Cheltenham Festival 2023

Last Updated: 12:03, 05/03/23

Theatre Glory a late supplement for the Mares' Hurdle?

12:03 Sunday 

Theatre Glory, who is currently a best price of 14/1 for the Coral Cup, is likely to be supplemented for the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Katie Croft from CB Racing said: "For us it's quite a straightforward decision. We're a syndicate and might never get a horse like her again. Who wouldn't want to go for a Grade 1 at the (Cheltenham) Festival? We have to."

Barry O'Neill to ride Stumptown in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham

11:29 Sunday

Stumptown, favourite for the Kim Muir at a best price of 4/1, will be riden by Barry O'Neill, which has been confirmed by trainer Gavin Cromwell.

O'Neill will be riding later today in the 17:30 at Leopardstown aboard Balally Park, who is currently a best price of 4/1 in that race. 

The Big Bite wins the Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase

15:00 Saturday

The Big Bite wins the Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury. The 10-year-old put in a good performace to pick up his first win since 2020.

Gemirande also ran in but finished second and has now drifted to 25/1 for the Plate Handicap Chase.

Benson wins the Morbattle Hurdle 

14:06 Saturday

Benson wins the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso, which carries a £100k bonus for the winner if they follow up with a win at Cheltenham. The eight-year-old has entries to the Coral Cup (best price 20/1) and the Martin Pipe (best price 20/1).

Fun Fun Fun unlikey to run at Cheltenham Festival

10:16 Saturday

Five-year-old Fun Fun Fun is likely to miss Cheltenham Festival where he is currently 8/1 for the Champion Bumper and opt for the Mares' Bumper for Aintree instead but there has been no confirmation as yet from the Mullins camp.

Fun Fun Fun has made an impressive start to racing life with two wins from two.

Nicky Henderson prefers Mares Hurdle for Epatante

10:10 Saturday

Trainer Nicky Henderson has said he would prefer Epatante to go into the Mares Hurdle (7/2) instead of the Champion Hurdle (20/1) but has admitted that the decision is ultimatley up to JP McManus. 

JP McManus has bought Crobetts Cross

09:31 Saturday

Gavin Lynch has confirmed that JP McManus has brought Albert Bartlett Novices favourite Crobetts Cross. The six-year-old is currently a best price of 7/2 for the event but there is some speculation that Crobetts Cross could wait until Aintree to ride. 

Who will be the Gold Cup winner in two weeks time?

16:07 Friday

Cheltenham Tips: Gigginstown House Stud Festival Lucky 15

12:37 Friday

Architect Tips picks out four of his favourite chances for Gigginstown House Stud at the Cheltenham Festival for an Each-Way Lucky 15.

Back this Gigginstown House Stud Cheltenham Lucky 15
+ All

Jack Kennedy to miss the Cheltenham Festival through injury

11:38 Friday

Picking holes in Constitution Hill's armour

10:20 Friday

If you're searching for a reason to oppose Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (best price 4/11), here are a couple to cling to:

  • The reigning Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner has not followed up in the Champion Hurdle for more than half a century (1971)
  • Nicky Henderson's charge is yet to win beyond 2m½f under rules. Seven of the last 10 winners had won at 2m4f or further

Architect fancies 33/1 County Hurdle chance at Kelso

15:39 Thursday

Architect Tips has two selections for the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso, including Teddy Blue - best price 33/1 for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (worst 20/1).

Facile Vega tops most backed in the last 24 hours

12:18 Thursday

Sir Gerhard gets green light for Brown Advisory

12:13 Thursday

Last year's Ballymore winner is a best price 5/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham (worst price 4/1).

McTigue leads Morebattle bonus hunters?

10:56 Thursday

16 remain in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Saturday, led by McTigue (14/1 for the Boodles off top weight), Teddy Blue and Colonel Mustard (33/1 and 20/1 respectively for the County Hurdle).

A reminder that there is a £100,000 bonus for winning the handicap at Kelso and following that with success at the Cheltenham Festival.

Sounds Russian saved for Gold Cup?

10:45 Thursday

Eight-year-old Sounds Russian, a 20/1 shot for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, has not been declared for the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso on Saturday having been the ante-post favourite for the race.

Handicap entries down almost 30% from 2015

10:06 Thursday

585 horses have been entered across the nine handicaps for Cheltenham, 69 (12%) down on the 654 from at the same stage last year. It marks a 27.1% drop from the 930 at this stage in 2015.

Architect Tips' handicap weights winners and losers

09:30 Thursday

Architect Tips assesses the winners and losers from the handicap weights reveal.

It is fair to say some were given a fair weight and mark, while others weren’t so nicely treated.   

So who were the winners and losers from the Cheltenham weights? Architect Tips assesses the mixed fortunes of eight horses. Some might surprise you, some might not.

How has the market reacted to the weights reveal?

16:13 Wednesday

Three horses with favourable handicap weights

14:08 Wednesday

Jamie Radford has reacted to today's handicap weights reveal at Cheltenham with three horses that have come off well and worrying jumps for two Gordon Elliott hopes in the Pertemps Network Final.

Beacon Edge (+2) 11st 4lb

Noel Meade’s charge, Beacon Edge (20/1 for the Coral Cup), was only bumped up 2lbs to a rating of 147. This is 11lb below the 158 he achieved after finishing 4th in the 2021 Stayers Hurdle and although a chasing career had put him astray, his recent return to hurdles, and 3rd behind Stayers Hurdle favourite Blazing Khal (157) at Navan last month, indicate a return to his best is near. 

Haut En Couleurs (+1) 11st 12lb

Willie Mullins may have a fairly dreadful record in handicap chases at the Cheltenham Festival but Haut En Couleurs could be the one to buck that trend in the Plate Handicap Chase. Having finished 3rd in the Triumph in 2021 behind Quilixios and Adagio, with Zanahiyr in behind in 4th, the son of Saint Des Saints has contested exclusively Grade 1’s and Grade 2’s. 

He seemed to be travelling by far the best against reliable yardstick, and Ryanair hopeful, Fakir D’oudairies (163) at Thurles in January and was only a length behind Janidil (162) last time out who was best of the rest behind Allaho in last year’s Ryanair. 

This would represent Haut En Couleurs (157) first attempt in handicap company and, only raised 1lb, he may have a chance shouldering top weight (if Hitman goes for the Ryanair).

Fil Dor (+3) 11st 8lb

If Gordon Elliott decides to sidestep the Champion Hurdle then Fil Dor (151) looks to have an excellent chance in the County Hurdle. Despite beating dual Champion Hurdle runner up, Sharjah, last time out, the son of Doctor Dino has only been raised 3lb from his Irish rating. 

Fil Dor (best price 14/1 for the race) arguably put in his personal best at Cheltenham when 2nd behind Vauban (goes for the Champion Hurdle) in the Triumph last year and with Davy Russell set to take back the reigns from Jordan Gainford, this extended 2m 1f trip on the stamina sapping New Course, should provide a perfect test for him. 

Pertemps worry for Elliott

Gordon Elliott’s Pertemps hopes The Bosses Oscar (8/1) and Maxxum (7/1) have both been raised a whopping 7lb from their Irish rating and look set to both carry 11st 10lb for the race.

Cleeve Hurdle winner supplemented for the Stayers'

13:36 Wednesday

The six-year-old is a best price 10/1 for the race (worst 7/1).

Zanahiyr tops the weights for Coral Cup & County Hurdle

13:24 Wednesday

Gordon Elliott's Zanahiyr (157) tops the lists for both the Coral Cup and County Hurdle following the publication of the weights at Cheltenham today.

The six-year-old's stablemates Andy Dufresne and Felix Desjy head the weights for the Grand Annual and Martin Pipe, while McTigue for Emmet Mullins has been handed a 6lb rise on his Irish mark of 136 (up to 142) at the top of the Boodles market. 

Sam Brown for Anthony Honeyball shoulders top weight in the Ultima (159 rating), with Botox Has (Pertemps) and Hitman (Plate) are the other Brits to carry top weight outright. Next Destination and De Rasher Counter jointly head the weights for the Kim Muir.

Last year's Ultima winner gets 6lb hike

12:42 Wednesday

Corach Rambler, a best price 12/1 to defend his Ultima Handicap Chase crown later this month, is 6lb higher in the ratings (146 from 140) than when winning the race last year.

McTigue top weight for the Boodles

12:36 Wednesday

Favourite Tekao (best price 4/1) given a mark of 135 (11st 5lbs).

Jamie Radford's Ultima Handicap Chase Verdict 

11:26 Wednesday

Jamie Radford tells us what to look out for when placing those ante-post bets on the Ultima Handicap Chase, before arriving at his race verdict.

Cheltenham Form is key

In the last 10 years, seven of the winners had been placed that season at Cheltenham in handicap chases. Remarkably, the remaining three all had either place or winning Cheltenham Festival form.

There have been three winners that have run in the Ultima in a previous year - Vintage Clouds 2021, Beware the Bear 2019 and Un Temps Pour Tout 2017. 

Major handicap experience

Experience in a major handicap is vital too. Five of the 10 had run in another major handicap chase that season (either the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury or Classic Chase at Warwick). Three of the five who hadn’t run in a major handicap that season already had experience in a previous Cheltenham Festival handicap (two in the Ultima, one in the Pertemps).

Not too high a rating!

Only two horses in the last 10 years have won over a rating of 150 (Beware the Bear at 151 11st 8lb and Un Temps Pour Tour at 155 11st 12lb). Four of the 10 have been novices clearly improving over fences and ahead of their mark.

Not too old!

11 of the last 12 winners have been aged six to nine with Vintage Clouds, revitalised by first time headgear, the fly in the ointment. 

Ignore the Irish?

The Irish haven’t won the Ultima since Dun Doire in 2006. Since then, 26 runners have tried and failed to land the race.

The Verdict 

LORD ACCORD (16/1) has not only already won a Cheltenham handicap chase this year, but has also run in the Ladbrokes Trophy and is only rated 137. 

Neil Mulholland won the race with the Druids Nephew and repeated his prep with Lord Accord in the Cleeve Hurdle to blow away the cobwebs. A horse who relishes quick ground, he should go close. 

Eva’s Oskar’s Cheltenham form, which includes a win this season and a 2nd last season behind Corach Rambler, would make him very interesting but the plan seems to be the Grand National. 

Therefore it’s worth having a slightly smaller bet on THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE (10/1) who ran better than face value in the Classic Chase at Warwick on heavy ground over 3m5f last time. His course form is very strong including beating Does He Know and finishing 6th in the Albert Bartlett. 

Will we learn handicap weights today?

09:41 Wednesday

The handicap weights were reportedly confirmed yesterday but will only be made public at a Cheltenham press event later today. If you want an early steer on the key weights to follow from Andy Holding, sign up for our Super Service to read his column.

Colonel Mustard to target £100k bonus?

14:27 Tuesday

There is a £100,000 bonus triggered for a horse winning the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso and following up with a win in any race at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Last year’s Kelso winner, Cormier, finished 7th in the County Hurdle. Two years ago, The Shunter earned the prize for trainer Emmet Mullins and owner Paul Byrne with a win in the Plate.

85% ante-post backing for defending champion Delta Work

13:59 Tuesday

Elliott duo head 20 remaining for the Cross Country Chase

12:35 Tuesday

Last year's Tiger Roll conqueror Delta Work (EVENS) and Galvin (4th in last year's Gold Cup) lead the market for the Cross Country Chase among 20 remaining entries. 12 of the 20 are from Irish trainers.

35 entries for the Hunters' Chase

12:26 Tuesday

Ante-post favourite Vaucelet for David Christie gets his entry for the Hunters' Chase on the final day of this year's Cheltenham Festival. In fact, Christie has the three favourites for the race in Vaucelet (9/4), Ferns Lock and Winged Leader (both 5/1).

Last year's winner Billaway is Willie Mullins' leading contender at a best price 8/1.

It's For Me heads 14 for Mullins in the Champion Bumper

12:18 Tuesday

It's For Me, the ante-post favourite for the Champion Bumper (7/2 best price), is entered among 14 for Willie Mullins. 27 of the 44 in total are from Irish trainers.

Other Mullins entries for the race are listed below. Ballyburn is perhaps the surprise omission having thrown his name in the hat with an impressive victory at Punchestown just over a week ago.

  • Captain Cody
  • Chapeau de Soleil
  • Chosen Witness
  • Dancing City
  • Fact To File
  • Fancy Girl
  • Fun Fun Fun
  • Largy Hill
  • Lecky Watson
  • Loughglynn
  • Special Cadeau
  • Western Diego
  • Westport Cove

 

Sportinglife Stable Tour throws up Mullins clues

10:55 Tuesday

Final set of Cheltenham Festival entries

09:13 Tuesday

The final set of Cheltenham Festival entries close at noon today, including the Champion Bumper, Cross Country Chase and Hunters' Chase. Ante-post favourites for the races as things stand are:

  • Champion Bumper - It's For Me @ 7/2
  • Cross Country Chase - Delta Work @ EVENS
  • Hunters' Chase - Vaucelet @ 9/4

 

Cousin Pascal back in action at Leicester

16:44 Monday

The 2021 Foxhunters winner Cousin Pascal returns to action at Leicester tomorrow (16:00). Will the 11-year-old get a Cheltenham entry? He is a best price 20/1 to win the Hunters Chase (worst 16/1).

Who are the favourite five in the ante-post markets?

13:26 Monday

With just weeks to go until the start of Cheltenham, Architect Tips rounds up the five horses most backed ante-post since the start of the Jump Season.

One of the five has been edged out to second favourite in his race...

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle contender ruled out

12:14 Monday

The six-year-old Liberty Dance, trained by Gordon Elliott, had been as short as 8/1 with some bookmakers for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the start of the day.

Marie’s Rock most backed for the Stayers’ Hurdle

09:42 Monday

Racing Weekly Live just a week away

09:25 Monday

Tickets are still available for Racing Weekly Live, a Cheltenham Festival preview evening in the Boston Room at The George IV pub in Chiswick on Monday 6th March.

Regular show viewers and listeners will get the chance to hear directly from the experts as we take a look at the contenders taking part in the greatest show on turf at Prestbury Park in March.

For just £10 per person, your ticket includes a free drink upon entry and a half-time pie. To secure your ticket now, click HERE.

There will also be a Q&A for punters to have their questions answered by the panel:

  • Rishi Persad, ITV Racing
  • Sam Turner, Daily Mail racing tipster
  • Nick Scholfield, Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey
  • Johnny Ward, Irish racing expert
  • Pat Cooney, bet365 horse racing guru

Festival Forecast dry as watering continues

09:15 Monday

With Festival week fast approaching, officials have indicated that watering will continue across all courses to ensure safe ground for the opening day on the 14th of March.

30mm of irrigation has been applied and with no significant rain forecast that looks set to be added to in the coming weeks. The aim for clerk of the course Jon Pullin is to start the Festival on good to soft.

Thanksforthehelp 7/1 after final Pertemps qualifier

09:00 Monday

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old won by more than six lengths at Chepstow to seal his place in the Pertemps Network Final next month. It was the last of 17 qualifiers as part of a new system, with two of them abandoned due to weather.

Thanksforthehelp is a best price 7/1 having been 16/1 going into the weekend.