The 2021 Cheltenham Festival: Race-by-race guide and a tip for every contest

Need a helping hand solving all the puzzles at the biggest jumps meeting of the year? Harry Allwood, Andy Stephens and Tom Thurgood have a selection for every race.

Andy Stephens believe several hotpots will deliver but does like one at fancy odds in the Boodles.

Willie Mullins has won half of the past eight renewals and it’s hard to look beyond APPRECIATE IT. Last season’s Champion Bumper runner-up has been faultless in three starts over hurdles – winning twice in Grade One company – and had Ballyadam and Blue Lord behind at Leopardstown last time. It would be no surprise if the trio again dominated. The last seven-year-old to win was in 2008 but the 18 to have run it in since have been 14-1 or in most cases much bigger, with the exception of Dunguib (a close third in 2010). Tolworth winner Metier is the clear pick of the home team but requires more.

Tip: Appreciate It at a general 11-8

Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner SHISHKIN has looked a complete natural over fences and is going to take plenty of stopping. He’s achieved an official rating of 164 – that’s just 5lb less than exalted stablemate Altior – without being anything like extended in winning at Kempton (twice) and Doncaster. Front-running Allmankind has also created a good impression, although his jumping lacked a bit of polish at Warwick last time. Ireland’s challenge lacks punch with the exciting Energumene ruled out. Captain Guinness, Franco De Port and Blackbow look to be playing for places.

Tip: Shishkin at a general 1-2

It may pay to focus on several unexposed novices making their handicap debut over fences. Chief among them is HAPPYGOLUCKY, who has long looked an ideal sort for the race. His keeping-on fourth in the Martin Pipe 12 months ago (Escaria Ten well adrift) shows he can handle the Cheltenham hurly-burly and he confirmed his stamina when winning at the December meeting. He’s since had his powder kept dry. Three other novices - Escaria Ten, One For The Team and Remastered – are also interesting, while the likeable Aye Right can be relied upon to give it another good go. Goose Man shaped well on what was effectively his first run for 20 months last time and, if he does not recoil, should also go well.

Tip: Happygolucky at 5-1 with Sky Bet

A Champion Hurdle to savour with HONEYSUCKLE getting the nod over Goshen and last year’s one-two in Epatante and Sharjah. It is hard to get away from Henry De Bromhead’s unbeaten mare, who lowered the colours of the brilliant Benie Des Dieux at the meeting last year and looked better than ever when trouncing Abacadabras and Sharjah in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time. Six of her ten wins have been at the highest level. Goshen would have been a spectacular winner of the Triumph Hurdle 12 months ago but for his calamity at the final flight and got back on track with a runaway win in the Kingwell Hurdle last time. Epatante has more on her plate than last year and has apparently had a back issue since her surprise defeat at the hands of the reliable Silver Streak at Kempton over Christmas. An unknown quantity is James Du Berlais, a smart performer in France who has his first start for Willie Mullins.

Tip: Honeysuckle at a general 9-4

Another rock-solid favourite here in the shape of CONCERTISTA, a runaway winner of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle last year (had been beaten inches in the race the year before) who has not been extended to win over further at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown this term, winning each time at the main expense of Minella Melody. She set a high standard and can provide Willie Mullins with a tenth win in the race since 2009. Roksana seeks to regain the crown she won in fortuitous circumstances in 2019 (Benie Des Dieux fell at the last with the race at her mercy). She commands respect but she was only fourth last year and has looked suited by 3m this campaign. Dame De Compagnie and Indefatigable won handicaps at the meeting last year, with the former having solid each-way claims if none the worse for an unfortunate experience over fences last time.

Tip: Concertista at 5-6 bet bet365

Never an easy puzzle to solve with many improving or unexposed juvenile hurdlers switching to handicap ranks. BALKO SAINT makes as much appeal as any, even if he could have done without picking up a 5lb penalty for his recent win at Wincanton. Presumably connections wanted to sharpen him up or take some of the freshness out of him as he had been off since finishing a fine third to Duffle Coat and Adagio at Cheltenham in November. He came up the hill strongly that day and was only four lengths behind the now 145-rated Adagio. Effectively, he runs off 134 here with Chester Williams easing his burden by another 5lb. Coltor and Zoffanien, who both ran in the same maiden hurdle at Naas at the end of January, merit close consideration, while there seems to be plenty of stable confidence behind Houx Gris.

Tip: Balko Saint at a general 16-1

Royale Pagaille is rated between 13lb and 41lb superior to his rivals, which suggests he could run well below his best and still win if his connections opt for this instead of going for glory in the Gold Cup. However, his stylish wins this term have come on flat tracks in the mud, plus the trip asks a new question. One who looks like he could gallop all day is NEXT DESTINATION, who has impressed in winning Grade two novice chases at Newbury and Warwick this campaign. This test looks tailor-made for a horse who was third to Samcro in the Ballymore three years ago. Galvin must go well if his stamina holds out, while his former stablemates – Escaria Ten and Coco Beach – also look players.

Tip: Next Destination at a general 8-1

Tom Thurgood does not expect too many surprises but goes for one at a price in the bumper.

BOB OLINGER gets the nod over Gaillard Du Mesnil and Bravemansgame in this highly-anticipated three-way clash of the Grade One winners. He looked scintillating in his bumper last season and is fancied to just prove too fast in a race that often proves a relative test of speed despite the distance. He looked his best at the finish last time while suggesting he is not the finished article, so further improvement is now anticipated up in trip. His excellent trainer typically brings horses along steadily throughout the season.

Tip: Bob Olinger at 9-4 with Betfred and William Hill

MONKFISH will feature in many Festival accumulators and last season’s Albert Bartlett scorer is expected to oblige after a flawless campaign over fences. He has enjoyed a perfect preparation, looked brilliant last time and stepping back up to three miles will additionally suit. Eklat De Rire has a more modest profile, but this typical Henry de Bromhead improver is also unbeaten over fences and looked good at Grade Three level last time. He’s fancied to fare well up in grade and the current 8-1 looks more than fair each-way. Dickie Diver is quite interesting at 33-1 on his Festival form from two years ago.

Tip: Monkfish at a general 8-13

GUARD YOUR DREAMS does not quite fit the profile of the lightly-raced, second-season hurdler that has proved telling in this race in recent years but he appeals as well-handicapped and can fare well at an each-way price. He was taken of his feet in a blistering early gallop to the Betfair Hurdle last time, but managed to cling to his field and staged a fine comeback to not be beaten far in sixth. He looked his best at the fninsh and the handicapper has left him on the same mark of 135. This big-field handicap should suit this free-going sort and stepping up five furlongs in trip should bring about further improvement.

Tip: Guard Your Dreams at a general 12-1

CHACUN POUR SOI has looked imperious this season and, while untested at Cheltenham, cannot be opposed. Dramatically ruled out last year on the morning of the race, he looks a better horse this season while his rivals have regressed. The pace looks strong here and this fluent jumper should get the perfect tow into the race. If the ground is good, Rouge Vif is worth noting at 20-1. He looked a contender for this race back in October with a fine success at the track off top-weight and a rating of 156, while the ground was too soft and his stable out of form on his two subsequent efforts.

Tip: Chacun Pour Soi at Evens with Betfair and Paddy Power

SOME NECK is a ten-year-old who can make jumping mistakes, but he is still unexposed in this discipline and looks one of the few here with potential further improvement after success over the course in December. The forecast better ground will definitely suit, too. Easysland deserves his short-price billing, but he's not been seen since disappointing in November and he's unlikely to get the testing ground he relished last year. Some of trainer's horses have been ill recently, according to jockey Felix de Giles and an each-way play is preferred.

Tip: Some Neck at a general 12-1

SKY PIRATE is rated 152 and horses with such lofty ratings have not proven profitable in this race, but his experience edge with 19 starts makes appeal in what is traditionally a relentless contest and he has looked rejuvenated over the minimum distance this season. He bumped into a top-class rival last time and that 14-length defeat didn't quite tell the whole story. He should relish this set-up. Embittered makes his handicap debut over fences but has very good Graded form and jumps nicely. He is a short price but highly respected.

Tip: Sky Pirate at a general 7-1

Kilcruit looked something else at the Dublin Racing Festival last time, but there's a suspicion he was slightly flattered and new stableate Sir Gerhard is fancied to get the better of him. But RAMILLIES also represents Willie Mullins and might be the overpriced one at 16-1. Closutton outsiders often go well in this race and Mullins thought his son Patrick should have chosen this horse over Kilcruit last time. The better ground will suit and the impression of his Leopardstown win in December still limgers.

Tip: Ramillies at a general 14-1

Andy Stephens believes Kim Bailey and David Bass could be in for a dream day plus thinks a couple at big odds are worth a second look.

The imperious ENVOI ALLEN, unbeaten in 11 starts under Rules, is difficult to oppose in his quest for a third successive Festival success. A feature of his three wins over fences this term has been his athletic jumping and he’s yet to be seriously tested. The one niggle, for those prepared to play at short odds, is whether his recent switch of stables has affected him but Henry de Bromhead says he has settled into his new surroundings with no bother. Shan Blue’s jumping has been a joy but he was unable to fend off Sporting John in the Scilly Isles at Sandown last time and that horse is not even running here. Chantry House, third in the Supreme last year, won smoothly at Wetherby last time and makes more appeal than Fusil Raffles, his stablemate.

Tip: Envoi Allen at a general 4-6

The Gordon Elliott stable has won the past three renewals and THE BOSSES OSCAR makes plenty of appeal. He’s looked a likely sort for this since his eye-catching fifth in the Martin Pipe last year and, while he’s 13lb higher, has continued to progress. He also arrives fresh, having been off since his narrow defeat at the hands of Dandy Mag at Leopardstown over Christmas. Imperial Alcazar and Come On Teddy were first and third, respectively, in the Warwick qualifier in January, and command respect, while Brinkley is progressive. The JP McManus-owned Champagne Platinum is priced up defensively but Dalton Highway would have each-way claims at a price if sneaking in.

Tip: The Bosses Oscar at a general 7-1

An open renewal in which IMPERIAL AURA gets the nod. He realised a long-time plan for Kim Bailey when winning the novices’ handicap chase at the Festival last year and has picked up from where he left off this term, having Real Steel behind when scoring in fine style at Ascot in November. He was an early casualty at Kempton last time but is a sound jumper and remains capable of better. Min and Saint Calvados fought out a stirring finish to last year’s renewal but, like Imperial Aura, failed to complete last time. Melon had Mister Fisher behind when runner-up in the Marsh Chase last year but has been beaten in all 15 Grade One contests he has contested. Allaho ticks several boxes and cannot be left out of calculations, while Tornado Flyer is a big price for a horse who shook up Min in the John Durkan.

Tip: Imperial Aura at 13-2 with Betfair and Paddy Power

Paisley Park dug deep to beat Thyme Hill by a neck in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last time with Roksana (third) and Younevercall (fourth). He should make a bold bid to regain his crown but I imagine Younevercall being beaten only seven length in that contest helped connections of his stablemate, VINNDICATION, make the decision to belatedly switch him back to hurdling because he’s almost certainly blessed with much more ability. It’s amazing he’s reached a chase mark of 161 given the fences have got in his way so often and, before that, he had won each of his three hurdle races. Sire Du Berlais, winner of the Pertemps for the past two years, deserves his crack at this, but his stablemate Fury Road, third in the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago, has not gone to the next level. Flooring Porter and The Storyteller have each excelled this term and add spice.

Tip: Vinndication at 9-1 with bet365 and William Hill

Irish-trained horses dominate the market but MISTER WHITAKER may spoil their party. He won at the Festival in 2018 and confirmed he has a soft spot for the track when a close third in this last year off a 2lb higher mark. It looks like he’s again been trained for the day as his run at Warwick last month was only his second of the campaign. I imagine his connections were delighted to see him eased 2lb as he shaped encouragingly in a competitive race under considerate handling on a track that's not really for him. Farclas has solid form claims, while Conflated went off at only 15-2 to beat Monkfish on levels last time and runs off 149. Umbrigado has a penalty to shoulder for his narrow Newbury win but is in great heart.

Tip: Mister Whitaker at a general 12-1

The race which holds the key to this is the Solerina Mares’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month win which Roseys Hollow upped her game to beat Royal Kahala (now 9lb better off) with Gauloise third and Mighty Blue fourth. ROYAL KAHALA is weighted to come out on top this time and her previous five-length defeat of Hook Up (now 2lb worse off) at the same track in January also reads well with that rival subsequently finishing a good fourth to Appreciate It at Leopardstown. Moreover, the New Course will play to her strengths as stamina looks her main forte. Mighty Blue is worth a second look each-way as she was a useful stayer on the Flat and may enjoy getting on some better ground.

Tip: Royal Kahala at a general 9-2

Plenty of these have had their best days but MOUNT IDA, upped in trip for her first run in a handicap, is an exception. She’s unraced beyond 2m4f but her pedigree and style of racing suggests this will kind of test is just what she needs. She bumped into Colreevy last time but faces nothing of her calibre here, provided connections run her here instead of the new mares’ chase. Charlie Longsdon’s quest for a first Festival winner goes on and his grey mare, Snow Leopardess, also merits close attention as she looks all stamina and is open to more improvement. Time To Get showed he was on the up when winning easily at Wincanton but is priced accordingly. Hold The Note got back in the groove after a wind op last time and ran well at the meeting last year. Destinee Royale would warrant a second look if making the cut.

Tip: Mount Ida at a general 16-1

Harry Allwood thinks Al Boum Photo can become the first triple winner of the Wellchild Cheltenham Gold Cup since Best Mate and also has a 14-1 fancy in the Martin Pipe.

ZANAHIYR looked a potential star at Fairyhouse in November where he clocked some good sectionals, and the form of that race has worked out well. The former flat performer was not visually as impressive last time out, but he managed to quicken off a slow pace and was well on top at the finish, plus he again defeated some useful rivals. He travels well, jumps swiftly and finds plenty under pressure, and I expect him to take all the beating here. Grade One winner Adagio looks a shade over-priced at 10-1 and can chase the selection home.

Tip: Zanahiyr at 9-4 with bet365

Dan Skelton has won three of the past five renewals of the County Hurdle, and his THIRD TIME LUCKI appears feasibly treated off a rating of 143. Fourth in last year’s Champion Bumper, the six-year-old had excuses last time out but has shown some useful form over hurdles this season, and the likelihood of better ground will suit. He can race keenly, so a strongly-run race should bring out the best in him and it’s unlikely he has finished progressing. The Shunter, who is seeking a £100,000 bonus, would be a danger if turning up in this race.

Tip: Third Time Lucki at 9-1 with bet365 and Sky Bet

The market leaders in this contest don’t set a particularly high standard, so a chance is taken on ALAPHILIPPE who relished the step up to three miles last time out. Paddy Brennan said the youngster “excites him” in a recent interview on Racing TV and his mount has already shown a useful level of form. A career best will be needed, but the selection is worth chancing at 10-1. Fakiera shaped as thought this trip would suit last time and looks best of the Irish challengers.

Tip: Alaphilippe at a general 10-1

It is hard to find a fault in AL BOUM PHOTO, and with question marks against the majority of his rivals, he rates a confident selection. The dual Gold Cup winner did well to win last year’s contest having hit the front a long way from home, and he looked as good as ever on his return at Tramore on New Year’s Day. One prep run in that contest has worked for the past two years, and there is no reason why it won’t again. Champ returned with an encouraging run at Newbury over two miles and is the leading British hope, having shaped like a thorough stayer when beating Minella Indo at last year's Cheltenham Festival.

Tip: Al Boum Photo at a general 5-2

BOB AND CO showed some useful from in stronger company than this in France before joining Paul Nicholls and bolted up on his return to action in February where he appeared to have benefitted from a wind op. The Ditcheat handler said in a recent stable tour on Racing TV that his ten-year-old has a “big chance”, and a reproduction of his latest effort, or some of his performances in higher-graded races than this in France, will see him go close.

Tip: Bob And Co at a general 5-1

Willie Mullins is set to hold a strong hand in the first running of this new contest, and ELIMAY looks his best chance following her cosy victory at Naas last time out. The grey defeated the useful Shattered Love with ease on that occasion and had previously found only the classy Allaho too good. Her form is strong, she has shown a good attitude and ran respectably in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2019.

Tip: Elimay at a general 7-4

CHAMPAGNE GOLD caught the eye when second behind a well-treated rival in a strong handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival last time out. That was just his fourth start over hurdles, and a repeat of that performance puts him firmly in the mix. The only downside is he’s been given a 12lb higher rating (144) by the British handicapper. He did pull five lengths clear of the third at Leopardstown though, and surely has more to give, so is worth siding with each-way at 14-1 in what is a wide-open contest.

Tip: Champagne Gold at 14-1 with William Hill