Cheltenham Festival Preview 2026: Handicap Tips

Cheltenham Festival Handicaps are where the value can be unearthed and on our recent 2026 Cheltenham Preview Show, the team gave their best value bets in a host of fiercely competitive contests.

Emma Nagle - William Hill County Handicap Hurdle

With William Hill sponsoring, I think there is a really interesting favourite in that race. Murcia was eye-catching last time at Leopardstown. It did not work out for me after tipping her up and backing her, but I thought she was going to end up staying on strongly and win after being so wide. She is still an interesting runner.

The market at the top of the betting looks strong, but she is one I would not dismiss. Even though it did not come off last time, there was enough in the performance to suggest she could be competitive if things fall right.

Sam Norris - Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

The Grand Annual looks the right race for Ryan’s Rocket, who is a 14/1 shot at the moment. He was going very nicely before he tipped up at Kempton over Christmas. He is a three-mile point-to-point winner, but under rules, all of his best form has come over two miles. His lesser efforts have been over two and a half miles, so the Grand Annual looks the ideal target for him.

He is 14/1 at the moment,t and I think he would be an interesting horse in that race. It seems to suit his profile much better than longer trips. The sharp, two-mile handicap style of the Grand Annual should play to his strengths if he turns up in good form.

Paddy Flood - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

I am going to go with Roc Dino in the Martin Pipe if he goes there. We have been talking about the two horses that have beaten him, Mighty Park and El Cairos.

He did not look like he was put under too much pressure behind Mighty Park, and he got close to El Cairos.

So his price for the Supreme stands out to me. It has been standing out for a while, to be honest. I think he is around the 10/1 mark.

Johnny Ward - Kizlyar McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

I know there is a horse of Joseph O’Brien’s who Mark Noonan, a very good judge, was mentioning to me as his fancy in the race.

Kizlyar looks very interesting. The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle will be fascinating overall, and Saratoga is around 5/1. Hills are obviously keeping him on side at the moment.

I thought he was going to win jumping the last, and then he was beaten half a length. This horse has exactly the profile for the race. I am really looking forward to the Fred Winter.

Get 40 in Free Bets with William Hill

Watch our full 2026 Cheltenham Festival Preview