With the Dublin Racing Festival done with for another season, many eyes will have already turned to Cheltenham for the biggest meeting of them all in March.
The markets have now taken a step closer to their pre-race reality and Matty Sutcliffe believes a DRF runner-up can turn the tables at Prestbury Park in the Triumph Hurdle.
Triumph Hurdle – Selma De Vary 7/1 1pt WIN
I’m very happy with our position on Minella Study for the Triumph, who I’d still rate as the best of the British contenders. However, the inevitable Willie Mullins has won five of the last six renewals of the Triumph and while Narciso Has looks the obvious candidate, I thought his stablemate Selma De Vary put in a remarkable effort to finish second to that one in the Spring Juvenile on her yard debut, and could well reverse the form next month.
The Zarak filly gave us an excellent spin for our 14/1 selection on Monday, having been steadily backed into 17/2. She was dropped out right in rear by Paul Townend with what could only be described as an educational ride. Despite taking something of a keen grip, she travelled and jumped fluently throughout for the most part, and what I was most taken by was her jump two out where she went from last to third in an instant, taking four rivals out of the equation.
Townend was keen to hold Selma De Vary for as long as possible as she was travelling much stronger than the front pair, and I think had she not missed the last she might well have got a good bit closer. There was an element that she would have needed that run against race fit rivals and potentially blew up late on, though the winner had an easy lead throughout, while she beat Mange Tout, who had sat second throughout.
To split rivals rated 144 and 136 on her yard debut while given an easy time of things was a huge testament to her potential ability, and it’s worth noting that both Majborough and Lossiemouth were beaten in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle prior to winning the Triumph, and Selma De Vary had previously contested the same Auteuil contest as Lossiemouth.
Given she’s already had three runs, it’s interesting they hadn’t kept her for the Fred Winter and instead chose to pitch her in deep on yard debut, which likely suggests they believe she’s smart enough to contest the Triumph in March and with that experience behind her, I’d say there’s a strong possibility she can reverse the form with the current Triumph favourite next month.
FAQs: Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips
When & where is the Triumph Hurdle run?
The Triumph Hurdle will take place on Friday 13 March 2026 at 1.20pm at the Cheltenham Festival.
When was this Cheltenham ante-post tip published?
This Cheltenham ante-post tip was published at 12.55pm on Tuesday 3 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.
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