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With the Cheltenham Festival having been and gone for another year, the final episode of Upping The Ante has actually sneaked around once again.

It's reasonable to suggest this campaign has been a good one, with the addition of Johnny Dineen proving a major hit as the foil for David Jennings on the Cheltenham Festival preview show.

On their last program of the season, the lads discuss their takeaways from the Cheltenham Festival, evaluate their punting performances and are even all set with a number of early picks for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

Watch the last of Upping The Ante in association with bet365 by means of the link above or read below for some of the best bits from today's program.

Lessons gained from Cheltenham 2023

Johnny Dineen was footing 'Questions from the Crowd' for the last time in his first season on Upping The Ante and, not remarkably, one of those centred on lessons gained from Cheltenham 2023.

DJ yielded he's going to be more open minded in the future.

"You form an opinion on horses and, due to the fact that of this program, you have an opinion months ahead of time" stated the Racing Post Ireland's deputy editor.

"Just say, Ashdale Bob in the Stayers' Hurdle. I 'd put him up at a huge cost, believing at Christmas he was 2nd behind Home By The Lee and it might be a weak Stayers' Hurdle.

"Come the day, the horse had no possibility. It was a truly strong Stayers' in the end, even though Sire Du Berlais won it.

"If you form an opinion [early in the season], its ok to change your mind on the day. You practically feel guilty if you have actually tipped a horse on a sneak peek night or on Upping The Ante. I 'd state that to audiences, do not be afraid to change your mind if the skin tone of the race changes - do not be so faithful!"

After confessing to regrets over siding with Blood Destiny in the Triumph Hurdle, Johnny outlined what he would be eliminating from the conference this year, as a punter.

"The trainers that have actually shown they can do the company are the one not to be crossing out," he began.

"The likes of Paul Nicholls coming back with 2 winners. That was a big accomplishment in my eyes with [the group] he had going there. His horses were knocking on the door all week.

"He didn't have a huge squad and he didn't have a strong squad, but he handled to pull two winners."

With Blood Destiny still extremely much on his mind, Johnny's second Festival takeaway is one numerous punters may be sticking to in the future.

"If you have a horse pertaining to this meeting that has actually got soft leads, and they are not guaranteed to get them here - and you're virtually ensured not to get a soft lead in any race here - they have actually no opportunity.

"The similarity Hermes Allen, Editeur Du Gite was another one that got plagued this time, and Blood Destiny was a traditional example of it. If horses have kind with soft leads, they are not going to perform [here]"

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Star performance divides the team

Johnny's Performance of the Week was obviously centred on what unfolded in the Cotswolds.

He had Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs, now 6/4 to maintain that crown in 2024, at number 3.

"He didn't jump along with he carried out in other races. Even entering the race [late on] he was banging fences. The very first time I thought he 'd win was kipping down - it was all over when he returned on bridle.

"Bravemansgame was plainly the second-best horse in it however I 'd say it's doubtful he'll ever win a Gold Cup - even if Galopin Des Champs wasn't in it."

Though he was willing to take on the fantastic mare before her farewell win, Johnny acquiesced Honeysuckle in 2nd spot, crediting her with a 'intense effort' in signing off her career with a satisfying win.

Top area across the 4 days went to Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore, with Johnny remonstrating that everyone was 'anticipating' what Constitution Hill delivered in the Champion Hurdle: "It was absolutely nothing unusual for Constitution Hill, that's all I'm stating. He's a fantastic horse, the very best to perform at the conference I 'd state."

DJ countered that he had actually 'never ever seen anything turn up the hill quite like Constitution Hill'.

"He was still quickening, even when [Nico de Boinville] wasn't even asking him to quicken. I believed it was remarkable."

Johnny, nevertheless, made the case for the Ballymore winner as one for the future with the Willie Mullins prisoner now 6/1 to win the Champion Hurdle in 2024.

"Impaire Et Passe is getting here as a leading, leading horse," he said. "I think it was a wonderful effort and you might see him returning for a Champ Hurdle if Constitution Hill wasn't there.

"I do not believe any horse next year can beat Constitution Hill. Every horse next season will be choosing their targets based on whether he goes chasing or remains over hurdles."

Festival hopefuls for 2024

Their portfolios for 2023 may not have actually lived up to expectations but, as has actually ended up being tradition on Upping The Ante, the 2 pundits finished the series by advancing an early choice for next March.

Johnny Dineen provided some value in his 'two-for-one' offering.

"I'll offer you 2 quick ones. I'm going to go Jonbon for the Ryanair. He stayed well [in the Arkle] and he wants to me as though two-miles is too brief for him now. The Ryanair is large open for a newcomer.

"I think he must have won this race this year and I think it's a department that there's not a lot in it. He's only seven next season and I think he's a little value therein."

Jonbon is 8/1 for the Ryanair in 2024 and Johnny's 2nd pick was 12/1 Teahupoo in the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle.

DJ meanwhile advances 16/1 Ballyburn for next year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

He stated: "I think he's Willie Mullins' finest bumper horse and I love the fact they have actually minded him [with an eye] on next season. We'll probably see him at Punchestown.