Already, all eyes are on what is probably the best week in the horse racing jump calendar as we gradually edge closer to the Cheltenham Festival. Is it just me, or is this season, ah racing by?!

Without a doubt we have seen some riveting racing, including some significant surprises in the lead up to the festival and there is definitely an element of intrigue as to what might happen in March.

There are so many fantastic horses that are likely to be running, which on paper could well be ‘bankers’ and, for me, it doesn’t look too good for the bookies, who, no doubt will be hoping for some big upsets!

However, anything can happen over the next month or so, and with that in mind, I’ve picked out a few selections which I think could be worth keeping an eye on who could well deliver in March.

Who Makes The Grade For Me?

In terms of what you might call a ‘dead cert’ – and, bearing in mind that the festival usually offers attractive odds, is the Nicky Henderson-trained Sir Gino and with Nico de Boinville saddling in the Arkle, it definitely is in a safe pair of hands. However, coming back to the “attractive odds”, I really cannot see this being any more than evens – indeed, the five-year-old is being offered at 4/5 by most bookies and personally, it’s probably the best you’re going to do.

Where you might find some good value though, is in the Mares’ Hurdle. Currently, the favourite is 6/4 Brighterdaysahead, likely due to his shock win in the Morgiana Hurdle in November when he beat 4/9 odds-on favourite, Willie Mullins-trained State Man. However, I think I’ll probably go for last season’s winner Lossiemouth at 5/2 to retain his title (again trained by Mullins, ridden by the prolific Paul Townend). It could be worth including this in a double or treble.

Constitution Hill arriving at Kempton for the Christmas Hurdle pic.twitter.com/mXb3P0iI1o

— Racing Post (@RacingPost) December 26, 2024

Odds are already out for the Champion Hurdle and this is an unbelievable field. Again, you have (in no particular order) Lossiemouth (4/1), Sir Gino (20/1), State Man (11/1) and Brighterdaysahead (4/1) all with fantastic odds – each of which are capable of winning. However, the clear 4/6 odds-on favourite after its impressive win in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day, is Nicky Henderson-trained Consitution Hill. He won it in 2023, only to miss it last time out, with State Man taking the crown. I really cannot call this, though if de Boinville is picked to ride Sir Gino over Constitution Hill, these odds look like stunning value – I’ll probably take him each way regardless.

It was a struggle to decide which race to look at next – I don’t really think there are any standouts in terms of value, because in most other races there are any one of a handful that could deliver. The Ryanair Chase is always entertaining and it will be interesting to see whether last year’s winner and Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat can upset the odds again – currently an outsider at 25/1, its starting price of 11/1 last season reflects that these might move. Mullins though it seems, has entered nine horses in this and it will be interesting to see whether 5/1 favourite Fact To File can make the step up after winning the Novices’ Chase at the festival last season. I think I’d be tempted to include him in a double with Lossiemouth.