Cheltenham 2:40 tips: Manlaga Heads the Betting

Manlaga Heads the Betting in Wide-Open Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle

The McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, better known as the Fred Winter, looks set to be one of the most competitive betting heats of Day 1 at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. A full field of 22 juvenile hurdlers will charge over the two-mile trip, with Nicky Henderson’s Manlaga currently heading the market.

As the tape goes up for the third race of the day, all eyes will be on the Henderson-trained favourite, but with a host of Irish raiders and unexposed types in the line-up, this premier handicap is ripe for an upset. We’ve broken down the runners, the odds, and the key stats to help you find the winner.

The Market View: Manlaga the One to Beat

Nicky Henderson has a strong hand in this race, and Manlaga is the clear pick of the bookmakers, with a best price of 6/1 available at BetFair. The four-year-old was last seen finishing a respectable third in a Grade 2 at Kempton and appears to have been laid out for this target. With Nico de Boinville in the saddle, the partnership is expected to go close, though prices of 9/2 at bet365 and Sky Bet show there is little value to be had.

His stablemate, Mustang Du Breuil, has also attracted support and was the subject of several naps this morning. However, the market suggests he has drifted slightly to a best price of 9/1.

Here’s how the top of the market is shaping up ahead of the race.

Klycot: Top Rated but Overlooked?

While Manlaga takes the headlines, it’s the Richard J Bandey-trained Klycot who comes into the race with the highest official rating of 132. Despite this, the gelding is a huge price at 59/1, suggesting the market has little faith in his ability to translate that rating into a win in this company.

For stats-based punters, Klycot represents a clear discrepancy between official handicapping and market sentiment. He could be a lively outsider to include in each-way calculations, especially with bookmakers paying out on the first six places.

The Full Field at a Glance

This is a race to get stuck into, with plenty of interesting contenders at bigger prices. Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Paul Nicholls all have multiple entries, and any of their runners command respect.

To get a full overview of every runner, their official rating, trainer, jockey, and best available price, check out our comprehensive runner guide below. The guide highlights the top-rated horse (Klycot) and the market favourite (Manlaga) for easy comparison.

Verdict & Selections

A ferociously competitive handicap where you can make a case for a dozen runners. Manlaga is a worthy favourite given his connections and profile, but the value may lie elsewhere.

Saratoga for Padraig Roche at 10/1 looks a solid each-way proposition. He has been consistent in good company in Ireland and looks to have been primed for a big run here. At a bigger price, Ammes (15/1) for trainer James Owen could also outperform his odds, having shown a progressive profile leading into the festival.

1. Saratoga (EW)
2. Manlaga
3. Ammes