Entries have now been made for the majority of races at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. Betting markets are therefore heating up as the meeting approaches.
The time for ante-post betting is almost over, but with a view to the handicaps, Matty Sutcliffe has picked out four top tips for the big meeting to make up an each-way Lucky 15.
Fred Winter – Manlaga 8/1
JP McManus has won four of the last seven renewals of the Fred Winter and looks to hold another strong hand with his entered trio of Saratoga, Manlaga and Mustang Du Breuil. The latter was impressive on yard debut and though suspect his participation will largely hinge on the outcome of his performance at Kempton on Saturday, and given Saratoga is a half brother to connections 2022 winner Brazil, so he holds obvious claims.
However, the one I’m most interested in is the filly Manlaga, who was only raised 3lbs for her comfortable success in the Victor Ludlum Hurdle last weekend. The daughter of Maxios is bred to have a future under rules being a half sister to Martator and she got off to a winning start at Auteuil last March before switching to JP McManus and Nicky Henderson this season.
She was pitched in deep in Listed company at Doncaster last month and lost little in defeat when beaten 3/4L giving 5lbs to the 11/10 favourite who was recording a four timer over hurdles, shaping as if needing that run from a 315-day layoff.
Manlaga was then sent to the Victor Ludorum and ridden with restraint in rear under Brian Hughes. She jumped fluently and while it looked as if the well buckled 13/8 favourite who led throughout was going to run away with it, Manlaga drew up alongside at the last under a confident ride, winning with any amount in hand to beat some solid juveniles.
Fillies don’t have a great record in the race, but it’s interesting that the last filly to win the contest was trained by Nicky Henderson, who was a convincing winner herself of the Victor Ludorum and despite a 3lbs rise, a mark of 130 looks more than workable for Manlaga to repeat that success for the yard in 2012.
Grand Annual – Davids Well 10/1
I’ve already played David’s Well at 20/1 in the ante-post series but for the purpose of picking my strongest fancy for one of the handicaps in each of the four days for this lucky 15 I’m more than happy to add him in here at 10/1, especially since his form has been recently franked in a healthy manner.
The Getaway gelding took his record to four from four over fences when making all on the new course here in December, jumping foot perfectly and gallantly fending off JPR One up the straight. The second has since won cosily from the front himself off top-weight in the Scottish Champion Chase now rated 7lbs higher on 160, and I don’t mind him as an each-way shout in the Ryanair.
The third has also won since, but what excites me the most about this horse is that his aggressive manner of jumping should suit him much better in the Grand Annual on the Old Course, which generally appears to suit those to the fore throughout. He looks to have more scope off a mark of 135 with the recent form boosts and he can sneak in off a low weight, with the fresh angle of no concern (2/2 fresh over fences).
Pertemps Final – Bold Endeavour 25/1
The Pertemps is a race I’ve yet to decipher for the ante-post column but having gone through the entries, Bold Endeavour sticks out like a sore thumb for last year’s winning yard. Seven Barrows had the forecast last season with Doddiethegreat winning at 25/1 and given the yard only have two entered this season, with Impose Toi looking likely to head to the Stayers, Bold Endeavour looks to be the sole hope this term.
Both Doddiethegreat and Jeriko Du Reponet were returning from a spell in the doldrums when qualifying for the contest, and Bold Endeavour had form figures of 007PP prior to returning from a 369 day break at Huntingdon last month in a Pertemps Qualifier, beaten four lengths into third. He travelled well throughout before taking a blow coming down to the last, paving the way for the eventual winner Ace Of Spades. It was pleasing to see him keep on there as opposed to weakening out of things which would suggest he’s coming back to form, and he has a 5lbs swing in the weights with the winner for this contest who’s the 12/1 third favourite.
Bold Endeavour was beaten three lengths into fourth in this contest in 2024 which was his last strong showing prior to his form tailing off and he’s now 13lbs below that mark. He looks to have been plotted with this race in mind, he should sneak in to the rear end of the weights and should he come on physically for that first run back off a layoff, he can land back to back Pertemps Final’s for the yard.
County Hurdle – Murcia 6/1
Willie Mullins has won five of the last ten renewals of the County Hurdle including with the well backed Kargese last season in the colours of Kenny Alexander, and the same connections look to have a carbon copy chance with another filly in Murcia.
Like Kargese, Murcia fared well in Juvenile contests last season albeit contesting the Boodles where she was an eight length eighth off top-weight, finishing only two lengths behind the second with the impressive winner Puturhandstogether routing the field.
She then went to Aintree for the 4yo Grade One Anniversary Hurdle where she convincingly reversed the form with the Boodles winner to easily fend off the well regarded Live Conti by six lengths, with Kargese only managing second in that contest the season before albeit to Sir Gino. While Kargese then won the Punchestown equivalent, Murcia could only manage fourth finishing seven lengths behind Lulamba, who reversed that form with Triumph winner Poniros who was four lengths back in second.
I suspect then County Hurdle will already have been in the back of connections mind for Murcia on the back of that, who was easy to back when only third on seasonal debut in Grade Three company at Fairyhouse. She made the running there at a slow enough gallop, and Brian Hayes didn’t seem all that unbothered when Talk The Talk came by him two out. She was beaten eleven lengths, but the market suggested she needed that effort and she was giving six lengths to the field, with the winner now rated 149 and to the fore of the Supreme betting.
She then went to Leopardstown for a heavy ground handicap and caught the eye strongly under Paul Townend with a fast finishing fourth. She was ridden toward the rear of midfield throughout there and turned into the straight the widest of all, with the first, second, third and fifth all turning into the straight up the inner.
Those efforts should put her spot on for March now, and a strongly run County Hurdle should play to her strengths to give the yard yet another winner in the race.
FAQs: Cheltenham Festival ante-post Lucky 15
When was this Cheltenham ante-post Lucky 15 tip published?
This Cheltenham ante-post tip was published at 3.55pm on Wednesday 18 February 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.
What is a Lucky 15?
A Lucky 15 is a combination bet on four different selections. It combines all four singles, six doubles, four trebles and the one accumulator and is a great bet for low stakes players.
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