Cheltenham Festival Tips: Daryl Carter's best value ante-post bets from his 2023 series

• Daryl reviews his best four ante-post plays

• Blood Destiny 33/1 has an excellent chance

• Timing is crucial when ante-post betting

I felt we made some good choices at the right time in the 2023 Cheltenham Festival Focus series. Timing is everything in ante-post betting, and we have also had our fair share of poor value bets.

However, below are the four horses I think have been our best valued ante-post plays but also have very strong chances of landing us a winner.

Blood Destiny 33/1 - Now 7/4 for Triumph Hurdle

The standout value bet for our list this year is Blood Destiny, tipped at 33/1 and is now 7/4 for the Triumph Hurdle.

We took a bit of a gamble backing him before his Irish debut at Cork back in early December but for a good reason. His run in France behind Bo Zenith was very eye-catching, and he clocked a useful time.

Time figures, particularly in the Juvenile division, often stand the test of time, and he has done nothing but impress me since.

A shade fortunate, some might say, but the early ante-post markets dictated that we should get involved before he ran, although surprisingly, he was as big as 20/1 after that Cork performance and if he wasn't already on, I would have tipped him again!

He has two very tough mares to beat, but we are in an excellent position, and the vibes from the yard are very positive.

Shishkin 7/1 - Now 8/11 for Ryanair Chase

Shishkin tipped at 8.07/1 on the Betfair Exchange was the only bet we had outside of the Betfair Sportsbook.

He was fixed odds of 6/1 at the time of going on the column, and it made sense to me, given the negative vibes surrounding Allaho and whether he would indeed make the course.

There was also little chance connections were thinking of another crack at 2m having been stuffed in the Tingle Creek, so the Ryanair looked like his only realistic Cheltenham target.

This bet did hinge on an excellent performance in the Ascot Chase, but again, ante-post betting favours the brave.

The race has cut up significantly, and I don't see anything of the quality of Shishkin to worry about. If he jumps sound, he wins.

El Fabiolo 6/1 - Now 6/4 for Arkle

El Fabiolo was tipped at 6/1 before his debut chase performance at Fairyhouse, but it made complete sense as he was entitled to improve given his lightly raced profile.

He had size and scope and a tight form line with Jonbon, who had already run twice this season and was short in the market.

I didn't expect him to turn into one of my bankers at the meeting, but he has. He was exceptional at the Dublin Racing Festival, winning arguably the strongest Novice Chase for a decade and in a blistering time.

I am very keen on him for this contest, but I respect Jonbon's class.

Mighty Potter 7/2 - Now 5/4 for Turners

Our Captain and the only 2pt win selection of the series Mighty Potter is now a very short-priced favourite for the Turners Chase, which looks thin on the ground.

I have kicked myself here because I was very keen on him as a Novice Hurdler, and he was one of the favourites that lingered at a very backable 8/1 for a long while.

I said the timing is everything, and I should have gone earlier with him rather than waiting. Still, 7/2 is a far cry away from his current odds, and I think he has little to beat, in all honesty.

The final Cheltenham Festival Focus column is coming Sunday.