One of the biggest betting events of the year is on the horizon, with the 2023 Cheltenham Festival set to get underway on Tuesday, March 14.
The four-day meeting is the highlight of the National Hunt calendar in the United Kingdom, bringing together the top horses, jockeys and trainers for a celebration of racing.
All of the top bookmakers have published their Cheltenham betting odds and there has already been plenty of action in the ante-post markets.
With that in mind, we’ve scoured the race cards to pick out one selection per day that we believe will leave you with a tidy profit at the end of the meeting.
Facile Vega – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Top Irish trainer Willie Mullins is a man to be feared in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle having won the race on seven previous occasions.
Facile Vega is strongly fancied to add another victory to Mullins’ CV and it will take a good horse to lower his colours at the Festival.
He won the Champion Bumper at last year’s meeting, before following up in the equivalent race at the Punchestown Festival in April.
Facile Vega won his first two starts over hurdles before a shock defeat at Leopardstown, but is expected to bounce back with a bang at Cheltenham.
Delta Work – Cross-Country Chase
The five-time Grade 1 winner stamped his class on the Cross-Country Chase last season before following up with a fine third in the Grand National at Aintree.
Trainer Gordon Elliott is aiming the 10-year-old at both races again this year and the horse is a banker bet to secure victory in the first leg.
Delta Work won on his seasonal reappearance at Punchestown, before running fine races in defeat at Cheltenham and Navan.
Elliott has thrown a curve ball by also entering talented chaser Galvin in the race, but Delta Work’s experience over this course and distance should tip the scales in his favour.
Mighty Potter – Turners Novices’ Chase
Mighty Potter romped home on his most recent outing at Leopardstown and should be a tough nut to crack in the Turners Novices’ Chase.
The horse was among the leaders for much of the race, before easing clear on the final bend to stamp his class on the race.
Mighty Potter ran a stinker in last year’s Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but has always looked the type of horse to do better over bigger obstacles.
Banbridge and Appreciate It could be competitive in the race, but Mighty Potter is strongly fancied to give Elliott another Festival winner.
Galopin Des Champs – Cheltenham Gold Cup
The highlight of the final day is undoubtedly the Cheltenham Gold Cup and this year’s renewal is shaping up to be a cracker.
Last year’s winner A Plus Tard will be back to defend his crown, while Bravemansgame has been aimed at the race after roaring to victory in the King George VI chase at Kempton.
However, they will both have their work cut out to fend off Galopin Des Champs, who has looked imperious over fences this season.
The horse fell at the final fence when miles clear in last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase, but can gain ample compensation in the Gold Cup.