Il Etait Temps.
Mares Novices Hurdle
NAP ALERT! NAP ALERT! NAP ALERT!
Lydia, Tony and Frank are all having Dinoblue as their best bet of the week in the Mares Novices Hurdle on Thursday.
Lydia – I think Dinoblue is mustard. She’s been put away for this, I think she can only improve. Lightly-raced horses have a good record in this and usually they’re trained by Willie Mullins. I don’t fancy Brandy Love at all.
Frank – I agree, Brandy Love – I just can’t have her. Very sweet on Dinoblue she’s got loads of ability.
Tony – Lydia’s stolen my thunder! Dinoblue is my NAP of the Festival.
Ruby – I’d be in Dinoblue’s camp. I wouldn’t put anyone off backing Night And Day. She won’t win but she’ll go close.
Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle
Tony – I’ll go with the old reliable, Paisley Park. There’s questions about them all…
Ruby – Champ for me. His Ascot run wins this.
Ryanair Chase
Paddy tries to talk up Shan Blue. Tony’s in bits. The panel’s Allaho all the way.
Tony – Allaho does what it says on the tine every time. This is a good thing now. The next four aren’t going to run so you’re into the 5th for a challenger.
Ruby – Allaho’s nailed on. Melon loves finishing second.
Lydia – I think Eldorado Allen will fall in behind Allaho in second.
Frank – If back to full fitness I think Saint Calvados has a chance of hitting the post.
Turners Novices Chase
Lydia – Galopin Des Champs has improved over fences and if he’s going to win he’s going to have to be miles clear because Bob Olinger’s got great finishing speed. I’m a missive Galopin Des Champs fan and I think he could be superb over fences. I’m so looking forward to this race.
Ruby – As a chaser Galopin Des Champs has upped his game, I don’t think Bob Olinger has.
Tony – Galopin Des Champs is the one.
Frank – I hope Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger both run. I’m on the former.
Paddy – Just to be contrarian I’ll go with Bob Olinger then!
And we’re off again…
Here comes the panel’s view on Thursday and Friday’s races including, of course, the Gold Cup.
Hold your horses!
After a whirlwind, tech-affected first half it’s time to wheel out the oranges and to put your feet up for a few minutes. We’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail with more from the crew in the second half and a look at Thursday and Friday at Cheltenham.
In the meantime, did you know you could Watch Cheltenham live with paddy power at our Dublin festival fanzone? Well, you do now. Take a look at how you could get involved over your half-time cuppa.
Champion Bumper
Ruby – It’s a bumper, anything can happen. American Mike was good at Navan, I thought Facile Vega was very good at Leopardstown. As I’m in Willie’s camp I’ll go with Facile Vega.
Tony – I haven’t seen Willie as excited by a horse as Facile Vega in a long time. Actually, I haven’t seen him this excited ever! If everything goes to plan Facile Vega will come home on his own – in front!
Frank – No horse should be odds on in a bumper. At the price I’d be on Redemption Day.
Cross Country Chase
Frank – I’ve backed Shady Operator each way. I like the way he won twice at Punchestown and if Tiger Roll was to underperform he’d be the one.
Tony – Can you imagine if Tiger Roll bolts in here and doesn’t run in the Grand National? Can you imagine having the only horse for 40 years who can win a treble National not running?
Champion Chase
Ruby – I think Shishkin will win so I don’t think it matters whether Paul Townend rides Energumene or Chacun Pour Soi.
Lydia – We should be talking about Nube Negra. I think he’s going to finish second to Shishkin. I don’t think the track will suit Energumene or Chacun Pour Soi.
Brown Advisory Novices Chase
Lydia – Quite often this race is won by a slogger, I’m not sure Bravemansgame is a slogger. I wonder about Gaillard Du Mesnil if this is going to be a grinder. It could get into a place at a price.
Tony – Bravemansgame has to win this. Where’s he going to finish in the King George if he doesn’t canter in here?
Ruby – Bravemansgame quickened up really sharply at Kempton, he’s a brilliant jumper, a fabulous horse. Capodanno is another if I was picking one of Willie’s.
Ballymore Novices Hurdle
Ruby – Whichever of Sir Gerhard or Dysart Dynamo runs will win.
Mares Hurdle
Ruby – Stormy Ireland for me. She’s run well in the past and I think this is the weakest Mares Hurdle she’s run in.
Lydia – I think Telmesomethinggirl will win but I don’t fancy the price.
Tony – I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Royal Kahala. It’s definitely value at the price.
Frank – Martello Sky. You can’t knock her attitude. Stepping up to 2 1/2m has definitely helped. She probably won’t win it but is a good each way price.
Champion Hurdle
Lots of love for Honeysuckle. ‘She’s superior, she wins for me,’ says Tony. He’s siding with Adagio as an each-way play. Lydia likes Zanahiyr, ‘he’s a strong stayer and he’s the one that could be overpriced in the without market when that’s avaliable.’
Frank
Frank, typically, finds one at a price in the Ultima Handicap Chase. He’s sweet on Full Back. ‘I’m very keen on him. Very keen.’
Mic check, one, two, one, two
Aaaaand we’re back, baby! Now, where were we? Ah, the Ultima Handicap Chase. On we go.
Hello? Can you hear me?
Seems like the tech nerds in the basement are in for the thrashing of a lifetime… We’ve been struggling with some sound issues so the stream’s taking a quick break while someone turns the trusty Amstrad off and on again.
Ruby
Edwardstone is very, very professional, he’s a brilliant jumper. He’s the most likely in a very open Arkle Chase.
Frank
I’d be keen to take on Constitution Hill. The heavy ground wont suit. He reminds me of Spirit Son – he managed to get turned over in the Supreme by Ruby. I think Jonbon’s form has actually been franked. But, for me, if Sir Gerhard’s in the race, he’ll win.
Tony
This is the best Supreme Novices’ Hurdle I’ve ever seen. So many unexposed ones who are top class. It doesn’t get any better than this. I don’t think I’ve seen a Supreme like it or a Novices’ like it. This race could shape racing for years.
Lights, camera, action!
Here we go then, the horse racing event of the year (for the next few days, at least) has begun!
The guys and girls are live now and you can join the thousands of others watching the stream on Paddy’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages or you can just stay right here and hit that little red arrow above this post up there. You see it? Above Tony’s head. There you go.
Just to get you in the mood
While we wait for every follicle of hair on Paddy’s head to be put in exactly the right place, here’s some light reading to whet the appetite as we hurtle towards 7.30pm.
- Everything you need to know about our in-store specials
- Watch Cheltenham live with paddy power at our Dublin festival fanzone
- Matt Chapman’s top tip for anyone looking to pick a winner
- Your ultimate betting guide to the 2022 festival
- Ruby Walsh: Tiger Roll will go out in a blaze of glory
Not long to go now…
The Green Room at Power Tower is a hive of activity that’s absolutely bristling with showbiz energy not seen since Barry from EastEnders was last here. Paddy’s being worked on by a crack team of make-up artists who’ve been flown in especially from Paris to top up his trademark glow, Ruby’s sharpening his one liners and Tony still won’t stop showing everyone pictures of Princess Zoe on his phone.
Just 30 minutes to go until action time ladies and gentlemen! So, get whatever chores you have out the way, fire up the kettle and brace yourself for Paddy’s Cheltenham Festival Preview Show 2022. The wait is almost over.
Welcome
Ahoy-hoy folks, how are we? I’ll just go ahead and assume you’re pumped for plenty of Cheltenham craic as Paddy and the gang preview the best week of the year.
Our supreme leader has gathered some of the biggest names in the game to join him for a super night of punditry, previews and predictions ahead of the Cheltenham Festival 2022.
Paddy’s ace ensemble go live from 7:30pm so make sure you put the kettle on, grab a biccie and settle in for a top evening of tipping, banter and analysis.
We’ll bring you highlights and best bets throughout the show so stay tuned!
Read More
- Cheltenham Tips: Your ultimate betting guide to the 2022 Festival
- Cheltenham Tips: 6 best-backed picks to get your kicks at the Festival
- Cheltenham Festival 2022 day-by-day schedule and guide to the big races
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
