The Top 10 best Cheltenham Tipsters have now been revealed in 2025.
In the high-stakes world of horse racing, few events command as much attention – and generate as many tips – as the Cheltenham Festival. But in a sea of self-proclaimed experts, who are the genuine article? Who are the tipsters that consistently strike gold when picking winners at jump racing’s greatest show? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of racing’s most reliable crystal ball gazers.
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1. Paul Kealy – The Weekender Warrior
If there’s one name that sends bookmakers running for cover, it’s Paul Kealy. The Racing Post’s deputy editor has earned his stripes through decades of astute analysis and an uncanny ability to spot value where others see none. His signature move? The detailed analysis in his Weekend Card column has become required reading for serious punters.
What sets Kealy apart isn’t just his hit rate – though impressive enough – but his transparent approach to tipping. He’s not afraid to admit when he’s wrong and, more importantly, explains the reasoning behind each selection in detail. His Cheltenham record speaks for itself, with a particularly memorable 2023 Festival where he nailed several double-digit odds winners.
2. Kevin Blake – The Irish Insider
There’s something about the Irish perspective on Cheltenham that just works, and Kevin Blake embodies this perfectly. A regular on ITV Racing and AtTheRaces, Blake combines deep insider knowledge of the Irish racing scene with analytical precision that would make a mathematician proud.
His greatest strength lies in spotting and improving horses from smaller yards that others might overlook. Blake’s tips often come with fascinating insights into the Irish racing circuit, making him not just a tipster but an educator for those looking to understand the sport better.
3. Hugh Taylor – The Numbers Man
In an era where data analytics dominates sports betting, Hugh Taylor stands out as racing’s answer to Moneyball. His systematic approach to analyzing form and conditions has produced one of the most profitable track records in the business. While some tipsters rely on gut feel, Taylor’s selections are backed by rigorous statistical analysis.
His Cheltenham preparations are legendary, often starting months before the Festival with detailed tracking of potential contenders. This methodical approach has resulted in an impressive ROI over the past decade, particularly in handicap races where his number-crunching comes into its own.
4. Tom Segal (Pricewise) – The Value Hunter
Perhaps no other tipster has achieved such legendary status as Tom Segal, better known to racing fans as Pricewise. His column in the Racing Post has become an institution, and his ability to identify value bets months in advance of the Festival has made him both famous and feared by bookmakers.
Segal’s speciality lies in ante-post betting, where his early value selections have become the stuff of legend. His tip for Delta Work at 40/1 for the Cross Country Chase months before the 2023 Festival exemplifies his ability to spot value way ahead of the market.
5. Ruby Walsh – The Inside Track
Few people know what it takes to win at Cheltenham better than Ruby Walsh. The Festival’s most successful jockey has successfully translated his riding expertise into tipping excellence. What makes Walsh special is his intimate understanding of how horses handle the unique challenges of Cheltenham’s undulating track.
His insights often focus on the subtle aspects others might miss – a horse’s jumping style, their ability to handle the famous hill, or how they might cope with the Festival atmosphere. When Ruby speaks, wise punters listen.
6. Matt Chapman – The Entertainment Factor
Love him or loathe him, you can’t ignore Matt Chapman. The ITV Racing pundit brings a refreshing blend of entertainment and insight to his tipping. While his flamboyant style might not be to everyone’s taste, his Festival record demands respect.
Chapman’s strength lies in his extensive contacts within the racing world and his ability to spot when yards are particularly confident about their chances. His tips often come with entertaining anecdotes that make following them fun, whether they win or lose.
7. Lydia Hislop – The Form Expert
Road to Cheltenham presenter Lydia Hislop has earned her place among the tipping elite through meticulous attention to detail and outstanding form analysis. Her approach focuses on tracking horses throughout the season, building a comprehensive picture of their capabilities.
Hislop’s tips are particularly valuable because she often identifies horses whose form might not be immediately obvious to casual observers. Her understanding of how different pieces of form tie together has led to many profitable Festival selections.
8. Tony Calvin – The Contrarian
Betfair’s Tony Calvin has carved out a niche as the thinking punter’s tipster. Known for his willingness to go against the crowd, Calvin’s contrary opinions are always backed by solid reasoning and deep analysis. His speciality lies in finding overpriced horses in big-field handicaps.
What makes Calvin stand out is his honest approach – he’s not afraid to advise against betting when he feels there’s no value to be found, a refreshing attitude in the tipping world.
9. Simon Rowlands – The Time Expert
Timeform’s former head of handicapping, Simon Rowlands brings a unique perspective to Festival tipping. His expertise in time analysis allows him to identify horses whose performances might be better (or worse) than their bare form suggests.
Rowlands’ tips often come with detailed breakdowns of sectional times and speed figures, providing insights that can’t be found elsewhere. This technical approach has proved particularly successful in conditions races where class rises to the top.
10. Kate Tracey – The Rising Star
Completing our list is Sky Sports Racing’s Kate Tracey, who has rapidly established herself as one of the sharpest minds in racing analysis. Her background as a point-to-point rider gives her valuable insight into how horses handle different ground conditions and jumping tests.
Tracey’s tips often focus on unexposed horses with potential for improvement, and her analysis of races frequently spots angles that others have missed. Her rising success rate at recent Festivals suggests she’ll be a name to follow for years to come.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or a Festival first-timer, these ten tipsters represent some of the sharpest minds in racing analysis. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future success, their track records suggest they’re well worth following when the roar goes up at Prestbury Park this March.
Remember though, the golden rule of betting applies no matter whose tips you follow: never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always gamble responsibly. Even the best tipsters don’t get it right every time, but these ten have proved more reliable than most when it comes to unlocking the mysteries of the Cheltenham Festival.