Another week of racing is in the book to inform us of the chances of those set to contest the 2026 Cheltenham Festival across its 28 races.
It is another week in which Matty Sutcliffe has been keeping his eye on the big races across the country to come up with another bet for his Cheltenham ante-post portfolio.
His selection this week comes in the National Hunt Chase on Tuesday 10 March and is reportedly already being targeted at the contest.
National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase – Laurens Bay 25/1 1pt EW 4 places
I had initially had Grand Geste on my radar for this, but I’m keen to see how he gets on in the Tommy Whittle before making a definitive decision and after the weekend’s action, another one stuck out like a sore thumb instead for this race.
Laurens Bay went into the notebook as a potentially smart staying chaser when landing the EBF Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown last March when coming home from the clouds to just get up from Off The Jury, with the progressive two-time subsequent winner and strong Jack Richards contender Meetmebythesea in third.
The son of Youmzain comfortably won a Beginners Chase in a match contest on seasonal debut, but his latest two efforts have strongly caught the eye. He was ridden in rear in the G2 Esher Novices’ Chase, staying on at the one pace late on to finish four lengths behind Doyen Quest, and a further 12 lengths behind Salver.
He once again bumped into that pair who provided the forecast in the G2 Hampton Novices’ Chase at Windsor on the weekend. He was ridden more prominently this time around, making a forward move to join both Salver and Doyen Quest but he was swiftly shuffled back in rear prior to four out. For a horse whose stamina and galloping is his forte, it didn’t look obvious that a track like Windsor would suit but I thought he performed with serious credit, finishing closer to Salver and Doyen Quest this time around in a race that he didn’t appear all that comfortable in.
The yard have said this is the plan now he’s qualified, and I’m surprised he’s much bigger in the betting than Wade Out is who he’ll receive weight from and finished ahead of at Windsor. That track admittedly was never going to suit that one either, but the galloping nature of Cheltenham along with this stiffer test of stamina can bring our further improvement in Laurens Bay, who is yet to show his best form in this sphere.
FAQs: Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips
When & where is the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase run?
The National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase will take place on Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 5.20pm at the Cheltenham Festival.
When was this Cheltenham ante-post tip published?
This Cheltenham ante-post tip was published at 9.40am on Tuesday 20 January 2026.
Who is Matty Sutcliffe?
Matty Sutcliffe is one of GG’s newest contributors and is now a regular guest on our flagship Weekend Watch podcast. His angle is value bets, making him a perfect fit for our Cheltenham Festival ante-post series.
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