Cheltenham Festival 2024 is upon us, and the world-famous event launches with an action-packed card line-up on Tuesday, much to the delight of horse racing fans and punters across the globe. Below, we’ve got you covered with our favourite expertly-picked selections for the action on Champions Day, which we hope will have you nicely in profit and ready to attack the rest of the week. Check out our first Cheltenham betting tips of the 2024 festival below.
Best Tip #1: Mystical Power – Cheltenham 1.30
Legendary trainer Willie Mullins can reach a major milestone by landing 100 Festival winners at Cheltenham in 2024 and Mystical Power is the stable’s fancied entry in the day’s first race.
Son of the highly distinguished Galileo and Annie Power, the 5-year-old has a record of three wins from three races, and he wowed when winning easily at Punchestown on his last outing in January. He looked like a potential Grade 1 winner on that occasion and he is taken to shine on the biggest stage of all today.
Stablemate Tullyhill is the obvious danger to Mystical Power’s chances. With an overall record of 4-6, the 6-year-old has already shown promise in different conditions and arrives on the back of successive wins at Naas and Punchestown. The latter was achieved on heavy ground and with the surface likely to be trying at Cheltenham, Tullyhill could push again.
Firefox meanwhile, is another who has gained interest on other betting sites for horse racing, despite failing to meet expectations at Naas (4th) on January 12th.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 7/2 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 7/2 |
| Fitzdares | 10/3 |
Best Tip #2: Quilixios – Cheltenham 2.10
In a race that features a likely head-to-head between three Willie Mullins’ charges, could Quilixios provide a challenge from outer price range? The 2021 Triumph Hurdle winner, made a strong comeback to win at Limerick back in October and though he failed to make much of an impression at Punchestown a month later, he got back to winning ways at Naas in January in a Novice Chase triumph. The 7-year-old is open to more progression today and is worthy of your shortlist ahead of the most obvious Irish entries.
Despite Willie Mullins’ assertation that Gaelic Warrior might not be suited to Cheltenham, seven of the last ten renewals of this race have been won by the market favourite and if that trend continues, the 6-year-old has a big chance.
Elsewhere, Hunter’s Yarn, another of Mullins’ runners could have a say, while Found A Fifty who posted 1-2-1-2 results in his last four efforts could be an alternative to consider.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 7/1 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 7/1 |
| Fitzdares | 7/1 |
Best Roughie: Liari – Cheltenham 4.50
Liari was a former 1m 2f flat winner in France and is unexposed on British soil. The 4-year-old has top weight in a handicap, however, his stable are happy to hold that position, which suggests there was more wiggle room to go.
The 4-year-old is three from three over hurdles and was an easy winner in a Class 1 Listed Hurdle run at Musselburgh on February 4th. Trainer Paul Nicholls is known to think an awful lot of Liari, making this one of serious interest and worth a market check on sports betting apps.
Favourite Milan Tino runs off a mark of 126 today, which might be a misstep from the handicapper. The 4-year-old finished 11l of the pace in his last race at Cheltenham at the end of January, however, it remains to be seen if his major drop in mark thereafter was the right fit.
Lark In The Mountain has long been earmarked for success in this race and could be a contender while Karia Des Blaises could also come into the reckoning following an eye-catching display at Fairyhouse.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 8/1 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 8/1 |
| Fitzdares | 8/1 |
Stats and Insights
- The Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the National Hunt season with four action-packed days of racing for punters to look forward to. Day one launches with Champions Day, which features seven different races between 1.30 and 5.30.
- World-renowned Irish trainer Willie Mullins has dominated proceedings at Cheltenham in recent seasons and he has been the most successful trainer in each of the last five festivals.
- The first race at Cheltenham 2024 is the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale won last year’s iteration of the race, while Willie Mullins has had five winners in the opening race since 2013.
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