Betting markets for the 2023 renewal of the Cheltenham Festival are dominated by short-priced favourites.

The likes of the seemingly unbeatable Constitution Hill, Gold Cup hopeful Galopin Des Champs, and the rejuvenated Shiskin are all thought to be bankers for the meeting, but, as always, there are some outsiders that may be worth considering across the four days of action.

Although the big races at the meeting are mostly won by the well-fancied favourites, it is also not unusual to see horses with double-digit odds making their way back to the winner's enclosure.

Here is just a selection of runners who could cause an upset at jump racing's biggest show.

High Definition

The unbeaten Facile Vega had been all the rage amongst the best horse racing tips for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but a disastrous run at Leopardstown last time has seen him pushed out to 11/4 for the opening race of the week.

On that occasion, Willie Mullins' young star became embroiled in a front-running battle with former flat star, High Definition, and it ultimately ended badly for both. Facile Vega eventually trailed home last, whilst High Definition came crashing down at the fourth fence.

Joseph O'Brien's youngster was a top-level performer on the flat, but despite showing talent in the National Hunt sphere, his jumping has been an issue in his two runs to date.

There is no doubting his ability, and if he can improve his jumping, his odds of 11/1 could prove to be great value.

 

Scriptwriter

Another former flat racing performer, Scriptwriter has shown in his three hurdle starts to date that he may be ready for a big performance at the Cheltenham Festival. At a current price of 10/1 for the Triumph Hurdle, Milton Harris' stable star could prove to be a value e/w bet behind the strong favourite Lossiemouth.

Scriptwriter took to jumping hurdles with ease after joining Harris and was far from pushed to win his first two starts, including a debut win at Cheltenham's testing track. There are excuses to be had for his defeat last time, and a return to his best puts him in the picture for a top-three finish at the very least.

Flooring Porter

Although not priced as big as the two aforementioned outsiders, Flooring Porter's price of 5/1 for the Stayers' Hurdle is far too big. The Irish raider has won the last two renewals of the 3-mile race, so it is amazing that there are currently four rivals ahead of him in the betting.

 

Admittedly the now 8-year-old has had a disappointing season to date but a return to his beloved Cheltenham gives him a big chance of completing a hat-trick in the Grade 1 race. The Stayers' Hurdle is possibly the widest open amongst the big races of the week, so a surprise winner is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Flooring Porter has been there and done it when it comes to the Cheltenham Festival, so now is not the time to give up on Gavin Crowmwell's star hurdler.


 

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