Diarmuid Nolan's Cheltenham Festival 2026 Lucky 15
This is always a glorious week.
The days before the Cheltenham Festival are packed with excitement and, crucially, every horse you fancy is still a winner.
With that in mind, here are four horses at nice prices with betting sites to consider for an each-way Lucky 15 heading into next week.
Cheltenham Festival Lucky 15 Selections:
- 4.40 Cheltenham (Tuesday), Plate Handicap Chase - Zurich @ 20/1
- 2.40 Cheltenham (Wednesday), BetMGM Cup - Jump Allen @ 16/1
- 4.40 Cheltenham (Thursday), Pertemps Network Final - C’est Different – 10/1
- 5.20 Cheltenham (Friday), Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle - Kel Histoire @ 10/1 (NRNB)
4.40 Cheltenham (Tuesday), Plate Handicap Chase - Zurich @ 20/1
One of the most interesting stats I’ve heard this week came from Adam on our #NotLongNow show.
Each of the last seven winners of the Plate had already won at Cheltenham earlier that season. Zurich fits that trend perfectly.
He was very good two runs back here over course and distance when beating Crest Of Fortune.
In typical Henry de Bromhead fashion, he has improved significantly since going chasing and looks like a horse going the right way.
His latest effort at Doncaster in December can be forgiven. The trip looked on the sharp side, and he stayed on strongly after being outpaced.
A return to Cheltenham should suit, and 20/1 looks a very fair price for a horse who clearly enjoys Prestbury Park.
2.40 Cheltenham (Wednesday), BetMGM Cup Jump Allen @ 16/1
Jump Allen is quietly becoming a bit of a talking horse ahead of the Festival.
His exact target isn’t confirmed yet, but the BetMGM Cup would make plenty of sense.
The seven-year-old has always looked capable of better and produced a strong run when runner-up to the talented Quebecois at Ayr in April.
He followed that up with an eye-catching victory under Harry Cobden at Sandown at the end of the season.
Jimmy Du Seuil won this race on his seasonal debut last year, and Jump Allen follows a similar preparation, though he recently ran in a charity race.
It’s also interesting that both Patrick Mullins and Mikey Fogarty have spoken positively about him in recent weeks.
4.40 Cheltenham (Thursday), Pertemps Network Final - C’est Different – 10/1
The British have dominated this race in recent years, and I’m siding with the Welsh here in the Sam Thomas-trained C’est Different, who has been handicapping in plain sight.
The six-year-old has won his last four starts, all at a lower level and all with plenty in hand, so it’s fair to say we still don’t know how good he might be.
His latest win at Newbury was particularly impressive, and the form has already received a boost with the third having won since.
This looks like a competitive renewal, and while the favourite Supremely West will be popular, giving four pounds to a progressive horse like this could prove difficult.
Thomas also deserves plenty of credit. His yard is operating at a 30% strike rate this season from 69 runners, a remarkable record.
5.20 Cheltenham (Friday), Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle - Kel Histoire @ 10/1 (NRNB)
Willie Mullins has increasingly dominated the Festival handicap hurdles in recent years, and Kel Histoire could be another well handicapped contender.
We can never be certain where he will run, but at 10/1 NRNB he looks an interesting proposition for the “boys race” and could easily start much shorter.
On his stable debut last season, he looked a potential star when bolting up in a maiden hurdle at Cork.
He then finished just three lengths behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Salvator Mundi, which reads very well now.
His run in the Turners can be forgiven, and this season's campaign looks to have been carefully managed with a spring target in mind.
He lines up here off a mark of 137 and could yet be partnered by one of Ireland’s top conditional jockeys if rumours are correct.
Watch this space.
What Is A Lucky 15?
For those who do not know, a Lucky 15 is an accumulator-style bet made up of four selections, which automatically creates 15 separate bets: four singles, six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold.
Because singles are included, you can still receive a return if only one of your selections wins.
Winnings increase as more selections are successful, with the biggest payout coming if all four selections win, landing the four-fold as well as every other combination.
Many of the best betting apps also offer Lucky 15 bonuses, such as enhanced odds or a one-winner guarantee, which can boost returns depending on the terms and conditions.
* Odds correct at time of publication, 2.30pm, 06/03/26
Who would you put in a Lucky 15 for Cheltenham? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
