We are still months out from the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, but the form lines are starting to take shape, the ante-post markets are shifting, and the sport’s biggest names are laying down their early-season markers. And when it comes to owners, none are bigger or more influential than JP McManus.

The Irish billionaire is the most successful Cheltenham owner in history, with his famous green-and-gold hoops carried to victory 80 times at the prestigious Prestbury Park meeting. He’s been crowned Leading Owner for the last three Festivals, and with punters already exploring Cheltenham free bets, his squad for March is beginning to look typically formidable.

With that in mind, here are some of his standout potential runners for the spring.

The New Lion – Champion Hurdle

Purchased shortly before last year’s Festival, The New Lion had already made waves with impressive wins at Chepstow and Newbury—including a commanding success in the Challow Hurdle—before joining the McManus empire.

His first test in open Grade 1 company came in last month’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, where he locked horns with Constitution Hill. The race, however, unravelled in dramatic fashion: The New Lion fell at the second last when coming under pressure, while Constitution Hill had already exited earlier in the contest.

Despite the mishap, his profile remains that of a top-class performer, and it’s far too soon to dismiss his Champion Hurdle credentials—particularly with question marks lingering over several rivals. Lossiemouth currently sets a formidable standard for Willie Mullins, but a polished return from The New Lion would firmly re-establish him among the leading contenders.

Fact To File – Ryanair Chase

Another one of four McManus winners at the 2025 Festival, Fact To File returns with an excellent chance of defending his Ryanair Chase crown on Day Three.

Initially earmarked as a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup horse, he twice found Galopin Des Champs too strong at Leopardstown, prompting connections to reroute him to the Ryanair. It proved an inspired decision. He travelled powerfully throughout before storming nine lengths clear of Heart Wood to provide one of the most impressive performances of the week.

His reappearance defeat to Gaelic Warrior at Punchestown last month—going down by just a neck—did little to dent his reputation. With conditions and trip firmly in his favour, Fact To File looks every inch a major player as he targets back-to-back Ryanair titles.

Inothewayurthinkin – Cheltenham Gold Cup

You don’t become the greatest owner in Cheltenham history without making bold, decisive calls—and Inothewayurthinkin was the perfect example last season. Supplemented for the Gold Cup at a cost of £25,000, the Gavin Cromwell-trained star produced one of the shocks of the meeting by defeating Galopin Des Champs and denying him a historic treble.

Still only seven, he heads the ante-post market for the 2026 renewal and enters the campaign with the look of a horse still on the rise. His stamina, jumping accuracy, and ability to handle the unique demands of the Cheltenham hill make him a leading candidate to defend his crown in March.

Dinoblue – Mares’ Chase

Rounding out this list is another of McManus’s 2025 Festival heroes. Dinoblue enjoyed a spectacular spring last season, beginning with a Listed Mares’ Chase victory at Naas, followed by a polished triumph in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham. She then delivered a devastating 35-length demolition job in the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at Punchestown.

Her reappearance run at Navan last month—when beaten in mixed company—should be viewed as a satisfactory return rather than a setback. Back among mares and with her trademark sharpness likely to improve for the outing, she will take a world of beating in her bid for a second Mares’ Chase title.

Getting to know the jockey can make all the difference at the track: a savvy insight that often gets overlooked by casual bettors. Used wisely, jockey knowledge can sharpen horse betting tactics and improve your chances of success.

When you place a bet on a horse race, most people focus on the horse’s form, the track conditions, or the odds. But the rider, the jockey, plays a critical role in shaping how a race unfolds and informed bettors know that paying attention to who sits in the saddle can provide real value. This guide explores how jockey factors influence race outcomes and how you can turn that knowledge into a smarter betting strategy.

Why the Rider Can Influence Race Outcomes

A top jockey doesn’t just sit on the horse:  they guide it, pace it and adapt strategy in real time. A skilled rider can make split‑second decisions: when to push, when to hold back, or which part of the track to use.

Studies of jockey performance show that posture, balance and rhythm matter: riders who maintain an aerodynamic, balanced position help horses conserve energy and maintain speed more efficiently.

Moreover, experienced jockeys familiar with particular tracks often know the quirks: how certain turns run, where the ground gets softer and how the race is likely to unfold depending on the weather. This kind of “inside knowledge” can tilt the odds in favour of a horse even if its past form isn’t spectacular.

Combining Jockey Insight with Smart Betting

Horse betting platforms are increasingly flexible. They offer markets beyond win/lose, such as place bets, each-way bets and multiples. If you spot a horse with a strong jockey and favourable conditions, an each-way or place bet can offer valuable upside without requiring a full win. This kind of strategy reduces risk but keeps potential reward alive.

Moreover, sportsbooks such as NetBet Sport provide comprehensive coverage of UK and Irish horse races, offering markets with jockey stats and race conditions clearly listed alongside odds.

Using those tools, a bettor can combine data:  jockey history, horse form and conditions to build a more informed wager, rather than betting purely on reputation or hype. Over time, this disciplined approach tends to be more rewarding and far more satisfying.

Understanding Form, Stats and Riding History

Before placing a bet, it’s worth checking a few jockey‑specific data points: win rate, recent performance, course history and trainer partnerships. A jockey with consistent results, especially at certain racecourses or under challenging conditions, often delivers better returns than a random draw.

Even when horses look evenly matched on paper, differences in rider quality can affect the outcome. For instance, a strong jockey riding a mid-range horse may outperform a weaker rider on a “better” horse, because riding skill can influence pace, stamina and positioning.

It’s also smart to consider whether a jockey has previously ridden the horse. Familiarity can help. Some jockeys and horses form a rhythm together, understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses. That rapport can matter when the race is tight or the track conditions are tricky.

When & How to Spot Value:

Some race conditions favour jockey influence more than others. For example:

• Changing or soft ground — A skilled jockey who knows how to manage a horse on slippery or heavy turf can gain a considerable edge.
• Long-distance races — Endurance counts. A rider’s pacing ability and experience in navigating distance races often matter more than raw sprint speed.
• Tight or tricky courses — Circuits with sharp turns or unpredictable terrain reward jockeys familiar with their nuances. A good jockey knows where to ride for safety and speed.

In these situations, a horse with “good but not stellar” form but backed by a reliable jockey can offer more value than a top-rated horse ridden by an untested rider. As with any betting, the key is to mix insight with discipline. Avoid piling on too many guesses: instead, build a few considered bets where the jockey’s advantage is real.

 

When you place your next bet, remember: the rider matters as much as the horse.

As anticipation builds for the curtain-raiser of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is already attracting serious attention from punters and pundits alike. The opening Grade 1 race has become a melting pot of emerging talent, with several young hurdlers staking their claims in the early ante-post markets. With that in mind, read on as we see who’s being backed for the Supreme when looking at the Cheltenham odds.

Mydaddypaddy

Topping the ante-post betting for the 2026 Supreme, Mydaddypaddy has drawn strong support from punters, with many betting companies offering him as the favourite. The strong market confidence reflects both raw potential and consistency in his early form. While relatively lightly exposed, Mydaddypaddy is viewed as an improving novice with upside, and his price suggests he’s perceived as a genuine lead candidate by the betting public.

Bambino Fever

Not far behind in the market is Bambino Fever, currently available at about 12/1 with the Cheltenham ante-post books. While on some books this places him second favourite, different platforms see a slight variation, indicating a highly competitive market at the top. Bambino Fever has impressed early on in his novice campaign, and while he may not yet have the established profile of more hardened graded runners, his youth and potential for rapid progression make him one of the most exciting long-term bets in the Supreme field.

Love Me Tender

Rounding out the top three is Love Me Tender, priced at 16/1 with many bookies. While not the favourite, Love Me Tender’s presence in the early ante-post lists reflects solid backing from connections, and he is seen as a horse that could thrive in the big-race environment. If he strengthens his form over the coming months — particularly in graded company — he could surprise on Festival day.

Outlook and Analysis

The early market for the 2026 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle suggests a wide-open contest, with no standout runaway favourite. Indeed, recent trends point to the Supreme often being won by a single-figure odds runner, and notably by a horse aged five or six.

Mydaddypaddy’s current market-leading position reflects confidence in his progress, but he will need to confirm that promise in the second half of the season. Meanwhile, Bambino Fever represents a potentially explosive up-and-coming contender, while Love Me Tender brings a mix of class and upside that could make him dangerous if he continues to improve.

As with all ante-post betting, much could change between now and March — form, fitness, and trial races will all play a part. But for now, these three are shaping up as the early protagonists in what promises to be a compelling renewal of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

The depth of talent emerging across the novice hurdle division also suggests that new challengers may yet rise rapidly through the ranks, adding further intrigue. With several top yards still unveiling their strongest prospects, the landscape for the Supreme could shift dramatically, ensuring that the race remains one of the most closely watched storylines of the season.

Horse racing brings together speed, strategy, and excitement in a way like no other sport. However, beyond the thrilling spectacle of the race itself lies the fascinating world of betting, a way for fans to engage more deeply with the sport.

Whether you’re new to horse betting or eager to refine your skills further, understanding the different types of bets available will significantly enhance your enjoyment and strategy in placing wagers.

Each bet type has its own unique considerations, risk level, and reward potential. From simple wagers on a single horse’s finishing position to more complex predictions across multiple races, knowing what’s available allows you to pick the right bet that suits your goals.

Here’s a closer look at how horse betting works in practice and the various options you have to make your betting experience more strategic and satisfying.

Straight Bets: The Building Blocks

If you’re a beginner wanting to learn how horse betting works, the best place to start is with straight bets. These are the simplest and most common bets in horse racing. They involve wagering on a single horse’s performance in a race:

• Win bet: You bet on a horse to finish first,

• Place bet: You bet on a horse to finish either first or second. This bet offers a safer play but with typically lower payouts,

• Show bet: Here, your horse must finish first, second, or third. This type of bet provides the highest chance of a payout among straight bets but offers the smallest returns.

Exotic Bets: Adding Complexity and Rewards

Exotic bets involve predicting multiple horses’ finishes and often require knowing the right order, making them more difficult but with bigger potential payouts:

• Exacta: You pick the first and second finishers in the exact order,

• Quinella: Similar to Exacta, but the selected two horses can finish first and second in any order,

• Trifecta: Predict the first three finishers in their exact finishing order,

• Superfecta: Go a step further and pick the top four finishers in order. This bet is challenging but can yield substantial returns.

There are also variations like the boxed bets, which allow you to select multiple horses to fill the required finishing spots in any order, increasing your chance of winning but raising your stake.

Multi-Race Bets: Testing Your Skill Across Events

Some wagering types span multiple races, demanding sustained intuition and insight. Multi-race bets appeal to seasoned bettors because they combine excitement with strategy. Winning across several races demands not just luck but consistency and knowledge of form, track conditions, and momentum throughout the day.

Many players study the early races to spot patterns before committing to longer multi-race wagers. Though riskier, these bets often provide some of the most rewarding payouts in the sport when all selections hit:

• Daily double: Pick the winners of two consecutive races,

• Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6: Predict winners across three, four, five, or six races that follow each other. The difficulty increases with more races, but successful bets offer attractive payouts.

Special and Regional Bet Types

In some regions, unique bet types exist that cater to local preferences and betting cultures, like the swinger bet. Here, you select two horses to finish in the top three in any order combination, such as first and second, first and third, or second and third. This bet can pay more than individual place bets because it covers multiple possible outcomes.

In Hong Kong and Australia, the “quinella place” bet allows bettors to pick two horses to finish in the top three in any order. It is similar to the swinger but with distinct odds and structure.

These unique wagers not only add variety but also showcase how horse racing adapts to cultural preferences, making every track’s betting scene a little different.

How Betting Works in Practice

At its core, horse betting is about understanding probabilities and managing risk. Each horse in a race is assigned odds, which reflect their chances of winning as perceived by bookmakers. Higher odds mean a horse is less likely to win but pays more if it does. Lower odds indicate a favorite but yield smaller payouts.

Once bets are placed, payouts are calculated using pari-mutuel betting pools. This means that all bets of a particular type are placed into a pool, the house takes a small percentage, and the remainder is divided among all winning wagers.

Strategic bettors will often mix bet types to balance risk and reward. A win bet offers big payouts if you guess the favorite, while exotic bets challenge your knowledge and intuition to maximize gains with more complex predictions.

Tips for Successful Horse Betting

By following these simple guidelines, you will ensure that your betting experience is both stress-free and potentially rewarding:

• Study past performances, track conditions, and jockey stats to inform your bets,

• Start with straight bets to build confidence before tackling exotic wagers,

• Consider boxed bets to cover multiple outcome scenarios efficiently,

• Combining bet types can optimize risk and reward balance,

• Manage your bankroll carefully. Set clear limits before you start betting and stick to them.

Always remember that Lady Luck plays her part in the proceedings. It’s never a good idea to chase losses; stick to your plan and remember to do the research.

Betting Better: Your Winning Edge in Horse Racing

Horse race betting blends excitement with strategy, offering something for everyone. By grasping the main bet types and the principles behind them, you’ll not only enjoy the thrill of the sport but also engage smarter and more confidently.

Remember, betting responsibly ensures the game stays fun and rewarding. Developing a clear plan, knowing your limits, and staying disciplined are crucial to long-term success.

The best bettors combine skill with patience, embracing both wins and losses as part of the journey. As you gain experience, you’ll find that smart betting not only enhances your enjoyment but also opens the door to consistent, sustainable rewards.