Cheltenham 2026 Prices

[jrjr]

What does anyone think the future holds for Ballyburn? Saw some talk of reverting to hurdles but not sure about that myself. If he did his only realistic festival target would be the stayers and Willie doesn’t really target that race from a long way out, his runners tend to default there during the season.

He jumped well at the DRF and saw out that trip strongly. Was very well supported for the BANC, I got the impression Willie felt they should have let him jump off and ridden him more positively. Never found his rhythm and his race was more or less over after clattering the 5th or so. I think they’ll persevere over fences and staying trips. This would narrow his festival target down to the Ryanair or Gold Cup.

If you can forgive the BANC (and put it down to the tactics) then 40/1 for the Gold Cup seems a generous price for a horse that was 1/2 on for the BANC.

[FinalFurlong91]

What does anyone think the future holds for Ballyburn? Saw some talk of reverting to hurdles but not sure about that myself. If he did his only realistic festival target would be the stayers and Willie doesn’t really target that race from a long way out, his runners tend to default there during the season.

He jumped well at the DRF and saw out that trip strongly. Was very well supported for the BANC, I got the impression Willie felt they should have let him jump off and ridden him more positively. Never found his rhythm and his race was more or less over after clattering the 5th or so. I think they’ll persevere over fences and staying trips. This would narrow his festival target down to the Ryanair or Gold Cup.

If you can forgive the BANC (and put it down to the tactics) then 40/1 for the Gold Cup seems a generous price for a horse that was 1/2 on for the BANC.

He only jumped OK at the DRF he was losing ground at most of the fences

He's just slow from A to B and seems to have little enthusiasm for fences

If they keep him over fences he could end up like ahoy senor. A horse that doesn't jump well enough to fulfill his enormous potential that could've mopped up the staying hurdles had he gone back to the smaller obstacles.

I suspect punchestown will be key. If he loses again hurdles becomes a realistic possibility next season if he wins they will persist.

Though Willie can be quite stubborn and will probably keep him over fences.

I'm not sure he's actually a quick enough jumper to be ridden forward against good horses.

[Stormez]

I don’t think Ballyburn improved at all from last season to this, and so don’t think he’ll come back a better horse next season either. I couldn’t touch him for any open Grade 1 at the Festival.

[Istabraq]

Maybe we should consign every non staying novice hurdler from 23/24 to the bin, they’re all dross…

[Craigy14]

Before having a little break until Aintree just wanted to make a couple of points as had seen Fact To File mentioned for the Champion Chase.

His price varies from 16/1-10/1 which isn’t proper bad compared to others I’ve seen but I suppose the only reason anyone should be touching that imo is if he is a guaranteed runner at Punchestown. Given he’s just romped home in the Ryanair it’s probably not certain he goes 2m at Punchestown but we’ll see, there’s not many other options for him.

The second point is he is very very much like Allaho for me. Tried over further, keen, strong stayer at the mid-trip but has a little boot. As a bumper second I’m not sure dropping to 2m would be his bag against proper 2milers. Also WPM tried Allaho over 2m and Chacun put him away with ease that day, will they make the same mistake? JP’s team may fancy a crack now Maj disappointed in the Arkle but I’m not sure Maj is wanting much further yet in his career as a 5 going 6 year old, plenty time for that imo.

[Prestbury]

Before having a little break until Aintree just wanted to make a couple of points as had seen Fact To File mentioned for the Champion Chase.

His price varies from 16/1-10/1 which isn’t proper bad compared to others I’ve seen but I suppose the only reason anyone should be touching that imo is if he is a guaranteed runner at Punchestown. Given he’s just romped home in the Ryanair it’s probably not certain he goes 2m at Punchestown but we’ll see, there’s not many other options for him.

The second point is he is very very much like Allaho for me. Tried over further, keen, strong stayer at the mid-trip but has a little boot. As a bumper second I’m not sure dropping to 2m would be his bag against proper 2milers. Also WPM tried Allaho over 2m and Chacun put him away with ease that day, will they make the same mistake? JP’s team may fancy a crack now Maj disappointed in the Arkle but I’m not sure Maj is wanting much further yet in his career as a 5 going 6 year old, plenty time for that imo.

Any other owner and I think F2F simply goes for an obvious repeat win in the Ryanair. However JP was uncharacteristically open about the fact that there were 5 races he had never won at the Festival before this years renewal and was hoping to tick at least two off this year (Arkle and QMCC the obvious two). As it was he won the Plate with Jagwar so I think he has 4 outstanding. The fact that he mentioned the races he hasn't won implies that it is something that he wants to achieve and so I think the 4 races he hasnt won need close consideration for potential JP runners and Fact to File definitely has the potential to come here particularly if Sir Gino doesnt come back and Jonbon and Majborough for whatever reason arent looking likely winners.

*I'm sorry but I cant remember what the other two races (other than Arkle and QMCC) that JP hasnt won actually are - does anyone know?

[Hurricane fly]

I don't see the problem in Ballyburn being a potential Ryanair horse. All his best form is over the middle distance.

[FinalFurlong91]

Maybe we should consign every non staying novice hurdler from 23/24 to the bin, they’re all dross…

Same with the stayers really

Was the worst BANC for years

[AaronLad]

*I'm sorry but I cant remember what the other two races (other than Arkle and QMCC) that JP hasnt won actually are - does anyone know?

Mares hurdle and mares novice hurdle

[Eggs]

…..Maughreen 33-1 Mares Chase, love to know plans for her, clearly well thought of and left at the start in MNH.

[CJW]

Apparently JP is interviewed after the ryanair, can somebody please link me the video?

[CJW]

Fact To File is one of those horses I want to get on board with all possible races.

My head says Ryanair, My heart says would'nt a champion chase be an exciting target and backed him for the gold cup this time last year and that's still on the radar it seems.

Ryanair will need to be in a roll up as odds are the shortest.

Champion Chase I've taken already but imo least likely race he turns up in.

What I've thought about the Gold Cup is if Galopin and Inothewayurthinkin line up, Fact To File won't be running. However if something was to happen/not go to plan with them I think Fact To File goes here.

That being said I don't see him winning but he of course could. So that being the case he's annoyingly one I want to cover in all potential races.

[CJW]

Apparently JP is interviewed after the ryanair, can somebody please link me the video?

Found it, mentioned chat about maybe should of ran him in the 2m race previously at leopardstown.

[somer1]

Just went into Slybet to check their win any race prices and see they have none up. This is the 1st year that they have not had prices up after the Fest has finished. Can remember doing Trixies and Yankees with an any race in on the Saturday after the fest finished.

[CJW]

Just went into Slybet to check their win any race prices and see they have none up. This is the 1st year that they have not had prices up after the Fest has finished. Can remember doing Trixies and Yankees with an any race in on the Saturday after the fest finished.

Yes and no RABS anywhere either..