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.
13:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle
RHR Selections: Minella Study (13/2 – Each Way) & Maestro Conti (7/1 – Each Way)
Day Four of the Cheltenham Festival begins with a fascinating contest for the four-year-old hurdlers over two miles on the Old Course. With 20 runners declared, it is another race that can prove extremely difficult to assess. Juvenile hurdles often bring together lightly raced horses who are still improving rapidly, meaning the form lines can be thin and the true ability of many runners has yet to be fully revealed.
That lack of exposed form is actually one of the defining features of this race. Many previous winners have arrived here with only a handful of runs over hurdles, sometimes winning once or twice before stepping straight into Grade 1 company. Trainers often campaign their best juveniles carefully through the winter before targeting this race specifically, which is why so many runners in this year’s field arrive unbeaten or with very limited racecourse experience.
One horse who fits that profile perfectly is Minella Study, who comes into the race unbeaten after three runs over hurdles. His first success came at Tipperary in July, where he landed a juvenile maiden hurdle over two miles after staying on strongly in the closing stages. He followed that up with a victory in the Listed Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle at Wetherby in October, showing plenty of determination to hold off a late challenge. His most eye-catching performance came in the Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, where he travelled strongly before pulling clear after the final flight to win by over six lengths. Trained by Adam Nicol on the famous beach gallops near Newcastle, that preparation on deep sand is renowned for building stamina and toughness, and his impressive course success earlier in the season gives him a strong profile heading back to Cheltenham.
Alongside him we are also siding with Maestro Conti, who also arrives unbeaten over hurdles. Representing the powerful Skelton yard, he has made a very positive impression in his early appearances, winning his juvenile maiden hurdle at Warwick before stepping up in class to land the Grade 2 Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham in November. On that occasion he showed a smart turn of foot after the last flight to win by four lengths, demonstrating both his ability and his suitability for the Cheltenham track. Dan Skelton has built an excellent record with juvenile hurdlers in recent seasons, and the stable clearly holds this horse in high regard.
With several lightly raced runners lining up, improvement is possible from many in the field and this looks another typically competitive opening to Gold Cup Day. Minella Study already has strong Cheltenham form to his name and arrives with an unbeaten profile, while Maestro Conti represents a powerful yard and has also looked a high-class juvenile in the making. At their current prices, we feel both horses offer solid each-way value in what should be a fascinating start to the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
14:00 – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
RHR Selections: Sinnatra (8/1 – Each Way) & Absurde (12/1 – Each Way)
A field of 26 is declared for this one, but our feeling is that the depth is not spread evenly right through the race. Handicaps like this can tempt you into looking for a huge-priced runner, yet this year we keep coming back to the view that the strongest form sits much nearer the head of the market. For us, the winner is far more likely to come from the top seven in the betting than from those lower down, many of whom look to have plenty to find.
That is why we are focusing on two each-way selections rather than trying to be too clever. The first is Sinnatra at around 8/1, and he is an interesting one for the Dan Skelton / Harry Skelton combination. Dan Skelton has a notably strong recent record in this race, while Racing Post describe Sinnatra as a “very interesting handicap newcomer” for a yard with a strong County Hurdle record. In a race where stable placement matters, that is hard to ignore.
Sinnatra also arrives as a horse still going the right way. He has been seen as progressive this season, and recent pre-Festival analysis noted that he had too much speed for Four Springs last time, which again points to a horse arriving here in good heart. With Harry Skelton in the saddle, there is the added positive of a jockey who rides these big handicaps with real intent and knows exactly how to keep a horse in a good rhythm when the pace lifts.
Our second pick is Absurde at around 12/1, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Mr P W Mullins. That pairing alone makes him impossible to dismiss in a County Hurdle, especially given Willie Mullins’ record in the race: Racing Post note he is the race’s most successful trainer, and nine of the last ten runnings have gone to either Mullins or Dan Skelton. Absurde also brings genuine Festival class, having won the County Hurdle in 2024 and then finished second in the same race in 2025, which tells you plenty about how effective he is in this exact test.
So although the race is packed numerically, we are happy to keep our attention on the classier end of the market. Sinnatra looks like a progressive Skelton runner coming here with purpose, while Absurde has the strongest piece of recent race form on offer and comes from a stable that has made this contest its own. At their prices, both make plenty of each-way appeal if, as we expect, the cream rises to the top.
14:40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
RHR Selection: Dinoblue (6/4 – Win)
The Mares’ Chase comes next with nine runners declared, and although we usually try to find a bit of value during the Cheltenham Festival, this is one race where we simply cannot get away from the favourite. Sometimes the obvious answer is the right one, and when assessing this field everything keeps pointing firmly towards Dinoblue, who looks to have a clear class edge over the rest of the runners.
Trained by Willie Mullins and owned by J P McManus, Dinoblue has developed into one of the leading mares over fences in recent seasons. The daughter of Doctor Dino has built a very strong record over both hurdles and fences and already has an excellent Cheltenham profile. She showed her quality when landing this race last year at the Cheltenham Festival, travelling powerfully through the contest before asserting late on the run to the line.
She arrives here again in very solid form and represents a yard that has once again been dominating the Festival. Willie Mullins has already enjoyed a superb week at Cheltenham, adding multiple winners to his remarkable Festival tally and once again demonstrating why he is the most powerful trainer in National Hunt racing. When a Mullins runner lines up at Cheltenham in this type of race, particularly one with proven Festival form, it always commands serious respect.
Another key positive is the booking of Mark Walsh, who takes the ride for J P McManus. Walsh is one of the most accomplished jockeys in the weighing room and has built a strong reputation for delivering big performances in major races. His cool, patient riding style often suits horses who travel strongly through their races, and Dinoblue has repeatedly shown that she possesses the cruising speed and jumping ability required for a race of this nature.
With proven Cheltenham form, the strongest profile in the field and a powerful trainer-jockey-owner combination behind her, Dinoblue looks very difficult to oppose here. While we usually search for value at the Festival, this is one race where we are happy to side with the favourite. At around 6/4, she still looks the most likely winner and the one we are confident will take plenty of beating.
15:20 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
RHR Selections: Kripticjim (25/1 – Each Way) & Mondoui’Boy (16/1 – Each Way)
The Albert Bartlett is often one of the most demanding races of the entire Cheltenham Festival, with the extended three-mile trip regularly turning the contest into a real test of stamina for novice hurdlers. With 22 runners declared, it is usually a race where the strongest stayers begin to separate themselves late on, particularly as the field climbs the famous Cheltenham hill.
Our first selection is Kripticjim, who represents the Joe Tizzard yard and will be ridden by Brendan Powell. The six-year-old has built an impressive record in a relatively short space of time, winning four of his seven career starts and making steady progress since switching to hurdles. His most notable performance came in January at Cheltenham, where he produced a determined display to win the Grade 2 Classic Novices’ Hurdle over 2m4f, staying on strongly to get up close home. That victory demonstrated both his toughness and his ability to handle the Cheltenham track, and it also suggested that stepping up further in distance could unlock even more improvement.
Our second selection is Mondoui’Boy, trained by Ben Pauling, who has quietly put together a very promising campaign. The six-year-old has won both of his hurdle starts this season, including a particularly impressive victory at Ascot in February, where he travelled smoothly before quickening clear to win decisively. That performance showed he has both class and stamina, and in a race that often rewards progressive staying types, he looks capable of continuing his upward trajectory and running a big race at a solid each-way price.
In a race where stamina and resilience are usually the deciding factors, both of these runners bring profiles that suggest they can handle the demands of the contest. Kripticjim already has proven Cheltenham form and looks capable of improving again over this longer trip, while Mondoui’Boy arrives as a progressive horse with the potential to take another step forward. At 25/1 and 16/1, both represent attractive each-way plays in what is traditionally one of the most gruelling novice hurdles of the Festival.
16:00 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
RHR Selection: Haiti Couleurs (13/2 – Win)
The feature race of the entire Cheltenham Festival arrives with the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the most prestigious staying chase in National Hunt racing. Run over three miles and two and a half furlongs on the New Course, the race represents the ultimate test of a steeplechaser’s ability, combining stamina, accurate jumping and the determination to climb the famous Cheltenham hill after a relentless gallop. With 11 runners declared this year, the field may be smaller than some previous renewals, but the quality remains exceptionally high as the best staying chasers in training line up for racing’s most coveted prize.
On the Romping Home Racing blog on 8th March, we nailed our colours firmly to the mast with one horse in particular — Haiti Couleurs — and that remains our selection heading into Gold Cup Day. Currently trading around 13/2, he arrives with a progressive profile and looks a horse whose best days over fences may still be ahead of him. The step up to the Gold Cup distance appears tailor-made for his running style, as he has consistently shaped throughout the season like a horse who relishes a strong gallop and finishes his races with real strength.
Haiti Couleurs is trained by Rebecca Curtis, a trainer who has built a strong reputation for producing tough, staying chasers capable of competing at the highest level. Curtis is no stranger to Cheltenham success and has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to prepare horses for the demands of the Festival. Haiti Couleurs has steadily climbed the chasing ranks under her guidance, developing into a powerful galloper with the stamina and jumping ability required for a race of this magnitude.
Another compelling storyline in this year’s Gold Cup surrounds the jockey Sean Bowen, who takes the ride. Bowen enjoyed a phenomenal season last year when he was crowned Champion Jockey, and he looks set to repeat that achievement again this season. Despite riding winners all over the country and establishing himself as one of the most talented riders in the weighing room, remarkably he is still searching for his first Cheltenham Festival winner. That statistic feels increasingly surprising given his ability, and the Gold Cup would be a spectacular stage on which to break that particular duck.
Bowen’s strength in the saddle and his ability to maintain rhythm over fences could prove crucial in a race where jumping and positioning are everything. Haiti Couleurs has already shown that he can travel comfortably through strongly run races, and if he can settle into a good rhythm early on, he has the stamina to keep finding when others begin to struggle in the closing stages.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup has a long history of producing unforgettable moments, and this year’s renewal promises to be no different. For us, Haiti Couleurs represents the ideal blend of stamina, progression and strong connections. With Rebecca Curtis preparing the horse and Sean Bowen looking to land a first Festival success, the stage is perfectly set for a memorable performance. At 13/2, we are happy to stick with the view we put forward earlier in the month and believe Haiti Couleurs has a huge chance of running a massive race in jump racing’s greatest prize.
16:40 – Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
RHR Selections: Wonderwall (9/2 – Win) & Shearer (22/1 Each Way)
The penultimate race on Gold Cup Day is the traditional hunters’ chase, a race that always brings a slightly different feel to the Cheltenham Festival. With 24 runners declared, this contest is restricted to horses who have been running in point-to-points and hunter chases throughout the season, and it often rewards experienced stayers who are both reliable jumpers and capable of maintaining a strong rhythm over the extended trip.
Our main selection here is Wonderwall, currently priced around 9/2, and he arrives with one of the strongest recent profiles in the field. Throughout this season he has consistently performed at a high level in hunter chases, showing both the stamina and the jumping accuracy that are essential in races of this nature. His recent performances in open hunter chases have been particularly impressive, travelling strongly through his races before finishing with authority once asked for an effort. That ability to maintain a solid galloping rhythm while jumping fluently often proves crucial around Cheltenham, especially when the field begins to stretch turning for home.
Wonderwall has also demonstrated admirable consistency over the past couple of seasons, regularly competing in the better hunter chase contests and proving himself capable against strong opposition. His style of racing — travelling comfortably before staying on strongly — is well suited to Cheltenham’s demanding finish, where many horses begin to feel the effects of the long run from the top of the hill to the line. If he can get into a smooth jumping rhythm early, he looks to have the class and experience required to be heavily involved in the closing stages.
Alongside him we are also happy to take an each-way chance on Shearer, who looks capable of outrunning his odds in a race that often produces big performances from experienced staying types. Shearer has shown solid form in the hunter chase and point-to-point sphere and brings the type of stamina profile that is often needed for this race. Horses who can keep galloping when others begin to weaken often fare best here, and Shearer looks the type who could keep finding up the hill if the race develops into the usual stamina test.
With such a large field there are always numerous contenders, but Wonderwall’s consistent performances this season make him a standout option, while Shearer offers a more speculative each-way angle at a bigger price. If both can run to their recent form, they look well capable of making their presence felt in what is traditionally one of the most competitive hunters’ chases of the season.
17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
RHR Selection: Air Of Entitlement (8/1 – Each Way)
The final race of the Cheltenham Festival is the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, and with 26 runners declared it once again looks a wide-open contest to close the meeting. Races like this can often be difficult to solve, as the combination of a large field and conditional jockeys tends to create a strongly run and sometimes chaotic race. That often opens the door for a well-handicapped runner who has been aimed at the race specifically.
Our selection to bring the Festival to a close is Air Of Entitlement, currently priced around 8/1, from the Henry de Bromhead yard. De Bromhead has become one of the most respected trainers in National Hunt racing and has enjoyed enormous success at the Cheltenham Festival in recent years, including multiple championship race victories. His ability to prepare horses for major targets is well proven, and when his runners line up in a competitive handicap like this they always demand serious attention.
Air Of Entitlement has built a solid profile over hurdles this season and has shown steady improvement with racing. The horse has regularly travelled well through competitive races before staying on strongly towards the finish, suggesting that a well-run handicap such as this could play to those strengths. In a race where stamina and the ability to handle pressure late on are vital, that type of profile can often prove very effective.
The ride goes to Patrick O’Brien, who takes advantage of the conditional jockeys’ race conditions. Riders in this contest are often extremely hungry to land a Festival winner, particularly in the final race of the meeting, and positive rides are regularly rewarded when the pace lifts turning for home.
With the Henry de Bromhead yard behind him, a progressive profile and a price of around 8/1, Air Of Entitlement looks a very solid option to finish the week. In a race where value can be hard to find, he makes plenty of appeal as the selection to close out the Cheltenham Festival for us.