Cheltenham Festival 2023

Last Updated: 14:22, 12/03/23

Gentleman De Mee out of the Champion Chase

14:22 Sunday

Willie Mullins confirms Gentleman De Mee has picked up an infection and will not run in the Champion Chase on Wednesday.

Day 1 Declarations

11:53 Sunday

14 runners have been declared for Tuesday's opening race, with Facile Vega the current 2/1 favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. El Fabiolo heads the nine strong field for the Arkle with Jonbon currently a narrow second favourite. The Ultima has 23 runners at this stage with Lord Accord a notable absentee. 

Day one's feature race, the Champion Hurdle will see short price favourite Constitution Hill take on six rivals including State Man, Vauban and I Like To Move It. Arguably one of the most competitive races of the festival comes in the form of the Mares Hurdle with Marie's Rock the current favourite at 3/1. The Boodles and National Hunt Chase have had 36 (max runners 22) and 10 declarations respectively.

Shoot First out of Pertemps Final

11:22 Sunday 

Shoot First, who was a favourite for the Pertemps Network Final, has been ruled out of the race on Thursday after suffering a setback this morning

The news shortens Thanksforthehelp, best price of 13/2, to the new favourite for Thursday's race.

Marie's Rock declared for Mares' Hurdle

10:21 Sunday

Last year's Mares' Hurdle winner will defend her crown at this year's Festival after Nicky Henderson and connections decide against a tilt at the Stayers' Hurdle. The eight-year-old was expected to step up in trip but with rain falling in recent days they've decided to stay over 2m4f for now.

Marie's Rock will face nine rivals including dual Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle who will be looking to end her career with another Cheltenham Festival win.

Horses confirmed for Tuesday's races at Cheltenham

10:15 Sunday

The horses set to run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Arkle Chase and Ultima Handicap Chase have been confirmed this morning, as well as the Champion Hurdle, Mares Hurdle, Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and National Hunt Chase.

Official going now Soft, Good to Soft in places

10:05 Sunday

With the Cheltenham Festival just two days away now, the official going is now Soft, Good to soft in places.

It is expected to be a dry day tomorrow, but more rain is due tomorrow ahead of the festival.

Inthepocket running in the Supreme last minute

09:47 Sunday

Inthepocket, who was originally to take part in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, is now confirmed to run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle this morning instead.

In other news, Epatante is declared for the Mares' Hurdle, no late change for her and her best price of 9/2.

Three favourites remain in the Albert Bartlett

13:22 Saturday

Corbetts Cross is the slight favourite for the race (best price 9/2).

Galopin Des Champs heads 14 for the Gold Cup

13:05 Saturday

The 15/8 ante-post favourite will face a maximum of 13 others next Friday. The Real Whacker remains entered but is expected to go for the Brown Advisory on Wednesday (9/2 third favourite). The complete list of runners at the six-day stage is as follows:

  • Ahoy Senor
  • A Plus Tard
  • Bravemansgame
  • Conflated
  • Eldorado Allen
  • Galopin Des Champs
  • Hewick
  • Minella Indo
  • Noble Yeats
  • Protektorat
  • Royale Pagaille
  • Sounds Russian
  • Stattler
  • The Real Whacker

 

Last year's 4th not confirmed for the Gold Cup

12:54 Saturday

The Gordon Elliott trained Galvin, 4th in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, is unsurprisingly among those not confirmed for this year's race at the six-day stage. 

The nine-year-old is the 9/4 second favourite for the Cross Country Chase on Day 2. Others to miss out the Festival's blue riband event include:

  • Angels Breath
  • Capodanno
  • Envoi Allen
  • Franco De Port
  • Fury Road
  • Ga Law
  • Shishkin
  • Coole Cody

 

No Comfort Zone in the Triumph Hurdle

12:37 Saturday

Selected others to miss out on the Day 4 opener:

  • Afadil
  • Bad
  • Bo Zenith
  • Fils de Roi
  • Highland Frolic
  • Jackpot De Choisel
  • Jazzy Matty
  • Jourdefete
  • McTigue
  • Punta Del Este
  • Rare Middleton
  • Samuel Spade
  • Sir Allen
  • Tekao
  • St Donats

 

Philip Byrnes back on Byker

10:38 Saturday

Philip Byrnes, who would have been riding on both Cafe Con Leche and Temptationinmilan at Navan prior to today's cancellation, will be riding on Byker (best price 13/2) in the Boodles Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Why Mighty Potter may be worth opposing in the Turners

15:43 Friday

Stu Williams said: "It’s hard to knock what he (Mighty Potter) has achieved this year and he is probably the one to beat. However, he faces stern opposition and may be worth opposing as a short priced favourite after disappointing in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year.

"Appreciate It was far from disgraced in a red hot renewal of the Irish Arkle last month and he looks sure to appreciate this step up in trip. However, the fast finishing BANBRIDGE was arguably the eye-catcher in that contest and he rates a solid contender on all known from."

Shishkin too good for Ryanair rivals?

13:10 Friday

The rest of the field are racing for second place if Shishkin backs up his Ascot Chase form in the Ryainair on Thursday.

That's according to Stu Williams, who wrote: "Nicky Henderson’s dual Cheltenham Festival scorer was pulled-up after the eighth fence in the Champion Hurdle last year having been sent off the 5/6 favourite. 

"And his reappearance effort at Sandown, when placing third behind Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek Chase, had the majority questioning whether his powers were starting to wane.

"Those notions were dispelled when the popular nine-year-old kicked clear of Pic D’Orhy at Ascot and it seems as though a step-up in trip was all that was required.

"The Sholokhov gelding is completely unexposed over two-and-a-half-miles and he could conceivably be even better than he once was over the minimum distance, which must strike fear into the connections of his potential rivals."

Shewearsitwell not in 28 remaining for the Pertemps

12:29 Friday

A change to the qualification rules for this year meant a horse needed to finish in the first four of a qualifier – down from six in previous years – to be eligible to run in the race, worth £56,270 to winning connections.

Shewearsitwell, who qualified with a win at Punchestown in November, looks set for a tilt at the Mares' Hurdle (best price 16/1) on the opening day of the Festival.

Banbridge to drift in 14 for the Turners?

12:13 Friday

Banbridge's best runs have come on decent ground so support for the seven-year-old in the Turners Novices' Chase may wane if the weather continues across the weekend.

Adamantly Chosen, supplemented for the Brown Advisory yesterday, is a drifter today at best price 16/1 having started the day at 12/1 with several bookmakers.

Shishkin heads 12 for the Ryanair

12:08 Friday

Blue Lord and Conflated (both 11/2) are the closest rivals to big favourite Shishkin (8/11) for the Ryanair Chase, with 12 remaining at the six-day stage.

13 confirmed for Thursday's Stayers' Hurdle

12:05 Friday

Gordon Elliott's Teahupoo, 9/2 third favourite ante-post for the Stayers' Hurdle, is unbeaten in seven starts on worse than soft so will be pleased with the weather change.

  • Ashdale Bob
  • Asterion Forlonge
  • Beacon Edge
  • Blazing Khal
  • Dashel Drasher
  • Flooring Porter
  • Home By The Lee
  • Klassical Dream
  • Paisley Park
  • Sharjah
  • Sire Du Berlais
  • Teahupoo
  • Marie's Rock

 

Three Card Brag to find favourable ground?

11:34 Friday

History to repeat itself in the handicaps?

11:01 Friday

So Scottish is now a best price 10/3 for the Plate Handicap Chase next Thursday at Cheltenham having been 7/2 overnight.

Architect Tips fancies 33/1 outsider as E/W Top Jockey bet

10:20 Friday

Architect Tips takes on the favourite Paul Townend with a long odds value bet (best price 33/1) in the race for Top Jockey at the Cheltenham Festival.

Marie's Rock benefits most from change in ground

10:13 Friday

The oddschecker team has checked on the most backed horses over the last 12 hours, which indicates a preference for the change in ground to soft after 12mm of rain since yesterday morning.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle (% backed)

  1. Facile Vega 2/1 – 31% 
  2. Marine Nationale 7/2 – 17%
  3. Tahmuras – 11/1 14% 

Ultima Handicap Chase

  1. Corach Rambler 13/2 – 27% 
  2. Happygolucky 14/1 – 10% 
  3. Oscar Elite 12/1 – 9% 

Mares' Hurdle 

  1. Honeysuckle 5/2 – 34%
  2. Marie's Rock 7/2 > 3/1 – 33%
  3. Epatante 4/1 – 10% 

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 

  1. Bad 9/1 – 27%
  2. Tekao 4/1 – 15%
  3. Metamorpheus 16/1 – 10% 

National Hunt Chase 

  1. Gaillard Du Mesnil 6/5 - 42%
  2. Minella Crooner 7/1 – 24%
  3. Coolvalla 100/1 – 11%

A reminder of Blazing Khal's decisive work today

08:57 Friday

He is a best price 10/3 for the race on Thursday (worst 5/2).

Last year's Grand Annual winner waiting on four drop outs

16:38 Thursday

The 11-year-old remains a best price 25/1 for the race (worst price 20/1).

Stu Williams takes on Brown Advisory top two

14:39 Thursday

Writing in his race preview for the Brown Advisory, he said: "There is one horse who combines slick jumping with impressive course form and he would arguably be much shorter in the betting if hailing from a more fashionable yard. 

"That horse is THE REAL WHACKER, who is 2-2 at Cheltenham and also holds an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which clearly indicates the regard in which he is held.

"The Real Whacker is easily the best jumper in this field and he doesn’t like to hang around, which puts pressure on his rivals jumping and forces mistakes on which he can capitalise."

Adamantly Chosen supplemented for the Brown Advisory

13:07 Thursday

He comes in at a best price 14/1 for the race (worst price 12/1).

One supplemented in 14 for the Brown Advisory

12:20 Thursday

Thedevilscoachman and James Du Berlais (both a general 12/1 before today) are among 11 scratched from the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at today's confirmation stage.

Single figure entries for the Champion Chase

12:15 Thursday

Two outsiders in Chacun Pour Soi and Coueur Sublime are dropped from the original ante-post market. Edwardstone (7/4) is the marginal favourite ahead of last year's winner Energumene.

Impaire Et Passe heads 22 in the Ballymore

12:11 Thursday

Impaire Et Passe can be backed at a best price 2/1 (worst 15/8), while Hermes Allen has drifted from 5/2 to 3/1 with most bookmakers (10/3 best price) across the last 24 hours. Here are the 22:

  • Affordale Fury
  • American Mike
  • Atlanta Brave
  • Champ Kiely
  • Dark Raven
  • Decorated
  • Facile Vega
  • Firm Footings
  • Gaelic Warrior
  • Good Land
  • Hermes Allen
  • Ho My Lord
  • Il Etait Temps
  • Imagine
  • Impaire et Passe
  • Inthepocket
  • Marble Sands
  • Master Chewy
  • Persian Time
  • Sa Fureur
  • Shanbally Kid
  • Twinjets 

 

Horses not confirmed for Wednesday at Cheltenham

12:06 Thursday

Absolute Notions was a 16/1 shot for the Ballymore.

Night And Day to miss the Festival after setback

09:12 Thursday

Night And Day had been as short as 6/1 with some bookmakers for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Andy Holding Early Access Cheltenham Tips

16:24 Wednesday

Get ahead of the betting by securing early access to Andy Holding’s Cheltenham tips for every day of next week’s four-day Festival.

For next week's Cheltenham Festival, Andy Holding’s tips will remain freely available each morning on the oddschecker website but only from 11am for the day ahead. 

However, if you'd like to get these before everyone else from 7pm on the evening before each day of the Festival, you can do so for just a £3.99 one-off payment.

Click HERE for more information.

Most backed 9/1 treble after today's confirmations

15:45 Wednesday

This treble has shortened into 9/1 best price (worst price shorter than 8/1) over the last three hours. Click HERE to add straight to betslip.

Stu Williams sides with the favourite in the Supreme

13:54 Wednesday

Writing in his race preview, @Jimbo_JumpsMan said: "Facile Vega (9/4) had excuses when blowing out at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and it may pay to forgive him that blip.

"Willie Mullins’ charge was unbeaten prior to that outing, including when landing the Champion Bumper at this meeting last year. He clocked a good time when scoring in Grade 1 company at Christmas and this race has been his target all season.

"Facile Vega came from behind when landing the bumper last year and I’m sure Paul Townend will look to get cover on this occasion, which will be a lot easier given the competitive nature of this race.

"There are many promising horses that will line up in the contest. However, Facile Vega is the only contender whom has flashed star potential at this stage and he has been strong in the betting as the race draws closer."

Honeysuckle ready for final Festival hurrah

12:48 Wednesday

The nine-year-old mare is a best price 9/4 favourite for the Mares' Hurdle.

Notable omissions in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

12:36 Wednesday

Nusret, Bo Zenith and Cougar among those not declared for the Boodles.

Can anyone stop Gaillard Du Mesnil in the NHC?

12:22 Wednesday

The seven-year-old is a best price 11/10 for the race. He will line up against a maximum of 12 others on Tuesday next week:

  • Chemical Energy
  • Churchstonewarrior
  • Coeur Serein
  • Coolvalla
  • Fakiera
  • Mahler Mission
  • Malinello
  • Minella Crooner
  • Mister Coffey
  • Ramillies
  • Tenzing
  • Bellatrixsa

 

Constitution Hill heads 12 in the Champion Hurdle

12:18 Wednesday

Appreciate It left out of the Arkle Chase

12:16 Wednesday

Appreciate It remains a best price 9/2 for the Turners Novices' Chase on Thursday. The nine-year-old had been 8/1 for the Arkle before today.

Facile Vega leads Supreme Novices' at six-day-stage

12:12 Wednesday

20 remain ahead of next Tuesday's Festival opener.

  • American Mike
  • Chasing Fire
  • Dark Raven
  • Diverge
  • Doctor Bravo
  • Facile Vega
  • Fennor Cross
  • Gaelic Warrior
  • Golden Rules
  • High Definition
  • Hunters Yarn
  • Il Etait Temps
  • Impaire Et Passe
  • Inthepocket
  • Marine Nationale
  • Nemean Lion
  • Palace Boy
  • Rare Edition
  • Strong Leader
  • Tahmuras

 

Two supplemented for the Mares' Hurdle?

11:58 Wednesday

Can Elliott turn the Top Trainer tide on Willie Mullins?

11:16 Wednesday

Architect Tips explains what needs to go the way of Gordon Elliott at Cheltenham if he is to wrestle the top trainer title back from Willie Mullins.

Impaire Et Passe clear favourite for the Ballymore

10:21 Wednesday

Willie Mullins' Impaire Et Passe has moved to 5/2 favourite the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. Mullins is no stranger to winning the Ballymore with Sir Gerhard winning it in 2022. Hermes Allen is currently the second favourite at a best price of 3/1. 

Delta Work or Galvin - who wins?

09:07 Wednesday

Delta Work is a best price 11/10 with Galvin at 5/2.

What's coming up tomorrow?

16:59 Tuesday

Confirmations for the first day at Cheltenham will be revealed at the six-day stage around midday. What will we learn about Tuesday's Festival opener?

Retired Minella Times scratched from Aintree showpiece 

14:35 Tuesday

Away from the Cheltenham Festival, retired 2021 Grand National winner Minella Times was one of nine entrants to be scratched from the Aintree showpiece.

Today marked the 1st scratching stage for the race at 17:15 on Saturday 15th April. Minella Times, trained by Henry de Bromhead, won the race two years ago from Balko Des Flos and Any Second Now, who remains in contention for this year (sixth favourite at best price 20/1). 

Burrows Saint, 4th in the same race two years ago, was another of those to be scratched at the 1st stage, along with Ash Tree Meadow and Frontal Assault, who was pulled up after going off as a 6/1 chance in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The others scratched at this stage were Sporting John, Riders Onthe Storm, Fiddlerontheroof, Grumpy Charley and Iwilldoit, who was scratched in advance of the deadline having failed to qualify for the race, with quick ground preventing him from gaining a sixth run over fences before 19th February. 

Racing Weekly Live: Day 1 Cheltenham Preview

12:40 Tuesday

Make sure you're subscribed to our YouTube channel for access to previews for each and every day of next week's Festival. Show regulars Rishi Persad and Sam Turner are joined by Irish racing expert Johnny Ward, Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Nick Scholfield and bet365's Pat Cooney.

One week to go...

09:39 Tuesday

Blazing Khal a doubt for Cheltenham?

16:06 Monday

Blazing Khal, who is the favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham at a best price of 11/4, is a doubt for the Festival next week.

The seven-year-old won at Navan in February but sustained a cut to the back of a fetlock in that run, which could hamper his chances of taking part in the Stayers' Hurdle on Thursday 16th March.

Forecast change now predicts more rain

15:06 Monday

Architect Tips on Susannah Ricci's top chances

14:35 Monday

Architect Tips has picked out three key chances for Susannah Ricci at the Cheltenham Festival, which combine for a huge ante-post treble.

Back this Susannah Ricci Cheltenham Treble
+ All

You can also read his main fancies for JP McManus and Gigginstown House Stud.

The Real Whacker's Brown Advisory chance

11:19 Monday

Sam Twiston-Davies on The Real Whacker for @RacingPost: "He's incredibly unexposed. He's gone to Cheltenham twice this season and won both times. His jumping is phenomenal and he'll be having his third run of the season after putting up two massive displays."

The Real Whacker is a best price 5/1 for the Brown Advisory (worst 7/2).

Most backed Cheltenham bets over the weekend

09:47 Monday

Where is the value in the top jockey market?

09:30 Monday

“There is an 8/1 value bet in the top jockey market for Cheltenham who has just as many short price favourites as Paul Townend at 1/2.”

Click HERE to sign up for the remainder our Cheltenham Super Service, featuring insight from experts Andy Holding and Johnny Ward.

Who is the lay of the meeting for Cheltenham?

09:00 Monday

Andy Holding has suggested that Hermes Allen, 11/4 ante-post favourite for the Ballymore, is the “lay of the meeting” for the Festival next week. Who are you taking on?