2010 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL TIPS AND LONG-SHOT SELECTIONS

We're now just finally seeing the final cards getting set for the 2010 Cheltenham Festival with the last few withdrawals announced today. Things are certainly starting to shape up and more accurate betting portraits have emerged. The big questions remains whether its going to be four days for the punters or four days for the bookmakers. 

Furst and foremost, there are the four Cheltenham Festival bankers that everybody needs to be aware of: Dunguib in the Supreme Novices, Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Big Buck's in the World Hurdle and Kauto Star in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup. You've got one banker for each day of the festival and they will pair nicely on doubles with some of your other longer-odds selections.
Those longer odds selections are what we're on the hunt for today. There are some jumpers available at massive prices, but the big issue has been sorting out which ones actually have a genuine chance at this one and don't need a huge amount of help to win. 
One that has jumped out at me for a while now is the 12/1 Planet of Sound in the Ryanair Chase on March 18th. He took a Grade 2 to open the season and finished a solid second after a great performance by Albertas Run in his 2nd start of the year. A fall when tracking the leaders in the Betfair Ascot Chase is his only real blip, but maybe that just got his bad luck out of the way for a while. I think he will rise in price and is a solid shot for a win only. Once he's at 16/1 or so on the exchanges he looks a tidy each-way selection. Albertas Run is also on the cards for the Ryanair at 20/1 and could do some damage with the right trip. 
I like Paul Nicholls' 5 year-old French jumper Najaf in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle and you'll find the bay gelding at 20/1 with a number of top bookmakers. He's progressing nicely and, if you're looking to back an improver, is a very decent selection. 
In the 2010 Arkle Chase on the opening day of the festival, I think Captain Cee Bee sees the bulk of the betting volume, but I've got enthusiasm for a cheeky bet on a 9 year-old novice named Nicanor who is trading at 50/1. He is 23221 this season and, though a low-key performer, is certainly a value play at that price. 
In the Byrne Group Plate on March 18th, the race looks to be wide open and I'm favouring Sunnyhillboy as the probable contender here. However, I do like the talented Copper Bleu at his 16/1 price. I expect him to contest this one and I don't think anybody in the race is particularly beyond him in terms of class. 
Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh know a thing or two about Cheltenham victories and they are well-priced at 25/1 with certain bookmakers to take a victory in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle with the solid 5 year-old Pepite De Soleil. Winless in a year, she showed big improvement at Doncaster in early February and, with the right trip, could be a great selection. 
Stay tuned to Betting Choice over the next week for the Best Free Tips for the 2010 Cheltenham Festival!