Road to the Cheltenham Festival 2026 – 2 weeks to go
It’s that time of year again, where we look ahead to the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival in March and with two months before the feature race, here is our first post of the year!
For those who haven’t followed Severn Sport during the run up to and the Festival itself, our coverage includes posts at 7, 3, 2 and 1 week to go markers, as well as a Tipster League during Festival week – where figures from football in Gloucestershire compete to be crowned our King Tipster.
In January, Severn Sport’s Ryan Butler was joined by Tipster League veteran, Damon Highet, and Slimbridge Co-Manager, Tom Deakin, for our first preview post, where the boys looked at their Best and Worst Priced Favourites and Longshots.
At the 3 weeks to go mark, the bookies are now “non-runner no bet” for the most part, so the boys looked at Two Horses and a Race to watch each.
At the 2 weeks to go mark, the finish is in sight and the trio are joined by Michael Hedley-Ward, who is better known as The Fox in the Tipster League and the gents pick their antepost Lucky 15s.
A Lucky 15 is a combination bet that sees four selections picked. A customer is placing 15 bets (singles, doubles, trebles and a four fold) at a unit stake – 30 bets if opting for an each way bet.
For this post, the guys are given either a £1 win L15 or a 50p each way L15 (both total £15) and based on which type they pick we should see different selections and races included.
As always, Severn Sport encourages everyone to bet responsibly and the prices below are taken from SkyBet at the time of writing, so are subject to change.
As always, Tom Deakin kicks us off.
TD: I always like to have a short price, one who has seasonal Cheltenham form, one who has impressed me this season and one who follows a trainer pattern each year – it is very methodical!
Bambino Fever (Mares Novices’ Hurdle; Thursday 12 March; 13:20) – 6/4
Vincenzo (Plate Handicap Chase; Tuesday 10 March; 16:40) – 9/1
Love Sign D’Aunou (Champion Bumper; Wednesday 11 March; 17:20) – 9/2
Roc Dino (Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle; Friday 13 March; 17:20) – 8/1
£1 win Lucky 15 returns: £2,501.50
Next up is Damon Highet:
DH: All of my selections have previous at Cheltenham. Whilst a couple have been modest this season, Cheltenham form is massive. Previous course form or Festival regulars always offers good value at this stage!
Johnnywho (Ultima Handicap Chase; Tuesday 10 March; 15:20) – 12/1
Gericault Roque (National Hunt Novices Handicap Chase; Tuesday 10 March; 17:20) – 16/1
Double Powerful (Coral Cup; Wednesday 11 March; 14:40) – 16/1
Daily Present (Kim Muir Challenge Cup; Thursday 12 March; 17:20) – 14/1
50p each way Lucky 15 returns: £36,782.00
The Fox makes his debut in this year’s preview:
MW: My lucky 15 won’t make me enough to retire, but it will include proven horses who come into the week with pedigree. You want your lucky 15 to be lucky, so why not give yourself a chance.
Old Park Star (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle; Tuesday 10 March; 13:20) – 15/8
The New Lion (Champion Hurdle; Tuesday 10 March; 16:00) – 9/4
Marine Nationale (Queen Mother Champion Chase; Wednesday 11 March; 16:00) – 2/1
The Jukebox Man (Gold Cup; Friday 13 March; 16:00) – 5/1
£1 win Lucky 15 returns: £460.13
Lastly, Butler gives his views on his antepost Lucky 15:
RB: I love the big field handicaps for my antepost lucky 15. This year I have been more active in using a tracker and keeping an eye on certain horses and all four appear in mine. Big fields and big prices, hopefully mean big returns!
Idaho Sun (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle; Tuesday 10 March; 13:20) – 12/1
Ryan’s Rocket (Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase; Wednesday 11 March; 16:40) – 14/1
Slade Steel (Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase; Thursday 12 March; 14:00) – 14/1
Millstream Lady (Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle; Thursday 12 March; 16:40) – 40/1
50p each way Lucky 15 returns: £76,061.60
Next week we will have one final preview post before the launch of the 2026 Tipster League – including new teams, returning tipsters and more.
