Weekend Winners - Days Three & Four of Cheltenham

Following on from last week, below is a race-by-race breakdown of the major players and whether they fall into the Banker or Blowout category on Days Three and Four.

The Cheltenham Festival is almost upon us once again, and with the roar ready to echo around Prestbury Park, it’s time to take a proper look at some of the leading contenders for the biggest races of the week. Every year throws up its fair share of certainties, hype horses, false favourites and overpriced dangers, and 2026 looks no different. With form lines now well established, trials run, markets beginning to settle, and the final pieces of the puzzle falling into place, we can start to separate the genuine bankers from those who might just come up short when it matters most.
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Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Bambino Fever @ 4/5 – BANKER

Bambino Fever has rapidly become one of the most widely touted bankers of the entire week, and it is not difficult to see why. Already a winner at The Festival, she prevailed in last season's Champion Bumper, and bids to make it two from two at Cheltenham. The likely absence of Oldschool Outlaw removes one of the few runners who might have posed a serious threat. Mullins has an outstanding record in this race, and Bambino Fever looks exactly the type he excels with.

Stayers’ Hurdle – Teahupoo @ 9/4 – BLOWOUT

Teahupoo is a major player in the staying hurdle division, but there are reasons to take him on at around 9/4. The main concern is the ground. Current forecasts suggest conditions could be on the quicker side and that would not be ideal. We saw something similar last year when the reappearing Bob Olinger beat him on similarly better ground. If conditions ride the same way again, it could expose this vulnerability. There are also improvers in the field, most notably Ma Shantou, who continues to progress and was a Course & Distance winner last time in the Cleeve Hurdle.

Ryanair Chase – Fact To File @ 4/6 – BANKER

Fact To File is the standout horse in the Ryanair and now appears likely to run here rather than the Gold Cup. If that decision holds, he will arrive with a very strong chance of repeating last year’s victory. His success in the race twelve months ago was authoritative, and he has enhanced his reputation since, most recently with a phenomenal run in the Irish Gold Cup. Dropping back to this trip should suit his cruising speed perfectly. There also appears to be a lack of genuine top-class opposition this year, with most of the horses at the top of the market being the same ones he convincingly dispatched last year. If he produces anything close to his best form, he won't be beaten.

Mares’ Chase – Dinoblue @ 6/4 – BANKER

Dinoblue sets the clear standard in the Mares’ Chase and looks well placed to defend the title she won last year. She has become extremely consistent, and her rating leaves her well clear of her rivals. Spindleberry has been running well and looks the most obvious danger, but she must concede weight and does not yet have the same depth of form. Given her proven Festival form and clear ratings advantage, 6/4 looks a generous price.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Doctor Steinberg @ 3/1 – BLOWOUT

Doctor Steinberg heads the market, but the Albert Bartlett has a long history of producing surprises. It is a race where horses often improve dramatically for the step up to three miles, which makes short-priced favourites vulnerable. One interesting alternative could be Apache Tribe. Representing a smaller yard, he may be overlooked in the market but his profile suggests the step up in trip could bring further improvement. If trained by one of the bigger operations, he would likely be much shorter in the betting.