So what are your bankers of the week at the Cheltenham Festival?
Many punters enjoy placing multiples – bets featuring several horses across several days – at the Cheltenham Festival.
Here are five “bankers” to keep on the side and build your Festival multiples around…
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Kopek Des Bordes
Kopek Des Bordes is the hot favourite to land the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the Festival’s famous opening contest, for legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins. He has looked a hugely exciting prospect, winning all 3 starts early into his career.
His most recent success came at the Dublin Racing Festival in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle. He’ll surely be the starting point for many multiples at this year’s Featival and looks poised to get favourite backers off to a good start.
Majborough
Willie Mullins is likely to kick Cheltenham off with a pair of Grade 1 winners, as he is also responsible for Majborough, who is an odds-on favourite to win the Arkle, the second race of the week. He has already tasted Festival glory, winning the Triumph Hurdle last season, but is built to make a better chaser and has created a fine impression in winning both starts order fences to date – most recently in the Irish Arkle – in good style.
With main market rival Sir Gino on the sidelines due to injury, it would surely be a shock if Majborough couldn’t add to a good start for punters with another win at the Festival.
Ballyburn
Another member of the Mullins battalion, Ballyburn was last season’s leading novice hurdler, his Gallagher Novices Hurdle win here one of three Grade 1 victories.
He made the perfect transition when winning at Punchestown and though he found the drop to 2m too sharp against Sir Gino at Kempton next time, he quickly got back to winning ways and confirmed himself as a top-class chaser in the making to win the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. He looks sure to stay the 3m trip of the Brown Advisory and will be a cornerstone of many multiples during Festival week.
Teahupoo
Another horse going for back-to-back Cheltenham Festival victories is Teahupoo, who will attempt to defend his crown in the Stayers Hurdle on Thursday. He was a dominant winner of the race last season and still sits atop of a division in which few serious challengers have emerged across the season.
He lost very little in defeat when beaten by Champion Hurdle contender Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse and having been kept fresh for this since (he has a fine record after a break), is many people’s idea of the banker of the week.
Galopin Des Champs
Galopin Des Champs is undoubtedly one of the modern greats of National Hunt racing, but will surely become a legend of the sport if able to win his third consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup. Already a three-time Festival, he’s hot favourite to write his name into the history books again by completing a hat-trick of Gold Cup wins.
He’s already won the Saville Chase and the Irish Gold Cup this season and looks in a league of his own at the top of the staying hurdle tree. Galopin Des Champs would surely prove the most popular winner of the week if racing fans see him retain his crown once again.
Past Years Analysis:
Ballyburn – The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, marking the start of the Cheltenham Festival, is a display of emerging talent, and this year, Ballyburn is at the forefront of the excitement.
Under the guidance of the renowned trainer Willie Mullins, Ballyburn has not just met but surpassed the expectations set for his rivals.
His victory at the Dublin Racing Festival was not just a win but a dominant performance, exhibiting a perfect combination of agility, speed, and an unyielding spirit.
His rise in the rankings and consistent favoritism in the betting markets are not merely indicators of his potential but affirmations of his capability.
Ballyburn’s preparedness to take on the Festival’s opening race is reflected in his meticulous training, strategic approach, and the detailed attention from Mullins’ team, positioning him as the clear top choice for this event.
Galopin Des Champs Gold Cup – In the esteemed Gold Cup, a highlight of jump racing, a horse of remarkable quality is essential, and Galopin Des Champs stands ready to rise to this challenge.
Bolstered by the tactical acumen of his team and the high bar set by his past performances, Galopin Des Champs is a strong favorite entering this prestigious race.
His meticulous preparation, which includes strategic decisions on race tactics like leading from the front or adjusting his racing style, underscores the thorough planning behind his campaign. Galopin Des Champs’ state of readiness for the Gold Cup speaks to his extraordinary skill, endurance, and the strategic expertise of his team, making him a top pick for those seeking a horse that epitomizes both dependability and racing prowess.
El Fabiolo – Champion Chase – I’ve been an avid supporter of El Fabiolo ever since he joined the team at Closutton, particularly impressed by his first appearance for the stable at Tramore.
He has consistently improved since his novice hurdle season, achieving an impeccable record of six wins from six starts over fences, including four Grade 1 victories.
His performance at the Dublin Racing Festival was nothing short of outstanding, earning a Racing Post Rating (RPR) of 179.
El Fabiolo had the upper hand over Jonbon in last year’s Arkle, and while it’s reasonable to acknowledge that Nicky Henderson’s horse may have enhanced since then, I remain skeptical about Jonbon turning the tables.
In my view, El Fabiolo is well-positioned to secure a third consecutive victory in this race for his trainer.
What were the bankers in 2023?
Champion Festival NAP – Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle)
The first of my Cheltenham Bankers will come on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival in Constitution Hill. Need I give any more of an explanation?
Constitution Hill has clearly shown he is a bit of a freak.
Read more about Cheltenham Festival tips at the 2024 Festival here.
This season has shown he’s only getting better with a devastating performance up at Newcastle when dominating from the front. He brushed aside former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante,which he also did when following up a month later at Kempton on Boxing Day.
His turn of foot is devastating and his jumping has been impeccable in just five starts. This is the freakish nature that with so little experience he’s already so good.
Of course he is a short price going into the festival and one of the British ‘Bankers’ of the week.
Cheltenham Festival Nap – Gaillard Du Mesnil 11/10 (National Hunt Chase)
The National Hunt Chase looks an easier renewal than most years and second season chaser Gaillard Du Mesnil looks set to take all the beating after winning the Grade One at Christmas.
He was well beaten behind Mighty Potter at the DRF and that was no mean feat. He ran a stormer in the Irish Grand National last year before making a serious error late on, so I’d have no worries with the stamina test for him.
Willie Mullins has a fierce record in this race with three winners in the past ten years including Stattler, Rathvinden & Back In Focus. Patrick Mullins will take the ride as the race is restricted to amateur riders and he is one of the best in the business at this level.
Champion Banker Banker – Gerri Colombe 7/4 (Brown Advisory)
Gerri Colombe is unbeaten in every start he’s ever competed in and has been mightily impressive over fences especially in the Scilly Isles.
He was made to work harder than his previous starts with a few tardy jumps down the back straight but he worked hard to head Balco Coastal late on and stayed on strongly up the Sandown hill.
His jumping is normally spot on so I’m sure he will have learnt a lot from last time with a return to a galloping left handed track such as Cheltenham.
The opposition isn’t exactly great in the three mile division as he has beaten most of them in the past.
The return to this trip will also be a positive and he will be very hard to pass if he stays on his feet.
Cheltenham Banker – Delta Work at 11/10 (Cross Country)
Last of all to finish off the four fold, I had to put Delta Work in to win back to back renewals of the Cross Country.
He beat Tiger Roll agonizingly last year to win the race and he showed a real liking to these fences.
The Gordon Elliot trained gelding won nicely on his seasonal return before running a stormer on his last start when carrying top weight in a handicap.