It’s almost time for the Cheltenham Festival – and Paddy’s Ultimate Preview Night is your one-stop shop for top tips and inside info.
The big man has brought together some of the sharpest minds in the game to talk you through all four days of awesome action at Prestbury Park next week.
Racing TV presenter Lydia Hislop, Upping The Ante co-host Johnny Dineen and trainer Tony Mullins will all be present and correct alongside our very own Ruby Walsh, the winningmost jockey in the history of the Fez.
The fab four will pick through every race on the Cheltenham schedule, with their best bets and insight from the Supreme to the Martin Pipe.
The show starts at 19:30 and you can catch it live in glorious high definition on the Paddy Power Racing YouTube channel.
Cheltenham Festival odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise, keep on scrolling for live coverage of our unmissable preview night.
Lights, Camera Action!
The gang are in place and ready to run the rule over every race on the Cheltenham Festival schedule.
What can you expect from Paddy’s Ultimate Cheltenham Preview Night? Well, Ruby and co will, no doubt, deliver their verdict on the hot topic of the day – Constitution Hill vs Brighterdaysahead – after Gordon Elliott confirmed his magnificent mare will take on Tuesday’s feature race.
It all kicks off at 19:30 so get a brew on and settle in for an evening of banter and best bets.
MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
Johnny Dineen: “Kopek Des Bordes looked a generational horse at Leopardstown. He is a candidate for doing a Michael Flatley in the parade ring.”
Ruby Walsh: “I think there could upwards of 16/17 runners. Kopek Des Bordes is definitely the best horse.”
Johnny Dineen: “I’d rate Majborough a stonking bet compared to some of the others.”
Lydia Hislop: “I’m a big fan of Majborough. He’s comfortably the best here and the market has it right.”
Tony Mullins: “An act of God it’ll take to beat Majborough.”
Johnny Dineen: “The Changing Man has a lovely profile.”
Tony Mullins: “I don’t think Lossiemouth is herself this year. She was wobbling up the straight in the Christmas Hurdle and there was no reason for her to fall the last day.”
Ruby Walsh: “I’ve no reason to believe Lossiemouth won’t go for the Champion Hurdle. Jade De Grugy hasn’t achieved as much as Lossiemouth. The question mark is whether Cheltenham comes too soon for Jade De Grugy.”
Johnny Dineen: “I think all the money will be for Constitution Hill.”
Lydia Hislop: “Constitution Hill is an exceptional racehorse, but he’d need to be exceptional to improve from seven to eight. I don’t see State Man getting involved.”
Tony Mullins: “It is a fascinating Champion Hurdle. What Brighterdaysahead did [at Leopardstown] was mind-blowing.”
Ruby Walsh: “I think King Of Kingsfield will take her to the fourth last.”
The Champion Hurdle verdict is…
Johnny Dineen – Brighterdaysahead
Lydia Hislop – Brighterdaysahead
Tony Mullins – Constitution Hill
Ruby Walsh – Brighterdaysahead
Johnny Dineen: “I like Total Look. He’s prepared for this. He’s well in.”
Tony Mullins: “I’m going for Stencil. I’ve been a fan from the start.”
Ruby Walsh: “Beyond Your Dreams has been eye-catching a couple of times this year.”
Lydia Hislop: “I really do like Now Is The Hour. He was good enough to win a Grade 2 hurdle last season. With the ground drying out, I got down to Gericault Roque. He has already proven he can reach the level of form his opposition haven’t got anywhere near. He’s very interesting at 20/1.”
TUESDAY NAPS
Johnny Dineen – The Changing Man (Ultima)
Lydia Hislop – Gericault Roque (National Hunt Chase)
Tony Mullins – Majborough (Arkle)
Ruby Walsh – Beyond Your Dreams (Fred Winter)
Johnny Dineen: “The New Lion is a really sexy horse with a turn of foot. The nicer the ground will play to his strengths.”
Lydia Hislop: “The New Lion looked very good in the Challow. I’ve been a big fan of Final Demand since he started hurdling. If we have drying conditions, Final Demand might be vulnerable.”
Johnny Dineen: “Ballyburn’s a few questions to answer and it’s a smartish race. It can be a sluggers’ race. There seems to be positivity about Better Days Ahead.”
Lydia Hislop: “I think Ballyburn will like it. It wasn’t a slog last year and class can prevail. The drying conditions counts against Dancing City. Better Days Ahead is the threat to Ballyburn.”
Ruby Walsh: “I think going up in trip will suit Ballyburn. I was pleased with him in Leopardstown.”
Lydia Hislop: “It’s the only race Be Aware has been entered, which I found interesting. Comfort Zone might enjoy the test.”
Tony Mullins: “Kopeck De Mee could be chucked in.”
Ruby Walsh: “A big negative for Supersundae is a novice has never won the Coral Cup.”
Ruby Walsh: “I think Stumpton will do well to give 10lbs to Vanillier. He’s starting to adapt to Cross Country racing.”
The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now
