Anticipation is mounting across the horse racing world as the 2021 Cheltenham Festival edges closer into view.
One of the most exciting elements of the Festival is attempting to identify the next generation of stars, with the meeting featuring a host of races for up-and-coming horses.
This year’s crop of novice hurdlers look incredibly talented, and there are races on each of the four days where they will be able to strut their stuff.
If you plan to bet on Cheltenham 2021 with Ladbrokes, here are four horses we believe are worth keeping an eye on at the Festival.
Appreciate It – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Appreciate It jumped to the head of the betting for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle following an impressive victory at Leopardstown over the festive period.
Willie Mullins’ charge has the ideal profile for the race having run a cracker behind Ferny Hollow in last year’s Champion Bumper.
With Ferny Hollow ruled out for the season due to injury, the way is clear for Appreciate it to land the Supreme this time around.
The seven-year-old has already won over two-and-a-half miles, but should have the pace to cope with the step back in trip at the Festival.
Bob Olinger – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Bob Olinger crossed swords with Ferny Hollow earlier in the season, finishing just a length behind that horse at Gowran Park over an inadequate two miles.
He went on to win at Navan over an additional four furlongs, before winning a Grade One at Naas with plenty in hand of the opposition.
The six-year-old is now strongly fancied for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and is one of jockey Rachael Blackmore’s best chances of a winner.
Blackmore finished second aboard Easywork in last year’s renewal but looks a good bet to go one better this time around.
Gauloise – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Mullins has dominated the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle since its inception in 2016, winning the race on the five occasions it has been run.
Gauloise is his best chance of making it six-in-a-row, with the five-year-old currently unbeaten in two starts for the Irish champions trainer.
Her most recent victory came at the expense of Mighty Blue at Thurles before Christmas, and a repeat of that performance would make her hard to beat at Cheltenham.
The Peter Fahey-trained Royal Kahala could emerge as the biggest threat, but Gauloise can extend Mullins’ perfect record in the race.
Zanahiyr – Triumph Hurdle
Gordon Elliott’s Zanahiyr has been faultless this season, starting with impressive victories at Ballinrobe and Fairyhouse.
However, it was the manner of his win at Leopardstown over Christmas that marked him down as an ideal type for the Triumph Hurdle.
Elliott has won the race on two previous occasions with Tiger Roll and Farclas and would love nothing more than to add to his tally this season.
French Aseel and Adagio should not be underestimated, but Zanahiyr is expected to be a cut above his rivals in the Triumph.
