NEWS | PREMIUM TIPS | STAKING | RESULTS | PLAY
NEWS | PREMIUM TIPS | STAKING | RESULTS | PLAY
At Romping Home Racing, our daily tips normally go through extensive database stress testing before being released. However, the Cheltenham Festival brings together the very best horses in the sport, where statistical angles alone often struggle to identify value.
For this reason, the selections below are RHR expert fancies for the Festival, based on form, race trends, and experience rather than our usual database model.
RHR Selection: Carrigmoornaspruce (10/1 – Each Way)
Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival begins with the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, a Grade 2 contest run over just under two miles and one furlong on the Old Course. With 22 runners declared, it is another typically competitive Festival opener where finding value beyond the very front of the market can often be the key to a profitable start to the day.
The clear favourite heading into the race at the time of writing is Bambino Fever, ridden by Paul Townend. She brings a strong profile into the contest and sets the standard on recent form. However, with odds sitting just above evens, the price looks a little short in such a deep and competitive field. With that in mind, the RHR team will look slightly further down the betting for an each-way angle, and the mare that stands out is Carrigmoornaspruce, currently available around 10/1.
Trained in Ireland by Declan Queally, Carrigmoornaspruce has built a very solid profile over the past two seasons and has shown steady progression throughout her career. A six-year-old daughter of Diamond Boy, she first made her mark in bumpers where she quickly developed into a highly reliable performer. From six runs in National Hunt Flat races she recorded three victories and three further placed efforts, highlighting both her consistency and her ability to compete in strong company.
One of her standout bumper performances came at the Punchestown Festival, where she landed a competitive Grade 3 mares’ bumper over two miles. That victory demonstrated both her stamina and her ability to handle big-field festival environments — an important attribute when stepping onto the Cheltenham stage.
Since switching to hurdles this season, Carrigmoornaspruce has continued to show improvement. She made a particularly eye-catching debut over obstacles when winning a mares’ maiden hurdle at Listowel over two miles, scoring convincingly in a large field of 18 runners. That performance confirmed her ability to travel strongly through her races and finish with authority once asked for an effort.
Her subsequent runs have come in stronger graded company, where she has more than held her own. She finished a close second in the Grade 3 Feathard Lady Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Down Royal, shaping like a mare capable of competing at a high level. She then followed that up with another excellent performance when finishing second in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown, beaten only five lengths after travelling well for much of the contest.
That Leopardstown effort in particular reads well heading into Cheltenham. Competing strongly in Grade 1 company suggests she possesses the class required for a race like this, while the step up slightly beyond two miles at Cheltenham could suit her running style well. She has shown repeatedly that she travels comfortably at a strong pace and stays on well in the closing stages — exactly the type of profile that can be effective on Cheltenham’s demanding uphill finish.
Another positive is the booking of James Bowen, who is set to take the ride at Cheltenham. Bowen is a highly capable jockey with a growing Festival reputation, and his patient riding style could suit Carrigmoornaspruce perfectly if the race is run at the strong gallop that these mares’ novice contests often produce.
With proven form in graded company, strong bumper credentials and a solid first season over hurdles already behind her, Carrigmoornaspruce arrives at Cheltenham with a profile that suggests she can be very competitive in this field. While Bambino Fever is the obvious horse to beat, we believe Carrigmoornaspruce represents excellent each-way value at around 10/1 in what should be a fascinating opener to Day Three of the Festival.
RHR Selection: Meetmebythesea (11/2 – Win)
The second race on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival is the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, a competitive two-mile contest that regularly attracts some of the most progressive novice chasers in training. With 20 runners declared, it looks another race that should be run at a strong gallop from the outset, and in contests like this the ability to jump fluently while maintaining position can often prove decisive.
Although several runners bring interesting profiles into the race, we are happy to focus on one standout selection, and that horse is Meetmebythesea, currently trading around 11/2 near the head of the market. Trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Ben Jones, the seven-year-old has developed into a very progressive novice chaser this season and arrives at Cheltenham looking like a horse still on an upward curve.
Meetmebythesea first began to establish his reputation over hurdles, where he showed consistent form in competitive novice company before making the switch to fences this season. Since going chasing he has looked a natural over the larger obstacles, quickly demonstrating both accuracy in his jumping and a good cruising speed, two key attributes for a race of this nature.
His early runs over fences immediately suggested he would take well to chasing. On his seasonal return he shaped with plenty of promise in a strong novice contest, travelling smoothly before keeping on late to finish in the places. That effort hinted there was more to come once he gained further experience.
One of his most encouraging performances came when finishing a close second in a competitive novice handicap chase at Newbury, where he travelled strongly for much of the race before only being denied late on. His jumping that day was particularly impressive, allowing him to hold a prominent position while others began to struggle for rhythm.
He has continued to build on that effort since, producing another solid run over a similar trip that confirmed both his consistency and his ability to handle races run at a strong pace. Importantly, he has already shown he can cope with large fields and a proper gallop, which is exactly what he is likely to face in this Festival handicap.
The partnership with Ben Jones is another positive. Jones has been riding with plenty of confidence this season and knows the horse well, having partnered him on several of his recent starts. That familiarity could prove valuable in a race where timing and positioning are often crucial.
There are naturally several dangers in a race of this depth. Firefox brings strong Irish novice chase form and commands respect near the top of the market, while Asian Master has also caught the eye in competitive handicaps this season and could easily play a part if continuing his progression.
Even so, Meetmebythesea looks to tick many of the key boxes for a race like this. He is a progressive novice chaser, jumps well at pace and appears well suited to the demands of a strongly run two miles around Cheltenham. At around 11/2, we believe he stands out as the most solid option in the race and looks a very strong contender to deliver a big performance on the Festival stage.
RHR Selection: Wodhooh (8/11 – Win)
The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle is the third race on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival and, with just seven runners declared, it looks a smaller but still high-quality contest. While many races during the week present huge handicaps and tricky puzzles, this race appears more straightforward on paper, with one horse clearly setting the standard.
That horse is Wodhooh, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, who heads into the race as the odds-on favourite at around 8/11 at the time of writing. Her National Hunt form figures of 1111111211 highlight just how consistent she has been throughout her career, with victory becoming something of a habit.
Wodhooh has enjoyed an excellent season and has repeatedly shown she belongs at the very top level among the current crop of mares. One of her standout performances came earlier in the campaign when landing a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown, travelling strongly throughout before asserting in the closing stages. That performance showcased both her class and her ability to quicken when it matters.
She has continued to maintain that level of form since, producing strong performances in graded company and confirming that she can compete consistently against high-quality opposition. Her racing style — travelling comfortably before finishing strongly — should suit Cheltenham’s demanding uphill finish, where races are often decided in the final furlong.
The partnership with Jack Kennedy is another major positive. Kennedy is one of the most accomplished riders in National Hunt racing and has an excellent record at the Cheltenham Festival. His ability to position a horse patiently before delivering a challenge at the right moment often proves invaluable in races of this nature.
Of course, Cheltenham can often surprise us, even when a race appears straightforward beforehand, and odds-on favourites are never guaranteed to deliver at the Festival. However, when assessing the field, we struggle to see anything bringing the same level of recent form and overall class as Wodhooh.
Even at odds-on, she still looks the most solid option in the race and she is the horse we are siding with, bringing both quality and consistency into what looks a very strong opportunity for the Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy team.
RHR Selection: Bob Olinger (8/1 – Win)
When we first assessed this race, two horses immediately stood out — Bob Olinger and the progressive Ma Shantou. Both bring strong profiles into the contest and separating them was not straightforward, but in the end we have sided with Bob Olinger, largely because of his exceptional record at Cheltenham.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead, Bob Olinger has developed a remarkable relationship with the track. His record at Cheltenham currently stands at a perfect three wins from three runs, which includes two victories at the Cheltenham Festival itself. Whenever he returns to Prestbury Park he seems to find another level, and proven course form is often a major asset in races of this nature.
His first Festival success came in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in 2021, where he produced a dominant performance over two miles and five furlongs. Travelling strongly throughout, he moved into contention with ease before quickening clear after the final hurdle to win comfortably by over six lengths.
He returned to the Festival the following year to land the Turners Novices’ Chase in 2022, once again showing how well the Cheltenham track suits him. That day he jumped fluently throughout before asserting late on the demanding uphill run-in.
His third victory at the course came when winning the Relkeel Hurdle, another performance that reinforced just how comfortable he looks around this track. Few horses can boast such a flawless record at Cheltenham, and that familiarity with the course could prove invaluable in a race that often turns into a true stamina test.
The horse that pushed him closest in our thinking was Ma Shantou, who comes here priced around 13/2 and arrives with a very progressive profile. He has passed every test placed in front of him so far this season, steadily climbing through the ranks and showing plenty of stamina along the way. This represents another step up in class, but the way he has been progressing suggests there could still be further improvement to come.
Even so, Bob Olinger’s perfect Cheltenham record ultimately tipped the balance for us. Cheltenham has a habit of producing big performances from horses who clearly enjoy the track, and Bob Olinger has already proven that he thrives in this environment.
At around 8/1, we feel he represents excellent value for a horse with such a strong record at the course, and he is the one we are siding with in what should be one of the most competitive staying hurdles of the week.
RHR Selection: Impaire Et Passe (7/1 – Each Way)
All eyes will naturally be drawn to Fact To File, who returns looking to defend the title he won so impressively in this race last year. His victory twelve months ago was one of the standout performances of the meeting and he has continued to look every inch a top-class chaser since.
His most recent appearance came in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, where he produced another huge run to land one of the most prestigious staying chases in Ireland. That victory prompted plenty of discussion about whether connections might supplement him for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but the decision was ultimately made to keep him to the Ryanair, the race he won so convincingly last year.
On recent form alone he is clearly the horse to beat, and we fully respect his chances of following up here. However, at the current prices the value lies elsewhere, and the horse we want to side with is Impaire Et Passe, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend.
Impaire Et Passe already has strong Cheltenham credentials, having produced a brilliant performance to win the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle earlier in his career. On that occasion he travelled powerfully before quickening clear up the famous hill, demonstrating both the class and the stamina required to perform on this stage.
Since going chasing he has gradually developed into a very capable performer over fences. His jumping has become more polished with experience and he has shown the kind of cruising speed that is often very effective over this intermediate trip. In races run over two miles and five furlongs, being able to travel comfortably before delivering a late challenge can often be a major advantage.
The presence of Paul Townend in the saddle only strengthens the case. As Willie Mullins’ stable jockey and one of the most successful riders in Cheltenham Festival history, Townend has repeatedly shown his ability to deliver in the biggest races of the week.
There is no getting away from the fact that Fact To File sets the standard, and we would not be surprised at all if he successfully defends his crown. With that in mind, Impaire Et Passe appeals most as a strong each-way play, particularly given his ability and his previous Festival success.
At around 7/1, he offers the kind of value we like to look for in a race like this — a horse with genuine class who could easily run a big race behind the favourite and potentially pick up the pieces if the race unfolds in his favour.
RHR Selections: Bold Endeavour (12/1 – Each Way) & Minella Sixo (20/1 – Each Way)
Large-field staying handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival always require a slightly different approach. With 26 runners declared, this race tends to become a real test of stamina and race positioning, where horses need to travel comfortably early before still having enough left to climb the demanding Cheltenham hill.
The Pertemps Final also has a long history of producing well-handicapped runners who have quietly worked their way through the qualifying races earlier in the season. It is rarely an easy puzzle to solve, which is why we are happy to take two chances at each-way prices.
The first of those selections is Bold Endeavour, representing the Nicky Henderson yard with James Bowen in the saddle. Henderson has a strong record when targeting Festival handicaps and Bold Endeavour has shaped throughout the season like a horse who could be well suited to a race of this nature.
His runs this campaign have suggested that a proper stamina test over three miles is exactly what he needs, often travelling strongly through his races before staying on well late. That type of profile can be ideal for a contest like this where the early pace can be strong and the race often begins in earnest turning for home.
The expected good to soft ground conditions should also suit him well. He has shown previously that he can operate effectively on this type of surface and it should allow him to travel smoothly without the race becoming overly testing underfoot.
Our second selection is Minella Sixo, who looks an interesting outsider at around 20/1. The eight-year-old has gradually built up a reputation as a reliable staying hurdler, and his performances this season suggest he is capable of holding his own in races where stamina becomes the defining factor.
He has consistently shaped as though three miles in a competitive handicap will bring out the best in him, often finishing his races strongly once others begin to weaken. In a race like the Pertemps Final, that ability to keep finding off the bridle can make a significant difference in the closing stages.
Good to soft ground this week at Cheltenham should also play to his strengths. It is a surface he has handled well before and it should allow him to keep galloping when the race begins to stretch the field.
In a handicap of this depth there are always numerous contenders, but Bold Endeavour brings the profile of a well-prepared runner from a top yard, while Minella Sixo looks the type who could easily outrun his price if the race turns into the stamina test it so often becomes.
With two each-way angles at solid prices, this looks a race where we are happy to take a slightly wider approach and hope one — or ideally both — can make their presence felt in the finish.
RHR Selections: Prends Garde A Toi (12/1 – Each Way) & Ask Brewster (25/1 – Each Way)
The final race on Day Three often produces one of the most unpredictable finishes of the entire meeting. With 26 runners lining up and amateur riders taking the reins, races like this tend to become tests of patience, stamina and positioning rather than pure class alone. Experience over staying trips and the ability to keep galloping when the field begins to tire can often make the difference up the Cheltenham hill.
Our first selection to close the day is Prends Garde A Toi, who looks a solid each-way contender at around 12/1. The French-bred runner has gradually developed into a reliable staying chaser and arrives here with the type of profile that can be well suited to a race of this nature.
Throughout the season he has repeatedly shaped like a horse who enjoys a proper stamina test, often finishing his races strongly once the tempo lifts. His jumping has generally been sound and, importantly for a race like this, he has shown the ability to travel comfortably in larger fields before staying on late. With good to soft ground expected, conditions should play to his strengths and allow him to settle into a rhythm over the extended trip.
Our second selection is Ask Brewster, who offers significant each-way value at around 25/1. The experienced chaser is no stranger to competitive staying handicaps and has previously shown that he can run well in races where stamina becomes the key factor.
One of his standout performances came when finishing placed in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival earlier in his career, proving that both the course and the occasion hold no fears for him. That previous Festival form immediately catches the eye in a race that often rewards horses with experience around Cheltenham.
Ask Brewster has continued to run respectably this season and still looks capable of producing a big effort when conditions suit. The step up to a strong staying test once again could bring out the best in him, particularly if the race begins to turn into a battle of endurance in the closing stages.
In such a wide-open contest it makes sense to take two each-way chances, especially with the unpredictable nature of races involving large fields and amateur riders. Prends Garde A Toi brings a progressive staying profile to the table, while Ask Brewster offers proven Cheltenham experience at a much bigger price.
Both look capable of finishing strongly when it matters most, and they are the two runners we are siding with to bring Day Three to a close for RHR.