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'He's 40-1 but could take a bit of catching' - our Ultimate Cheltenham Preview panellists with their dark horses
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival begins on Tuesday, and experts from our Ultimate Cheltenham Preview Night have noted their dark horses for a superb four days at Prestbury Park.
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Patrick Mullins
Winter Fog
Unibet Champion Hurdle, 4.00 Tuesday
Stranger things have happened than Winter Fog getting up the place part of an each-way bet in the Champion Hurdle. There’s lots of pace, lots of people fancying their chances and that leads to blowouts and mistakes. He can sneak in and rob some more prize-money.
David Jennings
Comfort Zone
I've long held the opinion that he is one of the best handicapped hurdlers in training and I think he's got a cracking chance in the Coral Cup. He goes well fresh and you only have to glance back to his juvenile form with the likes of Lossiemouth to see how nicely treated he could be.
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Nick Luck
Just A Rose
Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle, 1.20 Thursday
You can get a double-figure price but I think she’s very talented. I’d prefer it if she’d had another run beforehand but I don’t think she’ll be far away.
Robbie Wilders
Whistle Stop Tour
Ultima Handicap Chase, 2.40 Tuesday
He was a big market drifter when fifth in the novice handicap on Trials day behind Jagwar over a trip well short of his best and should be primed for a big run. That race is a great guide to the festival and Corach Rambler won this twice for the yard.
Kevin O'Ryan
Flicker Of Hope
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, 3.20 Friday
Ten of the last 12 runnings of the Albert Bartlett have been won by a horse at a double-figure price. Flicker Of Hope for Mark Fahey ran a cracker at Leopardstown when he was in front plenty soon enough. He has loads of experience and is going under the radar.
Paul Kealy
Malina Girl
Ultima Handicap Chase, 2.40 Tuesday
She runs the track very well and has run just twice this season so has been held back for something – and it can't be the National as she won't get in. The Ultima is her only entry and she'll be half her current price if she runs.
Neil Channing
Blaze The Way
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, 5.20 Friday
Trainers have worked out the Martin Pipe is a race for future staying chasers, so I focused on stamina and this horse is down in trip having already won over 3m1f. However fast they go, he won't fade coming to the last. He makes for each-way fun at 33-1; what's not to like?
Johnny Dineen
Aworkinprogress
National Hunt Novices' Handicap Chase, 5.20 Tuesday / Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, 5.20 Thursday
If Aworkinprogress happened to show up in either the National Hunt Chase or the Kim Muir, I will definitely be having a few quid on him. He does have an entry in the Midlands National but if he turns up at Cheltenham, he's dangerous. He's improving fast.
Jane Mangan
Kalypso’schance
Weatherbys Champion Bumper, 5.20 Wednesday
He’s very talented and seven of the past nine winners had won a Listed or Graded bumper before winning here. Some of the opposition lack experience and with Jack Kennedy on top, this fellow has a great chance of providing his trainer with a third win since 2017.
Keith Melrose
Traprain Law
Grand Annual Handicap Chase, 4.40 Wednesday
He is a huge price at 40-1, justifiably on his bare form this season, but there were again better signs at Musselburgh last time. If they ride him aggressively, as for most of his novice season, he could take a bit of catching.
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'The more pundits keep opposing him, the more I fancy him! I genuinely cannot see him being beaten'
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Published on inThe Ultimate Cheltenham Preview Night
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Copy- 'A double-figure price is too good to resist' - our Ultimate Cheltenham Preview panellists give their festival best bets
- 'He has a much better chance than his price suggests - and I'm not convinced by the Willie Mullins team against him'
- 'The more pundits keep opposing him, the more I fancy him! Mark my words, he’s the bet of the week’
- 'He's been campaigned like a cocky student who doesn't think they need to revise - and this is the one to beat him'
- 'This Mullins mare could be very good - she looks uncomplicated, has Grade 1 form and she'll do for me'
- 'A double-figure price is too good to resist' - our Ultimate Cheltenham Preview panellists give their festival best bets
- 'He has a much better chance than his price suggests - and I'm not convinced by the Willie Mullins team against him'
- 'The more pundits keep opposing him, the more I fancy him! Mark my words, he’s the bet of the week’
- 'He's been campaigned like a cocky student who doesn't think they need to revise - and this is the one to beat him'
- 'This Mullins mare could be very good - she looks uncomplicated, has Grade 1 form and she'll do for me'