The recently concluded festive period provided punters in Ireland with a ton of useful pointers for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival in March.

The meetings at Leopardstown and Limerick featured several horses who have been tipped to emerge victorious at the prestigious National Hunt extravaganza.

With that in mind, we look at three horses who we believe are now banker bets to win their respective races at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

Galopin Des Champs – Cheltenham Gold Cup

Having recorded an impressive victory in the 2023 Gold Cup, subsequent defeats to Fastorslow had many people doubting whether Galopin Des Champs could win the big one again.

However, the Willie Mullins-trained horse romped home in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown to silence the doubters and leave online bookmakers taking evasive action.

A handful of the best betting sites are still offering odds of 6/5 for Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup, but most sportsbooks have him priced at Evens.

Fastorslow has never previously won over the Gold Cup distance – a factor which Mullins pinpointed after the reigning champion bounced back to winning ways at Leopardstown.

“He showed his absolute stamina in the way he galloped away from the third-last, down over the second-last and then up over the last,” Mullins said.

“I was hugely impressed by him. I didn’t know what to expect as his work had been a little bit indifferent at home. We tried a few different things with him and obviously they must have worked.”

“He put everything together, he really enjoyed himself, and Paul (Townend) made the right decision to get him out early, get him up there and let him enjoy himself.”

Marine Nationale - Arkle Novices’ Chase

Many punters went into the festive period thinking that the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown would provide a handy guide for the Cheltenham Festival.

However, odds-on favourite Facile Vega ran a stinker, blowing a hole in the idea that he could be a genuine contender for the Arkle Novices’ Chase in March.

By contrast, Marine Nationale cemented the belief that he is destined for big things in the chasing ranks after storming to an easy victory over bigger obstacles the following day.

The 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner looks a natural over fences and trainer Barry Connell is understandably dreaming of more big-race success at Cheltenham.

“We couldn’t be happier with the way he’s come out of the race,” Connell said. “He jumped great, never made a mistake and he seems to be in great nick.

“He’s in a good place - he’s happy and we’re looking forward to him hopefully doing the same in Dublin and after that we’ll be on to the Arkle.

“We have him back in the same order as last year and he’s proven he can jump really quickly and efficiently. I know he’s a short-priced favourite for the Arkle now, but I think that’s probably justified based on what he’s achieved so far.”

Gaelic Warrior – Turners Novices’ Chase

Gaelic Warrior produced a superb round of jumping on his second start over fences at Limerick to showcase his credentials for the Cheltenham Festival.

He is now a best-priced 5/4 to win the Turners Novices' Chase and it is difficult to imagine any of his rivals having the ability to lower his colours in March.

Although jockey Patrick Mullins believes Gaelic Warrior is better going right-handed, he should have little difficulty securing another comfortable victory.

All conditions seem to come alike for a horse who possesses a huge engine and it will be a major surprise if he fails to get the job done at Cheltenham.

“Looking ahead, he could definitely be competitive over two miles,” Mullins said. “He’s just very versatile and won over three at Punchestown.

“I don’t know what Willie is going to do next but because of how he jumps, all options are open to him.

“He could come back in trip but at the same time you’d have to think the King George might be on his radar next year - I’d love to ride him in it anyway!”