Cheltenham tips for ante post betting – Get them while they’re hot

There is no doubt ante-post betting on Cheltenham offers great value for punters looking to secure bigger odds before the Festival.

By placing bets early, you can lock in attractive prices on potential winners before markets react to form and news. The lengthy lead up certainly heightens the excitement, filled with speculation, in-depth analysis, and constantly evolving Cheltenham tips to track.

While it obviously carries risks, the potential rewards certainly make it a thrilling strategy for racing fans eager to get ahead of the game. Whether you’re backing a favourite or spotting dark horses, ante-post betting keeps the festival buzz alive long before the first race.

Quick Cheltenham ante post tips

Cheltenham singles:

Cheltenham five-fold acca:

• Kopek Des Bordes (Supreme)
• Majborough (Arkle)
• Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle)
• Teahupoo (Stayers Hurdle)
• Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup)

Bet on the Cheltenham acca at 12/1 with Betfred

Cheltenham Lucky 15:

• Final Demand (Turners)
• Ballyburn (Brown Advisory)
• Fact To File (Ryanair)
• Lulamba (Triumph)

Bet on the Cheltenham Lucky 15 that pays 62/1 with Betfair

My singles Cheltenham tips for ante post bets

I always like to head into Cheltenham with a few single ante-post bets up my sleeve, especially in the handicaps. There can often be quite a bit of movement in the markets so doing this gives you a chance to lock in some value before the week gets underway.

Stencil to win the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

All eyes were on East India Dock at Cheltenham but I thought STENCIL was a big eye-catcher chasing him home in second. He still showed signs of inexperience but ran really well considering and was nicely clear from the third. That course experience would have done him the world of good and if he improves again now pitched into a handicap I can envisage a big run.

This big field scenario should suit and the harder they go the better as I think he’ll be finishing strongly. I know he is towards the top of the market and that hasn’t been ideal in this race down the years but Lark In The Mornin won it last year and was ante-post fav for a long time before a late drift on the day.

• Age: 4
• Weight: 11-5
• Form: 1-162

🐎 Tip Stencil to win the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – 6/1 with Sky Bet 🐎

Stumptown to win the Cross Country Chase

Unseating in the La Touche Cup at Punchestown was probably the best thing that could have ever happened to STUMPTOWN as he clearly learned plenty from that. He has since gone 3-3 and was impressive at this track beating Mister Coffey and co when last seen. I still feel like there is an even bigger performance in him and he would have been targeted at this race as well.

With the French raider Sweet David ruled out for the season it looks an even easier opportunity and I really don’t see too many dangers. Galvin is obviously a very good horse but he has had some hard races in his time and the fact he is second fav probably tells you about the lack of quality in the opposition.

• Age: 8
• Weight: 12-0
• Form: 2-11146-37537112PU-48PU1-PU3U1-11

🐎 Bet on Stumptown to win the Cross Country Chase – 5/2 with talkSPORT BET 🐎

Jagwar to win the Jack Richards Novices Handicap Chase

Despite a big drift in the betting JAGWAR ran out an impressive winner at Cheltenham on trials day. He went through the race like a very classy horse and has now won 3 from 4 over fences. I think the stronger gallop he gets the better he will be and they don’t usually hang about in this.

That form from earlier in the season beating Lowry’s Bar looks strong and given his unexposed profile he could easily stay ahead of the handicapper. He certainly fits many of the stats with 11 of the last 12 winners aged 6 or 7 and 10 of the last 12 winners from the top 3 in the betting. Course form is important as is winning form with 10 of the last 12 winners having won on their last run before the race. There is clearly plenty to like about this progressive youngster.

• Age: 6
• Weight: 10-11
• Form: 2-25145-1131

🐎 Jagwar to win the Jack Richards Novices Handicap Chase – 5/1 with bet365 🐎

Bioluminescence to win the Mares Chase

I wouldn’t normally get too heavily involved in the Mares Chase ante-post but Dinoblue just looks the wrong favourite to me. I know she knuckled down well to beat Allegorie De Vassy when last seen but she was beaten in the race last year and her Cheltenham record now stands at 0/3 and that is enough to put me off especially at cramped odds. BIOLUMINESCENCE looks a great bet for Gavin Cromwell.

She is completely unexposed over fences and was an eye-catcher bumping into Dancing City at Naas last time. He previous win over Paggane at Limerick was impressive and her trainer Gavin Cromwell won the race last year with Limerick Lace. I can’t see how she doesn’t go close.

• Age: 7
• Weight: 11-5
• Form: 2-211PU-12

🐎 Take Bioluminescence to win the Mares Chase – 3/1 with Betfred 🐎

The Yellow Clay to win the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

I have followed THE YELLOW CLAY all season and he hasn’t let me down yet making it a perfect 4-4 and handling the step up to Grade 1 company impressively at Naas when last seen. Everything about his run style suggests he could be even better up to 3 miles for the first time and I can see him taking a lot of beating.

I’m surprised he is as big as 9/2 as the second favourite Final Demand looks likely to head for the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle on the Tuesday so his opposition won’t be as strong as it looks now and his price could come in a fair bit. His trainer Gordon Elliott also won the race last year with Stellar Story so that bodes well too.

• Age: 6
• Weight: 11-7
• Form: 11-462-1111

🐎 The Yellow Clay to win the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle – 9/2 with Paddy Power 🐎

Cheltenham ante post acca for 2025

• Kopek Des Bordes (Supreme)
• Majborough (Arkle)
• Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle)
• Teahupoo (Stayers Hurdle)
• Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup)

🌟 Take the Cheltenham five-fold acca at 12/1 with Betfred 🌟

Kopek Des Bordes to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle – 1/1 with SBK

Pretty much everything that could go wrong did go wrong for KOPEK DES BORDES on hurdles debut and he still managed to win by nearly 3 lengths. As a result he was sent off a red-hot favourite at the Dublin Racing Festival and certainly didn’t disappoint slamming rivals on the bridle by 13 lengths.

He really does fall into the ‘could be anything’ category and when you couple that with the fact we have a weak looking renewal of the race it is no surprise to see him odds-on. He could quite easily be a horse we are talking about for years to come.

• Age: 5
• Weight: 11-7
• Form: 1-11

🐴 Take the Kopek Des Bordes ante-post single with SBK at 1/1 🐴

Majborough to win the Arkle Chase – 4/7 with bet365

It was bitterly disappointing to hear the news Sir Gino would not be heading to the Cheltenham Festival. He had a cut that got infected so fingers crossed he manages to pull through. With him a non runner it looks a golden opportunity for MAJBOROUGH to remain unbeaten over fences.

He is a big tank of a horse who won the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last year. He has since gone over fences and has looked very exciting. I know he made a couple of errors at Leopardstown but to me never looked like falling and he only needs to jump round here to emerge victorious.

• Age: 5
• Weight: 11-7
• Form: 1-31-11

🐴 Bet on the Majborough Arkle Chase ante post single at 4/7 with bet365 🐴

Constitution Hill to win the Champion Hurdle – 4/7 with Betfred

We still don’t know the exact line-up for the Champion Hurdle with both Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth having the option to head to the Mares instead. I think at least one of them will come here but even so they are going to be up against it taking on CONSTITUTION HILL.

He is yet to taste defeat under Rules and of course won this race 2 years ago beating State Man by 9 lengths. He has had his issues since but has looked back on track this season winning the Christmas Hurdle and the International and looks a good bet to regain his crown with his jockey Nico de Boinville no stranger to Cheltenham Festival success. This is one of the best races of the week and an event you will not want to miss.

• Age: 8
• Weight: 11-10
• Form: 11-1-11-11-1-11

🐴 Put your money on Constitution Hill to win the Champion Hurdle at 4/7 with Betfred 🐴

Teahupoo to win the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle – 1/1 with Paddy Power

After losing out just a nose in this race 2 years ago it was great to see TEAHUPOO go one better and win the Stayers’ Hurdle in authoritative fashion last year. He backed that up winning readily at Punchestown and while we have only seen him once this season Gordon Elliott should have him cherry-ripe to defend his crown.

He is a horse that doesn’t need much racing and goes very well fresh so there aren’t too many concerns over the layoff. If he brings his best form to the track then quite simply he will have too much for these.

• Age: 8
• Weight: 11-10
• Form: 11-2-11196-1-124-1-11-2

🐴 Teahupoo could be your ante post winner for the Stayers’ Hurdle at 1/1 with Paddy Power 🐴

Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup – 8/15 with Betfair

Another race that revolves around a superstar in GALOPIN DES CHAMPS. He is trying to make it 3 Gold Cups in a row which is something that hasn’t been achieved since Best Mate back in 2004. It would take a brave man to oppose on the evidence we have this season.

He readily reversed form with Fact To File to win the Savills Chase and then fended them all off to win the Irish Gold Cup again. He has a perfect blend of speed and stamina and combine that with precision jumping he really is out of the top drawer and is everything you want in a thoroughbred. The competition is thin on the ground and I won’t hear of defeat!

• Age: 9
• Weight: 11-10
• Form: 2PU611-11F1-1112-31112-311

🐴 Add to the favourite ante post pool and bet on Galopin des Champs to win the Gold Cup at 8/15 with Betfair 🐴

My Lucky 15 ante post predictions for Cheltenham 2025

Along with an ante-post acca (see above) I always love placing an ante-post Lucky 15 for the week. A Lucky 15 consists of 15 bets placed on four selections. It includes 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 treble and 1 four-fold accumulator. It is a very popular bet in horse racing and especially on the Cheltenham Festival as it offers a good balance of risk and reward.

A key advantage is that even if only one selection wins, you still get a return. Many bookmakers also offer Cheltenham bonuses, such as double odds for one winner or boosted payouts for four winners, making it an attractive option for punters looking to maximise their returns.

• Final Demand (Turners)
• Ballyburn (Brown Advisory)
• Fact To File (Ryanair)
• Lulamba (Triumph)

🤩 Bet on the Cheltenham Lucky 15 that pays 62/1 with Betfair 🤩

Final Demand to win the Turners Novices Hurdle – 7/4 with Betfred

After winning by 15 lengths on hurdles debut FINAL DEMAND deservedly was sent off a warm order to follow up at the Dublin Racing Festival and he certainly didn’t disappoint. He always looked in his comfort zone and barely had to go up through the gears to ease clear in the closing stages and win by 12 lengths under Paul Townend.

He looked all about stamina so no surprise to see him being targeted at the longer race and he certainly deserve his place at the top of the market as he bids to remain unbeaten over hurdles.

• Age: 6
• Weight: 11-7
• Form: 11

🐴 Bet on Final Demand to win the Turners Novices Hurdle at 7/4 with Betfred 🐴

Ballyburn to win the Brown Advisory Novice Chase – 7/4 with Sky Bet

Depending on what the weather does probably dictates what price BALLYBURN will be sent off for this so the forecast will be worth keeping an eye on. If the rain arrives he will be all the rage and likely turn into a big gamble as he is all about stamina and showed that doing all his best work away from the last at Leopardstown.

I think the Kempton run showed he is no longer a 2 miler and also that he is better with cut in the ground. His jumping can improve but he remains an exciting horse and if he wins this potentially a Gold Cup contender going forward so it could be worth taking a punt on that now.

• Age: 7
• Weight: 11-7
• Form: 11-21111-121

🐴 The Ballyburn to win the Brown Advisory Novice Chase – 7/4 with Sky Bet 🐴

Fact To File to win the Ryanair Chase – 2/1 with SBK

I really can’t see FACT TO FILE going for the Gold Cup and I’m hopeful he will come here and take a lot of beating. The Irish Gold Cup probably proved to Willie Mullins that his ideal trip is around 2 and a half miles and you only have to look at how good he was winning the John Durkan to back that up.

He probably only has a couple of horses to beat and certainly won’t face anything of the calibre of his stablemate Galopin Des Champs. If he does go for this race he’ll be a lot shorter than 15/8 on the day so the price is definitely worth taking now as he looks a decent wager.

• Age: 8
• Weight: 11-10
• Form: 122-2111-123

🐴 Bet on Fact to File to win the Ryanair Chase at 2/1 with SBK 🐴

Lulamba to win the Triumph Hurdle – 7/4 with bet365

I think it is safe to say LULAMBA is one of the talking horses heading into this year’s Cheltenham Festival. He won on debut in France and then made a pretty effortless start on these shores winning by 3 and a half lengths at Ascot.

That form has worked out well since and with further improvement to come my prediction is that he will take an awful lot of beating in this and he is a horse the best racing bookies fear. East India Dock has obviously been impressive too but I don’t think he has the scope and to some degree promise that Nicky Henderson’s 4yo brings to the table and the betting is reflecting that.

• Age: 4
• Weight: 11-2
• Form: 1

🐴 Bet on Lulamba to win the Triumph Hurdle at 7/4 with bet365 🐴

Other bets you can make before Cheltenham starts

I have covered both an accumulator and Lucky 15 above but there are plenty of other Cheltenham ante post bets you can place. I have listed a few below and explained how they work. This way if you fancied just a couple from above or more you can place your own bet types depending how confident you are.

Cheltenham doubles

A double bet in horse racing is a single wager that links two selections in different races. To win the bet, both horses must win (or place, if it’s an each way double). Because the winnings from the first selection roll over as the stake for the second, the potential payout is higher than two separate single bets.

However, if one horses loses, the entire bet is lost. Double bets are popular as it gives you a chance to increase your returns while keeping risks lower than large accumulators like trebles or Lucky 15s.

Cheltenham trebles

A treble bet in horse racing is a single wager that involves three selections in different races. To win, all three horses must win (or place if each way). The winnings from the first leg are rolled over as the stakes for the second, and then again for the third, creating the potential for big payouts from small stakes.

However, if just one selection loses, the entire bet is lost. There is definitely more risk involved but they are popular as again you can reach higher returns from smaller stakes.

Cheltenham Yankee bet

A yankee bet in horse racing is a multiple wager that consists of 11 bets on four different horses in separate races. It includes six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold accumulator.

Unlike a Lucky 15, a Yankee does not include single bets, meaning at least two selections must win to get a return. Because the winnings from each successful bet roll over into the next, they can generate significant payouts from small outlays.

My top ante post Cheltenham tip

Now they know he favours stamina over speed I think BALLYBURN will take an awful lot of beating in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase on the Wednesday of the Cheltenham Festival.

I can see this horse as a future Gold Cup horse and if we do get some rain in the run up to the Festival I can see him going off a very short price and potentially one of the gambles of the week. Some bookies are already as short as 13/8 and I think they’ll continue to run scared as he just seems to have his stablemate Dancing City to beat.

🏆 Bet on Ballyburn to win the Brown Advisory Novice Chase – 7/4 with Sky Bet 🏆

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