Cheltenham Festival 2023 best bets and tips for Supreme Hurdle, Champion Hurdle, Ryanair Chase, Gold Cup and more

The Cheltenham Festival is now just over a month away and with 27 races to watch there will be some favorites to live up to the hype.

In fact, there were 12 favorites who won last year, and 2023 could have a similar rate.

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With betting options open for one of the biggest weeks in horse racing, there is still value to be had.

In years past, many of the big Grade 1 races seemed decided before March, but now there are open competitions everywhere with only a few big favorites really giving hope to justify short prizes.

Racing tips for the Cheltenham Festival

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle preview and tip

Simple Vega 4/5

Last year Constitution Hill was among the leading contenders for this race, emerging as the joint favorite at 9/4, but not many anticipated how easily the hurdler would win.

Now Facile Vega is early at a much shorter price and for good reason.

But there are also a few overpriced runners who, given their exceptional winning streak and skill, could prove hard to beat.

Facile Vega, coached by Willie Mullins, has a good chance of winning the opener of the Cheltenham Festival, going unbeaten in all six races.

He won just two hurdles and four flats, including three Grade 1s, while also being the clear favorite.

The six-year-old has an exceptional pedigree that plays a big part in that winning mentality, from Quevega and Walk In The Park.

But Paul Nicholls’ Tahmuras looks a potential threat and is also unbeaten over hurdles including the Tolworth Novices at Sandown in early January.

Champion Hurdle preview and tip

Constitution Hill 4/11

A few months ago, Constitution Hill was just better than it was before cementing his skills at the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Christmas Hurdle in November and December.

Both won by a wide margin ahead of the great Grade 1 winner Epatante in second place.

He shot up from a rating of 148 to 173 in those three races and remains a horse of tremendous stamina and coasting speed.

Ryanair Chase preview and tip

Allaho 6/4

It’s rare to find horses that are extremely consistent, especially at the highest level, but Allaho seems to be the one.

The nine-year-old is now four wins from four against Fakir D’oudairies at 12 lengths, Janidil at 14 and Clan Des Obeaux at 14 also in April 2022.

He hasn’t been rushed or risked since and won’t bother the long break and should continue to be the consistent Grade 1 winner.

Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle Preview and Tip

Lucy 5/2

Luccia is a promising mare from the top stable of Seven Barrows, trained by Nicky Henderson.

She has already won three out of three regular races, including her debut hurdles win at Newbury in November.

She’s one of the house that’s well respected, just like Constitution Hill was last year.

While there is still a long way to go, her win in mares class 1 was comfortable and she can only do better in her next races.

Cheltenham Festival Gold Trophy

Champs gallop 13/8

The showpiece and biggest race of all sees a decent price for another favourite, Galopin Des Champs, also coached by Mullins.

The now seven-year-old was almost guaranteed victory in the Turners’ Novice Chase last year, but fell dramatically at the final fence, giving Bob Olinger the win.

Galopin was 12 lengths too good when he jumped last and would no doubt have increased that lead had he jumped it successfully.

He showed his true potential in April when he won at Fairyhouse by 18 lengths.

Before defeating even tougher rivals next time in December at Punchestown to win by 13 lengths over Fakir D’oudairies.

Now rated at 175, there doesn’t seem to be a better favorite throughout the festival.

All odds were correct at the time of writing

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