This year, we decided to take a different approach with the betting tips we had for the Cheltenham Festival.
Last year, we had the best each-way tips, but this year we have introduced the best lay tips for those punters who are interested in this market.
If you are new to betting, and don't understand what a lay bet is. Click here, and this will take you to a beginner's guide to betting, which will get you up to speed.
Cheltenham 2026 Arkle Novices' Chase | 2.00 pm – Kopek Des Bordes
If there was a man who could get a horse ready for a Grade 1 Novices' Chase on the back of one run, which came in November, it's Willie Mullins.
My main issue is that we know he is a good horse, but this is far from ideal preparation. This isn't a jog around Cheltenham, pass go and collect the money, this is a proper race. Lulamba is not a slouch, and I think he is the better horse, even if he isn't a Cheltenham Festival winner from last year.
I think you have to go against Kopek Des Bordes for this race, and lay him. He looks most comfortable on testing ground, which does not look likely for Day 1. The weather forecast is dry for the most part, with a couple of showers, and the ground is good to soft, good in places.
He showed that he can run a stinker, as he was mightily disappointing at Punchestown on his run after his Supreme success. He was the 30/100F that day and was beaten a long way from home. There is also plenty to say his Supreme form isn't as strong as it looks on paper.
Lulamba was denied by Poniros in the Triumph last year, who came with a late run on the blind side. He then put it right by winning a Grade 1 at Aintree. His campaign this year as a chaser has been straightforward. He has done what is needed, winning races in great style, jumping nicely along the way. I think he is the most likely winner, and as a result, I recommend laying Kopek Des Bordes.
GambleAware