Anticipation is building for the pinnacle of the jumps season, the Cheltenham Festival.
Four days of spectacular action awaits at Prestbury Park, with each horse looking to make history and add their names to a long list of stars.
There are plenty of returning champions in the form of Honeysuckle and Al Boum Photo among others, and numerous novices’ putting their reputations on the line.
The opening day promises to be exciting, with the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle one of the most competitive races of the week on paper.
The top three in the market are all unbeaten over hurdles, and are difficult to split, but there are plenty of others in the race who could be competitive and may be overlooked.
Then follows the Arkle Challenge Trophy, a race that has been won by plenty of top-class horses who enjoyed illustrious careers,.
Sprinter Sacre, Douvan and Altior, to name a few, have won this race in the past ten years, without forgetting last year’s winner Shishkin who could go on to be one of the best chasers in recent history.
This year, there are plenty of in-form horses hoping to add their name to the list, in what promises to be an extremely competitive renewal of the race, named in honour of “himself”, the incomparable Arkle.
A competitive handicap comes next, with a maximum field going to post in what is an open-betting race.
Then comes the highlight of the day, the Champion Hurdle.
Unbeaten mare Honeysuckle attempts to retain her crown, but the queen of Irish racing faces a stiffer test this time out.
The Mares’ Hurdle will be an interesting contest, with plenty of runners in with a chance.
The Juvenile Handicap Hurdle follows as the penultimate race on the card, with the National Hunt Chase the last race on the card, renamed the Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase this year in a show of support to the charity efforts helping those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
That is just the first day of the four-day festival, celebrating all that is good in racing.
Spectators return for the first time in two years, and there is sure to be an atmosphere like no other when the gates open on Tuesday.
Despite there being small fields in a number of races, let’s not be too disappointed by this but instead appreciate the quality on show and enjoy watching these equine athletes strut their stuff.
Wherever you’re watching, be it at Cheltenham or at home, enjoy the action and let’s hope for a safe and memorable festival for all taking part.
(All prices and runners are correct at the time of writing.)
The Cheltenham roar at approximately 1:30 will be a moment to savour, with the crowd returning to The Festival following last year’s absence.
This year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle features a number of improving youngsters, putting their growing reputations on the line.
Nicky Henderson will hope Constitution Hill and Jonbon live up to expectations to start the week off in a positive manner, and both will certainly be expected to feature at the finish.
Constitution Hill currently shades favouritism ahead of Willie Mullins’ six-year-old Dysart Dynamo, as Sir Gerhard seems to be heading to the Ballymore.
Constitution Hill will be a worthy favourite, however, if he does head the market at the off, having put in two impressive performances this season on his first starts under rules.
He’s beaten his rivals by a combined distance of twenty-six-lengths this season, in varying conditions, and hasn’t looked to have been tested as of yet.
Jonbon wasn’t quite as visually impressive as his stablemate when last seen at Haydock, but he showed determination to grind it out and managed to win by three-lengths.
The full brother to the retired Douvan, who won eight Grade Ones in his illustrious career, has had to live up to his expensive price tag, and the pressure is on for him to perform.
He does appear to have been tested slightly more than some of his rivals who are prominent in the market, if looking at the ratings and subsequent appearances of runners in behind.
Dysart Dynamo will be the shortest-priced runner for the Mullins’ stable who hold plenty of entries, and he is the highest-rated in the race.
The gelding is unbeaten in four starts, and was last seen winning the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle easily at Punchestown in January.
Champion Bumper winner Sir Gerhard beat the favourite Kilcruit by half-a-length to win the flat race here last year.
Kilcruit got his revenge at Punchestown a few weeks later, but failed to kick on from then, being beaten twice as odds-on favourite in his first two jumping appearances.
He did make easy work of his preparation run in January, however, winning for the first time over hurdles at a canter, without seeing a rival at Punchestown.
Gordon Elliott’s Mighty Potter is seemingly well-fancied by many, and is currently available at an enticing price of 10/1.
He beat stablemate Three Stripe Life at Leopardstown earlier in the season, with Largy Debut, who has also faced Kilcruit, pulled-up in that race and was later reported to have burst a blood vessel.
On his prior appearance, Largy Debut beat overwhelming favourite Kilcruit at Cork, but it’s difficult to know how relevant the connected formline may be as the track direction probably played a factor.
Cork suited Largy Debut who jumped right throughout at Leopardstown when making the running ahead of Mighty Potter, and Kilcruit could be forgiven for disappointing, as he probably needed the run and the experience on hurdles and season debut.
Mighty Potter, however, did travel strongly, and recovered well having been hampered.
He could well be a dark horse in this contest, and may be overlooked in the betting.
Bring On The Night has been declared for the race following only one start over hurdles, previously recording two wins on the flat for Andre Fabre.
Jpr One is a big-priced outsider for Colin Tizzard, and is held in high-regard at the yard, but he was disappointing on his last run when thirteenth of fourteen at Newbury in the Betfair Hurdle.
Shallwehaveonemore for Gary Moore has been performing consistently this season, and was last seen finishing second in a Grade Two.
Silent Revolution completes the expected line-up making his second appearance following wind surgery.
Our selection: Constitution Hill 9/4 – he has been visually impressive, and has shown his versatility in regards to ground in his last two runs, running on good to soft and heavy respectively.
This will be the toughest test he’s faced, and it’s sure to be an interesting contest, but we favour the Henderson runner ahead of his rivals here.
Kilcruit (13/2) shouldn’t be ruled out, despite not being as impressive as many of the others this season, and we still believe he has plenty of potential, whilst Mighty Potter (10/1) is a massive each-way player currently available at a double-figure price.
The Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase comes at 2:10,
The current favourite this year is Edwardstone (best priced at 9/4), who has been in fine form since returning over fences, and has enjoyed four wins from five runs, failing to win only on his season debut when he was brought down at Warwick.
He’s the highest-rated in the race with an official mark of 159, and the best may still be to come from him.
Blue Lord is the shortest-priced entry for Willie Mullins, coming into the race having recorded a hat-trick of wins last time out when seen narrowly beating Riviere D’etel at Leopardstown.
He gave 9lbs to Gordon Elliott’s mare there (she’ll receive 7lbs here) but could have been considered a lucky winner on the day and survived a stewards’ room inquiry to keep the race.
Riviere D’etel finished second to Ferny Hollow earlier in the season, and recorded three wins in her first three races over fences.
This promises to be a much tougher test, but she could be capable of more improvement.
The last time a five-year-old won this race was back in 2004, when AP McCoy rode Martin Pipe’s Well Chief to victory.
This year three five-year-olds are prominent in the market; the aforementioned Riviere D’etel, as well as Mullins’ pair Haut En Couleurs and Saint Sam.
Haut En Couleurs fell in the Irish Arkle when he was last seen, in his second chase appearance, having won comfortably on his chase debut.
He is less experienced than many of his rivals at the top of the market and could have plenty more in the tank.
By the same sire as Haut En Couleurs, Saint Des Saints, Saint Sam finished behind Blue Lord and Riviere D’etel at Leopardstown, but didn’t jump fluently and will need to show improvement.
He finished second in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (The Fred Winter) last year at The Festival, and will hope to go one better in this tougher contest.
Coeur Sublime has already finished behind Riviere D’etel this season, and it’s difficult to see him reversing form with the mare, but he comes into the race following a visually impressive win at Gowran Park.
Stablemate Magic Daze is Henry De Bromhead’s second runner, a six-year-old mare who finished second in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival last season.
On current form, she has plenty to do here, but connections seem to rate her highly as they have chosen to send her here as opposed to the Mares’ Chase.
Brave Seasca is Venetia Williams’ first-runner of the week at Cheltenham, but will have to show much improvement to feature, having finished five-and-three-quarter lengths behind Edwardstone at Warwick last month, receiving 5lbs.
Williams’ stables have been in ill-health of late, with the trainer revealing on social media recently that a “run of dirty noses” had been “streaming through the yard”.
It’s difficult to see Brave Seasca getting close to the leading fancies here, and he has plenty to find on ratings.
Gabynako has been supplemented for this race, and will run off a mark of 152.
He has been running over further distances this season, finishing second twice and winning once before disappointing in the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick in December.
He finished eight-lengths ahead of Magic Daze when giving the mare 7lbs at Galway earlier in the season, but that was over a longer trip.
War Lord finished sixteen-lengths behind Edwardstone in December, whilst Red Rookie has 21lbs to find with the favourite.
Our selection: Edwardstone 9/4 – one of our favourite horses to watch this season, he has been very impressive and has beaten some nice types comfortably.
This will be his toughest test over fences, but he has the capabilities to be successful here.
The 2:50 Handicap Chase appears to be extremely open, with the odds currently at 8/1 the field.
Course and distance winner Does He Know has been raised 5lbs for winning last month’s Grade Two Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot.
He is the current favourite with many bookmakers and should go well once again.
Gordon Elliott’s Floueur is seemingly well-fancied at a decent mark, with jockey Jordan Gainford claiming 3lbs.
Death Duty beat stablemate Floueur at Punchestown last month over an extended trip in heavy ground.
Conditions will be different here, and Floueur is likely to show improvement dropping back down in distance.
Corach Rambler unseated his rider in the Reynoldstown Novice Chase won by Does He Know, but hadn’t been travelling comfortably prior to his mistake and will need to show improvement.
Fan favourite Frodon is the highest-rated in the race and will face a big task carrying top weight.
The front-runner will be suited by the trip, and has impressed this season winning the Champion Chase at Down Royal, ahead of Galvin and Minella Indo.
He faded quickly in the Irish Gold Cup, following a fourth-placed finish in the King George VI Chase, but he is still a capable runner and shouldn’t be ruled out.
Fantastikas is a consistent type who won last time out at Lingfield.
Twice this season he has been beaten in Grade Two races by some impressive winners in L’Homme Presse and Threeunderthrufive respectively, and this could be his opportunity to win a race of this class.
Gericault Roque has been performing respectably and finished second in a Grade Three last time out, beating fourth-placed Corach Rambler.
He’ll run off a mark of 133 here, 5lbs out of the weights, and seemingly has it all to do, but there could be room for improvement and the handicapper may have given him a chance at the places.
Tea Clipper has disappointed the last twice, but did face Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor at Kempton when last seen and has since had wind surgery.
Earlier in the season he won a Listed contest on his chase debut and has previously run well in competitive handicaps over hurdles.
Vintage Clouds bids to retain his crown, running off a 1lb higher mark this year on his second start following wind surgery.
The twelve-year-old is unlikely to show much improvement at his age, and the ground may not be suited to him, but he’s a hardy type and won at a big price last year.
Emmet Mullins’ Noble Yeats finished second to Ahoy Senor at Wetherby last month and has form ahead of Gabynako and Magic Daze.
He’ll run off an enticing mark of 147, and could well be the one to watch.
Full Back has been in decent form of late, but he didn’t show much in his one appearance in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase in November, finishing eighth.
This appears to be another tough test in which he’ll run off a 2lbs higher mark.
Our Power impressed as our 16/1 selection in the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase last month, finishing in third.
He stayed on well among tiring horses, and could be well-handicapped here running with 10st at a mark of 136.
Ben Dundee finished second in a tough handicap when last seen, and has plenty of experience in large fields, whilst fellow Irish-raider Discordantly won on his last appearance at Leopardstown and runs off a 2lbs higher mark here.
Oscar Elite is 4lbs out of the weights and is yet to win over fences, but did finish second in the Novices’ Hurdle here last year.
Kitealy Briggs has been useful this season whilst Rapper bids for a hat-trick of wins stepping up in class.
Lostintranslation makes his handicap debut, and may have a chance off a mark of 155.
On his day he is still capable of putting in a good performance, as seen at Ascot in November, but it’s difficult to know what to expect from this inconsistent gelding.
Foxy Jacks finished second on last outing, and beat twenty-three rivals at Punchestown last year.
This trip may not suit, but he has experience in big fields and is available at a big price.
Doctor Duffy hasn’t fired this season, and unseated his rider when last seen at Punchestown in a race won by Death Duty.
Grumpy Charley has 3lbs claimer Bryan Carver on board, but has plenty to find with Tea Clipper.
Belargus will need to show improvement and refrain from making mistakes.
Run To Milan and One More Fleurie complete the line-up as the outsiders in the field.
Our selection: Frodon 14/1 (EW) – arguably the classiest horse in the field on his day, alongside Lostintranslation.
All three of Frodon’s runs this season have come in Grade Ones, and he’s beaten last year’s Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, as well as one of this year’s Gold Cup favourites Galvin, who himself has beaten A Plus Tard.
Despite carrying top-weight he is only rated 12lbs higher than Does He Know (8/1 – second choice), and the difference in opposition beaten is huge.
Does He Know certainly looks to be progressive, and open to improvement, but at the weights Frodon seems slightly overpriced if he can replicate his Down Royal win.
The Irish-raiders could be better handicapped and Death Duty, Floueur and Noble Yeats all appear dangerous.
Noble Yeats (best priced at 16/1 – shorter with most bookmakers) is enticing each-way at his current price, and is likely to be shorter at the off.
Our Power (16/1) is worth a mention given his performance last time out, but it’s difficult to see him beating the field here.
Henry De Bromhead’s unbeaten mare Honeysuckle bids to retain her Champion Hurdle crown at 3:30, and will likely go off as the odds-on favourite in this renewal.
She is yet to put a foot wrong in her career, winning all fourteen of her races to date, including ten Grade One contests.
Her partnership with Rachael Blackmore has been a joy to see, and the mare is truly a class act.
She’ll receive 7lbs from her male counterparts, and will face a maximum of nine rivals, but there are plenty of impressive hurdlers looking to take her on.
Willie Mullins’ Appreciate It could be her biggest threat, but the eight-year-old hasn’t been seen since winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle here last year.
He’ll have to rewrite the history books as the Champion Hurdle has never been won by a horse making their first start of the season.
Teahupoo was impressive when winning a Grade Three at Gowran Park last month, beating 153-rated Darasso by eleven-lengths.
This will be a big test for the five-year-old, but he has looked to be hugely progressive and could go well at a decent price.
Adagio is another youngster hoping to feature, and he gave Goshen a scare when last seen at Wincanton, in Goshen’s preferred circumstances.
That should be taken as good form as Goshen is an exceptional talent when at his best, and Adagio only finished a length-and-three-quarters behind him.
Zanahiyr has finished second in his last three starts, all in Grade One races.
When last seen he finished six-and-a-half lengths behind Honeysuckle, so a win here appears unlikely unless the favourite disappoints.
A place finish, however, is not out of the question and he could be an each-way player at a double-figure price.
Former winner Epatante tasted success in 2020, but could only manage third here when attempting to retain her crown last year.
The mare has returned to form this season, following back issues, and was last seen winning the Christmas Hurdle, beating second-placed Glory And Fortune by two-lengths-and-a-quarter.
Tom Lacey’s Glory And Fortune is currently best priced at 100/1, which appears to be huge price in comparison with Epatante.
Saint Roi would have to run better than ever to be competitive, and seems unlikely to do so on recent form.
Success for Tommy’s Oscar would be a fairytale win for trainer Ann Hamilton, and the seven-year-old comes into the race off the back of an impressive four-timer, including a Grade Two win when last seen at Haydock.
This is an extremely tough task for him, but there is an aura surrounding runners from the yard, and they tend to keep raising expectations.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tommy’s Oscar run a big race in such classy company, and he’s currently best priced at 33/1 (14/1 w/o Honeysuckle).
The erratic Not So Sleepy is a huge outsider, despite winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in a dead-heat with Epatante in November.
Our selection: Teahupoo 8/1 (E/W) (10/3 w/o Honeysuckle) – we can’t see any runner being good enough to overturn the winning-machine that is Honeysuckle (4/7), especially given that she receives the mares’ allowance, but this may be one of the toughest tests she’ll have faced.
Teahupoo has impressed us this season and there could be more to come from him.
He may improve further with more experience but he’s already beaten plenty of good horses this season and must be respected.
The 4:10 Mares’ Hurdle comes at 4:10, with plenty of Irish-raiders dominating the market.
Current favourite Telmesomethinggirl won the Mares’ Novice Hurdle here last year, beating Royal Kahala by seventeen-lengths.
Prior to that run she was beaten by Heaven Help Us who also went on to win at The Festival,
Telmesomethinggirl was beaten a length-and-a-quarter in third by Royal Kahala when last seen at Leopardstown in December, with Heaven Help Us finishing in second.
Queens Brook finished second to Burning Victory last month, giving the winner 3lbs when running off a rating of 131 at Punchestown.
Gordon Elliott’s mare will run off 142 here, and looks to be a progressive type.
Stormy Ireland won the Relkeel Hurdle here in January and appears to have the most solid form in the race.
Echoes In Rain finished third in the Irish Champion Hurdle and returns against her own sex here.
She has form ahead of plenty of nice types including Blue Lord, and if able to return to last season’s form she could be overpriced, currently available at 9/1.
Marie’s Rock is a useful performer on her day, and beat Indefatigable in a Listed contest at Warwick recently.
Mrs Milner won the Pertemps Handicap at last year’s Festival, and did win a Listed race on her reappearance in October, but failed to fire in the Long Distance Hurdle when finishing fourth of six.
Indefatigable also featured in the Newbury race, finishing a distant last, but the mare has plenty of ability and could outrun her odds.
She finished a respectable fourth here last year, and won a handicap at The Festival in 2020, so is proven at the track.
Earlier this season she won Grade Two at Wetherby, beating Paisley Park and Thomas Darby among others, and finished an unlucky second when top-weight in a handicap here, finishing behind Martello Sky.
Martello Sky will be bidding four a hat-trick of wins here, and she has been impressive on many occasions in her hurdling career to date, but this will be her toughest test yet and may prove to be too competitive.
She finished fourth behind Brewin’upastorm in the Betway Hurdle, when receiving 11lbs.
In comparison Stormy Ireland also faced Brewin’upastorm when winning here in January, and jumped the last alongside the gelding when he fell.
Although Brewin’upastorm could have gone on to win, it’s unlikely Stormy Ireland would have been too far behind.
Western Victory and Nada To Prada are both huge outsiders, with both having plenty to do on ratings.
Our selection: Stormy Ireland 11/2 – she appears to be the most reliable selection, and could be overpriced as current third favourite.
Telmesomethinggirl hasn’t been as impressive this season, with her yard recording a 0% strike rate in the past fourteen days, so could be a risky selection at a short price.
Queens Brook could be open to improvement, but Stormy Ireland has the course form and is the favoured selection.
On debut for Willie Mullins’ yard, Gaelic Warrior is the much talked about and well-fancied favourite in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at 4:50.
A new French recruit, the four-year-old failed to record a win in France, running three times at Auteuil.
He hasn’t raced since June, but must be impressive at home and will be intriguing to watch running off 129.
The Tide Turns won on hurdles debut in January, beating HMS Seahorse and Brazil off level-weights.
HMS Seahorse will receive 9lbs here, needing to make up just under three-lengths to reverse form, and comes into the race following a maiden win at Fairyhouse.
Former Ballydoyle representatives HMS Seahorse and Brazil are both by Galileo and made their jumping debuts this season.
Brazil won when last seen, and could have each-way claims, but he may have too much to do at his current rating to overturn the top two in the market.
Champion Green won his maiden well at Naas, and has looked useful since switching to hurdles for Joseph O’Brien.
He makes his handicap debut here, and could be one to consider at a decent price.
Ebasari finished a distant third to Brazil at Naas, with Feigh in fourth, but did win his maiden in a competitive field, beating 142-rated Adamantly Chosen.
Saint Segal finished second in a Grade One in December, with Forever William in third, and won on his subsequent appearance, but this appears tougher.
Feigh has beaten Iberique Du Seuil and Britzka this season, whilst Doctor Brown Bear has finished ahead of both Brazil and Prairie Dancer.
Top-weight Petit Tonnerre comes into the race on the back of three wins, two in France prior to his win at Market Rasen for new trainer Jonjo O’Neill.
Bell Ex One is one looking to record a hat-trick of wins on debut for Paul Nicholls, whilst Milldam runs for Jamie Snowden for the first time following three third-placed finishes in France.
Dan Skelton’s Too Friendly makes his first appearance following wind-surgery and will need to improve on his last performance.
Feigh, Sea Sessions and White Pepper are the only fillies in the race, and are all at big prices.
Swinging London won at Fakenham when last seen, but has it all to do here.
Doctor Churchill has 3lbs taken off with claimer Jordan Gainford onboard, and did beat Champion Green at Limerick in December.
He is best-priced at 66/1 in comparison with Champion Green at 12/1.
Skycutter represents Philip Kirby’s yard, but will have to show plenty of improvement to feature in this competitive contest.
DR T J Eckleburg and Tanganyika are both reserves.
Our selection: Champion Green 12/1 (EW) & Doctor Brown Bear 25/1 (EW) – in such an open handicap on form, both selections appear relatively well-handicapped at decent each-way prices.
Gaelic Warrior could be a solid favourite if he lives up to the hype surrounding him, and may go off at a shorter price than his current price of 5/2.
There appears to be plenty of value in a race difficult to predict, however, with plenty of places on offer.
Feigh (66/1), with Danny Mullins onboard, could be one to run into the places at a huge price, whilst Sea Sessions could also be well-handicapped at 40/1.
Seven have been declared for the 5:30 National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, with the market headed by Willie Mullins’ Stattler.
The seven-year-old will be ridden by Mr Patrick Mullins, and will complete a hat-trick of wins if successful here.
Last year he finished fifteen-and-a-half lengths behind Vanillier in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, but this is a different assignment over fences.
He steps up in trip here, as does Vanillier, whilst Run Wild Fred has experience over a marathon trip, having finished second in the Irish Grand National last season.
In his last six runs Run Wild Fred has finished twice five times, and won once at Navan over 3 miles.
Stablemate Braeside steps back up in trip, and has won over 3m4f when beating some useful stayers at Cork in October.
Rebecca Curtis flies the flag for the British yards, with two representatives from her stable taking on the Irish-raiders.
Pats Fancy is the most fancied, having finished second to Bravemansgame on his last run.
Prior to that he won twice in lower class handicaps, notably beating 152-rated Imperial Alcazar over just shy of 3 miles at Chepstow.
That Chepstow run was impressive, as the galloping track is often a test of stamina, and Pats Fancy beat a nice type impressively on soft ground.
His stablemate Beatthebullet is a huge-priced outsider, and on recent form appears unlikely to feature here.
Ontheropes has been declared a non-runner having cut his hind leg, and may go to Aintree or Fairyhouse.
Our selection: Run Wild Fred 5/2 – only three of the last twelve favourites have won this race, and there are some doubts in our mind surrounding Stattler over this distance.
Run Wild Fred has proven form over a longer distance, and has been in good form of late.
Last year he ran well in second over further than 3m5f, and this could be most suited to him. With only seven going to post, the each-way market is less attractive, but Pats Fancy (10/1) is unexposed at this level and could improve over this extended trip.
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THE CONDITIONAL 