Divine Rhapsody may be the each-way Festival steal

Punters looking for a bit of an each-way steal at the Cheltenham Festival may do worse than considering Divine Rhapsody to make the frame in the Champion Bumper.

Divine Rhapsody has not been seen on a racecourse this season, but travelled strongly throughout when securing victory at Punchestown towards the end of the last campaign.

This victory remains his only racecourse appearance and some critics may have noted that he looked very green when sent to the front with just over a furlong remaining.

However, now a five-year-old, the horse should have matured from this performance and there should be no doubting that he has ability based on the way he comfortably quickened clear of the field at Punchestown.

What should also be noted that the first four horses to have finished behind Divine Rhapsody in that race all went on to score on their next start, showing that there was some depth to the line up.

Divine Rhapsody is currently 16/1 in the Cheltenham betting to win the Champion Bumper and stands a good chance in a race that has largely been dominated by the Irish in recent renewals.

Irish horses have won 14 of the 18 runnings, which bodes well for Divine Rhapsody, while he also fits the criteria of the last four Champion Bumper winners that he heads to Cheltenham on the back of a win on his latest start.

Furthermore, five of the last eight winners have headed to the Festival without a run in the same calendar year.

Other Irish challengers set to be handed their chance in the Champion Bumper include Allure Of Illusion and Star Neuville, who are both 10/1 and Raise The Beat, who can be backed at 12/1.

A £25 stake on Divine Rhapsody winning the Champion Bumper would return £400. New customers can sign up here for a free £25 bet.