Cheltenham 1.30 tips: Our experts’ best bets for Thursday’s Turners Novices’ Chase

Are Ruby and the gang backing the fav?

Might Potter jumps a fence

Mighty Potter attempts to make it four from four over fences – but does he have the support of Paddy’s pundits in the opening race on Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival?

The six-year-old gelding backed up his victory in the Drinmore with a demolition job at the Dublin Racing Festival, but the Turners Novices’ Chase will be his stiffest test to date.

That’s because 2021 Supreme winner Appreciate It and last year’s Martin Pipe scorer Banbridge are among the field, while talented pair Balco Coastal and Stage Star spearhead the British challenge.

You can check out the Turners Novices’ Chase runners and riders in full as well as Timeform’s snazzy horse-by-horse analysis on our snazzy Racecards page.

Generous Uncle Paddy’s digging deep into his pocket to give you a free bet to spend on any of Thursday’s seven races at Cheltenham. If you fancy spending your freebie on the Turners Novices’ Chase then you’re in luck as we’ve gathered our pundits’ best bets in one handy place.

You can run the rule over the latest Turners Novices’ Chase odds on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app.

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Cheltenham 1.30 tips

Matt Chapman: MIGHTY POTTER bombed out badly in the Supreme last year but he’s proved himself a pretty useful chaser this term. He stays well and ultimately was a ready winner of a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time. The odd mistake is a worry, but should be hard to beat for Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott.

Mick Fitzgerald: Joseph O’Brien’s runner is two from two at Cheltenham. He won the Martin Pipe Conditionals race last year and that form is very solid. The slight concern about BANBRIDGE is the going as he would prefer better ground. Mighty Potter is very good and could be the best in the race. The worry with him is that he bombed out at the Festival last year in the Supreme Novices Hurdle although the ground was a lot quicker.

Jane Mangan: I believe this year’s crop of novice chasers to be a strong group, with Gordon Elliott’s MIGHTY POTTER to be the top of that group. From the Drinmore at Fairyhouse to the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) he has been extremely impressive this season and given his physique, that comes as little surprise to anyone. He jumps, he stays and he’s got the wow factor. I cannot look past Mighty Potter to get us off to a flyer.

Ruby Walsh: MIGHTY POTTER is probably the best horse but I won’t be surprised if Appreciate It (each-way) turns up and gives him a big fright. It looks a match and I’ll even go for the forecast of Mighty Potter to beat Appreciate It.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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