Top 10 Cheltenham Festival tips

This week’s Cheltenham Festival will have horseracing fans on the edge of their seats. Fortunately the drinks business is here to narrow the field by picking out some hot tips and long shots with suitably drinks-related names.

With the help of expertise from The Wine Tipster, Neil Philips, we guide you through this four-day pinnacle of the jump racing calendar to show that there’s far more to the Cheltenham Festival than Guinness and Champagne.

So whether you’re a hardened racing fan or more casual punter, click over the following pages for our tips on who to back, as well as those perhaps best just watched. Never forget though that the Festival is famous for its ability to throw up some long-priced winners!

Champagne Fever

As much as Guinness is a popular choice at Cheltenham, so too is fizz. This Irish trained gelding has shown plenty of sparkle by winning five of his eight races, never finishing out of the first three, so back each way and get those Champagne corks popping.

Entries: 1.30pm, 12 March 12/1 each way; 2.05pm, 13 March 11/1 each way; or 15 March 11/1 each way.

Vino Griego

If at first you don’t succeed… It took this gelding 18 attempts at chases before finally getting his head in front at Cheltenham in January. He went on to win at Ascot again in February, showing real zest and freshness and is sure to be staying on at the finish at the Festival.

4.00pm 14 March, each way 12/1.

Gevrey Chambertin

This well-bred gelding has won his last three races and is, just like some of the Burgundies from this vintage, on top form now. He is certainly progressive, well rated and has the class to really impress at the Festival. Sadly he won’t be joined by more famous older brother Grands Crus, who has been forced to miss this year’s Festival.

Entries: 2.05pm 14 March, each way 10/1, or 2.40pm 15 March 8/1 each way.

Oscar Whisky

This very classy, stylish hurdler, will relish the faster going at the Festival and it is likely to go off as favourite for the World Hurdle on Thursday. A star performer.

3.20pm 14 March World Hurdle 3/1 win.

Super Duty

Not a horse we should be supporting! However based on his consistent form, he has a bit of an each way chance.

Entries: 2.40pm 13 March 20/1 each way, or 1.30pm 14 March 20/1 each way.

Cloudy Spirit

This grey mare is not much of a proposition either from an imbibing or betting perspective!

Entries: 4.40pm 12 March 33/1 each way, or 3.20pm 14 March 33/1 each way.

Rouge et Blanc

And rosé! Certainly on offer in all the bars in Cheltenham and but we can’t see too many punters making this choice in the 5.15 on Tuesday.

5.15pm 12 March 20/1 each way.

Johns Spirit

Johns Spirit trainer Jonjo O’Neill

Priced between 25/1 and 33/1, Johns Spirit is just off the top level so, unless local trainer Jonjo O’Neill has a trick up his sleeve, it is hard to see him featuring in the final mix at the finish.

2.40pm 12 March each way 33/1, or 4.40pm 14 March each way 25/1.

Simonsig

On Tuesday, Stellenbosch is forecast to be 33°C, while in contrast Cheltenham will be a breezy 5°C. Simonsig is one of the backers of the week and red hot favourite at 4-6 to produce the goods in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, fending off second favourite Overturn.

2.05pm 12 March 4/6 win.

Rock on Ruby

Fortified by winning The Champion Hurdle in 2012, the talented Rock on Ruby trained by the youthful Harry Fry has a great chance of winning this year’s race on Tuesday.

3.20pm, 12 March, 9/2 win.

And finally…

Last year’s winning connections receive some well earned Glenfarclas for their efforts

If you’re looking for a drink to accompany your Festival viewing, Glenfarclas whisky is sponsoring one of the most challenging races of the week.

Run over a notoriously complicated route in the middle of the course, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is a grueling three miles seven furlongs of big fences, banks and water jumps. If nothing else, the winning jockey deserves their whisky at the end of it.