IT is getting to that time of year when ante-post fever takes over National Hunt fans with many adding to their portfolio across the winter as they look towards the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
Here are a few horses that have made my shortlist for the Cheltenham Festival in recent weeks.
The Ultima Handicap is the big handicap chase on the opening day of CheltenhamSportsfile
My starting point has to be Teahupoo for the Stayers’ Hurdle.
I was very impressed by him as he took the scalps of Klassical Dream and Honeysuckle in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last weekend.
The five-year-old gelding has won seven of his ten hurdle starts, mainly on testing ground and between 2m and 2m4f.
I think the step up in trip to three miles could unlock even more improvement as he seemed to find plenty under pressure and looked better the further he went.
He is currently available at 12-1 for the Stayers which looks to a be a big price.
That might not be around for long if he was to win a trial like the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park next month.
Elliott has indicated that he is unlikely to drop back in trip.
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Next on my list is Nusret for Joseph O’Brien, who is declared to run in the Listed Summit Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday.
I was taken by his hurdles debut when winning with ease at Punchestown last month.
His sire Golden Horn who won the Derby and the Arc has been going under the radar as a jumps stallion with a 61% strike-rate for his progeny.
He is currently priced up at 12-1 for the Boodles and 20-1 for the Triumph Hurdle.
I would recommend to back him for the former as O’Brien often likes to target one for the race, which saw him train the well-backed favourite Band Of Outlaws to take the prize in 2019.
The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase appears to be wide open at this stage.
However, I do like the chances of the Willie Mullins-trained favourite Classic Getaway, who might just represent a bit of value at 12-1.
He was able to brush aside his stablemate Minella Cocooner with ease on his chase debut at Gowran Park last month.
That race has often produced plenty of good horses in recent years including Energumene, Bob Olinger and Laurina.
Even though that contest was over 2m4f, I think when he steps up in distance he will have more to offer and chasing could just be the making of him.
Another race which looks fairly open is the Mares’ Chase.
The regular runners of Elimay, Dolcita and Scarlet And Dove make very little appeal, but Impervious could be the dark horse in the pack.
She created a strong impression on me when making all to win a decent Beginners Chase at Wexford in October taking on the boys.
The daughter of Shantou does have an entry at Cork on Sunday, where she could meet the current favourite for the Mares’ Chase Allegorie De Vassy, but I think her experience could provide the edge in that contest.
Her current price of 14-1 looks too big for me and it will be interesting to see how the market reacts if she were to win at the weekend.
Last but not least is my wildcard selection on the list, Tea Clipper for the Ultima Handicap Chase, who is 33-1 for the race next March.
The case for him is fairly strong as he has an excellent record at the Cheltenham Festival placing on two occasions.
He was the subject of a gamble in last year’s race when finishing a credible fourth, returning a final SP of 12-1 after being available at bigger prices just a few days before.
It is easy to forgive his last run at Newbury over hurdles, as prior to that he had been in good form with placed efforts in valuable handicap chases at Ascot and Chepstow.
He is likely to go to Cheltenham fresh which will be to his advantage.
If he turns up he is unlikely to be a 33-1 shot and could go off a similar price to what he was sent off last year.
Recommended tips
TEAHUPOO at 12-1 for the Stayers Hurdle with Betfair/Paddy Power.
NUSRET at 12-1 for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap with Unibet.
CLASSIC GETAWAY at 12-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase with Betfair/Paddy Power/Coral.
IMPERVIOUS at 14-1 for the Mares’ Chase with SkyBet.
TEA CLIPPER at 33-1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase with Unibet.
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