Cheltenham Tips: Frank Hickey's best novice hurdle NRMB picks

Frank Hickey’s Cheltenham NRMB Tips:

Tuesday, March 12th, 1:30pm: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Ballyburn
Wednesday, March 13th, 1:30pm: Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle – Gidleigh Park

Paddy Power Media’s ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’ podcast ‘Cheltenham Countdown’ is back and that means we’ve also got ‘Cheltenham Countdown Extra‘ with our top trader Frank Hickey. He’s given us his early thoughts on potential NRMB antepost picks ahead of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change

Tuesday, March 12th, 1:30pm

Ballyburn‘s jumping was brilliant at the Dublin Racing Festival. I just thought it was a monster performance. I’m completely biased but it was confirming what I believed.

I’d probably have him at six on to run the Supreme. My rationale was if he runs over two miles at the DRF and wins impressively, he’ll run the Supreme. I can’t see why you’d change it.

I could have egg on my face in five weeks’ time but I’d say Ballyburn will beat Mystical Power senseless in the Supreme.

I’ll be shocked if he gets beat. He’s as good a horse that’s out there! He’s a Gold Cup horse in time.

Wednesday, March 13th, 1:30pm

I’m working off the assumption Ballyburn won’t run and Slade Steel is likely to go off the favourite.

I really like GidleighPark. He’s got huge potential. For a horse to win when so much went against him on his first go at Cheltenham and away from proper soft ground, I’d take an awful lot of positives out of it. A strongly-run race would really suit him as would soft ground.

Mystical Power would be interesting if he came in here but I wouldn’t love him.

A speed test would suit Ile Atlantique more than Readin’ Tommy Wrong.

Friday, March 15th, 2:50pm

I had a few quid on My Trump Card before he went hurdling. I thought he was crying out for a trip but you’d want to see his jumping be a lot better.

High Class Hero’s a good horse but I wouldn’t be in love with the form. I’d let him go.

It’s not a race I’d be tempted to have a bet. I would mention Welcom To Catries, absolute boat, I think he’ll love it. The Jukebox Man, for Ben Pauling, ran a cracker in the Challow Hurdle. I definitely respect Captain Teague.

The British might actually win this.

Frank Hickey’s Cheltenham NRMB Tips:

Tuesday, March 12th, 1:30pm: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Ballyburn
Wednesday, March 13th, 1:30pm: Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle – Gidleigh Park

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change

• Get all the latest Horse Racing News and Racing Tipsat Paddy Power News
  
• Cheltenham Tips: Ruby Walsh’s 12/1 ante-post fancy for the Triumph Hurdle
• Cheltenham Tips: Rory Delargy’s 12/1 Triumph Hurdle ante-post pick
• Cheltenham Tips: Ruby Walsh’s Champion Chase bets including a 20/1 each-way ante post play
• Cheltenham Festival 2024 entries: The horses in contention for March mega meeting
• When is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2024? Cheltenham date, start time, runners and betting