Cheltenham Festival Betting: Top Three Races

The countdown is on to the biggest four days in the horse racing calendar as the 2020 Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner. There are some mouth-watering races in prospect for punters to get stuck into, and here, we have a look at the three best races in prospect at Prestbury Park and how the bookies are pricing them up.

From the Champion Chase to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, we break down the top races to keep an eye on this week and label the events you simply can't miss.

ICYMI: Read our preview and the odds the Presbury Cup between Great Britain and Ireland.

The most exciting line up of the week comes in the Champion Chase as Altior looks for a hattrick of wins in the race and fifth successive Cheltenham Festival victory. Nicky Henderson’s superstar hasn’t had a straightforward season by any means, after being beaten by Cyrname when stepped up in trip in November. After a short break, he returned to action last month when winning the Game Spirit at Newbury and will be popular amongst punters for another victory.

He has been well supported since then and Sky Bet now have him as 7/4 favourite. Another festival favourite is Defi Du Seuil, who his looking for a third victory at the festival and is 9/4 with Sky Bet to continue his fantastic season, having won three from three so far. Defi was beaten however by Chacun Pour Soi last April and he remains rather unexposed for Willie Mullins. You can get 11/4 with Sky Bet for Willie Mullins to land Champion Chase success. The three horses at the top of the market have set it up for a mouth-watering race.

ICYMI: Read our Cheltenham Festival top trainers and jockeys preview and take a look at who to keep on eye on this year.

The curtain-raiser to the festival and is greeted by the traditional Cheltenham roar and the 2020 running looks as open as ever. Sky Bet make Envoi Allen a 2/1 favourite, however, with the Ballymore the following day his intended target, Shiskin is next in at 5/2.

Nicky Henderson’s charge is two from three over hurdles and is improving at a rate of knots and is sure to go close. Henderson also fields Chantry House, who is three from three over rules and 6/1 is available with Sky Bet for him.

As usual, there are a host of challenges from across the sea and Willie Mullins as usual has a strong hand. Asterion Forlonge is well regarded and is a Grade One winner and is also 5/2. Another Irish Grade One winner is Gordon Elliot’s Abacadabras and Sky Bet make him 9/2 for success.

The third and final Grade one winner in the field is Colin Tizzard’s Fiddlerontheroof. He seems somewhat of the forgotten horse and is a 6/1 chance with Sky Bet. It’s an open looking contest to start the week so could be plenty of value for punters to have.

ICYMI: Read our top trainers and jockeys preview and see who you should be betting on this Cheltenham Festival

We can’t talk about the big races if we leave out the biggest race of the week, the Gold Cup. Al Boum Photo is looking to be the first horse since Best Mate in 2004 to retain the Gold Cup and is a 7/2 joint-favourite to do. He’s only had the run so far this season, following the same route as last season, however, has new competition on his hand.

Last years RSA form has been well advertised this season and two of the front three meet again here. Delta Work has enjoyed a fantastic season so far, winning the Lexus and Irish Gold Cup, and is 11/2 with Sky Bet to follow up here. He must reverse form with Santini, who won at Cheltenham in January and is also a 7/2 shot with Sky Bet.

Dual King George winner Clan Dex Obeaux returns for another shot however must prove he can stay up the Cheltenham hill. Paul Nicholls’ horse is 15/2 for Gold Cup glory to add to his King George success. It was in the King George that Lostintranslation was pulled up and he may be the somewhat forgotten horse in the field. Colin Tizzard’s horse hammered RSA winner TopoftheGame at Aintree last season and slipped down in the betting, with now 6/1 with Sky Bet.

Kemboy is yet to win this season and has also drifted, to 8/1 with Presenting Percy also drifting in the Sky Bet market, available at 11/1. It’s set up for a fantastic contest.