Cheltenham Tips: 'Unbeatable' – Jockey Sean O’Keeffe Reveals His Festival Fancies

We have Cheltenham tips from jockey Sean O’Keeffe as we get closer to the biggest festival in National Hunt racing.

O’Keeffe, who was on board Galopin Des Champs for his first Cheltenham victory in 2021, has analysed the big races and given us insight into which horses could prove to be value in the betting.

Cheltenham Tips: Sean O’Keeffe’s Festival Fancies

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Tips

The obvious ones were Kopek Des Bordes , he’s progressing well and has a huge engine, he was very impressive at the Dublin Racing Festival. He could do plenty wrong and still win quite well so if he gets it all right, the sky is the limit for him.

Kopek Des Bordes is top of my list, he is a horse I really like. I knew from the start of the season I had him picked out that was going to be one of the top novice hurdlers.

Arkle Chase Tips

Majborough looks like there is plenty there for him, it is a pity about Sir Gino but I don’t think there is much there for Majborough to beat or up to his standard, his jumping is getting better and learned a lot around Leopardstown. Final Demand was very impressive as well, he’ll go for the novice hurdle.

Albert Bartlett & Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Maybe after the short price favourites, I think The Yellow Clay is made for the Albert Bartlett and Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf , I think she is a bit of value in the mares’ novices’ hurdle.

Why The Irish Will Dominate The British At Cheltenham 2025 

Maybe the balance is shifting a little bit, but having a good look through the festival, Willie has a strong team and so do Gordon [Elliott] and Henry [De Bromhead], his horses are coming back to form and he seems to get them to peak at Cheltenham. Gavin Cromwell is having an exceptional year as well, I am sure he will have a few lined up and pick up a winner on two along the way.

Pertemps Network Final Tip

Paul Nolan will have a few going over and after that, hopefully, Willie will run a few in some races I can pick up. Of Nolans, Feet Of A Dancer is in the Pertemps, I’d say she has a chance there. Just getting her to relax a little more she will see out the trip and I am looking forward to riding her over there.

Grand Annual Chase Tip

An Peann Dearg , won for Paul Nolan at Leopardstown, he should still get in with a lightweight too and is coming to himself and is improving.

The year I won on Galopin Des Champs at Cheltenham was Covid and there wasn’t a crowd, it was amazing but it was a little bit weird as well at the same time. When The Nice Guy won, that was my first Grade 1 winner and with the crowd there, that was a great moment, hopefully we can experience that again sometime in the future.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips

Galopin Des Champs ‘Unbeatable’

Obviously, Galopin Des Champs , you’d love a spin on him in the Gold Cup, as he is pretty unbeatable.

I don’t think back then I would be sitting here saying he is going for a third Cheltenham Gold Cup, but look I knew he was a very good horse, he was well-handicapped back then, and it was amazing to get a spin on him. I wasn't so attached to the Mullins yard at that time but fair play to my agent for getting me on him that day, I was over the moon to get the ride.

I didn’t really know what he was then but he gave me a good feeling and I knew that when he jumped the second last, that day there was plenty under the bonnet. He won pretty well so I was glad I didn’t get him beat that day.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Prediction

I think Galopin Des Champs will win the Gold Cup again this year. He is definitely not slowing down, if anything he is getting better, he had a great prep at the Dublin Racing Festival and he will be going there with sky-high confidence and I don’t think there is anything there good enough to beat him.

It was my first Cheltenham winner on him but that was definitely the biggest winner at that time, it was a great stepping stone for me into the Willie Mullins yard, I started getting a lot more rides for him and I suppose Galopin Des Champs had a big part to play in my career.

Willie times it all so well. He is never in a rush early in the year he is always building them up, they are always going to improve and peak at this time of year for Cheltenham and the Spring festivals.

Queen Mother Champion Chase Tips

Energumene can do it, he won the Hilly Way a few years ago and it was amazing to get a spin on him that day. He is an exceptionally good horse, he probably needs the rain if he is going to beat Jonbon , or Henderson’s runner is very solid.

If the rain comes through then it becomes soft or heavy ground and you would have to give Energumene a chance.

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