‘The handicapper is miles away’ – JP McManus’ 10 best Cheltenham Festival chances

It’s just a week until the Cheltenham Festival kicks off and trainers will be putting the finishing touches to their preparations. Leading owner JP McManus has assembled a strong team to go to war with and he has significant chances in most of the races. Here we take a look at his 10 best chances and he should be coming away with plenty of winners. Check out our free tips page for daily content and our Cheltenham Festival ante-post selections are available now.

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CLAIM

Arkle Challenge Trophy

Majborough managed to win the Triumph Hurdle last year and was always going to make a better chaser. He has looked good over fences so far and his victory in the Irish Arkle last time out makes him very much the one to beat.

Majborough

Analysis

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Turners Novices’ Hurdle

The New Lion is Britain’s big novice hurdle hope and he has been very impressive so far this season. Obviously the Willie Mullins’ Final Demand is probably a worthy favourite but Dan Skelton’s runner has done little wrong and has every chance.

The New Lion

Analysis

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Champion Chase

Jonbon has been better than ever this season and he looks very hard to oppose. Nicky Henderson’s gelding easily dispatched Energumene at Ascot last time out and this doesn’t look like the strongest Champion Chase of all time.

Jonbon

Analysis

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Champion Bumper

Aqua Force was a recent purchase for McManus and she looked very smart when winning a bumper by a very wide margin for previous connections. Willie Mullins now trains and a big run shouldn’t be ruled out from this mare.

Aqua Force

Analysis

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Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

Jagwar has won three of his four starts over fences this season and appears to be progressing well. Trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, he won a decent trial for this in January and one would imagine there’s more to come still.

Jagwar

Analysis

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CLAIM

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

Jeriko Du Reponet looked like a serious Supreme contender last season but the wheels fell off a bit. He bounced back when keeping on for third in a qualifier for this at Exeter last month and he could do even better here.

Jeriko Du Reponet

Analysis

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Ryanair Chase

Fact To File looked like a superstar when winning the Brown Advisory last year but stablemate Galopin Des Champs seems to have him covered. His high cruising speed an accurate jumping make this the ideal test and he would be very hard to beat if lining up.

Fact To File

Analysis

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County Hurdle

McLaurey is a thoroughly unexposed novice and it’s quite possible that the handicapper is miles away from him. He did well to win a thoroughly competitive race on handicap debut at Leopardstown and Emmet Mullins knows how to win big handicaps.

McLaurey

Analysis

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Mares’ Chase

Dinoblue wasn’t beaten far when runner-up in this race last year and she’s easily the best horse in the race on her best form. Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old got back on track when winning at Naas recently and she’s entitled to be in the mix once again.

Dinoblue

Analysis

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Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Kopeck De Mee has a good profile and connections will surely be delighted with a mark of 136. This French import is yet to run in Ireland or Britain but the fact that he’s so well fancied for multiple races is rather telling.

Kopeck De Mee

Analysis

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