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6th March 2026
04:08pm GMT
It's squeaky bum time for all you punters, with the Cheltenham Festival kicking off on March 10th.
Every day and every race is a big one in horse racing's biggest meet, and SportsJOE have got their hands on the best tips around.
We spoke to insider expert Mark Costello, the editor of the Irish Field, and he gave us the low down on who to put your money on.
For those of you looking to go safe by only backing the favourites, Mark has warned against it and believes that it will be a week for the outsiders.
He said: "This year we're going to have a lot of shocks I feel. All spring, all winter, we've had so much rain and now it's starting to dry out, so I'd say the form book will go out the window.
"I think we'll have big surprises, I think we'll have winners at 20 to 1, 33 to 1, 50 to 1. So I advise people to go for outsiders, don't be afraid, don't get stuck into the favourites this year because it's going to be the year of the shock."
For the first day, Mark is backing two Irish runners.
He said: "Well a good start is half the battle, so I'd say on the first race on Tuesday, how about Talk the Talk trained by Joseph O'Brien.
"He's about 5 to 1 for the first race, the Supreme Novices Hurdle.
"He won at Leopardstown only by a short head in February, but he hated the soft ground, he hated the slow pace.
"He'll get much more favourable conditions in Cheltenham, and I know there's a lot of confidence behind him in the stable.
"And in the 2nd race, watch out for Willie Mullins's horse Kopek Des Bordes. He won the first race last year, he's going back this year, and the vibes about him are very good. Apparently he's been schooled in really, really well.
"So that's my double for Tuesday."
It's a day for one of the favourites on Wednesday according to Costello.
He added: "On Wednesday, it's hard to see past the favourite Majborough (Willie Mullins) in the Champion Chase.
"Now last year I was against Majborough and he got beaten. But this year they've applied cheek pieces, so he's wearing these little sideburns, and they have helped him to concentrate on his fences and now he's totally changed horse and he looks unbeatable Majborough in the champion chase.
"And in the last race on Wednesday, watch out for a horse called Keep Him Company.
"It's owned by Ryanair's Michael O'Leary, runs in the bumper. It's 10 to 1, trained by Gordon Elliott, and he's strongly fancied to run well."
Be fair warned for Thursday.
"Thursday is very tricky, but I'm going to stick with Gordon Elliott again in the Stayers Hurdle, the favourite Teahupoo.
"Teahupoo has won this race before and he's run very well last year. He's in great form. He would like soft ground if it stays wet as well.
"But Thursday is a very tricky day, so I advise people to take it easy on Thursday. It's wide open racing."
Friday is Gold Cup time, which most casual betters will have their eye on.
Costello reckons: "On Friday, the Gold Cup is much more open than in other years.
"It's 6 to 1 the field and one of the favourites is an English horse called The Jukebox Man, and he's owned by the former football manager Harry Redknapp, and he was very impressive.
"He's never been beaten actually over fences. He won at Christmas and he will like the conditions of Cheltenham. He'll go, he'll stay the distance.
"He's a good price, will handle any ground, and I think he's the best value bet."
One of the best we have ever seen is the legendary Galopin Des Champs, and he's running again in the Gold Cup.
Mark's verdict: "I know they do say Galopin Des Champs is working much better than before. He's not out of it by any means. He probably will end up being well backed on the day, particularly if Willie Mullins is having a good week.
"I do think Galopin Des Champs will reach the frame again, but maybe he's a step short, a step slower than he was at his peak.
"So I don't think he'll be good enough to win, but I'm sure he'll be placed."
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