Cheltenham Festival 2024 Race By Race Tips And Predictions

After a year of waiting the 2024 Cheltenham Festival is finally here. The action gets underway at 1:30pm GMT on Tuesday with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle the first race of the day. We’ve asked our man Anthony Eadson to provide us with his NAP for each day along with his best bet for each race as part of his Cheltenham Festival Tips.

Tuesday – Corbetts Cross (NAP) @ 9/4 - National Hunt Chase 5:30pm 

The final race on day one is the National Hunt Chase for amateur jockeys. There may only be seven runners lining up for the curtain-closer on Tuesday, however I think this may well suit Corbetts Cross The JP McManus owned 7-year-old has been a little problematic in the past, no more so after travelling well only to make a mistake at the last in the 2023 Albert Barlett when he was sent off the 9/4 favourite. I have questions over Salvador Ziggy having reportedly bled in American when last seen at the back end of last year, and at the current 9/4 I wouldn’t put anyone off Corbetts Cross here.  

Wednesday – Harper's Brook (NAP) @ 8/1 - Grand Annual Handicap Chase 4:50pm 

The penultimate race on Wednesday is the Grand Annual, with at the time of writing all the field being priced 7/1 or bigger. One of the names at the head of the betting is Harper’s Brook, who I’m taking an each-way punt on, at 8/1 with several firms. Trainer Ben Pauling has been in fantastic form in recent weeks and after being pulled up in the Ultima 12 months ago, I’ve a good feeling that Harper’s Brook can be right there at the finish under the talented Kielan Woods. 

Thursday – Teahupoo (NAP) @ 9/4 - Stayers’ Hurdle 3:30pm 

The feature race on Day three is the Stayers’ Hurdle where I’m backing the current market favourite Teahupoo. Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old was only beaten by three-quarters of a length in this race last year by stable mate Sire Du Berlais who hacked up at a whopping 33/1. It has been a cautious campaign for Teahupoo, with his only appearance being in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhous when he came out the winner beating Impaire Et Passe by a length. He looks to have improved significantly since last year’s race and despite being the short price favourite I think he’s the best horse in the race and go improve on his third place 12 months ago. 

Friday – Galopin Des Champs (NAP) @ 11/8 - Gold Cup 3:30pm 

Winning back-to-back renewals of the Gold Cup is no mean feat, but if Galopin Des Champs puts in the same performance as last year at Prestbury Park then I’ve every confidence he will cross the line first. Willie Mullins is looking to repeat his success of 2020 when Al Boum Photo made it consecutive Gold Cups under Paul Townend. In the Irish Gold Cup at the Dubln Racing Festival put in a commanding performance to beat Fastorslow and reverse the form from the John Durkan Chase back in November. I don’t think any of the others in the race possess that class that this fella does, and I’d be backing him anywhere into around 5/4 for the race on Friday with the last of my Cheltenham Tips.