Andrew Halligan picks out five horses who, after successful 2021/22 campaigns, strike him as promising 2023 Cheltenham Festival ante-post bets.
1) Zanahiyr – 2023 Cheltenham Festival Ante-post Bets
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Zanahiyr is the first of five to take out of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.
Seen finishing 3rd in the Champion Hurdle just over 4L behind the Queen of horse racing, Honeysuckle; Zanahiyr has a lot more to offer but over further.
Never looked like he was going to land a telling blow from a win standpoint but stayed on well up the famous Cheltenham hill to get 3rd. This makes me think we could be looking at a Stayers’ Hurdle contender for next season, for which he is currently 20/1 to land the prize.
I think the step up in trip will suit this son on Nathaniel down to the ground.
2) Three Stripe Life – 2023 Cheltenham Festival Ante-post Bets
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
This big chasing type was seen following the hugely talent Sir Gerhard home in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle. The only horse over hurdles to have even come close to giving Sir Gerhard any problems looks set for a chasing career next season.
That was his first run beyond two miles and he relished every step of it. I believe we will see a different animal over fences and one that can go right to the top.
Currently 20/1 for both the Turners Novice Chase and Brown Advisory Novice Chase; I believe we will be looking at that price come March 2023 and the thinking “How was he ever that price?”.
3) James’s Gate – 2023 Cheltenham Festival Ante-post Bets
Trainer: W.P. Mullins
3rd in the Champion Bumper behind one of the most exciting horses in training, Facile Vega, James’s Gate look to have the perfect profile for a Ballymore Novice Hurdle.
Owned by the owners of Ballymore who sponsor the race, this looks the obvious Cheltenham Festival target for James’s Gate.
With it looking like he will benefit from middle distance over hurdles, James’s Gate goes in as my selection for the 2023 Ballymore Novice Hurdle at 10/1.
4) Appreciate It – 2023 Cheltenham Festival Ante-post Bets
Trainer: W.P. Mullins
Former winner of the Supreme Novice Hurdle and was given the impossible task of toppling Honeysuckle on his first run of the season in the Champion Hurdle (where he finished a tired 7th), but this horse’s future lies over fences.
He is built like a chaser and if he can transition his novice hurdle form over fences then there could be no end to his potential and at 10/1 he is a great betting proposition for the 2023 Arkle Novice Chase.
5) Galopin Des Champs – 2023 Cheltenham Festival Ante-post Bets
Trainer: W.P. Mullins
Galopin Des Champs could well be one of the most talented horse in training. He was 12L clear of Bob Olinger when tipping up at the last in the Turners Novice Chase and was clocking a faster time than Allaho who won the Ryanair the day before.
But, I think his future lies over 3 miles.
Some people are saying he will not get the Gold Cup trip by the way he races, but I strongly disagree. He has such a high cruising speed that gets horses out of their comfort zone so early in races that it is frightening. Let’s not forget that he is a Grade 1 winning hurdler over 3 miles at last season’s Punchestown Festival, so there is no doubt in my mind that we could be looking at the next Cheltenham Gold Cup winner at 5/1.
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