Wagering requirements and T&C’s Apply | Commercial content | New Customers Only | 18+
There will be a number of returning starts at the Festival in 2022. Minella Indo is already the favourite for the 2022 Gold Cup, but will face competition from Monkfish and A Plus Tard. Shishkin and Honeysuckle are also dominant in their respective markets. Those looking to make winning bets for the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 can learn more about the leading chances for the biggest races below.
Select the race in the table below and see all the Runners and Odds:
Cheltenham Races Favourites & Odds 2022
Among the Cheltenham favourites for the 2022 Gold Cup is last year’s winner Minella Indo. However, the Henry De Bromhead-trained horse will face increased competition in 2022, with Monkfish and Shishkin both likely rivals. See in the table below the predictions for the main races of the Festival:
| Race | Favourite | Trainer | Best Odd* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Kilcruit | Willie Mullins | 5/1 |
| Arkle Chase | Appreciate It | Willie Mullins | 10/3 |
| Champion Hurdle | Honeysuckle | Henry de Bromhead | 9/4 |
| Festival Novices’ Chase | Galopin des Champs | Willie Mullins | 8/1 |
| Queen Mother Champion Chase | Shishkin | Nicky Henderson | 7/4 |
| Marsh Novices’ Chase | Appreciate It | Willie Mullins | 4/1 |
| Stayers’ Hurdle | Klassical Dream | Willie Mullins | 4/1 |
| Cheltenham Gold Cup | Minella Indo | Henry de Bromhead | 5/1 |
*Odds are subject to change
Cheltenham festival features four days of races taking place on different courses. Keep on reading if you are curious about Cheltenham favourites, the schedule, as well as our tips for each race!
Our Top 10 Cheltenham Gold Cup Favourites Runners
Minella Indo is currently the horse at the top of the favourites for the 2022 Gold Cup. The defending champion was the surprise 9/1 winner of the race in 2021, as he held off challenges from both two-time champion Al Boum Photo and A Plus Tard. However, it looks set to be another tough assignment in 2022 if he is to regain his illustrious title.
Here we focus on the favourites, the history of the race and what happened last year.
Minella Indo
Weight: 11st 10lbs / Age: 8/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Minella Indo is the current favourite for the 2022 Gold Cup. The eight-year-old will be looking to join elite company and become a two-time winner of the famous race. His victory in the Gold Cup last season was his first in three starts, as he finished fourth at Leopardstown and was a faller at the same course in December 2020.
Monkfish
Weight: 11st 10lbs/ Age: 7/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins will have a strong line-up again in the Gold Cup in 2022. However, his leading chance is currently Monkfish. The seven-year-old won on his first start around Cheltenham back in March 2020, as he won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Chase. However, his progression was clear at the Festival this past year, as he won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase by six and a half lengths.
A Plus Tard
Weight: 11st 10 lbs/ Age: 7/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
A Plus Tard will be hoping to go one better in 2022 after finishing second in the famous race behind Minella Indo. He travelled well throughout the race under the guard of Rachel Blackmore, but in the end, Minella Indo had the gas in the tank to win by a length and a quarter. The seven-year-old would be hard to rule out in the Gold Cup in 2022.
Shishkin
Weight: 11st 10lbs/ Age: 7/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Shishkin is undeniably one of the best horses in training in the United Kingdom. It would be fascinating to see connections target the Gold Cup in 2022, and he could be a leading contender. He has won nine from ten under rules, and was the commanding winner of the Arkle at the Festival in 2021, as he won by 12 lengths.
Allaho
Weight: 11st 10lbs/ Age: 7/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Willie Mullins
Allaho could be one of the most interesting horses in the line-up in 2022. The seven-year-old was an emphatic winner of the Ryanair Chase at the meeting in 2021, as he won by 12 lengths. He has run eight times over the chase fences, and has won three times, and finished second on two occasions.
Chantry House
Weight: 11st 10lbs/ Age: 7/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Nicky Henderson could have a second horse lining up for the Gold Cup in 2022. Chantry House enjoyed an excellent end to the season, as he won on all three starts in 2021. His finest moment came in the Marsh Novices’ Chase, as he won by three lengths from Fusil Raffles. He ended the season with a victory at the Aintree Grand National meeting.
Al Boum Photo
Weight: 11st 10lbs/ Age: 9/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Willie Mullins
Al Boum Photo fell just short in his quest for a third straight Gold Cup in 2021. The nine-year-old finished in third, which was five and a half lengths behind Minella Indo. He would be a difficult contender to rule out, but his best days looked behind him in the Punchestown Gold Cup. He finished the race in Ireland a length and a half behind Clan Des Obeaux.
Envoi Allen
Weight: 11st 10lbs/ Age: 7/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
One of the biggest shocks of the Festival in 2021 came in the Marsh Novices’ Chase, as Envoi Allen fell for the first time in his career. He could run in the 2022 Gold Cup, but he will need to rediscover his air of invincibility. His last run of the season ended in disappointment, as he was pulled up at Punchestown in a race over three miles and half a furlong.
Champ
Weight: 11st 10lbs/ Age: 9/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Champ led the British contenders in the Gold Cup in 2021 but was disappointingly pulled up after struggling to deal with the pace. Connections may yet decide to have another go in the huge race. However, he could go back down in trip and look to target another race at the Festival in 2022.
Topofthegame
Weight: 11st 10lbs/ Age: 9/ Jockey: TBA/ Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Topofthegame has been away from the track for an extended period of time, but he is prominent for the 2022 Gold Cup. The nine-year-old hasn’t lined up since finishing second in the Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase in 2019. However, he could be one to keep an eye on throughout the season.
Cheltenham Favourites – See All the Races
Below you can find the timetables displaying all the Cheltenham races between the 15th and 18th of March 2022, as well as the current odds for the most prestigious race of the respective day.
Day One – 15th March
Day one of the Cheltenham Festival is scheduled for March 15, with the first race starting at 1:30 p.m. It is also known as the Champion Day, named after the race that characterises the starting day of the Cheltenham Festival; it is also the best day to take a closer look at the Cheltenham favourites. The schedule and the results for day one from 2021 can be found below.
| TIME | RACE | 2021 Winner |
| 1:30 p.m. | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Appreciate It |
| 2:10 p.m. | Arkle Steeple Chase | Shishkin |
| 2:50 p.m. | Ultima Handicap Chase | Vintage Clouds |
| 3:30 p.m. | Unibet Champion Hurdle | Honeysuckle |
| 4:10 p.m. | Mares’ Hurdle | Black Tears |
| 4:50 p.m. | Handicap Hurdle Race | Jeff Kidder |
| 5:30 p.m. | National Hunt Chase | Galvin |
Day Two – 16th March
The Ladies Day is all about the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Day two brings many exciting races, as well as the Best Dressed competition. However, if you are not looking at the ladies, pay close attention to Appreciate It as it is one of the better-known horses. Don’t miss out on our tips!
| TIME | RACE | 2021 Winner |
| 1:30 p.m. | Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle | Bob Olinger |
| 2:10 p.m. | Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase | Monkfish |
| 2:50 p.m. | Coral Cup Hurdle | Heaven Help Us |
| 3:30 p.m. | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Put the Kettle On |
| 4:10 p.m. | Cross Country Chase | Tiger Roll |
| 4:50 p.m.J | Handicap Hurdle Steeple Chase | Sky Pirate |
| 5:30 p.m. | Champion Bumper | Sir Gerhard |
Day Three – 17th March
Make sure to ease up on the Guinness during the St. Patrick’s Day as you might miss some of the best races of day three. As usual, the first races of the day should start at 1:30 p.m., while the last one starts at 5:30 p.m., if there are no major issues. Here are our favourites:
| TIME | RACE | 2021 Winner |
| 1:30 p.m. | The Marsh Novices’ Chase | Chantry House |
| 2:10 p.m. | Pertemps Final | Mrs Milner |
| 2:50 p.m. | Ryanair Steeple Chase | Allaho |
| 3:30 p.m. | Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle | Flooring Porter |
| 4:10 p.m. | Stable Plate Chase | The Shunter |
| 4:50 p.m. | Mares Novices’ Hurdle | Tellmesomethinggirl |
| 5:30 p.m. | Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Mount Ida |
Day Four – 18th March
Day four is the culmination of the Cheltenham races, and it gathers everyone, from your average punters to rich and famous punting on their Cheltenham favourites. It also features everyone’s favourite race and has the whole day named after it — the Gold Cup Day. A more detailed look of the races and our picks for each race are:
| TIME | RACE | 2021 Winner |
| 1:30PM | JCB Triumph Hurdle | Quilixios |
| 2:10PM | County Handicap Hurdle | Belfast Banter |
| 2:50PM | Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle | Vanillier |
| 3:30PM | Cheltenham Gold Cup | Minella Indo |
| 4:10PM | Challenge Cup Huner’s Steeple Chase | Porlock Bay |
| 4:50PM | Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase | Colreevy |
| 5:30PM | Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle | Galopin Des Champs |
Past Gold Cup Winner and Odds
| Cheltenham Gold Cup Results 2021 | Gold Cup Winner | SP Odds* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minella Indo | 9/1 |
| 2 | A Plus Tard | 100/30 |
| 3 | Al Boum Photo | 9/4 |
| 4 | Native River | 12/1 |
| 5 | Frodon | 16/1 |
Our Top 5 Horses to Watch During the Festival
Many racing fans will focus on Cheltenham favourites. However, others look at bigger-priced runners who will be more profitable if winning their races. Here are five selections that at the time of writing are not Cheltenham favourites. You could have identified a horse that on the day of the race is one of the Cheltenham Gold Cup favourites.
Honeysuckle
- Age: 7 years old
- Race: Champion Hurdle
- Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
- Owner: Kenneth Alexander
Galopin Des Champs
- Age: 5 years old
- Race: Brown Advisory Chase
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Owner: Mrs Audrey Turley
Thyme Hill
- Age: 7 years old
- Race: Stayers’ Hurdle
- Trainer: PhilliThe Englands And Heywoodsp Hobbs
- Owner: Cheveley Park Stud
Concertista
- Age: 7 years old
- Race: Mares Hurdle
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Owner: Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
Monkfish
- Age: 7 years old
- Race: Gold Cup
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Owner: Mrs S Ricci
How to Pick the Best Odds for Cheltenham 2022
Even though a horse is favoured to win a race, they are not guaranteed to win it; many of the Cheltenham favourites fell short in the past to the disappointment of many punters looking to make a quick buck.
On average, favourites win about 35% of horse races. Looking over the last ten years of the Cheltenham Festival there have been 273 race winners, 79 were favourites meaning only 28.9% win.
How often Odds change?
In order to pick the best odds for Cheltenham 2022, you must know your races. One thing to keep in mind is that odds change depending on a bookmaker.
Not only that, but the initial races might change the odds of the races to follow. Make sure to keep a close eye on Cheltenham favourites and ensure that they continue to impress as the odds suggest. It is also wise to look out for who trains the favourite runners.
FAQ Cheltenham Favourites
It’s never been easier to back your Cheltenham favourites! However, if you’re still searching for answers, take a look below at what our expert tipsters have to say.
Who Will Win the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2022?
The markets for the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup are already heating up. Reigning champion Minella Indo is already listed as the favourite. However, money will likely come for Monkfish if it looks likely he will run in the race. Al Boum Photo and A Plus Tard could also be popular selections the closer that we get to the race.
Will Ireland Win the 2022 Prestbury Cup?
The Prestbury Cup hasn’t been a competitive affair in the last couple of years, as the Irish have cleaned up claiming the most winners. The British trainers took a hammering at the Festival in 2021, as there were 23 Irish winners throughout the meeting. It would be hard to see the Brits overturning that deficit, which means a repeat Irish win looks likely.
Who Will Be the Top Trainer at Cheltenham Festival 2022?
Willie Mullins is always a short-priced favourite. However, Henry De Bromhead recorded massive wins in the featured races in 2021 and could be a popular selection for the 2022 meeting.
Is It Profitable Just Backing the 2022 Cheltenham Favourites?
Favourites aren’t always the answer to getting winners at the Cheltenham Festival. The Gold Cup, Stayers’ Hurdle and Champion Chase were all won by outsiders in 2021. Customers should make sure that they do extensive research on all the horses before making a wager.
