(3 minutes read)
This is the fourth instalment of our Cheltenham Festival 2024 Best Bets preview series following from our Stayers Hurdle, Ryanair Chase, and Champion Hurdle picks. We also have a comprehensive guide to all things Cheltenham Festival 2024: just clink the link here.
This year’s renewal of the showpiece race on the Wednesday of Cheltenham Festival 2024 appears to be a rematch of last year’s Arkle clash between the Willie Mullins trained El Fabiolo and Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon.
El Fabiolo looks to hold all the aces based on his beating of Jonbon last year and his scintillating form so far this season. However, Jonbon has plenty of fighting qualities that should make this more of a match than the current odds might suggest.
We check out best bets and best Cheltenham odds from our partner firms, Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports. Get ready for Style Wednesday at Cheltenham Festival 2024!
El Fabiolo
The Willie Mullins trained hot favourite is beatable. His form is certainly watertight this season with convincing victories in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork and more impressively, at least in terms if winning distance, at the recent Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Punchestown.
However, his tendency to jump right was all evident in that Dublin Chase race as well some niggly errors. He did not really beat much that day and despite the eventual manner of his victory, if he were to reproduce that display in a hotly contested Champion Chase, you would have to raise some question marks.
Odds of 1 / 2 (Betfred full antepost rules) are not exactly appealing.
Jonbon
Jonbon’s eventful last run at Cheltenham in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase over course and distance was one of the performances of the season, despite the full brother to Douvan losing out to Elixir De Nutz.
He jumped terribly and should have capitulated at the third last. It was a stunning recovery by horse and jockey and begs the question: how good was that run? If it had been a clear round, Jonbon would have put serious daylight between himself and his rivals and would be thereby putting pressure on El Fabiolo’s prohibitive odds.
As mentioned, if El Fabiolo repeats his tendency to jump right-handed around Cheltenham’s left-handed course, this has to play into Jonbon’s hands. We are taking the chance on the JP McManus owned charge to cause an upset here. 100/30 NRNB with Bet365.
The Each Way Contenders
Edwardstone
The Alan King trained Arkle winner from 2022 surprised a few with a return to form in the recent Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. 
Form wise it is not in the same league as what Jonbon and El Fabiolo are producing but this encouraging resurgence gives some value to his 8/1 (Bet365, William Hill) each way chances.
Captain Guinness
Needs to improve considerably to figure here. Well beaten by El Fabiolo latest and simply represents a fun each way flutter for some inebriated punters coming out of the Guinness Village. 20/1 with Betfred with full antepost rules.
Boothill
Was going ok in the Clarence House Chase but was being pushed along when he fell at the second last. Each way squeak at best. 40/1 NRNB with Bet365 and Bet Victor.
Verdict
This is without doubt the best match of the week despite the noticeably short odds-on offer for El Fabiolo. However, both Jonbon and El Fabiolo have an exhaustive list of question marks going into this.
If the Willie Mullins trained favourite can iron out his tendency to jump right, as he demonstrated at Punchestown last time out, Jonbon has it all to do. Jonbon needs to improve in the jumping department although his tenacity could prove the difference.
This is a horse who is tough and responds positively to a scrap. If he gets a clear round of jumping, he could take some stopping going up the hill. The Seven Barrows team will have been working hard to get this quirky horse together. Whatever the result, this race is by no means a forgone conclusion.
Jonbon gets a risky tick whilst Edwardstone could make an attractive price on the day for each way calculations.
Selection
Jonbon WIN 100/30 NRNB with Bet365.
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- Cheltenham Festival 2024 Free Bets!
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