Cheltenham Festival 2018 – Best Early Picks for Race Day

The much-anticipated Cheltenham Festival takes place between the 13th and the 16th of March and promises to be packed with premier horse racing action. Traditionally, the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival is the exciting and always-eventful Supreme Novice Hurdle, and 2018 is sure to be no different.

Get the latest odds on the runners right here for every event in the Cheltenham Festival right here. Find your favorites for every race, from the opener to other popular Cheltenham classics such as the Arkle Chase, the Champion Hurdle, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and all the way up to the Grand Annual Chase, which closes this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Starting with Day One

Day One is often seen as a crucial leg of the Cheltenham event. Bettors get a taste of the race action to come and witness some new blood racing for the first time on the course. The festival opens with the Supreme Novice Hurdle, a favorite for trainers and bettors alike. This year sees early favorite Getabird already posting odds of 13/4, while nearest rival Samcro is currently listed at odds of 6.00.

The Arkle Chase is another popular Day One event and takes place directly after the opening Supreme Novice Hurdle. This year, all eyes will be on the favorite Footpad to take the Chase, and odds reflect accordingly at 2/1. Other contenders for this event include Sceau Royal and Petit Mouchier at odds of 7/1.

Closing Day One

The closing of Day One sees two final races that always draw crowds at Cheltenham: the National Hunt Challenge Cup and the Close Brothers Novices. Both races are sure to produce eventful and memorable racing, with more than a few high prices worth putting a pound or two. Bettors looking for a tip or two in the National Hunt Challenge Cup can look to Presenting Percy, currently showing odds of 9/1, with Mall Dini the second favourite at odds of 11/1. Day One closing race Close Brothers Novices sees a trio of early favorites in Barney Dwan , Divine Spear, and Hells Kitchen at odds of 11/1.

Day Two and Day Three

Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival sees a few favorites from Day One push through to join other contenders in exciting races which include the Neptune Novice Hurdle (which opens Day Two), the Queen Mother Chase, the Cross Country Chase, and the Champion Bumper that closes off Day Two. Look for favorites coming through from Day One, including Samcro running in the Neptune Novices Hurdle at odds of 2/1 and Blackbow currently positing odds of 8/1 to win the Champion Bumper.

Day Three opens with the JLT Novices Chase, where Willoughby Court stands out at odds of 6/1 and Al Boum Photo at odds of 11/1. There’s plenty of horse racing action to be had on Day Three, including the Ryanair Chase, the all-important Festival Plate, and the Mares Novice Hurdle, all featuring top prices and competitive odds. Day Three closes with the running of the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir, and the current favourite there is Squouateur, currently showing odds of 8/1.

Day Four – Closing

It all comes down to Day Four as the final day of the Cheltenham Festival for 2018, where there is still plenty of top racing action to be enjoyed. This includes some of the biggest races of the festival, such as the opening Triumph Hurdle, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and the Grand Annual Chase, the main event closing the festival. Look out for favorites Apples Shakira running in the Triumph Hurdle at odds of 15/4, Might Bite running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, currently at odds of 4/1, and Any Second Now running in the event closer, the Grand Annual Chase, at odds of 15/1.