Last Updated on August 1, 2026 by Maurya
The road to the Cheltenham Festival 2027 has already begun. Although the opening roar remains several months away, bookmakers have published ante-post markets for the championship races, novice contests and leading supporting events.
Cheltenham Festival 2027 takes place from Tuesday 16 March to Friday 19 March 2027. The official programme features four days and 28 races, with the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, Ryanair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup serving as the principal betting attractions. The first race is currently scheduled for 1:20pm each day, with racing concluding at 5:20pm, although timings remain subject to change.
Ante-post betting can offer considerably bigger prices than those available during Festival week. However, the additional value comes with additional risk. Horses can suffer injuries, lose form, change targets or miss Cheltenham because of unsuitable ground.
Our early Cheltenham Festival 2027 tips therefore focus on horses with convincing profiles, realistic targets and prices that appear to compensate bettors for the uncertainty involved.
Odds update: Prices referenced in this article were available around 1 August 2026 and can change without notice. Always compare the latest odds and confirm the bookmaker’s ante-post and non-runner rules before betting.
Cheltenham Festival 2027 Ante-Post Best Bets
Our current ante-post shortlist is:
- Lulamba – Ryanair Chase at around 15/2 to 8/1
- Mydaddypaddy – Arkle Challenge Trophy at around 10/1
- Jango Baie – Cheltenham Gold Cup at around 7/1
- Alexei – Champion Hurdle at around 20/1
- No Drama This End – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at around 18/1 to 20/1
These are long-range selections rather than guaranteed winners. The recommended approach is to use small stakes, monitor each horse’s campaign and avoid placing an entire Festival betting budget months in advance.
How We Selected Our Cheltenham 2027 Ante-Post Tips
Finding a good ante-post bet involves more than identifying the horse most likely to win. A favourite may have an excellent chance but still represent poor value at a short price.
Our early analysis considers five main factors.
Target certainty
A horse can be entered in several Cheltenham races. Backing a talented runner at 16/1 is of little value if its trainer ultimately chooses a different contest.
Target certainty is particularly important in the novice divisions and the Ryanair Chase, where Gold Cup, Champion Chase and novice options can remain open until late in the season.
Cheltenham form
Previous course experience is valuable because Cheltenham presents a distinctive test. Its undulations, downhill sections, stiff finish and frequently competitive early pace can expose horses that have looked impressive elsewhere.
A horse does not necessarily need to have won at Cheltenham, but evidence that it can handle the track reduces one major ante-post unknown.
Potential for improvement
Established champions are easier to assess, but bookmakers also understand their ability. The biggest ante-post opportunities frequently involve younger horses that could improve significantly after moving from hurdles to fences or stepping up in distance.
Price versus probability
A 20/1 selection does not need to be the most likely winner. It only needs to have a better chance than the implied probability of its price suggests.
At fractional odds of 20/1, the basic implied probability is approximately 4.8%. If a horse appears to have an 8% or 10% chance of winning, the available price may represent value despite the horse being unlikely to win in absolute terms.
Campaign and trainer intentions
Trainer comments, likely preparation races and stable strength can all affect a horse’s Festival prospects. A predictable route through the autumn and winter is preferable to backing a horse whose ideal distance or discipline remains uncertain.
Best Ante-Post Bet: Lulamba for the Ryanair Chase
Selection: Lulamba
Race: Ryanair Chase
Indicative odds: 15/2 to 8/1
Recommended stake: 1 point win
Lulamba is our leading Cheltenham Festival 2027 ante-post selection.
The Ryanair Chase is run over approximately two miles and four and a half furlongs on the New Course. That intermediate distance often suits horses that lack the relentless speed required for the Champion Chase but are not proven stayers at Gold Cup distance. The 2027 race is scheduled for 4:00pm on Thursday 18 March.
Lulamba has already demonstrated high-class ability over two miles, but his racing style and physical profile suggest that a longer trip could produce further improvement. His performance in the 2026 Arkle strengthened the impression that he may ultimately be more effective over an intermediate distance.
Sporting Life’s early Festival analysis also identified the Ryanair as the logical 2027 target, arguing that the step up in trip should suit and that a carefully managed campaign could take him directly towards the Thursday Grade 1. Lulamba was available at 8/1 shortly after the 2026 Festival, while later markets quoted prices around 15/2.
The principal risk is target uncertainty. Connections could reconsider the Champion Chase if Lulamba produces an exceptional performance over two miles, while significant improvement over longer distances might eventually create Gold Cup discussions.
Nevertheless, the Ryanair currently appears to offer the most natural combination of distance, opposition and progression. At close to 8/1, Lulamba is preferred to several established horses whose 2027 targets are less obvious.
Arkle Challenge Trophy Tip: Mydaddypaddy
Selection: Mydaddypaddy
Race: Arkle Challenge Trophy
Indicative odds: 10/1
Recommended stake: 0.75 points win
Mydaddypaddy is an exciting candidate for the Arkle, the Grade 1 novice chase staged over approximately two miles on Champion Day.
He finished third in the 2026 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after encountering interference when attempting to challenge. That result may not fully reflect how close he could have gone under clearer circumstances.
More importantly for ante-post purposes, his hurdling technique was fast and economical. Horses that are naturally accurate over hurdles do not always become top-class chasers, but Mydaddypaddy possesses the size and athletic profile to suggest that larger obstacles could bring improvement.
Sporting Life highlighted him at 10/1 for the Arkle, noting both the interference suffered in the Supreme and the possibility that his slick jumping could transfer effectively to fences. Odds comparison markets continued to show him at approximately 10/1 during the summer.
Old Park Star is an obvious potential rival after winning the Supreme, but his shorter price leaves less room for the uncertainties associated with novice chasing. Mydaddypaddy does not have to be rated the better horse at this stage to represent the better bet.
The first major checkpoint will be his chasing debut. A fluent victory could cause the 10/1 to disappear quickly, while hesitant jumping would weaken the case. This is therefore a calculated early position rather than a selection to support aggressively.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Tip: Jango Baie
Selection: Jango Baie
Race: Cheltenham Gold Cup
Indicative odds: 7/1
Recommended stake: 0.75 points win
Gaelic Warrior will attempt to defend his Gold Cup title after producing a dominant performance in 2026. He defeated Jango Baie by eight lengths, with Inothewayurthinkin finishing third. The victory also made Paul Townend the most successful jockey in the history of the Gold Cup.
That performance makes Gaelic Warrior the correct favourite for 2027. Early summer markets placed him at approximately 2/1, with Jango Baie next in the betting at around 7/1.
The question for ante-post bettors is not whether Gaelic Warrior is the horse to beat. He clearly is. The issue is whether backing a defending champion at 2/1 several months before the race provides enough compensation for injury, form and participation risk.
Jango Baie offers a more attractive price.
He established himself as a genuine Gold Cup horse by finishing second in 2026 and should remain at a favourable stage of his chasing career in 2027. He has proven that he can handle the course, stay the distance and perform under the pressure of the Festival’s most important race.
To reverse the 2026 result, Jango Baie must improve or Gaelic Warrior must perform below his best. An eight-length deficit is significant and should not be dismissed. However, second-season and relatively lightly raced staying chasers can progress, while successfully defending a Gold Cup is a demanding task.
Jango Baie’s 7/1 price represents a balance between established Festival form and the possibility of further development. Gaelic Warrior is the likeliest winner, but Jango Baie is the preferred ante-post bet at their respective prices.
Potential alternatives include Final Demand, Fact To File and The Jukebox Man. Their early prices were considerably bigger, but questions remain over their exact targets, durability or ability to produce a peak Gold Cup performance around Cheltenham.
Champion Hurdle Value Bet: Alexei
Selection: Alexei
Race: Champion Hurdle
Indicative odds: 20/1
Recommended stake: 0.5 points win
Lossiemouth sets the standard in the Champion Hurdle division after winning the 2026 renewal. Her performance confirmed her ability to deliver at the Festival and established her as a leading contender to retain the title in 2027.
Backing her at a short ante-post price is less appealing. Even the best hurdlers must remain healthy throughout the winter, and mares can retain alternative Festival options.
Alexei is a much more speculative proposition, but his price creates an interesting value argument.
His 2026 Champion Hurdle challenge was damaged by a serious mistake at the final flight. Long-range analysis from Geegeez suggested he might otherwise have finished third and highlighted his progressive profile, previous Cheltenham form and 20/1 price. Current odds comparisons continued to list him at approximately that figure.
Alexei must improve to defeat Lossiemouth on level terms. The selection is based on the possibility that he can take another step forward while several better-known rivals either change targets, decline or fail to reach Cheltenham.
The Champion Hurdle market may also evolve significantly during the winter. Potential novice chasers could remain over hurdles, established stayers might drop in distance and emerging horses could improve through races such as the Fighting Fifth, International Hurdle, Christmas Hurdle and Irish Champion Hurdle.
At 20/1, Alexei is not a bet to support with a large stake. He is a small win-only ante-post position on a horse whose Festival performance may have been better than the final result suggests.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase Tip: No Drama This End
Selection: No Drama This End
Race: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Indicative odds: 18/1 to 20/1
Recommended stake: 0.5 points win
The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase is one of the most important long-term races at the Festival. Run over approximately three miles and one furlong, it regularly identifies horses capable of developing into future Gold Cup contenders.
No Drama This End endured a disappointing 2026 Festival. He was sent off favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle but lost his position following an unsatisfactory start, became trapped behind other runners and was eventually pulled up once his chance had gone.
That performance should not automatically be treated as proof that he lacks Grade 1 ability.
His earlier form remains relevant, and his physical build suggests that fences and a longer distance could help him improve. Sporting Life’s post-Festival analysis argued that three miles should suit him as a novice chaser and originally identified him as a 14/1 Brown Advisory candidate. Later markets offered approximately 18/1 to 20/1.
This selection carries substantial risk. No Drama This End has not yet demonstrated Grade 1 chasing form, and the Brown Advisory field could contain several high-class Irish prospects by March.
The price, however, allows for those uncertainties. A successful chasing debut followed by a victory in a recognised trial could cause his odds to shorten sharply.
Bettors seeking an even bigger outsider could consider Espresso Milan, who was quoted at 50/1 in early analysis. He remains inexperienced but has the scope to improve over fences. That is a highly speculative option and should only attract a very small stake.
Cheltenham 2027 Horses to Watch
Not every interesting horse should be backed immediately. In some cases, waiting for more information is more valuable than taking the biggest available odds.
Gaelic Warrior
The defending Gold Cup champion is unquestionably the horse to beat. He was authoritative in 2026 and remains with one of the strongest National Hunt operations in racing.
The concern is entirely price-related. At approximately 2/1, bettors are accepting a short return before Gaelic Warrior has completed his winter preparation. He may still become a sensible bet closer to the race if bookmakers introduce non-runner-no-bet terms.
Lossiemouth
Lossiemouth is the established Champion Hurdle standard after her 2026 victory. She deserves to lead the market, but her price leaves little margin for setbacks.
Waiting until her Festival target and preparation are confirmed could be preferable to taking an early short quote.
Il Etait Temps
Il Etait Temps won the 2026 Champion Chase by ten lengths, demonstrating the speed and jumping required for Cheltenham’s top two-mile chase.
He must be respected in any 2027 assessment. However, the Champion Chase division could also feature Majborough, Kopek Des Bordes, Marine Nationale and horses moving out of novice company. Market competition and the possibility of alternative targets make this a division to monitor rather than attack aggressively in the summer.
Air Of Entitlement
Air Of Entitlement is an interesting Mares’ Hurdle possibility. She has winning Cheltenham form and remains relatively lightly raced over hurdles.
Sporting Life’s early assessment noted that she had made further progress when winning the Martin Pipe and was rated close enough to the leading mares to become competitive with additional improvement.
Her final target must be established before she becomes a serious ante-post selection.
Risks of Cheltenham Ante-Post Betting
Ante-post prices can look attractive, but bettors must understand the conditions attached to them.
Your stake may be lost if the horse does not run
Under traditional ante-post rules, a losing stake is not normally refunded when a horse misses the race. This applies whether the absence is caused by injury, unsuitable ground, a change of target or failure to qualify.
Some bookmakers introduce non-runner-no-bet markets closer to the Festival. The odds are usually shorter, but the additional protection may be worth accepting.
Horses can change races
A horse backed for the Ryanair could run in the Champion Chase or Gold Cup. A novice backed for the Arkle could be stepped up in distance. A mare backed for an open championship event could switch to a mares-only race.
This is why target certainty should be treated as seriously as form.
Form can change dramatically
National Hunt racing is demanding. A horse that looks exceptional in November may struggle after Christmas, while an unconsidered runner can improve rapidly through the winter.
Do not continue backing a horse simply because you already hold a ticket at a bigger price.
Early each-way terms may be poor
Bookmakers may offer only two or three places months before the race. Enhanced place terms frequently become available during Festival week.
For many early bets, a small win-only stake is more appropriate than accepting restrictive each-way conditions.
Cheltenham Ante-Post Betting Strategy
A disciplined staking strategy is essential because the majority of ante-post bets will not win.
One practical method is to divide a Festival budget into stages:
Stage one: Early positions
Use approximately 20% of the budget for a small number of horses available at prices that could shorten significantly.
Stage two: Winter confirmation
Use another 30% after chasing debuts, major Christmas races and the Dublin Racing Festival have provided clearer evidence.
Stage three: Non-runner-no-bet period
Reserve the remaining 50% for the weeks immediately before Cheltenham, when targets, fitness and likely ground conditions are better understood.
This prevents the common mistake of committing too much money before the season’s most informative races have taken place.
Singles should generally be preferred to ante-post accumulators. A multiple can fail because one horse changes target even when the remaining selections shorten dramatically in price.
Final Cheltenham Festival 2027 Ante-Post Verdict
Lulamba is our strongest early selection for the 2027 Cheltenham Festival. The Ryanair Chase appears to offer his most suitable distance, and prices around 15/2 to 8/1 provide enough potential reward to accept the remaining target risk.
Mydaddypaddy is the preferred novice chase bet. His Supreme performance can be upgraded because of the interference he encountered, while his jumping technique and physical profile make him an appealing Arkle candidate.
In the Gold Cup, Gaelic Warrior is the most likely winner, but Jango Baie offers better early value at approximately 7/1. He has already finished second in the race and has fewer questions to answer than most of the other contenders.
Alexei and No Drama This End complete the portfolio as smaller, higher-risk selections. Both need to improve substantially, but their available prices reflect that requirement.
Our suggested early staking plan is:
- Lulamba, Ryanair Chase – 1 point win
- Mydaddypaddy, Arkle – 0.75 points win
- Jango Baie, Gold Cup – 0.75 points win
- Alexei, Champion Hurdle – 0.5 points win
- No Drama This End, Brown Advisory – 0.5 points win
Total early exposure: 3.5 points.
The Cheltenham ante-post picture will change throughout the season. Performances at Cheltenham’s November and January meetings, the major Christmas festivals, Trials Day and the Dublin Racing Festival should all be used to reassess these selections.
FAQs
When is the Cheltenham Festival 2027?
The Festival is scheduled to run from Tuesday 16 March to Friday 19 March 2027. Champion Day opens the meeting, followed by Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day.
What is the best Cheltenham 2027 ante-post bet?
Our current best bet is Lulamba for the Ryanair Chase at approximately 15/2 to 8/1. The intermediate distance appears likely to suit him, although his target must still be confirmed.
Who is the favourite for the 2027 Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Defending champion Gaelic Warrior leads the early betting at approximately 2/1. Jango Baie is among his closest market rivals at around 7/1.
What does ante-post betting mean?
Ante-post betting involves placing a wager before the final declarations for a race. The odds can be bigger, but the stake may be lost if the selection does not participate.
Is ante-post betting better than non-runner no bet?
Ante-post markets usually offer bigger prices, while non-runner-no-bet markets provide greater protection. The better option depends on the price difference, confidence in the horse’s target and the bettor’s tolerance for risk.
When should I place Cheltenham ante-post bets?
The best time is when the available price is bigger than your assessment of the horse’s true chance and there is sufficient evidence that the horse is likely to contest the chosen race. Avoid betting simply because the Festival is approaching.
