Horse racing tips: Templegate’s BEST Cheltenham Festival ante-post bets as William Hill go non-runner money back

THE biggest week of the racing year is fast approaching - meaning time is running out to get real value on some fancied runners.

Already we have seen the likes of Constitution Hill go long odds-on to win the Champion Hurdle.

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But there is still plenty of money to be made elsewhere from some the bookies may have missed.

Here, Sun Racing's top tipster goes through his best fancies - and don't forget you can back them .

He recommends placing the below in an each-way Yankee. Good luck!

PROTEKTORAT – Cheltenham Gold Cup (10-1)

I still think A Plus Tard will put up a good defence in Friday’s big one but, until he comes back and shows his Haydock blip was just that, we should have a look elsewhere too.

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The horse that beat him in the Betfair Chase – PROTEKTORAT – probably hasn’t had the credit he deserves because Henry De Bromhead’s star had an off day.

But it was a scintillating effort from Dan Skelton’s now eight-year-old who jumped beautifully and was full value for his 11-length success.

The Skeltons are aiming him solely at the Gold Cup now and he can at least repeat last season’s third.

EPATANTE – Champion Hurdle (50-1)

I know Nicky Henderson is leaning towards the Mares’ race with his Champion Hurdler but she’s simply too huge a price not to include her in this bet.

She was again no match for Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but clocked up another Group 1 second behind that machine.

JP McManus has shown down the years that he’s willing to go for a more prestigious target and, let’s face it, the Mares’ Hurdle will be tough too with Honeysuckle and Brandy Love in there.

You could argue she’s only playing for a place in that race too – and the Champion may actually be a softer race aside from Constitution Hill.

And there’s the chance of a one-two for the Henderson yard.

Let’s hope she turns up here as there’s every chance of her making the frame again at massive odds.

BALLYGRIFINCOTTAGE – Cheltenham Festival Brown Advisory Chase (14-1)

The Skeltons look to have a really nice staying chaser on their hands after he won impressively on his chase debut at Haydock in November.

There are a couple of slight worries in that he likes soft ground and has also been backed for the National Hunt Chase over a longer trip.

But the Brown Advisory looks a wiser target and, the way the weather has been in the past few years, there’s every chance it will be testing at Cheltenham in March.

Either way he has a bright future and looks a fair price.

IMPERVIOUS – Cheltenham Festival Mares’ Chase (4-1)

To go with the hefty prices, we have a possibly more realistic contender in Impervious for Friday’s Mares’ Chase.

She has looked electric on both runs over fences and clocked a swift time when winning a Cork Grade 2 last time out.

That was over two miles but she had lots left in the tank and can cope with the extra half-mile of this Festival contest.

What's more, JP McManus has just secretly bought her - indicating he is targeting Festival riches.

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When is Cheltenham Festival?

Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday, March 14 to Friday, March 17.

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