We are now set fair for a fantastic week of horse racing action as the Cheltenham Festival is upon us. Adrian Wall has highlighted his four outsider picks for Day 1 below. Best of luck if you have a little flutter on any of them!
If you want more information, free bets or betting tips and advice throughout every day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival, then take a look at the following:
Inthepocket (12-1) was snapped up for £290,000 by JP McManus after winning his sole point and he created a great impression when scoring at Wexford on heavy in October. He beat leading Albert Bartlett contender Three Card Brag in a Grade 2 at Navan over 2m4f in December, possibly idling close home. He has about 10 lengths to find with Il Etait Temps on their Leopardstown meeting but this stiffer track will play to his strengths.
Hollow Games (33-1) on the face of it has it all to do in the Arkle, but I wouldn’t be too quick to write him off just yet. He was very disappointing behind Saint Roi at Leopardstown during Christmas, but he has had a wind operation since and he could run a big race if that has had the desired effect. Third in the Martin Pipe last year, he impressed on chasing bow at Navan in November and he is still unexposed over fences.
Fantastikas (16-1) has been strong in the market the last few days which is a strong sign for the local Twiston-Davies yard. He was sent off favourite here over the extended 3m3f on seasonal reappearance and ran well for a long way off 142, so he could be thrown in now if he can recapture his best off just 132. He jumped left at Wincanton last time so returning to this track could suit in first-time headgear.
Coolvalla (50-1) is a bit of a stab in the dark but he could run a big race in this war of attrition, a race that will take a lot of getting. He has a lot to find on official ratings to get into the race, but arrives here off the back of four wins on the bounce this season. He won a 3m4f handicap at Fontwell by 17 lengths when last seen, so who knows how good this horse is just yet. Coolvalla has plenty of stamina, will enjoy soft ground, and he could run into a place.
If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.