Cheltenham 2025: 10/1 and 25/1 entries in the antepost book

We're less than a month out from Cheltenham 2025 and I'm due a couple of additions to the antepost book.

I've got a 10/1 handicap suggestion and hope to make it third time lucky in one of the novice hurdles.

It's been a rough couple of weeks for my antepost book. Kopek Des Bordes (tipped at 20/1 for the Turners) and Final Demand (14/1 for the Albert Bartlett) emerged from the Dublin Racing Festival as the season's leading novice hurdlers, but they look bound for the Supreme and Turners respectively - and then my captain, Sir Gino (9/1 for Arkle), was ruled out for the season. Brutal.

The show goes on, however, and I've got a couple of handicap selections to introduce ahead of the entries on Tuesday.

The first of those is CREBILLY, who I'm backing for the Plate Handicap Chase for the second year running.

Jonjo & A J O'Neill's son of Soldier Of Fortune finished just over a length behind Shakem Up'arry in the 2m4½f event last season and looks to have been campaigned to go a place better this time round.

The eight-year-old finished out the back of the tele when given a spin over the smaller obstacles at Chepstow's Jump Season Opener back in October, but returned in the new year with an encouraging third in a competitive handicap at Windsor.

Despite running over an inadequate two miles, it was a much-improved effort. I thought the handicapper's decision to drop him two pounds to 140 - the same mark he contested last year's Plate off - was generous.

Further relief followed his subsequent run at Kempton just last week. He was sixth of 10, beaten a whopping 44 lengths, and never competitive having drifted badly before the off. The Racing Post's "always behind" assessment tells the story perfectly.

Perhaps my reading of the situation is wrong and we're actually looking at a horse that's simply lost his way - in that case I'd say he won't even run and the NRNB concession comes into play - but the alternative is that he returns to Prestbury Park for another crack at the Plate off two pounds lower.

I suspect it might be an easier race this year, too. The introduction of the novices' handicap chase over the same distance should divert a few rivals, including current market leader Jagwar who also sports the same green and gold silks of JP McManus.

He might not even be among the entries next Tuesday, so the suggestion is to take 10/1 NRNB in advance. I can easily see a world where Crebilly's SP is similar to last year (7/2).

If at first you don't succeed, try again - and again.

I'm onto my third antepost tip for the Albert Bartlett after Ballygunner Castle, who I remain adamant would be a contender with a different campaign, not even entered and Final Demand bound for the shorter race.

ARGENTO BOY is the latest selection. He surely booked his ticket for the three-mile novice event after his 15-length triumph over just shy of that trip at Punchestown the other week.

Willie Mullins' six-year-old was 4/7f and entitled to beat modest rivals, but he did it very easily and in the manner of a proper stayer, doing all his best work at the finish.

To my eye, he looks made for the Bartlett and 25s is very, very fair, given he was just a length behind The Big Westerner (6/1) after finding trouble in running in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown in November.

I wouldn't go as far as to say I expect it, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if Argento Boy is Paul Townend's ride in the race.

Jasmin De Vaux is a previous Festival winner and the shortest-priced Mullins horse in the betting, but he doesn't enjoy jumping and would be an uninspired choice. Fishery Lane has potential but has achieved little to date. Sounds Victorious looks exposed.

For me, it's between the selection and Port Joulain. The latter is a possible runner at Thurles next Thursday and if he lines up, that's a quick enough turnaround to Cheltenham. He also might blot his copybook.

Even if he's not Townend's mount, I can see him shortening up plenty once the field cuts up. He's right up there with some of the market principals - although The Yellow Clay will be hard to beat if he ends up here - and rates a solid proposition at current prices.

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