The 2024 Cheltenham Festival is still over eight months away, but that has not stopped all the leading bookmakers from offering odds on the big races.
Punters who enjoy placing a bet on Cheltenham can undoubtedly secure plenty of early value if they are shrewd with their selections.
With that in mind, we have scoured the markets for each of the four main championship races to identify some enticing ante-post Cheltenham picks.
Champion Hurdle
The 2024 Champion Hurdle picture is rather cloudy, with plenty of uncertainty surrounding which route this yearâs winner will take next season.
Constitution Hill romped to an easy victory back in March and would be long odds on to repeat the feat if he stays over hurdles next term.
However, trainer Nicky Henderson hinted the horse could embark on a chasing career next season, the way would be clear for a new champion hurdler to be crowned.
Marine Nationale appeals as a likely candidate after winning the 2023 Supreme Novicesâ Hurdle and looks like an enticing proposition at odds of around 6/1 for the Champion Hurdle.
Champion Chase
If Constitution Hill is sent over larger obstacles next season, his most likely Festival target will be the two-mile Arkle Novicesâ Chase.
However, it is not beyond the realms of possibility for Henderson to target the Champion Chase with a view to progressing to the Gold Cup the following year.
Constitution Hill has nothing left to prove over hurdles, so switching to the chasing ranks makes perfect sense for a horse who is already a superstar.
If Henderson takes the easier option of sticking to novice chase company, the 2023 Arkle Chase winner El Fabiolo could be the one to beat in the Champion Chase.
Stayersâ Hurdle
Teahupoo was well-backed to win the Stayersâ Hurdle this year, but he was denied by stablemate Sire Du Berlais after a rough battle on the run-in.
The six-year-old went on to run another creditable race in defeat at the Punchestown Festival and still has plenty of improvement in his locker.
Trainer Gordon Elliott is adept at getting his staying horses to fulfill their potential and odds of 12/1 to win the Stayersâ Hurdle look far too big.
Willie Mullinsâ Gaelic Warrior is the ante-post favorite for the race after winning a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Punchestown, but he may find Teahupoo a tougher nut to crack.
Gold Cup
The bookmakers are taking no chances with Galopin Des Champs following his hugely impressive victory in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He is the bookiesâ overwhelming 2/1 favorite to defend his title but still looks good value given the manner of his performance in March.
The horse put Bravemansgame firmly in his place on the run-in, while the rest of the field finished a long way behind the front two.
Gerri Colombe has been touted as a potential rival to Galopin Des Champs, but his form looks short of the class required to win a Gold Cup.
