4 outsiders to keep an eye on at Cheltenham

Time Stamp: March 14, 2022 4:20 AM

The greatest show on turf is almost with us as the 2022 Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner.

With 28 high-quality races over the four days, there are always some big-priced winners, and we’ve pencilled in four horses that could well outrun their odds at this year’s Festival, including one at a massive 100/1.

So read on to see who our four 2022 Cheltenham Festival outsiders are.

 

Not So Sleepy – Champion Hurdle (100/1)

Ok, so Honeysuckle is likely to defend her Champion Hurdle crown and extend her record to 15 victories from 15 runs, but Not So Sleepy looks an unbelievable each-way price in a wide-open field behind her.

He was 5th behind Honeysuckle last year when not fluent over the last two flights before staying on up the hill – just failing to take 3rd by less than four lengths.

This season he dead-heated with Epatante in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November before putting in a shocker in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton when sent off 4/1.

He heads to Cheltenham a fresh horse though, as he did last year, and when you consider that Epatante is 10/1 for the Champion Hurdle and Not So Sleepy is 100/1, you have to think there is some value to be had.

There’s every chance he won’t get near Honeysuckle, but it would be no shock to see him staying on up the hill once more while others have cried enough.

 

Saint Felicien – Coral Cup (9/1)

He may not be 100/1, but Saint Felicien also looks a solid each-way play in a wide-open looking Coral Cup.

Having moved from France, Saint Felicien made his debut for the Gordon Elliott yard at Gowran Park in November, running out an impressive winner having been sent off the well-backed favourite.He then lost nothing in defeat when finishing 2nd to Darasso on just his second start for the yard in the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas.

Given a mark of just 149 for the Coral Cup, that could seriously underestimate Saint Felicien’s ability, with some having earmarked him as a Grade 1 winner of the future.

He’s open to plenty of improvement stepping up in trip and is potentially one of the most intriguing handicap entries at the Cheltenham Festival this year.


Diesel D’Allier – Cross Country Chase (14/1)

All eyes will be on Tiger Roll as he looks to notch up yet another Cheltenham Festival success, but he’s now 12 years old, and no horse of that age has won the Cross Country since 2010.

At a short-priced, he looks one to swerve currently, but one runner that could offer some excellent each-way value is Diesel D’Allier.

He was last seen winning the Crystal Cup over course and distance back in December – that was his second win from just four runs at Cheltenham, and he placed 3rd and 4th in his other two, including when 4th behind Easysland in 2020.

Success in December was Diesel D’Allier’s second start for trainer Richard Bandey following his move from Emmanuel Clayeux, and there could be more to come.

He’s versatile regarding ground, and a current price of 14/1 looks a fantastic each-way bet.

 

Rosy Redrum – Champion Bumper (25/1)

The Champion Bumper regularly throws up big priced winners, with five winners returning double-figures in the last 10 years, including two 25/1 shots.

And while the market this year is focussed on the Irish duo Facile Vega and American Mike, it’s a 25/1 chance that’s caught my eye – Rosy Redrum.

She won in excellent style at Wincanton on rules debut before just failing to rope in the winner in Listed company at Newbury.

Trained by Milton Harris, he’s delighted with her progress coming into the Festival, and the layers could well have underestimated her.

Receiving over a stone in the weights from the main protagonists in the Champion Bumper with the allowances, she’ll appreciate drying ground and looks a huge each-way price.

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