Professional punter Johnny Dineen will return to on-course bookmaking at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, confirming he will “stand on the box” during the four-day meeting.

The move was revealed on the latest episode of Upping The Ante, produced by Racing Post. Speaking to host David Jennings, Dineen said he will operate a pitch in partnership with Paul Byrne, with Byrne overseeing the operation.

Dineen confirmed he will have input on pricing and be prepared to take positions on selected runners. The switch sees one of racing’s best-known punters move from backing horses to managing liabilities in the betting ring.

On the partnership, Dineen stressed the importance of working with trusted counterparts in a high-volume environment.

He noted: “You’ve got to be sure of the people involved that they’re absolutely rock solid, which they are… so that you can’t align yourself to people that mightn’t pay or something… but this crowd are rock solid decent people and you will collect if you are lucky enough to hit a winner.”

The episode also covered ante-post markets. Dineen described the current picture for the Ryanair Chase as “an absolute shambles”, pointing to uncertainty over likely runners. He predicted Gaelic Warrior would ultimately line up in the race.

Assessing the staying division, Dineen questioned whether Jonbon is suited to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, suggesting the horse is more effective over two-and-a-half miles.

Reflecting on past Festivals, he cited Denman’s win over Kauto Star in 2008 as his standout performance. He also warned that heavy ground in recent weeks could distort form lines ahead of spring targets.

Elsewhere, Dineen flagged value in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and said a strong return from Constitution Hill at Southwell Racecourse would have a direct impact on the Champion Hurdle market.