Cheltenham NAPs 2026: Our Experts' Best Bets at the Festival

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• All five of our top tipsters' best bets are in!

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The prep is done, the targets have been set and the wait is nearly over for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

Of course, many of you will have a few antepost bets to look forward to but plenty of others will not, so before you strike a bet, be sure to read the pick of our writers' tips for the action at Prestbury Park.

From Tuesday March 3 onwards our writers will be delivering a NAP bet, next best, long shot and favourite to take on. We cannot guarantee winners but we'd like to think there will be a few in here.

So what is a NAP and why do Cheltenham NAPs matter? Well, consider it the strongest bet for each of our writers. In theory it should be the most likely winner of all their selections. 

So get stuck into our writers' best Cheltenham bets here and be sure to return during Festival week as we will be tipping all four days of Cheltenham including special content for the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday. 

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Cheltenham NAPs 2026 - Our expert picks

Tipster	Horse	Race	Day	Best Odds	Why?
Katie Midwinter	Kopek Des Bordes	Arkle Novices' Chase	Tuesday 10th March	6/42.50	Brilliant winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last year and should have too much speed and class for his rivals.
Mark Milligan	The New Lion	Champion Hurdle	Tuesday 10th March	15/82.88	I've been gradually warming to him and he now ranks as my best bet in what looks a sub-standard Champion Hurdle.
Alan Dudman	Majborough	Champion Chase	Wednesday 11th March	8/111.73	He's a bigger price this year than the 1/21.50 he was last year and judging on his last win he's now a more polished and safe jumper.
James Mackie	Bambino Fever	Mares Novices' Hurdle	Thursday 12th March	4/51.80	She improved massively on her second start over hurdles and I expect her to improve again for returning to Cheltenham.
Sam Turner	Ma Shantou	Stayers' Hurdle	Thursday 12th March	6/17.00	He has already established himself as a course specialist courtesy of three track wins this season and he looks a fair price to land the nap.

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Katie Midwinter's Cheltenham best bets including his NAP

Katie Midwinter's Cheltenham NAP: Kopek Des Bordes @ 6/42.50 in the Arkle Novices' Chase

Horse: Kopek Des Bordes
Race: Arkle Novices' Chase
Day: Tuesday 10th March, 14:00
Best Odds: 6/42.50 

A brilliant winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last year, Kopek Des Bordes holds strong claims coming into his second Cheltenham Festival despite only being seen once over fences this season.

The lack of a recent run and more experience over the larger obstacles isn't ideal, but he has shaped as a superstar in the making following an electric novice campaign as a hurdler and with a seriously impressive debut run over fences at Navan in November.

If the six-year-old can settle early on and get into a good rhythm, he'll be really tough to beat and should have too much speed and class for his rivals at 6/42.50.

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Katie Midwinter's Cheltenham Next Best: Back Doctor Steinberg @ 3/14.00 in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Horse: Doctor Steinberg
Race: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Day: Friday 13th March, 15:20
Best Odds: 3/14.00 

Doctor Steinberg looked a picture in the paddock, catching the eye before galloping to a convincing eight-length victory in Grade One company at the Dublin Racing Festival. He extended his unbeaten run that day by recording another success over hurdles, making it three from three over obstacles for the season.

The form of his Galway win on hurdling debut was boosted by Frankie John, who subsequently beat Jalon d'Oudairies at Leopardstown, whilst his Navan Grade Two win was franked by Thedeviluno, a comfortable winner of the River Don at Doncaster.

Another Closutton contender that is sure to hold solid claims during Festival week, Doctor Steinberg is on an upward trajectory, has already proved his credentials at the top level, and could have too much talent for his fellow novices wherever he lines up, but particularly in the staying contest on Friday.

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Katie Midwinter's Cheltenham Long Shot: Minella Sixo @ 20/121.00 E/W in the Pertemps Network Final

Horse: Minella Sixo
Race: Pertemps Network Final
Day: Thursday 12th March, 16:40
Best Odds: 

Welonlyhavedone makes plenty of appeal if lining up in the competitive 2m5f handicap hurdle on Wednesday, but will need plenty to go right before then to ensure he makes the final field, therefore the most enticing long shot at current odds is a Cullentra contender in the competitive Pertemps Network Final.

Minella Sixo snuck into the race with a close second at Naas recently, only narrowly denied by Melbourne Shamrock when well backed from a double-figure price into 4/15.00. He'll run off a mark of 137 at Cheltenham, which should put him in with a solid chance at the weights considering some of his previous form.

Earlier in his career he finished second to subsequent Grade One winner Potters Charm, now rated 154, at Prestbury Park, before chasing home Pray Tell in a Grade Three at Cork and also running well the likes of The Big Westerner and Mozzies Sister, when beating a now 145-rated chaser in Fleur In The Park in a Limerick Grade Two.

At 20/121.00, having been available at bigger odds previously, he makes each-way appeal as a noteworthy contender who is yet to fire this season but could be ready to peak.

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Katie Midwinter's Cheltenham Favourite to Oppose: Jango Baie 5/16.00 @ in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Back Envoi Allen E/W @ 33/134.00)

Horse: Jango Baie
Race: Cheltenham Gold Cup
Day: Friday 13th March, 16:00
Best Odds: 5/16.00 

Just edging the current Cheltenham Gold Cup market as favourite is Jango Baie, and, although he holds a solid chance particularly considering his King George VI Chase performance at Christmas, the race looks deep this year and there are others who make more appeal at the prices.

The three that finished ahead of him at Kempton are all available at larger odds in the current Betfair market, whilst others at bigger prices are likely to pose a threat too.

Envoi Allen is far from a forlorn hope at huge odds of 33/134.00, especially as this race has been the target, he has been kept fresh for it, has a great record at Cheltenham, and beat Affordale Fury at Down Royal earlier this term. There are more enticing alternatives to the favourite away from the very top of the market, therefore he could be a favourite worth opposing in such a competitive contest.

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Sam Turner's Cheltenham best bets including his NAP

Sam Turner's Cheltenham NAP: Ma Shantou in the Stayers' Hurdle @ 6/17.00

Horse: Ma Shantou
Race: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
Day: Thursday 12th March 15.20
Best Odds: 6/17.00

Some feel that this year's Stayers' Hurdle is a sub-standard affair, but I'm not so sure as an unexposed trio of Honesty Policy, Kabral Du Mathan and Ma Shantou form an exciting challenge to the established regulars in this race, Teahupoo and Bob Olinger.

Of the trio of younger stayers, Ma Shantou makes most appeal as he has already established himself as a course specialist courtesy of three track wins this season and his latest demolition of Impose Toi in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle confirmed he is not just a handicapper.

Representing the same team that landed this with Paisley Park in 2019, Ma Shantou has followed a remarkably similar path to his illustrious predecessor and, at 6/17.00 looks a fair price to land the nap.

 

Sam Turner's Cheltenham Next Best: Electric Mason in the Pertemps Final @ 10/111.00

Horse: Electric Mason
Race: Pertemps Handicap Hurdle 
Day: Thursday 12th March 16.40
Best Odds: 10/111.00

If Ma Shantou is thought to have a fighting chance of capturing the Stayers' Hurdle, then Electric Mason must surely be competitive in the Pertemps Final.

Chris Gordon's seven-year-old, from the family of National winner Ballabriggs, tackled Emma Lavelle's star stayer off near enough level weights when the duo met in a qualifier last October so did exceptionally to finish within three lengths.

A subsequent win in one of the most well-contested staying handicaps of the season at Haydock set him up well for this race and it's worth recalling that he twice ran respectably behind The New Lion last term despite crying out for the staying trips his pedigree demands.

Supremely West has been the long-term buzzer for this race, but Electric Mason is a smart hurdler in his own right and ought to be in the mix.

Sam Turner's Cheltenham Long Shot: Alexei E/W in the Champion Hurdle @ 14/115.00

Horse: Alexei each-way
Race: Champion Hurdle
Day: Tuesday 10th March 16.00
Best Odds: 14/115.00

Trying to find a credible longshot a few days out from the festival can be a tricky exercise as the ante-post markets are well established and the juice has been invariably squeezed from the lemon.

However, in the hope that at least eight go to post for the Champion Hurdle then Alexei could give backers and recreational punters alike a decent run each-way at 14/115.00 plus.

An impressive winner of the Greatwood Hurdle back in November over course and distance, the German-bred six-year-old displayed a rare turn of foot that day to put many lengths between himself and a competitive field of handicappers.

He appeared the type of horse to thrive in a better race that day and he has the opportunity to test that theory in this event with The New Lion and a trio of talented mares standing in his way.

Hopefully, he'll be one of the last off the bridle in this field with a strong pace seemingly assured courtesy of Tutti Quanti and Anzadam if he lines up.

Sam Turner's Cheltenham Favourite To Oppose: Kopek Des Bordes in the Arkle @ 6/42.50

Horse: Kopek Des Bordes
Race: Arkle Novices' Chase
Day: Tuesday 10th March 14:00
Best Odds: 6/42.50

First the disclaimer: Kopek Des Bordes has the potential to be brilliant over fences.

No breaking news there of course, last season's Supreme Novice Hurdle winner posted a lovely chasing debut at Navan last November, thumping Lovely Hurling by 13 lengths to win in a common canter.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances largely beyond the gelding's control, that was the only time we've seen him on a racecourse this season, although news of his exhilarating schooling sessions at Punchestown have lit up social media recently.

He may well win this season's Arkle, and I'm aware Well Chief managed to capture the Grade 1 feature on the back of a sole novice chase win, but experience must surely count for plenty in a race which is usually run at a ferocious gallop and at his current odds of 6/42.50 or shorter I'm happy to let him win.

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James Mackie's Cheltenham best bets including his NAP

James Mackie's Cheltenham NAP: Bambino Fever in the Mares Novices' Hurdle @ 4/51.80

Horse: Bambino Fever
Race: Mares Novices' Hurdle
Day: Thursday 12th March, 13:30
Best Odds: 4/51.80

My NAP of the meeting runs in the first race on Thursday and at 4/51.80 Bambino Fever for the Closutton Maestro Willie Mullins should be tough to beat in the Mares Novices' Hurdle.

She looks to only have one horse to beat in Oldschool Outlaw and she should reverse the form from her hurdles debut where she obviously lacked race fitness. She was a superb bumper horse last season and has shown she handles the undulations of Cheltenham when winning the Champion Bumper last year.

She improved massively on her second start over hurdles at Fairyhouse and I expect her to improve again for returning to Cheltenham.

James Mackie's Next Best: Back Dinoblue in the Mares Chase @ 6/42.50

Horse: Dinoblue
Race: Mares Chase
Day: Friday 13th March, 14:20
Best Odds: 6/42.50

My second-best bet of the meeting is Dinoblue to retain her Mares Chase title on the Friday. The Willie Mullins and JP McManus owned mare was frightening in the race last year albeit it being a lesser field, but this season she has pretty much gone from strength to strength.

This will be her third spin in the race and fifth run at the Festival. She handles Cheltenham extremely well with form figures of 9221. Her seconds in the Grand Annual Chase in 2023 and Mares Chase in 2024 were very unlucky runs that on another day could have seen her have three wins at the meeting.

On her first start this season she needed the run behind a talented horse in Found A Fifty, but has since gone on to dominate two small, fielded events without coming out of second gear.

She is a brave mare that definitely stays up the hill and although I stand by this a better race this year, I don't fear the likes of Spindleberry who has never ran at Cheltenham, Only By Night who has not been at her best this season and Diva Luna who I think could set the race up for her. Panic Attack is a danger but with all her experience Dinoblue looks tough to beat for me and this year we are getting an odds against price.

James Mackie's Cheltenham Long Shot: Ryan's Rocket E/W in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase @ 8/19.00

Horse: Ryan's Rocket
Race: Grand Annual Handicap Chase
Day: Wednesday 11th March, 16:00
Best Odds: 8/19.00

I like the look of Ryan's Rocket in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase for Fergal O'Brien at 8/19.00. He has a lovely racing weight of 10st 7lbs off a mark of 134 and I think he might go off favourite on the day.

He does come with some warning having unseated his rider on two of his three chase starts in his career but looks to be well handicapped on his actual ability. He was a nice winner at Newbury ahead of Javert Allen and Doyen Du Bar and then went off favourite in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas ahead of Thistle Ask, who went on to bolt up.

He was going easily before unseating that day and runs off 1lb lower here with Thistle Ask taking Jonbon all the way in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase when last seen and is now rated 14lbs higher at a mark of 160. He could have plenty in hand if he jumps to the best of his ability.

James Mackie's Cheltenham Favourite to oppose: Stumptown in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase @ 5/23.50 (with Desertmore House @ 4/15.00)

Horse: Desertmore House
Race: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Day: Wednesday 11th March, 15:20
Best Odds: 4/15.00

The Cross Country is not a race for everyone but this year I believe there is value in taking on last year's winner Stumptown for a few reasons. Firstly, there is plenty of strong opposition this year, especially the second and third favourite in the race.

Stumptown will be having his first race for 150 days when heading back to Cheltenham and this year runs off a 5lb higher mark than when winning the race last year. He was last seen winning the Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic and having been saved for this event I just feel that is a disadvantage.

Favori De Champdou has gone from strength to strength this year winning the competitive Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas from a mark of 140 and then made it two wins on the spin at Cheltenham in the Cross Country Trial on Trials Day, bolting up by over eight lengths off 9lbs higher. He seems to be in the form of his life and although racing off 8lbs higher he showed he handles the Cheltenham Cross Country track well and getting 5lbs off Stumptown and racing off 11st5lb gives him an excellent chance.

The horse I actually prefer in the race is Desertmore House for Martin Brassil who is getting 22lbs off the favourite and showed at Punchestown in November that he is made for a race like this when bolting up in the Risk Of Thunder Chase. He is a classy individual that is lightly raced in these types of contests, and that weight swing is too much to ignore.

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Alan Dudman's Cheltenham best bets including his NAP

Alan Dudman's Cheltenham NAP: Majborough @ 8/111.73 in the Queen Mother Champion Chase

Horse: Majborough
Race: Queen Mother Champion Chase
Day: Wednesday 11th March, 16:00
Best Odds: 8/111.73

'If only Majborough could jump' sighed everyone when the Willie Mullins' chaser fluffed his lines at 1/21.50 in the Arkle 12 months ago - and he was stuffed like a Dundee Cake in third.

With the jumping, there are flashes of brilliance with Majborough, but even the 14L win as a novice at the Punchestown Festival was marked down by some erratic leaps.

And then it all finally came together at the Dublin Racing Festival, like clockwork with Mullins - the master who never seems to know anything about any of his horses or where they are going! But at the DRF, he was as fast as Alfie Tupper from the front. The headgear and the cheekpieces seeming to revive his jumping. Letting him go from the front is the way to ride him now and he absolutely destroyed Marine Nationale at Leopardstown by 19L.

Okay he is 8/111.73, but a NAP is just that, and remember when his orgy of disorder in the jumping stakes littered his performance 12 months ago at odds of 1/21.50, he's a little bigger in price now, and judged on Leopardstown, hopefully a now more polished and safer jumper.

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Alan Dudman's Cheltenham Next Best: Back Grand Geste @ 14/115.00 in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

Horse: Grand Geste
Race: National Hunt Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
Day: Tuesday 10th March, 17:20
Best Odds: 14/115.00

It would be quite something if Sue Smith and Joel Parkinson were to make waves in Cheltenham, as not since the days when Hutton and Boycott mauled the Gloucestershire bowlers have Yorkshire had success down in these parts. 

Grand Geste is a stayer very much up on the up, and his two Haydock wins in the Tommy Whittle and the Grand National Trial marks him down as a stamina laden chaser with a big future. I timed his performance in the Tommy Whittle compared to Grey Dawning's Betfair Chase win from the top of the straight to the fences first and second down the straight, and he came out favourably.

His jumping in the Tommy Whittle was brilliant, which is why it was all the more disappointing to see him flop at Doncaster afterwards, but I forgive any horse at that weird track, and the jumping bulwark that he had showed previously, returned at Haydock again last time with a fine staying effort and crucially making the running and right up with the pace.

I suspect he wants proper soft going, so ye gods, rain.

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Alan Dudman's Cheltenham Long Shot: French Ship @ 50/151.00 EW in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle

Horse: French Ship
Race: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
Day: Thursday 12th March 15:20
Best Odds: 50/151.00

The Stayers' Hurdle division has had more holes in it than a Henry Moore sculpture in recent seasons. Perhaps his "Reclining Figure"  piece would have a chance in this race if he could jump.

Bob Olinger and Teahupoo, last year's first and second, will be back for more, a year older and a year wiser, but if Philip Hobbs rolls the Stayers' dice, I am hoping we can get a run out of French Ship.

He was a 66/167.00 shot a week or so ago, and now at 50/151.00, he looked a rattling good horse winning a Newbury Handicap earlier in the season. There was a twinkle in that performance I liked - it was the way Harry Cobden asked for an effort when Guard Duty came to his tail. Cobden, I suspect that day thought he'd win easily and didn't want to expend too much energy, but he felt obliged to ask for an effort and - whoosh! - he picked up again.

French Ship was beaten in the Lanzarote when fancied and was back on track of sorts in the Grade 2 Rendlesham when last seen as he travelled well upped to 3m, but unseated late at the third from home. In no way was his jumping an issue for that "U" next to his name as he slipped on landing.

What we do know from that performance is that while he entered unchartered territory into 3m, he was angled wide and was going the best.

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Alan Dudman's Cheltenham Favourite to Oppose: Love Sign d'Aunou @ 4/15.00 in the Weatherby's Champion Bumper

Horse: Love Sign d'Aunou
Race: Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Day: Wednesday 11th March 17:20
Best Odds: 4/15.00

No one remembers the Champion Bumper, much like nobody remembers Nigel MacKenzie - the man who invented the Banoffee Pie in Sussex in the 1970s. Hopefully we can put that right as it's a race I always like, perhaps at it's the closest to a Flat contest we get at the Festival.

Willie Mullins has seven entered and unsurprisingly dominates the betting. Now, I am not one to recite the line of "favourites have a bad record in this...." or something along those lines, as I was taught very early never to use tis saying or reference, from the Timeform gurus in fact. But when a horse wins by 24L on debut, sometimes that brilliance is often never replicated.

Gordon Elliott could have a right go at this too, and that's without all of the other Mullins' inmates.

Indeed, I think the interest for me with Mullins lies with Quiryn at 8/19.00, a son of the outstanding Arc winner Sottsass, it's almost like resurrecting the days of the much-missed John Ferguson Bloomfields operation.

Quiryn won by 9L and travelled with ease - a long way ahead of the 7/42.75 Gigginstown horse Hartford. 

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Mark Milligan's Cheltenham best bets including his NAP

Mark Milligan's Cheltenham Nap: The New Lion in Champion Hurdle @ 15/82.88

Horse: The New Lion 
Race: Champion Hurdle
Day: Tuesday 10th March 16:00
Best Odds: 15/82.88

I must admit,  at the outset I wasn't convinced by The New Lion's claims as a top-class 2m hurdler, but I've been gradually warming to him and he now ranks as my best bet in what looks a sub-standard Champion Hurdle.

With Constitution Hill's blowout Flat debut still fresh in the memory, the Champion Hurdle now has an open look to it, and I'm not totally sold on the claims of the three mares who are next in the market (and Lossiemouth may not even run). For me, Brighterdaysahead hasn't fully convinced on her previous starts at this track, while I'll be disappointed if Golden Ace proves up to winning yet another Champion Hurdle.

The New Lion didn't have to do a great deal to gain his first success at this trip over timber last time and it remains the case that there's a much bigger performance in him over 2m when the situation demands.

And that's why this is my strongest bet of Cheltenham 2026.

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Mark Milligan's Cheltenham Next Best: Bob Olinger in Stayers' Hurdle @ 5/16.00

Horse: Bob Olinger 
Race: Stayers' Hurdle
Day: Thursday 12th March 16:00
Best Odds: 5/16.00

There's obviously a chance that time may be diminishing Bob Olinger's powers a little bit, but his Festival record stands up to the closest scrutiny and he'll come into the Stayers' Hurdle fresher than most as he bids to regain the crown he won 12 months ago.

He was no match for Teahupoo on his reappearance in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, but it's worth remembering that he had that rival back in second when taking this race last year and has been kept fresh for another bid to win the contest.

I'm expecting Bob Olinger to be much sharper than he was over Christmas and at 5/16.00 on the Sportsbook he makes plenty of appeal at a track where he has such a fine record. The one caveat would be the current form of the De Bromhead team, but hopefully they'll be firing a little better come next week.

There are a few young pretenders starting to make their presence felt too, but the majority need to find some progression to topple the old guard. 

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Mark Milligan's Cheltenham Long Shot: Ben Solo E/W in Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase @ 33/134.00

Horse: Ben Solo 
Race: Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase 
Day: Thursday 12th March 14:00
Best Odds: 33/134.00

There has to be a strong chance that Ben Solo doesn't get into the Jack Richards, but there's little downside to backing him knowing we'll get our money back if we don't get a run, and he's an absolutely massive price if he does get in.

The Rebecca Curtis-trained seven-year-old was off the mark on just his second start over fences when taking a Chepstow handicap in November and there's a strong chance he would also have won there on Welsh National day if not for coming to grief three from home.

The form of that race looks rock-sold, with the second, third and fourth all having won next time (the runner-up taking a big handicap at Cheltenham) and, based on that, Ben Solo could end up being significantly better than a 129-rated performer. He'll need plenty to come out to have a shot at lining up, but I can't resist an each-way play at massive odds.

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Mark Milligan's Cheltenham Favourite to Oppose: No Drama This End in Turners Novices Hurdle (back Ballyfad @ 7/18.00)

Horse: Ballyfad 
Race: Turners Novices Hurdle
Day: Wednesday 11th March 13:20
Best Odds: 7/18.00

Although No Drama This End shares favouritism with a couple more in the Turners Novices' Hurdle, Timeform ratings suggest he has a bit to find with at least three or four in the race and he looks worth opposing.

It's hard to say at this stage exactly which of those contenders are going to turn up, particularly in the Mullins camp and, while No Drama This End has done nothing wrong over hurdles so far, I'm not convinced he's going to prove up to this task (will make a smashing chaser, though).

With NRNB on our side, I'm going to take him on with Ballyfad, who also holds a Supreme entry but I'm hopeful he'll turn up here.

This one went down only narrowly to the high-class Talk The Talk at the DRF (who could also run in this) and he shaped there as if a step up in trip will show him in an even better light (raced only at 2m so far).

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