Cheltenham Festival is now just over a month away and with 28 races to watch there will be a few favourites that justify the hype.

In fact there were 12 favourites that won last year and 2023 might have a similar rate.

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With betting options open for one of the biggest weeks in horse racing there’s still value to be had.

In previous years many of the big Grade 1 races looked decided before March but now, there’s open contests throughout with only a few big favourites really inspiring hope to justify short prices.

Cheltenham Festival racing tips

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle preview and tip

Facile Vega 4/5

Last year, Constitution Hill was among the leading contenders for this race and went off a 9/4 joint-favourite, but not many anticipated just how easily the hurdler would win.

Now, Facile Vega is a much shorter price early on and for good reason.

But there’s also a few overpriced runners that might prove hard to beat given their exceptional winning streaks and ability.

Facile Vega, trained by Willie Mullins is odds-on to win the Cheltenham Festival opener and remains unbeaten across all six races.

Winning just two hurdle contests and four flat, including three Grade 1 races, all while being the clear favourite.

The six-year-old has exceptional pedigree that plays a massive part in that winning mentality, out of Quevega and by Walk In The Park.

But Paul Nicholls’ Tahmuras looks a potential danger and is also unbeaten over hurdles including the Tolworth Novices at Sandown earlier in January.

Champion Hurdle preview and tip

Constitution Hill 4/11

There was just better than evens on Constitution Hill a couple of months ago, before he cemented his ability in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Christmas Hurdle in November and December.

Winning both by a wide margin to the great Grade 1 winner Epatante back in second place.

He shot up from a rating of 148 to 173 in those three races and remains a horse that has tremendous stamina and coasting speed.

Ryanair Chase preview and tip

Allaho 6/4

It’s rare to find horses that are ultra consistent, especially at the top level but Allaho seems to be the one.

The nine-year-old is now four wins from four beating Fakir D’oudairies by 12 lengths, Janidil by 14 and Clan Des Obeaux by 14 as well in April 2022.

He’s not been rushed or risked since and won’t mind the long break and should continue being the consistent Grade 1 winner.

Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle preview and tip

Luccia 5/2

Luccia is a promising mare from the top yard at Seven Barrows, trained by Nicky Henderson.

She’s already won three from three rules races which includes her hurdle debut win at Newbury back in November.

She’s one from the yard that’s highly regarded, just like Constitution Hill last year.

There’s a long way to go though but her Class 1 mares win was comfortable and she can only get better on her next few runs.

Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup

Galopin Des Champs 13/8

The showpiece and biggest race of all sees a decent price on another favourite, Galopin Des Champs, also trained by Mullins.

The now seven-year-old was almost guaranteed the win last year in the Turners’ Novice Chase but he dramatically fell at the last fence which gifted the win to Bob Olinger.

Galopin was 12 lengths to the good when jumping the last and would have undeniably extended that lead had he jumped it successfully.

He showed his true potential in April winning at Fairyhouse by 18 lengths.

Before beating even tougher rivals next time out at Punchestown back in December, winning by 13 lengths to Fakir D’oudairies.

Now rated 175, there doesn’t look a better favourite at odds against throughout the entirety of the festival.

All odds correct at time of writing

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