Paddy Brennan's Countdown to Cheltenham - Fact To File the McManus Good Thing

Updated: March 7, 2025 at 10:19 pm GMT+0
Countdown to Cheltenham - Paddy Brennan
SpreadEx logo
SpreadEx
ยฃ60 in free bets when you bet ยฃ10
Claim Offer
Bet ยฃ10 Get ยฃ60 in Free Bets. 18+ gambleaware.org. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. Place a qualifying ยฃ10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater and get 3x ยฃ10 free fixed odds bets in consecutive days and 6x ยฃ5 free spread bets across consecutive days. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. Free bets expire in 28 days if unused.

Here at Freebets.com, in the run-up to the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, we'll sit down each week with six-time Festival-winning jockey Paddy Brennan to get his thoughts on the latest Cheltenham news, exclusive insights, and expert analysis.

We have also got some of the best and latest Cheltenham betting offers on the market ahead of the Festival.

The Champion Hurdle - Constitution Hill v Brighterdayshead - we have the race we want. How important could King Of Kingsfield be in the race, though?

Very important - I think King Of Kingsfield needs to go as fast as he can go for as long as he can - and the minute that there's a let up from there, Brighterdaysahead, even though I know it won't be ideal, she's got to press on from there.

She'll have a good look around, but she's got to keep it relentless - and that is your way to beat Constitution Hill.

Kopek Des Bordes - he's odds on for the Supreme, but there are whispers he could go for the Turners (Baring Bingham) - if he was yours, which race would you go for?

A lot of that is speculation on the ground, and obviously, it's very dry here at Cheltenham.

We live locally, but I'd be shocked if he didn't run in the Supreme on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.

I think this could be Willie Mullins's way of saying to get as much water on the track as possible.

But as I say, I'd be shocked if he didn't run in the Supreme.

Is there any more news on Tripoli Flyer?

He's got a chance of running - the way the ground is going, he could run.

And at 20/1, he's got a massive each-way chance.

You look through it now - Willie Mullins has nine of the 17 entries, and he's got over half the field, so they aren't going to all run.

You're looking at nine runners, possibly - I think if you're having a bet, you'd be on Tripoli Flyer for a non-runner, no bet - at 20/1, it's a no-brainer.

JP McManus has got an unbelievable team for next week. Who do you think is his best chance of a winner?

His best chance of a winner is Fact To File in the Ryanair on Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival.

I think he'll love the ground. He'll love that Il Est Francais is in the race, which means a really strong pace.

He looks to me like a horse that wants that - he has a very high cruising speed.

JP McManus has many chances, but for me, he's the one I think is his best chance of landing a winner.

Funny enough, the next question literally is that - The Ryanair could be an absolute cracker with Il Est Francais now a potential runner alongside Fact To File.

It'll be a great race - you want a horse like Il Est Francais in the race, and you want a horse like that in a Cheltenham race, just to put the pace in a race.

This is really what it's all about, to watch horses going around 30-plus miles an hour over fences. This is some sight, and it'll be a hell of a race to watch.

The Changing Man in the Ultima looks absolutely chucked in. Do you fancy him?

To say he's chucked in, I'm not so sure, but I think he's got a good chance in a very open race.

I like the Twiston-Davies horse Broadway Boy - he put in a disappointing run last time, but they're really sweet on him, and I could see him going off favourite.


Top Horse Racing Betting Offers & Free Bets

Check out this week's top horse racing betting offers from the best betting sites.

Advertiser Disclosure:

Content on this site will contain reference to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you view ads or click on links to those products or services.

Neptune Play logo
1
Neptune Play
Bet ยฃ10 & Get a ยฃ10 Free Bet + 10 Bonus Spins on Book of Dead
New customers only. Min ยฃ10 deposit and bet on odds 1/1 or greater required. Extra bet and bonus spins issued within 24 hours of qualifying bet being settled. Extra bet valid for 14 days, stake not returned. Bonus spins valid for 24 hours, selected games only. 18+, T&C's apply.
Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to ยฃ100 | Min. deposit is ยฃ10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is ยฃ5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded |
Tote logo
3
Tote
Bet ยฃ10 Get ยฃ30 in Free Bets + 20 Free Spins
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. One welcome offer per customer. Bet a minimum of ยฃ/โ‚ฌ10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min ยฃ/โ‚ฌ10 Win + ยฃ/โ‚ฌ10 Place) within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive ยฃ/โ‚ฌ20 Tote Credit, ยฃ/โ‚ฌ10 sports Free Bet and 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
Betfred logo
4
Betfred
Bet ยฃ10, Get ยฃ50 in Free Bets
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet ยฃ10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x ยฃ10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x ยฃ10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Virgin Bet logo
5
Virgin Bet
Bet ยฃ10 Get ยฃ20 in Free Bets
*New members only. ยฃ10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals), placed & settled at 1.5 min odds in 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days, use on sportsbook only (ex. virtuals), stakes not returned. T&Cs and deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+
Livescore Bet logo
6
Livescore Bet
Bet ยฃ10, Get ยฃ30 in Free Bets
*New members only. ยฃ10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2xยฃ5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. **UK and Irish horse racing win/each-way bets placed after 9am on race day. Max enhancement ยฃ50k/day. Rules and exclusions apply. Click here for full T&Cs.. Bet Responsibly. GambleAwareยฎ. 18+
Pub Sports logo
7
Pub Sports
Bet ยฃ10 and Get a ยฃ10 Free Bet
New customers only. ยฃ10 in real money. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.00 or more to qualify. Bets must be placed 24 within registration. ยฃ10 free bet must be wagered on sports. T&C's apply. Gamling can be addictive, play responsibly, 18+.
Grosvenor logo
8
Grosvenor
Double the Odds + 100 Free Spins when you deposit ยฃ20
New Customers by invite Only. Min Deposit ยฃ20 (exc PayPal & PaySafe). Max Bonus ยฃ30 (30x wagering & max wins ยฃ2000) & 100 Free Spins @10p playable on selected games (1x wagering on wins, max wins ยฃ500) + 100% Odds Boost Token. T&Cs apply.
Bet442 Sport logo
9
Bet442 Sport
Welcome Offer up to ยฃ50 in Free Bets
18+. New customers Only. Opt-in required. Min deposit: ยฃ20. Min Bet: ยฃ20. Maximum 2 free bets credited per user. Min odds: Events (2.00). Only horse racing single bets qualify (E/W markets excluded). Free bet 1: 50% of your stake back, up to ยฃ30, if your first qualifying bet loses. Free bet 2: 50% of your stake back, up to ยฃ20, if your second qualifying bet loses. Paid as free bet token. Free bets min odds: 3/2 (2.50). Free bets are valid for single selections only & are not valid for E/W markets. http://www.gambleaware.org. T&Cs Apply.
Betway logo
10
Betway
Up to ยฃ30 Matched Free Bet + ยฃ30 Uber Eats Voucher
*New UK customers only. Min Stake: ยฃ5. Maximum Free Bet: ยฃ30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (ยฃ0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Earn a ยฃ30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply
Paddy Brennan

Paddy Brennan

Paddy Brennan is a retired National Hunt jockey and six-time Cheltenham Festival winner, best known for his 2010 Gold Cup victory aboard Imperial Commander. Since retiring in 2024, he has remained influential through punditry and racing analysis.

Top Bookmakers

BETFRED
Betfred Sign-Up Offer and Promo Code
Read Review
Kwiff Logo
Kwiff Review, Free Bets and Betting Offers 2025
Read Review
Spreadex Sports Welcome Offer โ€“ Bet ยฃ10 Get ยฃ60 in Free Bets
Read Review
bet365 logo
Bet365 Offers Bet ยฃ10 Get ยฃ30 in Free Bets for New Customers in 2025
Read Review
William Hill Sports Logo
William Hill Sign Up Offer - Get ยฃ30 as New Customer Offer
Read Review
Best CopyBet Sign Up Offer & Bonuses 2025
Read Review
Betway Sign Up Offer and Free Bets
Read Review
Fafabet logo
Fafabet Sign-Up Offer: Get Up to ยฃ50 Free Bets + ยฃ20 Casino Bonus
Read Review
jeffbet Logo Webp
Jeffbet Review, Sign Up Offer & Bonuses for July 2025
Read Review
Pick your bet type