Cheltenham Festival
Five Early Antepost Selections For The 2027 Cheltenham Festival
With the Cheltenham Festival behind us, we saw several impressive performances from novices and experienced performers over the four days.
It’s given us pointers for the remainder of the national hunt season, as well as next year’s Cheltenham Festival where a couple of the races are already priced up.
Let’s dive into some early ante-post tips for Cheltenham 2027.
Sober Glory – Arkle Chase – 7/1
It can be hard to make predictions for the novice chases this far out but there was plenty to like about Sober Glory’s performance in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with a view to going over fences next season.
The Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White inmate was absolutely smashed in the betting before the off, when sent off as a 9/2 second favourite, where he gave a very good account of himself and could’ve likely been called an unlucky loser after a bad mistake at the last.
He stayed on again and wasn’t far behind Old Park Star despite that and could well develop into the best of these over fences. Two miles looks his trip so the Arkle would make the most sense at this stage.
State Man – Champion Hurdle – 16/1
The Champion Hurdle division missed State Man this season as he was sidelined throughout the entire campaign through injury.
His stablemate Lossiemouth proved the decision to run her in the Champion over the Mares’ right and looked as if she could win a few of these if she stays in similar form. However, she didn’t beat a horse of State Man’s ability in the race, and he will be a dangerous contender if the Mullins team can get him right for next season.
He will be rising 10 years of age come 2027 but if he retains close to his ability that we have seen over the past couple of years, he will be a threat once again in this division. An each way bet at 16/1 looks fair enough.
The New Lion – Stayers’ Hurdle – 12/1
From one Champion Hurdle contender to another in The New Lion, who ran with credit in this year’s renewal, if not lacking for speed when it came to the business end.
He is still a talented hurdler, but clearly not a two miler, so it’s likely we could see him tried over further next season.
The Stayers’ division looks up in the air at present with the likes of recent winners Teahupoo, Bob Olinger and Home By The Lee not getting any younger so he might be the young, improving type for the race next year.
Majborough – Ryanair Chase – 8/1
Majborough once again blotted his copybook with jumping errors at the Festival but it is hard to ignore the engine that this horse possesses, evidenced by his DRF victory earlier this year.
It’s worth noting that both of his disappointing performances over fences around Cheltenham have come on the Old Course, which is by nature, a far sharper course which might not suit what this big, galloping type wants.
With the option of the Ryanair Chase, it’s run on the New Course which is a more galloping track built for stamina alongside an extra mile in trip, which wouldn’t look to be a problem for him. He looks worth a bet at 8/1 each way.
Jango Baie – Gold Cup – 8/1
Jango Baie ran a huge race to finish second in the Gold Cup on just his seventh start over fences.
He still looks as if he will improve further and will be prepared for a return to this race next year. A number of this year’s contenders which he beat looked exposed coming into the race so it’s difficult to see them turning the form around with this younger horse and the novice chases from this year’s Festival didn’t look to produce a ready-made Gold Cup contender
He looks a solid each way play at 8/1 currently.
