Cheltenham Festival outsiders - 4 horses at 20/1 or more

With the Cheltenham Festival now just around the corner, all eyes have turned to preview nights as the countdown hits fifth gear.

It won't be long until we hear that famous Cheltenham roar before the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Ahead of the meeting, we've tried to pick out some decent value with four horses still available at decent odds.

Tripoli Flyer

Supreme Novices' Hurdle: 20/1 with William Hill

The leading UK-based contender for the opening race of the meeting is now set to be Tripoli Flyer for Gloucestershire-based handler Fergal O'Brien, who is still searching for a first winner at this famous meeting.

The six-year-old took his hurdling record to three wins from four starts with a comprehensive defeat of Grade 1 runner-up Miami Magic in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton.

He surged clear under Johnny Burke to win in wide-margin style and his trainer says he's ready to take on the likes of Irish raiders Kopek Des Bordes, Romeo Coolio and Workahead.

O'Brien hailed Tripoli Flyer's 'explosive' turn of foot and, if ante-post favourite Kopek Des Bordes were to prove too keen in the race, that could be a potent weapon for him.

Zanahiyr

TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase: 33/1 with Betfair Sportsbook

Gordon Elliott's contenders in the handicaps are to be noted and Zanahiyr could one to excel in the Festival Plate over the extended two-and-a-half miles on day three.

He stays a bit further, but this trip around Cheltenham could be optimal for the Bective Stud-owned eight-year-old.

He's 0-4 at the Festival in the past, though he twice finished third in the Champion Hurdle and ran fourth in the Turners as a novice over fences last year. He has a good record when fresh and hasn't been sighted since November.

La Pinsonniere

Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle: 33/1 with Ladbrokes

Nicky Henderson is readying a team of stars for Cheltenham and the Seven Barrows supremo deserves some good fortune after the nightmare that unfolded with his string last March.

One who might fly under the radar is the mare La Pinsonniere, who has just two runs behind her since arrival from France.

She was surprisingly beaten on debut for Henderson at Windsor in December, but the winner, Starcrossed Lover, franked that form by scoring easily under a penalty next time.

La Pinsonniere, meanwhile, showed rallying qualities to win her next start at Huntingdon in January, again facing the geldings, and there could be more to come when she tackles her own sex in a race that has produced plenty of shocks since it was added to the programme in 2016.

Derryhassen Paddy

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle: 20/1 with bet365

Lucinda Russell will be eager to add to her Festival tally and Scotland's top jumps trainer appears to have a nice novice on her books in the form of Derryhassen Paddy, whose target is the Albert Bartlett on the Friday.

He's a big scopey sort and likely has a bright future over fences in time, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with what he has done so far.

He's unbeaten under Rules after winning a bumper at Ayr last season and hurdles races Uttoxeter and Windsor this term.

He stepped up to three miles at Windsor and, for a big horse, he did well to fend off Honky Tonk Highway on that tight track, showing a really satisfying attitude when asked to dig in.

He looks the sort to thrive in the Albert Bartlett and likely would be trading shorter if he were trained on the other side of the Irish Sea.

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