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Episode 15 of Upping The Ante arrives with just two weeks to go before the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. David Jennings and Johnny Dineen focus heavily on the big remaining decisions facing connections of several major contenders, including where horses like Fact To File, Lossiemouth and Romeo Coolio might run. The discussion also touches on Constitution Hill’s surprising Flat success and the debate over whether he should run in the Champion Hurdle. The show concludes with Dineen adding his first British-trained horse to his Cheltenham squad, putting forward Wendigo as a Brown Advisory contender.
With two weeks to go before Cheltenham, this episode reflects the uncertainty that always exists just before the Festival. Several major runners still have undecided targets, particularly Fact To File and Romeo Coolio, and those decisions could have a big impact on multiple race markets. Wendigo is an interesting addition to the Festival squad and looks a solid each-way contender in what could be a wide-open Brown Advisory. The Constitution Hill debate also highlights how valuable he is to the sport, everyone wants to see him at Cheltenham, but the risks are obvious too.
5/5
| Horse | Race | Trainer | Note |
| Wendigo | Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | Jamie Snowden | Dineen’s first British/UK-based selection added to his Festival squad. |
| Panic Attack | Mares’ Chase | Dan Skelton | Discussed but Dineen not convinced she’ll win. |
| Mighty Park | Turners Novices’ Chase | Gordon Elliott | Seen as likely to head to the Turners rather than other options. |
| Romeo Coolio | Arkle Chase | Gordon Elliott | Festival participation still slightly uncertain. |
| Lossiemouth | Mares’ Hurdle | Willie Mullins | Champion Hurdle route considered unlikely. |
| Fact To File | Ryanair Chase / Gold Cup | Willie Mullins | Market suggesting Ryanair rather than Gold Cup. |
| Constitution Hill | Champion Hurdle | Nicky Henderson | Debate about staying over hurdles vs Flat campaign. |
| Starmount | Premier Novices’ Hurdle | Ben Pauling | Weekend betting selection mentioned on show (Kelso). |
| Kilwaughter | Handicap Hurdle | Philip Hobbs & J. White | Considered well treated from current mark. |
