Ginger Joes's Huge Priced Handicap Tips for Cheltenham 2023

Add some double figure value to your Cheltenham experience

It really is starting to feel like Cheltenham now, with just a few short days to go until the show gets under way. So far, I’ve only given you some short-priced Favourites to mull over, but now that the Handicap weights have been released, it’s time to look a little deeper. Handicap races are difficult puzzles to solve, but offer excellent value if you can find the winner and I have a few up my sleeve just for you.

My bookie choice for big value betting

Day 1: Champion Day - Tuesday 14 March 2023

Selection: Monbeg Genius

Race: 14.50 The Ultima Handicap Chase

Distance: 3m 1f

Odds: 14/1

Monbeg Genius is my first Handicap selection for the Cheltenham Festival. He has become a very handy Chaser indeed. After finishing fourth at his first try over fences, he has gone on to win three times on the bounce, including twice at Chepstow.

On a personal note, I have always liked horses that come to Cheltenham with Chepstow form to their names. The course is not too dissimilar, with a long, uphill climb to the finishing line, which makes it a fair test of how they might perform at the Festival and I think he has a massive chance in the Ultima at 14/1.

The only slight flaw in the plan, is that Monbeg Genius currently has two entries at the Festival, the alternative option being the Kim Muir. That said, I can almost guarantee this is where he will end up. Not only is the Kim Muir over a longer distance, it is also a race for Amateur jockeys only and as this horse has really benefited by having the experienced Jonjo Jr on his back for his last three wins, there’s not a chance in my eyes of him turning up there. My advice is to grab that 14/1 now, it’s sure to disappear when he’s confirmed to run in the Ultima.

Day 2: Ladies Day – Wednesday 15 March 2023

Selection: San Salvador

Race: 14.50 The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

Distance: 2m 5f

Odds: 16/1

For Day 2, there’s no contest, my selection is San Salvador in the Coral Cup. I have fancied him for the Festival since the weights were released, but wasn’t totally sure where he was going to turn up. However, Kevin Blake confirmed this week that the Coral Cup has been the target all along.

I’m a big fan of horses that come into Handicap races improving and he’s certainly doing that having posted his best effort to date by winning nicely at Punchestown last time out. A repeat performance of that run would see him particularly well handicapped for a steadily progressive seven-year-old.

There’s plenty to like about the way he travelled on the soft/heavy going last time out, but he can handle better ground too, so that isn’t a negative. I’m willing to give him the nod in a field like this because he’s very straightforward, and unlike a few in the market ahead of him, he has a much better temperament as well.

Cheltenham Grandstand

Cheltenham Hurdles

Day 3: St Patrick’s Day – Thursday 16 March 2023

Selection: Stolen Silver

Race: 16.10 The Plate Handicap Chase

Distance: 2m 4f

Odds: 40/1

In the Plate it bodes well to have some solid course form and Stolen Silver loves it at Cheltenham. He’s coming here off a very handy mark too, based on his previous course win. I think he might just be one of the big stories of the Festival, as his owners have had a torrid time of things this year, as you probably know, so this would be a very much deserved turn of fortune for them.

Sam Thomas has turned into a fantastic trainer and is exceptionally good at targeting his horses to a particular race. Stolen Silver may not be one that enjoys the hustle and bustle of a big Handicap field, so it’s highly likely he’ll be ridden prominently and once he gets on a roll with his jumping, he could be really hard to peg back.

Right now, Stolen Silver is a 40/1 shot, which I think is huge based on his credentials. He ran a very promising fourth in The Plate last year and has shown further improvement since then. I’m certainly willing to give this course specialist a chance, especially at such huge odds.

Day 4 Gold Cup Day - Friday 17 March 2023

Selection: Sharjah

Race: Country Hurdle

Distance: 2m 1f

Odds: 12/1

Sharjah in the County Hurdle is the standout bet for me on the final day of the Festival. A dual Grade 1 winner, he clearly has the best form on offer, despite carrying top weight. He may not be entirely the force of old, but he loves Cheltenham and he certainly ticks every box for a County Hurdle contender.

Sharjah is currently at an unmissable price of 12/1, and I think he has a big, big chance of winning this. No doubt on the day he’ll go off at half that price, especially when Willie Mullins starts banging in a few winners, so grab the chance while you can.

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Get even more bang for your buck

I’ll have even more Cheltenham tips and info for you very soon. But right now you’ve got four Handicap races to choose from, one for each day of the Festival. What better time to get signed up with a new bookie and make your free bets really work for you.