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Champion Hurdle

The main event on Tuesday’s race card is the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy and, in our opinion, also a good race for you to use bet365's Cheltenham offers on.

The Champion Hurdle, the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, took an almighty turn when Honeysuckle cemented herself as a true player when destroying the field in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Christmas.

Henry De Bromhead’s mare has taken favouritism after a stunning victory at the Dublin Racing Festival. The talk before the race was whether she is good enough for the Champion Hurdle, and those doubts were firmly put to bed with a 10-length success over her male counterparts.

After beating Benie De Dieux last year Rachel Blackmore will be hoping to go 11 from 11 on board the superstar mare and may be worth a punt if using a bet365 Cheltenham offer.

Epatante would be vying for favouritism had she not disappointed in the Christmas Hurdle where Silver Streak upset the odds-on favourite. Nicky Henderson has since confirmed she has been treated for a back issue putting doubts into punters’ minds.

She holds almighty respect though after a brilliant victory in last year’s renewal and if she turns up A1 on the day it will be a stunning showdown between two fantastic mares.

Goshen was a forgotten horse after so painfully unseating in last year’s Triumph, he then disappointed and was beaten a massive 29 lengths in the International Hurdle.

What we saw at Wincanton was hugely impressive however, reversing the form with Song For Someone and looking visually spectacular. If he can turn up in the same form he will be a major player for trainer, Gary Moore and offers punters a good option.

Sharjah made it a superb hat-trick when winning the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown in December, that was enough to install him as third favourite for Willie Mullins who also has Saint Roi and Concertista.

Both would command respect but Concertista may well go for her easier assignment in the Mares’ and would be our pick if using any of bet365's Cheltenham offers on the race.

Abacadabras is an interesting one for Gordon Elliot, a neck second to Shishkin in last year’s Supreme isn’t bad form, his races since haven’t been great but he may well turn the tables as they approach the hill this year.

Always travelling well in his races he does tend to find little off the bridle which would be a concern taking into account Honeysuckle’s brilliance and Epatante’s turn of foot.

An interesting runner entered provisionally also belongs to Willie Mullis in the shape of James du Berlais (50/1), a four-time winner in France for trainer Robert Collet, joined the Mullins stable after being transferred over by owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Earning a Timeform rating of 152, he’s the highest rated French hurdler to switch countries in recent years, but we all saw what happened to Paul’s Saga earlier in March.

On paper, it looks an absolute belter of a race, let’s hope come race day we are treated to something special and that punters enjoy all that there is to offer when betting on the Festival.

Champion Chase

The highlight of Wednesday’s racing is the Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. The Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase for horses aged 5 years and older starts at 3.30pm.

The Champion Chase is the race to use a bet365 Cheltenham offer or two on and is run over a distance of Abt 2m and offers £400,000 in prize money.

Last year’s Champion Chase was decimated after Altior and Chacun Pour Soi were pulled out at the last minute and Defi Du Seuil failed to deliver, despite being odds-on at bet365.

This year sees Chacun head the market again after looking imperious so far this season. The Rich Ricci colours look to have a banker on their hands if injury is avoided unlike last year.

The way Chacun takes lengths out of the field at the fences is a sight to behold and you’d expect him to approach the hill still on the bridle whilst his rivals are all hard at work.

The only negative you could possibly find is that he has never run at Cheltenham before, that should be put to bed on the Wednesday afternoon though.

Politlogue looked simply sensational when landing the Tingle Creek this season, although there is an argument to suggest that the race this year may have too much quality compared to last year’s and so it may be wise using bet365 Cheltenham offers on other horses.

That won’t bother his trainer Paul Nicholls who we know will have him primed for this, he was rather disappointing recently though, beaten seven lengths by First Flow in the Clarence House.

Altior is on offer at an unusually big price, but a surprising second at Kempton at Christmas tempered expectations and with his second run of the season cancelled due to the weather the legendary horse goes into race with a seeming lack of prep.

No one would begrudge Altior one last hurrah up that hill with Nico punching the air as he crosses the finish line in first place however.

Looking at the rest of the field, Nube Negra looks a big price after downing Altior in the Desert Orchid at Christmas and Dan Skelton has been bullish about his chances stating - “Nothing frightens me with the way the race is going to be run with Nube Negra, because I’ve got a confident feeling we’re the fastest horse in the race”.

Kim Bailey’s nine-year-old First Flow provided a flawless performance in the Clarence House and must be respected.

Ryanair Steeple Chase

There are two highlights for Day 3 of the Festival, with both races suitable to use bet365 Cheltenham offers on, with the first being the Ryanair Chase at 2.50pm.

One of the most open renewals here in a long time, mainly because there isn’t an obvious favourite or definite runners. You can look at historical trends to rule out some horses.

The main one being course form, 11 out of the last 12 winners have had at least two previous runs at Cheltenham with nine of them winning, and eight of the last 11 winners finishing in the top two of a Festival race.

Min could be one to bet on at bet365, but he was majorly disappointing LTO when pulled up due to poor jumping, he will try to defend his crown and that’s something not done since 2011.

He is a model of consistency over this distance though and it would be foolish to rule out another win here for Rich Ricci - especially if you're taking advantage of bet365's Cheltenham offers.

Allaho is another runner for Willie Mullins, he is yet to win in Grade 1 company but time is on his side and this race does offer good opportunity for younger horses to an extent.

He beat Elimay at Christmas who has since gone on to win and boost the form. With improvement likely he will be a major player in the race you would like to think.

The final Mullins runner is Melon who benefits from front-running tactics and a two-length third in the Irish Gold Cup highlighted the potential in the lightly raced (over fences) horse.

Connections own Al Boum Photo so a fling at the Ryanair looks even more likely.

Other notable runners which should be there or thereabouts are Fakir D'oudairies, Samcro, Imperial Aura and Saint Calvados. The highlight of day three is always a blinding race to watch and the quality of runners here will ensure fans are treated to a close contest.

Stayers Hurdle

The second big race on Day 3 of the Festival, and one of the standout races that you can use bet365's Cheltenham offers on, is the Stayers Hurdle which starts at 3.30pm.

This could prove to be one of the races of the Festival with Paisley Park and Thyme Hill doing battle for a third time this season, they both have a win against their name after two epic races in the Long Distance and Long Walk Hurdles respectively.

The combined winning distance of both races was less than two lengths and both horses have lost nothing in defeat to each other and offer punters a good option.

Emma Lavelle’s experienced and battle-hardened Paisley Park has bounced back from disappointment at last year’s Festival to show the fire and class is still there and could be worth a punt - even more so if you're taking advantage of bet365's offers for Cheltenham.

It would have maybe suited him a little more to run in the Cleeve Hurdle and put the Cheltenham memories behind him but Lavelle is confident her horse can win two Stayers’ in three years.

Phillips Hobbs’ Thyme Hill is the new kid on the Staying scene and looked a champion in waiting when accounting for Paisley in the Long Distance Hurdle, and with only six career starts to his name you can imagine he has a fair bit of improvement left in him for Thursday's race.

JP McManus’ Sire Du Berlais is a notable runner here, after back-to-back wins in the Pertemps he steps up to three miles here but hasn’t looked suited to the distance as of yet.

In saying that it would be foolish to rule out his chances though given the owners record at the Festival and his ability to plot horses for specific races.

Last year’s winner Lisnagar Oscar is possibly overlooked in the market at bet365.com with a general 33/1 shout – two races this year has seemed as if the runs have been needed and Rebecca Curtis will be hoping her charge strikes lucky again.

Roksana and Ronald Pump are other noteworthy runners in the race where both have shown high-level form this season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if either of these cross the line first.

Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup, the most prestigious race of the week, takes place on the final day at 3.30pm and the last race of the Festival that you can use a bet365 Cheltenham offer on.

The showpiece of the Festival, Friday’s main event may end up a procession however, with Al Boum Photo looking more and more likely to win three Gold Cup trophy's in a row.

The Willie Mullins jewel has taken the same prep as usual, this time he won the Savills Chase at Tramore by 19 lengths and might be worth a punt at bet365 if the odds are favourable.

He looked as good as ever and whilst his rivals have been battling each other throughout the season, he has been at Closutton relaxing in his stable!

His closest rival when looking at the odds that bet365 offer on Cheltenham, is A Plus Tard, the Savills Chase winner at Leopardstown came on for his disappointing 2nd at Navan in November.

Henry De Bromhead will be hoping the extra distance that the Cheltenham Gold Cup commands won’t prove too much after it looked like he needed every yard of his run LTO.

Santini is an enigma and has had a very disappointing season so far, his neck second in this race last year has since seen him regress and diminishes the challenge he offers.

He seems to save his big runs for Cheltenham though and his lazy style of racing seems to suit the Cheltenham circuit, you cannot rule him out.

Nicky Henderson also has Champ in the race, he hadn’t raced all season until the Game Spirit (over 2m) but he looked sublime in his running and seemed to benefit from a front-running ride.

If he can replicate that in the big, and we know he can stay the distance then he becomes a major, major player in the JP McManus colours.

A really interesting one is Royal Pagaille, three ultra-impressive wins in seven weeks has seen the unknown become a major player when looking at the odds bet365 offer on the market.

Trainer, Venetia Williams, has tempered expectations but the manner of victory so far has been very impressive and one that has installed him as third favourite in the best jumps race of the season.

He is still a novice over fences and owner Rich Ricci has Monkfish in the Novice Chase so a crack at the Gold Cup may well be on the cards.

Other horses for serious consideration are fans favourites Frodon and Native River, both of whom have been in the Winners Enclosure again this season and enter this race in peak condition.

The blue riband contest of jumps racing is usually fiercely competitive, let’s hope this year is a great renewal and offers punters a reason to be cheerful come the end of the Festival.

Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy is run over a distance of 2m abt ½f with a total of £450,000 in prize money up for grabs.

This Grade 1 National Hunt Hurdle, open to horses 4 years and older, runs at 3.30pm, with competitive odds on the favourites usually on offer at bet365.

The current Champion Hurdle favourites that bet365 offer odds on fluctuated between the Willie Mullins trained Benie Des Dieux and Nicky Henderson’s Epatante until the former pulled out.

Fresh from a convincing win in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton she has just one blip on her CV, a ninth-place finish in the Mares Novices’ last year when she was said to be Nicky’s best chance of the meeting and possibly worth using some of bet365's Cheltenham offers on.

Unfortunately Envoi Allen, one of the top Novices’ this season, won't be competing as connections decided not to take a chance and step him up against older horses.

Whichever way Gordon Elliot chooses to go with him, Chevley Park Stud’s star novice should have been in with a good chance of becoming a two-time Cheltenham winner.

Willie Mullins offers punters another Grade 1 horse running in the Champion Hurdle aside from Benie Des Dieux, but consistency has been hard to come by for Sharjah.

Pentland Hills enjoyed a fine debut season over hurdles having won three from three but will have to step up from his seasonal reappearance when 5th in the International Hurdle.

Champion Chase

The Champion Chase is the race to use a bet365 Cheltenham offer or two on and is run over a distance of Abt 2m and offers £400,000 in prize money.

Altior was looking to make historic Champion Chase titles, but his prep this year has been hampered to say the least. bet365 offer no odds at the moment as he's unlikely to start.

It's unfortunate as his unbeaten run was ended when stepping up in trip against Paul Nicholls’ Cyrname at Ascot and a spate of entries have been left unfulfilled due to injury.

Henderson is now going down the tried and tested route taken with his star chaser in 2017 and 2018 – the Game Spirit Chase followed by Prestbury Park.

Looking at the rest of the field and the Cheltenham odds bet365 offer, it's Defi Du Seuil that looks most likely to challenge Altior the most should they both go and you wouldn’t like to bet against the Philip Hobbs runner in what would be a mouth-watering clash.

He has Cheltenham form, having won the Triumph Hurdle and the JLT previously.

He’s currently two from two this season, having recently beaten Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek, however the pair are now set to lock horns again in the Clarence House.

Chacun Pour Soi is likely to offer a decent challenge if fit, having beaten Defi Du Seuil at Punchestown, and aside from a minor setback in a thriller to A Plus Tard at the Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown, his form suggests Willie Mullins’ charge will be sure to be there or thereabouts on the day.

One horse that would have been a major interest in the event is the legendary Douvan, a barnstorming run at Clonmel last year saw punters asking if he might do it again.

It would have been quite the spectacle should the nine-year-old have been able to roll back the years, storm up the hill and win at Cheltenham for a third time in the Rich Ricci colours.

As Mullins once said: 'He’s one of the best on his day, you would be foolish to ever rule him out'. Unfortunately for fans of Douvan, he won't be running in the 2020 Champion Chase.

Ryanair Steeple Chase

The Steeple Chase is run over a distance of 2m abt 5f with £350,000 in prize money on offer.

With no clear indications so far as to who will be running in Thursday’s event, last years’ winner, Frodon, led by Bryony Frost, landed a wonderful story for her and Paul Nicholls last year and will most certainly be hoping for the same this time around.

A win in the Silviniaco Conti Chase over Top Notch gave connections a much needed boost ahead of the big day. Stable mate Cyrname accounted for Altior famously last year, but it’s well known the Ascot specialist isn’t a fan of what the hallowed Cheltenham turf can offer.

Min, who has been beaten by Altior in each of his last three races at the Festival, seems to be best suited to 2m4f nowadays racking up three wins from four when running over the distance, he may finally break his Cheltenham duck for Willie Mullins should he be entered here.

A Plus Tard was sensational when beating Chacun Pour Soi in December and looks one of the main players when looking at the Cheltenham odds bet365 offer, a successful Dublin Chase will help Henry De Bromhead decide which event he will end up running.

Defi Du Seuil did have an entry for this, along with the Champion Chase, which was similar to last years Cheltenham Festival where Phillip Hobbs offered up two runners but not so in 2020.

A decision will be made closer to race day as to where and who the horse will face and subsequently who bet365 offer as favourites for the 2020 Ryanair Steeple Chase.

Whoever lines up on the day for the Ryanair Steeple Chase will be hoping to join an illustrious list of past winners of this great event such as Vautour, Un De Sceaux, Uxizandre and Cue Card.

Stayers Hurdle

The second big race on Day 3 of the Festival is the Stayers Hurdle and it's well known for being the leading long-distance Grade 1 hurdle in the National Hunt calendar.

2019 winner Paisley Park was one of the great stories of last years Cheltenham for owner Andrew Gemmell and trainer Emma Lavelle and bet365 offer him as favourite once again.

An unbeaten campaign culminated in Aidan Coleman navigating a tricky race and almost blundering the last to land the spoils for popular connections.

bet365 offer odds that suggest this year’s Stayers Hurdle being just as competitive with Paisley Park looking to be the first horse since Big Buck’s in 2012 to win back-to-back Stayers’ Hurdles.

Opposition is difficult to predict given Paisley’s inclusion, especially as If The Cap Fits, who has had a nice start to his campaign, had looked likely to run, but unfortunately won't.

Trainer Harry Fry has been bullish about his chances and with the pair set to clash in the Cleeve Hurdle, his horse, who is within 3lbs on official rating with Paisely, will be much shorter should he offer a good account of himself at the end of January.

Eddie O’Leary has hinted that 2017 Mares’ Hurdle winner Apple’s Jade could start after her win at Leopardstown, after beating Unowhatimeanharry, Penhill and Bacardys.

If Gigginstown takes this route her mares allowance will surely play a part come race day.

Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is usually most bet on event at bet365, offers prize money of £625,000, is run over 3m 2f 70y, and the last race of the Festival that you can use bet365's Cheltenham offers on.

Willie Mullins finally landed his first-ever Cheltenham Gold Cup last year with Al Boum Photo, who made a wonderful reappearance at Tramore on New Year’s Day, with all roads now leading to Cheltenham, and bet365 offer him as favourite for the race.

Kemboy showed the greatest level of form at the end of last season but unseated jockey David Mullins last year. An enforced break from racing has also hampered preparation, coming 4th at Leopardstown at Christmas.

Clan Des Obeaux showed his class to win back-to-back King George’s, but it remains to be seen if Cheltenham suits, having never won at the track and finishing 5th in last year’s renewal.

Lostintranslation was easily beaten in the same race, but a stiffer test in the Gold Cup may suit the Colin Tizzard charge, who was impressive when accounting for Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase, that it might be wise taking advantage of bet365 Cheltenham offers if betting.

Delta Work is Gordon Elliott's main hope and impressed when winning the Savills Chase LTO and was quickly shortened significantly in the betting odds.

The Gigginstown charge, who was Ireland’s top staying novice in 2019, looks in good shape for a tilt at racing’s biggest prize - the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

bet365's offer for the favourite for last years Gold Cup, Presenting Percy, hasn't shown anything to suggest he can win a major event like the Gold Cup since his win in the 2018 RSA.