Cheltenham Festival Tips
The anticipation for the Cheltenham Festival is reaching its peak, and its not long now until the jumps racing pinnacle comes around once again.
Starting on Tuesday, March 12th 2024, the Festival promises four days of thrilling racing, featuring 14 Grade 1 races among a total of 28. This highlight of the National Hunt calendar is eagerly awaited by fans, ready to cheer as the event kicks off.
| Day | Featured Race | Cheltenham Festival detail |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | The Champion Hurdle | Marquee race on the opening day. Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, aims for back-to-back Champion Hurdles. |
| Wednesday | Ladies’ Day – Champion Chase | Head-to-head between El Fabiolo and Jonbon. El Fabiolo, winner of the Arkle, is the favorite. |
| Thursday | Championship Races | Allaho vying for a third Ryanair Chase win. Despite a setback at Kempton, he’s poised for another victory. |
| Friday | The Cheltenham Gold Cup | The pinnacle event featuring legends of the sport. Galopin Des Champs, last year’s winner, is the favorite. |
Rachael Blackmore, who made headlines in 2022, returned to the spotlight at the 2023 Festival by guiding Honeysuckle to a second Mares’ Hurdle victory in the mare’s final race.
Willie Mullins, dominating as the leading trainer for five consecutive years and nine out of the last eleven, brings a strong stable to the Festival, including prominent names like Lossiemouth, Ballyburn, El Fabiolo, and Gold Cup favorite Galopin Des Champs.
Several horses are set to return, seeking to replicate their past Festival successes. Marine Nationale, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, is the favorite for the 2024 Arkle. Allaho, after consecutive Ryanair Chase victories in 2022 and 2023, aims for a hat-trick in 2024.
Galopin Des Champs, having impressively won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown, is the favorite for a second consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Tuesday The Champion Hurdle is the marquee race on the opening day. Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles, opting for back-to-back Champion Hurdles over chasing in 2024.
His main rival is expected to be State Man, defeated only by Constitution Hill in last year’s race.
Wednesday Ladies’ Day features a head-to-head between El Fabiolo and Jonbon. El Fabiolo, having won the Arkle, is favored over Jonbon in the Champion Chase.
Thursday Thursday hosts two Championship races, with Allaho vying for a third Ryanair Chase win. Despite falling short at Kempton, he’s well-positioned for another Ryanair victory.
The Stayers’ Hurdle also looks competitive, with Irish Point and Teahupoo as joint favorites.
Friday The Cheltenham Gold Cup, the pinnacle event, features legends of the sport. Galopin Des Champs, last year’s winner, is the favorite, despite some challenges at Punchestown, thanks to his commanding win at Leopardstown.