Cheltenham Festival 2024 tips - Our verdict on the big favourites this week
It's Cheltenham Festival eve and all the build-up to the 'Greatest show on turf' is almost complete.
Trainers and jockeys have been gearing up to the four days all year, with the Gold Cup and its £625,000 prize the ultimate goal.
The track's owners The Jockey Club are celebrating 100 years of the race, as Galopin Des Champs returns to defend his crown.
Across 28 races, 14 are Grade Ones - the highest tier - and record-breaking trainer Willie Mullins saddles many of the favourites.
We take a look at five 'bankers' with the bookies and rate their chances.
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State Man, Tuesday, Champion Hurdle, 3.30pm
The withdrawal of Constitution Hill has opened the door for Willie Mullins' trainee State Man.
No match for the exceptional two-miler by nine lengths 12 months ago, the new favourite sets a high standard. Unbeaten in his last four outings, including in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, State Man has scored eight times at the top level.
With 10lb in hand on official ratings, the hurdler can underperform and still be good enough.
Verdict: Banker
Lossiemouth, Tuesday, Mares' Hurdle, 4.10pm
Will Lossiemouth stay the trip in the Mares' Hurdle? (Getty Images)Yard vibes about the Rich Ricci-owned grey appear particularly strong.
Wille Mullins unleashed her in January at Prestbury Park, when she travelled powerfully on the way to a nine-and-a-half success. The five-year-old took the 2021 Triumph Hurdle at this meeting on soft ground and conditions are likely to be similar this time.
However this will be her first appearance over 2m 4f and her most recent race was steadily run. She is also not the biggest and has limited scope for improvement, so there are some doubts.
Verdict: Blowout
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Ballyburn, Wednesday, Gallagher Novices' Hurdle, 1.30pm
Mullins finally committed to the longer novice race with the winner of four of his five starts under Rules.
He produced a devastating performance to gallop seven lengths clear at the Dublin Racing Festival - and the second Slade Steel is running in the Supreme to avoid him.
That alone shows how highly he is rated and Flemensfirth's son has not looked at all tired when crossing the line.
Hard to fault and should get favourite backers off to a flyer on day two.
Verdict: Banker
El Fabiolo, Wednesday, Champion Chase, 3.30pm
It's another head-to-head between El Fabiolo and Jonbon in the two-mile feature over fences.
They finished one-two in last season's Arkle, but the placings were in the other order over hurdles at Aintree in 2022. El Fabiolo will have plenty of backers based on his authoritative eight-and-a-half length success in the Dublin Chase.
Those who are against him will have noted he didn't always jump with fluency and went to his right.
Edwardstone is likely to go a fair pace, which could put his jumping under pressure, while a back-to-form Jonbon, reunited with Nico de Boinville, is a danger to all.
Verdict: Blowout
Sir Gino, Friday, Triumph Hurdle, 1.30pm
Nicky Henderson isn't running Constitution Hill (pictured), but has a leading chance with Sir Gino (AFP via Getty Images)Nicky Henderson's brightest young talent, unbeaten in two starts for in juvenile events.
Horses from Seven Barrows have scooped this on a record seven occasions and Sir Gino could be best of the bunch. Purchased from France by the stable's former jockey, bloodstock agent Jerry Mcgrath, he started off in the same race as the owner's Champion Hurdle favourite State Man.
Sir Gino learned plenty from his 14-length Kempton introduction to jump ahead of Burdett Road atop this race's market at Cheltenham.
Only sent on before the final flight, James Bowen's mount quickened clear and is the best British chance of the week.
Verdict: Banker
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