Paddy Brennan's Road to Cheltenham Week 2: Kopek Des Bordes, Wendigo & Panic Attack Among Festival Fancies
Gold Cup-winning jockey Paddy Brennan is back this week to provide another detailed Cheltenham Festival preview, identifying key contenders across the week's biggest races, while paying tribute to Constitution Hill ahead of his parade ring farewell to jumps racing.
Find out what Paddy had to say just weeks away from that iconic Cheltenham roar, with Free Bets, the home of the the best Cheltenham Betting Offers.
Constitution Hill: The End of an Era
Speaking ahead of the Festival, Brennan was fulsome in his praise for Constitution Hill, who was confirmed as a non-runner from the Cheltenham Festival following his much-publicised jumping issues.
"He blew away the Supreme back in 2022, including future stars, such as 12-time Grade One winner, Jonbon, it was just a freak performance," said Brennan. "The horse he reminds me of was Master Minded, of Paul Nichols, who was destroying everything. Constitution Hill, you'd have to say, is the best Supreme winner of all time."
On the news that the horse will appear in the parade ring at Cheltenham as a farewell gesture, Brennan welcomed the move: "What you need coming up to Cheltenham is massive talking points, and Constitution Hill was getting everyone talking. It's lovely that he's in one piece and people get the opportunity to say farewell to one of jumps racing's greats."
Arkle: Kopek the Pick Over Lulamba
Brennan identified the Arkle as one of the standout matchups of the week, ultimately coming down on the side of Kopek Des Bordes over fellow market leader Lulamba, despite acknowledging the former's lack of experience over fences.
"If Kopek jumps around, I think he's going to be very hard to beat," he said. "The way he jumped when he ran over fences, he was almost better than he was over hurdles."
However, Brennan was candid about the risks: "His second run over fences being at Cheltenham is massive. Experience is what could catch him out and is his biggest danger rather than his ability."
On Lulamba, Brennan was respectful but pointed to errors at Newbury as a concern: "He cannot do what he did at Newbury and get away with it; hitting flat spots, making mistakes, jumping up in the air. I don't think you get away with that in an Arkle."
Paddy's Pick: Kopek Des Bordes - 2/1 with Betfred
Brown Advisory: Wendigo a Cheltenham Banker?
Brennan was emphatic in his support for Wendigo in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, going as far as calling him "one of the best bets of the meeting."
"Cheltenham is absolutely mad for Wendigo," he said. "He's the horse that I think could turn up at Cheltenham and give a lot of them a lot to do, and you're guaranteed a run for your money."
Brennan was also bullish on the horse's long-term potential: "He's the one out of this race that could turn into a Gold Cup horse. I don't see that in a lot of the others."
On market leader Final Demand, Brennan expressed significant doubt following two below-par performances: "It's just like a shell of the horse that we know. He's going to need to bounce back."
Paddy's Pick: Wendigo - 7/1 with bet365
Champion Chase: Marine Nationale Over Majborough
Despite Majborough's eye-catching RPR of 179 at the Dublin Racing Festival, Brennan urged caution, pointing to the ground conditions on the day as a major mitigating factor. "Leopardstown was as soft as I've ever seen it for a number of years, everything was in Majborough's favour. Cheltenham is a totally different park, a different place, different atmosphere."
Instead, Brennan came out firmly in favour of Marine Nationale: "You can't beat course and distance. If I was to ride a horse in this, I'd love to ride Marine Nationale. He loves Cheltenham, that's when you see him at his very best."
He also highlighted L'Eau du Sud as an each-way value at 8/1: "Harry Skelton tactically around Cheltenham is probably as good as anyone. He certainly won't be giving Majborough an easy time, who will be keen to put his rivals to the sword early in the race. You're guaranteed a run for your money."
Paddy's Picks: Marine Nationale - 9/4 with William Hill & L'Eau du Sud (Each-Way) - 7/1 with bet365 (3 places)
Stayers' Hurdle: Ma Shantou the Selection, Kabral Du Mathan the Danger
Brennan was intrigued by the Stayers' Hurdle, singling out Kabral Du Mathan, whom he rode for a gallop at Dan Skelton's yard a few weeks ago, as the most fascinating runner in the field. "He is a beautiful young horse with the world at his feet. If he won, would I be surprised? Absolutely not. He's got absolutely everything." The caveat, however, remains the trip: "You're going on a little bit of guesswork, will he stay?"
Ultimately, Brennan settled on Ma Shantou as his pick for the Stayers: "He loves Cheltenham. He ticks a lot of boxes, we know he stays, Harry Cobden will get the ride. Wherever Impose Toi finishes, Ma Shantou will be in front of it."
On Bob Olinger, Brennan felt the race had strengthened considerably from last year: "I think it's a better race this year. There are horses in there that weren't there last year that are going to give Gordon Elliott's horses and last year's winner, Bob Olinger, a lot more to do."
Paddy's Pick: Ma Shantou - 7/1 with bet365
Mares' Novices' Hurdle: Bambino Fever The Standout
Brennan had little hesitation in backing Bambino Fever as a near-banker in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle, dismissing her earlier defeat in the season as a reflection of Willie Mullins' horses not being in full form at that stage of the season. "A lot of the talk from Ireland has been really strong on her. I think she's solid."
For each-way value, Brennan flagged Jackie Hobbs at 33/1. "You're guaranteed to get a run for your money. She's a lovely filly and she's improving."
Paddy's Pick: Bambino Fever - 6/4 with bet365
Mares' Hurdle: Lossiemouth a Certainty If She Lines Up
Brennan was unequivocal on Lossiemouth should she take her place in the Mares' Hurdle rather than the Champion Hurdle: "If she runs in the Mares', she's a certainty."
He added that despite the market drift, he expects Willie Mullins to keep her in the Mares': "If I know Willie Mullins, she can be drifting away all she wants — I'd still say that's the race she's going to run in."
Paddy's Pick: Lossiemouth - 4/5 with BetVictor
Ryanair Chase: Is Fact To File Going to Run?
With considerable uncertainty around whether Gaelic Warrior or Fact To File will line up in the Ryanair or the Gold Cup, Brennan leaned towards the latter making his Festival appearance in the Ryanair. "I think after Narciso Has came out of the Triumph, JP will be looking for a banker, and I think that is Fact To File in the Ryanair is the only absolute Cheltenham banker remaining."
Should the big two be split across the two races, Brennan highlighted last year's runner-up, Heartwood as strong each-way value at 7/1.
Paddy's Pick: Fact To File (NRNB) - Evens with Star Sports
Triumph Hurdle: One Horse Town the Big Price Each-Way Shout
With Narciso Has withdrawn from the Triumph Hurdle, Brennan pointed to One Horse Town as his big-price each-way selection for the week, despite the horse's recent defeat at Kempton. "He loves Cheltenham. You could pretty much be guaranteed he'll be in the first four." Brennan named Maestro Conti as the most likely winner but was clear that One Horse Town represented the standout value in the race.
Paddy's Picks: Maestro Conti - 13/2 with bet365 & One Horse Town (Each-Way) - 66/1 with bet365 (3 places
Mares' Chase: Panic Attack to Dethrone Dinoblue
Brennan was bullish on Panic Attack in the Mares' Chase, backing the mare, who won both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup this season, to go one better than reigning champion, Dinoblue. "No mare has improved as much as she has this season. She's in the form of her life. Whatever beats her, we know they've had a race."
Paddy's Pick: Panic Attack - 5/1 with Betfred
Paddy Brennan's Cheltenham 2026 Summary
| Race | Selection | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Old Park Star | Banker of the meeting |
| Turners Novices' Chase | Doctor Steinberg | Could change race entirely if he runs |
| Albert Bartlett | Money Garrow (Each-Way) | 25/1 currently, serious Dan Skelton value |
| Champion Hurdle | Golden Ace | Wide-open race, she makes her own luck |
| Cheltenham Gold Cup | Haiti Couleurs | "The ride I'd want in the race" |
| Arkle | Kopek Des Bordes | Lack of chasing experience, only weakness |
| Brown Advisory | Wendigo | One of my bankers |
| Champion Chase | Marine Nationale | Loves Cheltenham, will prove his quality again |
| Mares Novice Hurdle | Bambino Fever | Potential banker |
| Mares Hurdle | Lossiemouth | It's her race, she'll win again |
| Stayers Hurdle | Ma Shantou | Ticks all the boxes, Cobden on board an added bonus |
| Ryanair Chase | Fact To File | If he goes, he wins. Simple. |
| Triumph Hurdle | Maestro Conti | Maestro Conti to win, One Horse Town (EW) the play for value |
| Mares Chase | Panic Attack | Most improved Mare this season |
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