'They have to go for the big one' - six outsiders who could cause an upset

Tuesday saw the scratchings stage pass for the six headline chase and hurdle races at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. Almost all of the major contenders stood their ground and the picture of each race is beginning to become clearer, but aside from the big guns, is there some value among the rest of the field? Our experts have picked an outsider to note in each contest . . .

Champion Hurdle (3.30, March 15)

Tommy's Oscar

Ann Hamilton's stable star has a hugely progressive profile, rattling off three handicap wins on the bounce before bolting up in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock last month. He has largely run on flat tracks so Cheltenham will be new to him but if he runs to his career-best RPR of 159, he is a serious each-way contender.
Adrian Wall, tipster

Mares' Hurdle (4.10 March 15)

Heaven Help Us

Last season's Coral Cup winner was totally outclassed in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the weekend but she needs further in any case so the Mares' Hurdle looks the ideal race for her. She was desperately unlucky when beaten by Royal Kahala at Leopardstown in December and looks overpriced at a track she clearly loves.
Adrian Wall, tipster

Champion Chase (3.30, March 16)

Envoi Allen

Allaho's scratching from the Champion Chase means Envoi Allen is the only member of Cheveley Park's big three left in the race. That surely means his target is decided and, having once been too readily accepted as a legend in the making, he is now being prematurely written off. It will be a big ask for him to beat Shishkin or Energumene, but his high cruising speed and a more favourable pace scenario (he helped cut out a strong pace at Leopardstown over Christmas) can help him get in the mix.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

Ryanair Chase (2.50, March 17)

Fanion D'Estruval

Fanion D'Estruval is still only seven and is a better horse, who is also ridden more suitably, than when tailed off in this race a year ago. He ran to 169 on RPRs at Ascot last time and that level would have produced form figures of 23242 in the last five Ryanairs. He has Cheltenham form and might shorten with a bold showing in next Saturday's Ascot Chase, so move in now and hope that Allaho scares off plenty of the potential opposition.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

Stayers' Hurdle (3.30, March 17)

Royal Kahala

Connections entered Royal Kahala in the Stayers' Hurdle in January and that looks like a great decision now after the mare won the Galmoy Hurdle. Klassical Dream wasn't at his best on the day but take nothing away from the winner who relished the step up to 3m+ for the first time. Royal Kahala has an entry in the Mares' Hurdle but they surely have to go for the big one now.
Adrian Wall, tipster

Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30, March 18)

Fiddlerontheroof

There does not look to be that much give near the top of the Gold Cup betting, but lower down there is a near-certain runner who is on a progressive path and looks to thrive over staying distances these days. Fiddlerontheroof was miles clear of the rest in the Ladbrokes Trophy and that is more significant than the subsequent exploits of the enigmatic but talented winner Cloudy Glen. That was at least a Grade 2-level performance from Fiddlerontheroof and, unlike a few others, he has the potential to take the next step and holds no other Cheltenham options.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

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