Just two weeks remain for ante-post betting ahead of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. The long months of build-up have nearly all passed.
Matty Sutcliffe has been buy throughout those and still has some ante-post tips to share. His latest could run in the National Hunt Chase on Tuesday 10 March.
Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase – Grand Geste 14/1 (NRNB) 1pt EW 4 places
After Lauren’s Bay was recently ruled out for the season through an infection in his hind leg, I’ve taken another look at what looks an open National Hunt Novices’ Chase and the Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith trained Grand Geste ticks the bill.
The son of Cloudings, the sire of the yards Ultima winner Vintage Clouds, was a maiden in both Bumpers and Hurdles contests, despite three placed efforts in the latter sphere. He created a good impression on chase debut when jumping fluently from the front, weakening late on to pave the way for 5/2F The Jukebox Kid to run him down, who’s now rated 20lbs higher after his Grade 2 Reynoldstown success two weeks ago.
He was a beaten favourite when just failing to hold on from Alcedo at Newcastle next time out, but he belatedly broke the deadlock when stepping up to three miles in first time cheekpieces in the 26k Class Two Tommy Whittle. It was an impressive performance particularly for a novice to jump the field into submission from the front, still travelling strongly two out to easily beat the former Warwick Classic chase winner My Silver Lining.
A line can be drawn through his performance at Doncaster when a pulled up 5/2F having not travelled from the offset at a time the yard were cold, and he proved that was the case when again taking an open handicap in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, beating several respectable seasoned handicappers. What impressed me the most was how he proved he doesn’t need to lead to be seen to best effect, having sat four off the lead throughout the majority of the race.
He once again jumped efficiently throughout, hitting the front two out and staying on strongly despite idling late on. I like the angle of him dropping back in to novice company after convincingly winning two competitive open handicaps, and you’ll struggle to see a more economical jumper for a novice chaser.
The one slight query would be whether his jumping and grinding nature will be as effective on the old course, but should he pass that test early on then I’d struggle to see him out of the top four with the extra distance a further benefit.
FAQs: Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips
When & where is the National Hunt Chase run?
The National Hunt 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 10.20am on Wednesday 25 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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