Cheltenham 2023 Tips - Non-Runner No Bet picks with bet365

Earlier this week, bet365 attached Non-Runner No Bet stipulations to their ante-post markets for the five major races at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Back any horse to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Stayers' Hurdle or the Gold Cup, and if that horse doesn't run in the race, you'll get your money back.

Here are five horses to back in the NRNB Cheltenham Festival markets.

HONEYSUCKLE'S unbeaten record was shattered on her reappearance this season, as Henry De Bromhead's mare could only finish third behind Teahupoo and Klassical Dream in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle.

Many have been quick to write Honeysuckle off following her first defeat. Yes, she ran a bit flat, but it was far from a shocking performance and I wouldn't be surprised if she bounced back with a big performance at the Dublin Racing Festival next month.

If Honeysuckle does win that Grade One, she'll be much shorter than 10/1 to win her third Champion Hurdle. If she loses again, then Henry De Bromhead could send Honeysuckle to the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham instead. Either way, she's an ideal candidate for a NRNB bet.

Like the Champion Hurdle, the Champion Chase betting contains a long odds-on favourite. Energumene dominates this market, with Edwardstone and Blue Lord the only other runners sitting at single digit prices.

GREANETEEN looked as good as ever on his reappearance in the Haldon Gold Cup. Maybe Paul Nicholls' star did a bit too much that day, as Harry Cobden's mount wasn't as impressive in the Tingle Creek, finishing a distant second behind Edwardstone.

The Celebration Chase will, again, be Greaneteen's aim in the Spring. Paul Nicholls has said that his nine-year-old will take in the Champion Chase en-route to Sandown and Britain's Champion Trainer is no stranger to upset victories in the Queen Mother, having claimed surprise wins with Dodging Bullets and Politologue in recent years. Greaneteen has the quality to challenge in a Champion Chase.

Allaho has won the last two renewals of the Ryanair at a canter and Willie Mullins' star tops this betting heat. Following a set-back in the autumn, Mullins has said that Allaho may have to go straight to Cheltenham. If the Ryanair champ isn't fit for Cheltenham, then Willie will need to shuffle his pack.

With Galopin Des Champs almost certain to head for the Gold Cup, Blue Lord could deputise for the favourite. In Allaho's absence, FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES would certainly head to Cheltenham and Joseph O'Brien's star could even rise to the top of the Ryanair Chase betting.

Since finishing second in the 2020 Arkle, Fakir D'Oudairies has won the Melling Chase twice and the Ascot Chase once. Mark Walsh's mount followed Allaho home in the 2021 Ryanair and didn't turn up for a rematch with the defending champion 12 months ago. If Allaho is ruled out, then Fakir D'Oudairies could be the one to beat.

Home By The Lee has risen from relative obscurity to head the Stayers' Hurdle betting, thanks to victories in both the Lismullen and Christmas Hurdles on Irish soil. The two major staying hurdles in England have been won by 11-year-olds, with Champ and Paisley Park coming out on top at Newbury and Ascot.

The Stayers' division clearly isn't particularly strong at the moment and Nicky Henderson will be itching to unleash the forgotten horse of the division, BUZZ. Henderson's grey sat prominently in the betting for last year's Stayers' Hurdle following his reappearance win in the Coral Hurdle, but almost lost his life when suffering a fractured pelvis on the gallops ahead the 2021 Long Walk Hurdle.

Buzz has been down the long road to recovery since then. Part-owner, Jess Stafford released a video of Buzz gambling around on grass back in May and Henderson has stated that his nine-year-old has been back in training since the middle of September. 

If they can get a run into Buzz prior to the Cheltenham Festival - in either the Cleeve or Rendlesham Hurdle - and he was to show that old spark, then 14/1 for the 2023 Stayers' Hurdle could seem like a distant memory.

Despite a runaway victory in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival, CONFLATED was sent to the Ryanair at Cheltenham last season. Gordon Elliott's star looked booked for second that day before coming down at the final flight, and bounced back from that fall with a cracking run behind Clan Des Obeaux in the Bowl at Aintree.

Following an impressive come-back effort at Down Royal, Conflated collected his second Grade One triumph with an easy victory in the Savills Chase. Michael O'Leary, again, teased the possibility of returning to his own race, the Ryanair Chase after that victory at Leopardstown, which could be factored into Conflated's current price. 

If Elliott's star chaser was to be confirmed for the Gold Cup over the Ryanair - which I think he will - I can't see Conflated going off at anything close to 12/1.