The Cheltenham Festival came to a close on Friday, but for many, the planning for next year’s event has already begun. Ante-post betting is an integral part of beating the bookies at the Festival, as many punters found out last week.
You can get much bigger prices when betting ante-post due to the lack of confirmation regarding entries and the uncertainty in terms of injuries. It’s certainly a bigger risk, but the rewards are also lucrative. One lucky punter bagged himself a remarkable £275,000 from a £5 ante-post bet last week, which included a pair of horses from Royal Ascot rolling into three Cheltenham selections.
With that in mind, we’re going to try and repeat that feat. Finding five horses at prices they certainly won’t go off at if they make their destinations in twelve months time, here’s myracing’s bookie-busting 2022 Cheltenham Festival ante-post bet. Best price at the time of writing was Betfair, with £3 returning £466,775. You can also find our horse racing tips on site now!
Supreme Novices Hurdle
Winning two of his four bumper starts, Kilcruit looked a star in the making after posting an RPR of 142 in a Leopardstown romp. He was beaten at Cheltenham, but that was a tactical contest and there was no disgrace in that defeat. Donning the same colours as Appreciate It, he looks set to be one of the stars of next year’s novice hurdling division. Willie Mullins could be looking forward to another brilliant start to the meeting.
Mares’ Novices Hurdle
Another selection who ran in the Champion Bumper, this time in the form of Dan Skelton’s Elle Est Belle. An impressive Aintree winner on debut, she dead-heated in a Listed race at Cheltenham on her next start. She was given a mountain to climb at the Festival, held up in a race where you needed to be prominent. Beaten just seven lengths, that effort can be upgraded and she should be a real force as a novice hurdler next season.
Festival Novices Chase
Paul Nicholls’ compared Bravemansgame to Denman after his Challow victory and he should be a mighty chaser next term. A Grade 1 winner over timber, he continued the Challow’s woeful record as a trial when third in an ultra-competitive renewal of the Ballymore behind Bob Olinger. Chasing will be his game, however, and with exponential improvement expected for jumping a fence, 14/1 is a very fair price at this stage.
Stayers’ Hurdle
Improving beyond recognition this season, Flooring Porter looks set to be a dominant force in the staying division for years to come. He proved his Grade 1 victory over Christmas was no fluke when making all readily in the Stayers’ Hurdle last week. That was a scintillating performance and he’s likely nowhere near his ceiling. If he rocks up in the same form next year, it’s hard to pick out a horse from the current staying crop who could defeat him.
Gold Cup
My personal ante-post selection for next year’s Gold Cup, Minella Indo simply loves Cheltenham. Although disappointing in two starts prior to the Gold Cup, a return to Prestbury Park rejuvenated him. Travelling much the best, he could be called the winner at three-out, cruising into the lead before holding on gamely from stablemate A Plus Tard.
Posting an RPR of 179, it’ll take a special horse to stop him following up if he can run to the same level next year. Since 2010, only Don Cossack (182), Long Run (181) and Imperial Commander (182), have posted better winning RPRs.
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.