Cheltenham 2026: 50/1 shot flying under the Festival radar

We're back on the road to Cheltenham, and this year I'll be taking a slightly different approach in a bid to bring about better results come those unrivalled four days in March, putting up antepost selections as and when instead of every week.

On that note, the first name in the book for 2026 is due to run later this week - and I fancy him to establish himself as an early Cheltenham contender.

The Albert Bartlett is one of my favourite races at the Cheltenham Festival. It's a three-mile novice hurdle on the punishing New Course on Gold Cup day, and unsurprisingly it can be a bit of a graveyard for punters. And yet...

I relish the challenge of trying to find the winner, or at least something that'll shorten considerably and turn up on the Friday with a live chance - and if I do say so myself, I've got a bit of an eye for it.

In 2020, it was Monkfish. Two years later, I backed Ginto at 66/1, and he looked a danger to all in-running before suffering a fatal injury on approach to the final flight. What a prospect he was. Stellar Story in 2024 was the latest success story.

This time, it's another Gordon Elliott inmate who catches my eye - THEFLYINGKING.

I first became aware of the five-year-old son of Jukebox Jury around this time last year, hearing whispers that he was in the upper echelon of the bumper prospects at Cullentra.

The €105k point-to-point recruit, for KTDA Racing of Romeo Coolio fame, didn't quite live up to that reputation, although I do believe his campaign is being overlooked by many.

He debuted at Down Royal on Boxing Day last year and was about as green as it gets. A big, raw four-year-old who looked a nightmare ride, taking a fair pull and hanging about the track when asked a question or two.

Despite that, and the concession of seven pounds, he was only a length behind the winner Kilwaughter, who finished sixth in a Grade 2 at the Grand National meeting at Aintree subsequently. He then went on to place third behind Baron Noir and recent £410k buy El Cairos at the Punchestown Festival.

Adding further depth to that race in Northern Ireland is Strong Link, who was 14 lengths behind in third. He boasts a rating of 131 today after winning three (one bumper, two novice hurdles) of his next five starts.

Likewise, the selection's neck defeat to I'll Sort That, whose form figures in the meantime read 1211, at Fairyhouse in the new year looks even stronger, courtesy of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth all winning next time out.

Theflyingking opened his account at the third time of asking, at Wexford in March, beating Thedeviluno, in receipt of seven pounds due to his jockey's claim, who went on to finish runner-up to the exciting Doctor Du Mesnil and the aforementioned Strong Link. Another fine piece of form.

Considering his immaturity and the fact two miles on good ground is unlikely to have suited, I expect a serious amount of improvement as he goes hurdling over longer trips.

Speaking of, he's been declared for the 2m6f maiden hurdle at Down Royal on Friday, which Elliott has won nine times in 10 years. The County Meath handler saddles three in the race, but the presence of  stable jockey Jack Kennedy on Theflyingking suggests he's very much the number one.

I fancy him to be difficult to beat. In fact, he could be quite impressive - and in that instance, 50/1 will be a distant memory. He's already as short as 33/1 in a number of places, so for me this is an outstanding bet to start our journey to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

Click the link for all the latest Horse Racing Odds

Find more Cheltenham Tips here at Betfred Insights