Cheltenham betting: 2026 Martin Pipe contenders and tip

With another year of Cheltenham betting nearly in the books, Coral provides a tip for the Martin Pipe, the final race of the entire 2026 festival.

Coral's Martin Pipe 2026 tip

A race for conditional jockeys, the Martin Pipe is a handicap hurdle run over two and a half miles. 

JP McManus and Willie Mullins team up again with Kel Histoire, who runs under Michael Kenneally, one of Ireland’s top conditional riders. This horse has been running on heavy ground lately and might prefer the better conditions here today, but the step up in trip is something of a question mark.

Roc Dino looks good, having been three lengths behind the useful El Cairos last time at Thurles on heavy and might appreciate the better ground too under John Shinnick.

Willie Mullins’ third string, Jump Allen, makes his seasonal reappearance here, having been off since last April. He might be best watched on this occasion. 

Nicky Henderson’s East India Express looks a likely type, though, having been a very close second of 12 last time out on good ground at Windsor.

Both trainer and jockey - Freddie Gordon - are having good seasons, and 9/1 might turn out to be a generous price for this improving seven-year-old. 

Coral’s big-race tip: East India Express at 9/1

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.