Cheltenham Festival 2026 Antepost Tuesday Tips
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is almost here with just a week to go.
It can be advantageous to bet antepost just before the festival and get on at good odds before more racing fans bet on the top horses and force down the odds price.
We give our best tips for each event on the opening day of the festival on Tuesday 10th March.
Supreme Novices Hurdle - 13:20
Best Bet - Old Park Star - 15/8 @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
It's difficult to look past Old Park Star who comes from Nicky Henderson's stable and could potentially be the next Altior or Constitution Hill. Since racing over hurdles (and switching yards) the horse has had 3/3 victories. This includes a course and distance victory back in December in a class 2 novice event. Old Park Star also demolished the field last time out at Haydock by 18 lengths in grade 2. The horse is top on official ratings at 151 (10lb clear of his nearest rival), has a timeform rating of 153 and RPR on 159 (4lb clear). In short, he's a freak. Nico de Boinville is a reliable pilot and has ridden the horse for the last three victories. Nicky Henderson needs no introduction and has won this race in 2022 with Constitution Hill and 2016 with Altior (a personal favourite of mine). Nico was on board both of these titans of racing. Old Park Star is ground versatile as confirmed by Nico himself, so we don't envisage any issues in backing antepost at 15/8.
Outsider - Idaho Sun - 14/1 E/W @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
It can also pay to back an outsider. This is a novice race after all and the favourites do not always match the hype. Idaho Sun is an attractive each-way price at 14/1. Idaho Sun finished 6th in the Champion Bumper last year. More importantly he just won a grade 1 at Aintree in December. Idaho Sun is a real tough stayer and if the weather does turn and soften the ground, it can only help. Like Old Park Star, Idaho Sun has won three on the bounce for trainer Harry Fry. 14/1 is huge and I would expect the odds to shorten. Harry Fry is sweet on this horse and can't understand the price himself.
Arkle Chase - 14:00
Best Bet - Kopek Des Bordes - 2/1 @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
Lulamba is the fav at around evens odds, but no 5 year old has won this race since 2006. So instead we go with another hot contender Kopek Des Bordes hailing from the almighty Mullins yard. Kopek Des Bordes won the Supreme in 2025 and I see no reason why he won't follow up in the Arkle this year. Disappointing at Punchestown back in April, the horse quickly settled any doubts with an easy victory in a Chase at Navan back in November. Slight negative is he only has one chase run compared to Lulamba's 3 chase victories, this isn't an ideal prep, but at double the odds price, I'm prepared to take the risk.
Outsider - Steel Ally - 14/1 E/W @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
Steel Ally has recorded 3 wins out of 3 and just won at grade 2 at Warwick by 10 lengths. He's fantastic value at 14/1. If this race turns into a test it will be right up its street and he will definitely stay the distance. He's a great jumper and we expect a solid performance. If the top performers don't turn up it could be the one to cause a shock.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle - 14:40
No Bet. A great race but it can be a bit of a lottery so in our opinion this is one best watched.
Ultima Handicap Chase -15:20
Best Bet - King of Answers - 12/1 @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
This is generally a race in which the British reign strong. Lucinda Russell has dominated in recent years and this year enters Myretown and King of Answers. It is however not last year's winner Myretown, but King of Answers who we go with. King of Answers is slightly better handicapped and gets in a couple of pounds lighter than Myretown. Two years younger and following a similar prep path Myretown took last year, we fancy King of Answers to run well. He jumped very well at Kelso last time out. He's a relentless galloper and soft ground will suit.
Outsider - Hyland - 14/1 E/W @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
Nicky Henderson's horse Hyland ran well in a grade 3 in December at Ascot finishing 1 & 1/2 length off the winner in 4th. Nicky deliberately pulled Hyland out of Kempton last month to keep Hyland fresh for this race. Henderson rates this horse highly and rates him as a class horse. His last win was at Cheltenham back in 2024, although he was a little disappointing in a Cheltenham chase back in October. He won't want the ground too soft, good is preferred and if you want to hedge your bets on the weather these two horses give good coverage.
Champion Hurdle - 16:00
Best Bet - The New Lion - 9/4 @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
A fascinating renewal this year of the Champion Hurdle with a puzzle to solve as we have lost both Con Hill and State Man. As a process of elimination we agree that The New Lion is the best remaining option. Unbeaten at Cheltenham and rated 159 with the last race won in January in a grade 2. Out of the other market leaders Brighterdaysahead rates 2nd choice ahead of Lossiemouth who she beat last month. Receiving the Mares' allowance of 7lb Brighterdaysahead is a close alternative to the New Lion and it really is hard to split them. The New Lion has outstanding Cheltenham form, and its horses for courses for this one.
Outsider - Alexei - 16/1 E/W @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
It's a surprise Golden Ace is as short as 11/2 for last year's "victory". The race was a disaster with the top horses all falling or being hampered and as such Golden Ace is passed over for something at a better price. Joe Tizzard's Alexei can be had at value odds of 16/1. Alexei is a pure speed horse and he might just run them ragged and cause a big upset. He really doesn't want the ground too soft to win this. He is improving at a rate of knots, only rated 148 he is overlooked in this race, but due to the lack of depth to the race this shouldn't put you off. He has Cheltenham winning form and is a bet at 16/1.
The Plate Handicap Chase - 16:40
Best Bet - Madara 5/1 e/w @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
New for 2026 the Plate has moved to Tuesday from Thursday. Madara heads the market and is a worthy favourite. Trained by handicap master Dan Skelton Madara has been laid out for this race. Jagwar joins him at the top of the market but carries almost a stone more with a 12lb difference. Madara is 6lb well in on his Timeform rating. He also has some promising Cheltenham form finishing 2nd and 4th back in 2024. He is versatile on any ground and on the same mark as his last Cheltenham run. It's an each-way bet to nothing.
Outsider - Il Ridoto - 25/1 E/W @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
A juicy price at 25/1, Il Ridoto was only 12th last year, but was more impressive in January finishing 2nd to Matata. Paul Nicholls has admitted they got it wrong last year. He's been kept fresher this year and is 5lb lower than last year. Claimer Freddie Keighley is also expected to ride to take Il Ridoto down another 7lb. We are also on the old course this year with the move to Tuesday, which is a more forgiving and faster course which will obviously suit. Hopefully the drop in weight keeps Il Ridoto chugging on till the end and we at least get a place.
National Hunt Chase - 17:20
Another race to skip. Amateur riders and a slow 4 mile test. No Bet
Where to Place Antepost Bets?
To place these bets we recommend you use a "Non Runner No Bet" offer if available at your bookie. You can view our list of the best free bets for the UK here
Odds subject to change and are correct at time of article (16:19 02/03/2026), please check odds at your bookmaker for latest prices.
