Four Longshots ahead of the Cheltenham Festival 2026

14.00hrs Tuesday 10^th March- (Old) Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m 

Steel Ally (Sam Thomas) 

It’s possible Steel Ally might go elsewhere, but with the Arkle almost certain to have a single-figure field, I fancy connections will roll the dice and take their chance in the race with Steel Ally. 

Two runs, two wins is the score over fences so far and he’s been very impressive, taking to fences really well, firstly at Carlisle when seeing off Unexpected Party (who has since gone down the Hunter Chase route, winning well at Taunton) and then at Ascot where under a superb front-running ride from Dylan Johnston, he never saw another rival and with third home No Questions Asked winning at Grade 2 level at Windsor next time, it looks a very strong piece of form. Another win at Warwick in the Kingmaker last time only continues to back up the favourable impression. 

Essentially you’re backing a very straightforward sound jumper that could take a bit of pegging back if allowed too much rope, and a supposed outsider, others might not see him as a threat if he does go to the front. That could be dangerous for them all. 

Virgin Bet 12/1 each way

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16.00hrs Wednesday 11^th March -(Old) BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 2m

Captain Guinness (Henry De Bromhead) 

Cheltenham Festival form is Cheltenham Festival form, so the old racing maxim goes, and there aren’t many around with as solid a record as old Captain Guinness, who tends to come alive at this meeting.

He might have gone close in the 2022 Supreme as well, but for being brought down, but since then has finished third in an Arkle, and in the last three years has filled all of the podium steps in the Champion Chase, second to Energuemene in 2023, winning it in 2024 and then third to Marine Nationale last year. 

Can he win this? Probably not. Can he, in a small field, find his way into the places again? Every chance of that happening, I’d say, so have the maths bet and take the 100-1 available, three places. 

Bet365 66/1 each way

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13.20hrs Thursday 12^th March – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 

Future Prospect (Willie Mullins) 

Willie will have the usual battalions taking part for the novice races and the mares novice will be no exception. Bambino Fever is currently favourite for the race and that’s to be expected on what she’s done, but wind back to the DRF bumper last year and you’ll find Future Prospect going off a 9-4 favourite to beat Bambino Fever and the rest. Clearly at that point she was thought the better mare but she blew out on the day, and she did nothing outstanding in two (good) bumpers that followed.

However, she was so impressive on her hurdling debut at Naas in January that it now looks like she just needed time. She gave the impression she would be a stayer in the future, finishing off her race strongly to win 9½ lengths, and the time figure was very solid.  If she’s now starting to get the message, then there’s surely more improvement to come, and this test – a stiff 17f  – really should be up her street. 20-1 and bigger looks fair. 

William Hill 20/1 each way

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16.00hrs Thursday 12^th March- (New) Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) 2m4½f 

Firefox (Gordon Elliott) – Ryanair Chase

The Ryanair has the potential to cut up quite badly, with many of the field likely to either go up or down in trip and try either the Champion Chase or Gold Cup, dependant on what the likely fields are. One that’s unlikely to be contesting the Gold Cup, given he appeared not to stay three miles in the Irish version a couple of weeks ago is Firefox, who nevertheless ran a career best in finishing fourth to Fact To File, looking a threat for the places two out but fading on the run-in.

He looks a more robust horse this year and for all his sixth in the Jack Richards Novices Handicap last year was only moderate, the Elliott horses just didn’t fire on the week for whatever reason and I’d be more than happy to think he’s better than that. 20-1 NRNB looks a big price for a horse with his undoubted quality. 

Bet365 14/1 each way

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