Cheltenham: How To Spot the Best Outsiders
Top tips to help you bag a big-priced Cheltenham winner
Craig Jones 
Scott McGlynn
The Cheltenham Festival delivers some of the most competitive racing of the entire season. The majority of races taking place have big fields and plenty of genuine contenders. But every horse can’t be favourite, and for that reason, many look to try and find the best outsiders at Cheltenham, looking to land a big odds winner.
As a punter, Cheltenham winners have that extra edge about them. The same applies when you back one to win at big odds. Finding a Cheltenham outsider that wins at the Festival combines both of those.
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Outsider Tips: Gordon Elliott, Hendy de Bromhead & Dan Skelton Contenders Overlooked
Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead are two big names in Irish racing, and in recent years, the Irish have dominated the Cheltenham Festival. In 2023, the Irish won the Prestbury Cup 18-10 (the number of winners from Irish trainers v British trainers). A year earlier, it was the exact same score, while in 2021, Irish-trained horses won a staggering 23 races.
These two trainers are highly likely to go home with winners, but it’s not always their favourites you need to focus on. Outsiders from both yards are sometimes discounted in the betting because the focus is placed on the number one runner, usually because of a jockey booking, and this is where value at the Cheltenham Festival can be found.
In the UK, Dan Skelton is a popular trainer who, like many, targets Cheltenham with his horses, and he landed two winners in 2023 at odds of 33/1 and 9/1.
For the Irish duo mentioned, Gordon Elliott’s success in 2023 included winners at 33/1 and 18/1, while Henry de Bromhead landed winners at 22/1 and 13/2.
Other Trainers to Watch Out For
Many other trainers enjoyed success at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and will be looking for the same in 2024.
Tony Martin, John McConnell, Jamie Snowden, and Paul Nicholls all landed winners with an SP of 9/1 or bigger at the meeting, and all are considered good trainers, known by the majority of national hunt racing fans.
Cheltenham Festival 2024 Tips
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