Cheltenham Festival Betting News
 QuinnBet

Tuesday 10th - Friday 13th March 2026

What's Being Backed for the Cheltenham Festival?

cheltenham betting

Triumph Hurdle (Juveniles, Tuesday)

🏇 Narciso Has

  • Current odds: 7-4 favourite (Betfred)

  • Market move: Strongly backed after Leopardstown

  • Form signal: Pulled clear decisively, 4½ lengths, no pressure late

Market view:

Narciso Has has clearly become the form horse for the Triumph. The ease of his Leopardstown win and the visual authority are classic signals that bookmakers shorten aggressively on juveniles. At 7-4, the market is saying “standard-setter, not superstar” — solid but not bombproof.

🏇 Selma De Vary

  • Current odds: 7-1 (halved in price)

  • Role: Runner-up to Narciso Has

Market view:

The halving suggests bookmakers respect the formline strength, but the gap between 7-4 and 7-1 also reflects that Selma De Vary was clearly second-best on the day. More likely a place player than a win bet unless the favourite underperforms.

Arkle Novices’ Chase (Tuesday)

🏇 Romeo Coolio

  • Current odds: 5-1 (Coral, eased from 7-2)

  • Alternative entry: Brown Advisory also under consideration

Market view:

Despite winning, Romeo Coolio’s price drifted, which tells you plenty. Bookmakers:

  • Question whether Cheltenham’s sharper test suits him

  • Are factoring in race uncertainty (Arkle vs Brown Advisory)

This is a classic case where antepost risk remains high until targets are confirmed. If he does go Arkle, 5-1 looks fair rather than generous.

 

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Wednesday)

Romeo Coolio also entered

Market implication:

If connections opt for this longer trip, expect a significant Arkle drift and a shortening here. At present, bookmakers are deliberately cautious until plans are finalised.

 

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Friday)

🏇 Doctor Steinberg

  • Current odds: 2-1 favourite (Paddy Power)

  • Profile: Unbeaten, authoritative Leopardstown win

Market view:

This is a very strong Albert Bartlett profile:

  • Proven stamina

  • Unbeaten

  • Dominant Grade 1 performance

At 2-1 in a notoriously attritional race, bookmakers are showing unusual confidence. He looks a legitimate anchor horse for multiples, though the race itself always carries faller risk.

 

Champion Hurdle (Tuesday)

🏇 Brighterdaysahead

  • Current odds: 5-2 joint favourite (Coral)

  • Move: Cut from 9-2 after beating Lossiemouth

Market view:

This is a statement move. Turning around Champion Hurdle form at Leopardstown is one of the strongest trial indicators. Being joint favourite suggests bookmakers see him as at least equal to the best British challenge.

🏇 Lossiemouth

  • Champion Hurdle odds: Best-priced 6-1 (bet365)

  • Mares’ Hurdle odds: 5-4 favourite

Market view:

This is all about race choice:

  • Bookmakers strongly expect her to defend her Mares’ Hurdle crown

  • Champion Hurdle price reflects uncertainty, not lack of ability

If she were confirmed for the Champion Hurdle, 6-1 would collapse quickly — but until then, the Mares’ Hurdle remains the assumed target.

Queen Mother Champion Chase (Wednesday)

🏇 Majborough

  • Current odds: 11-8 favourite (Paddy Power, NRNB)

  • Previous Cheltenham run: Jumping error cost him in Arkle

Market view:

This is one of the strongest bookmaker reactions mentioned:

  • 4-1 → 11-8 is a huge confidence swing

  • Leopardstown win has convinced layers he’s back to his best

The Non-Runner No Bet concession is key here — it makes Majborough one of the most solid antepost favourites at the meeting from a risk perspective.

Overall Antepost Themes

  • Irish trials are dominating the markets

  • Bookmakers are reacting aggressively to clear Grade 1 winners

  • Race choice (Romeo Coolio, Lossiemouth) remains the biggest variable

  • Juvenile and novice races show clear pecking orders emerging

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