Cheltenham Festival Betting: Coral's 2026 longshot picks

• Coral shares its longshot picks for Cheltenham Festival 2026.

• Alexei is suggested for the Champion Hurdle, with odds of 16/1.

• With odds of 50/1, Doddlethegreat is a major outsider pick for the Stayers' Hurdle.

Ahead of next week's festival, Coral shares its long shots that you might be tempted to back at the Cheltenham this year.

Backing the front-runners can result in some solid winnings, but often it's the non-favourites who can prove to be the most fruitful when it comes to Cheltenham Festival betting.

So, join Cheltenham as we run through some of the horses with longer odds in their respective races who could be worth a small punt at this month's spectacle.

Champion Hurdle - Alexei

Currently at double-figure odds in the betting and trained by Coral ambassador Joe Tizzard, this six-year-old likes true soft ground best and looks likely to get that this year. His latest performance at this track saw him win the Greatwood Hurdle by six lengths, justifying favouritism, and - given his usual consistency - his record suggests he is overpriced. A career best will be required to win this, but he is attractive as an each-way prospect.

Champion Chase - Thistle Ask

A new recruit for Dan Skelton this year, Thistle Ask has risen to the challenge again and again, improving no less than 50 pounds in the handicap since this time last year. He is proven at Grade One level now, having been just three lengths behind Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January, and has since been given time to freshen up. If Harry Skelton rides, his chances will look even clearer, but this is another horse who looks able to out-run his current double-figure odds.

Champion Bumper - No Walkover

A classy prospect on his day, this David Pipe-trained gelding appeared out of sorts last time at Newbury and that run can probably be ruled out. He has beaten and finished close to some horses who are turning out to be quite smart and he ought to have the stamina to finish nicely up the Cheltenham hill. Pipe tends to do well at this track and his bumper horses are doing particularly well this term. 

Stayers’ Hurdle - Doddiethegreat

A stalwart of Seven Barrows, Doddiethegreat is likely to be Nicky Henderson’s second string in this race, but he’s rarely out of the question as a main player despite usually jumping off at 10/1 or larger. He consistently outruns his odds and often finishes much closer to the winner than the market predicts and actually won at last year’s Festival in the Pertemps over course and distance. Back in Grade One company here, he shouldn’t be overlooked.  

Gold Cup - Spillane’s Tower

Carefully campaigned over hurdles earlier this season before an emphatic return to chasing at this track in January, Spillane’s Tower usually makes his presence felt in Grade One company. The expected soft ground should play to his strengths and, given a strong round of jumping, he ought to be a factor for a trainer in Jimmy Mangan whose horses are holding their form very well this season.   

As well as a rundown of our longshot tips, Coral has more specific information on Cheltenham Festival, including a rundown of each day, so bettors can stay informed.

• Cheltenham Festival betting hub page

• Cheltenham Festival Tuesday betting page

• Cheltenham Festival Wednesday betting page

• Cheltenham Festival Thursday betting page

• Cheltenham Festival Friday betting page

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.