The heroes of Cheltenham 2017 achieved remarkable things but what are their prospects looking like this year?
Day One
| Race | 2017 Winner | SP | Expected entry 2018 | Best Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Labaik | 4/1 | NR | NR |
| Arkle Challenge Trophy | Altior | 1/4 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | 5/4 |
| Ultima Handicap Chase | Un Temps Pour Tout | 9/1 | NR | NR |
| Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy | Buveur D'Air | 5/1 | Champion Hurdle | 8/15 |
| OLBG Mares' Hurdle | Apple's Jade | 7/2 | Mares' Hurdle | 8/13 |
| National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup | Tiger Roll | 16/1 | Cross Country Chase | 11/2 |
| Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase | Tully East | 8/1 | Brown Advisory Plate | 8/1 |
Day one could see Apple's Jade retain her crown in the Mares' Hurdle for the first time since Quevega ruled the roost from 2009 until 2014.
Having won the Arkle in 2016, the much talked about Altior is expected to run in the Champion Chase, where is the 5/4 favourite following Douvan's declaration. Having won last year's adition of the Mares' Hurdle at 7/2, Apple's Jade goes into this year's race as the heavy 8/13 favourite to retain her crown. .
Following Buveir D'Air's convincing win in the Champion Hurdle at 5/1, he is expected to win the race two years in succession at a best price of 8/15.
Day Two
| Race | 2017 Winner | SP | Expected entry 2018 | Best Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle | Willoughby Court | 14/1 | NR | NR |
| RSA Chase | Might BIte | 7/2 | Gold Cup | 7/2 |
| Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle | Supasundae | 16/1 | Stayers Hurdle | 5/1 |
| Queen Mother Champion Chase | Special Tiara | 11/1 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | 28/1 |
| Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | Cause of Causes | 4/1 | Cross Country Chase | 11/4 |
| Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle | Flying Tiger | 33/1 | NR | NR |
| Champion Bumper | Fayonagh | 7/1 | NR | NR |
From the winners on day two last year, Cause of Causes looks the most likely to repeat that success when he goes for a second win in a row in the Cross Country Chase. He's the 11/4 favourite for that race and could follow the same schedule as last year by running in the Grand National.
Might Bite's dramatic RSA Chase win last year captured the imagination and this year he is the Gold Cup favourite at the same price. The strength of the field in the Queen Mother Champion Chase means last year's winner Special Tiara goes in as an outside shot at 28/1.
Day Three
| Race | 2017 Winner | SP | Expected entry 2018 | Best Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JLT Novices' Chase | Yorkhill | 6/4 | Champion Hurdle | 16/1 |
| Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle | Presenting Percy | 11/1 | RSA Chase | 5/2 |
| Ryanair Chase | Un De Sceaux | 7/4 | Ryanair Chase | 11/8 |
| Stayers Hurdle | Nichols Canyon | 10/1 | NR | NR |
| Brown Advisory Plate | Road To Respect | 14/1 | Road To Respect | 10/1 |
| Mares Novices' Hurdle | Let's Dance | 11/8 | Stayers Hurdle | 33/1 |
| Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase | Domesday Book | 40/1 | NR | NR |
Yorkhill, having won the Mares Novices' Hurdle in 2017, is among the front runners for the Champion Hurdle but will have to produce some performance to finish ahead of Buveur D'Air. Pertemps 2017 winner Presenting Percy goes into the RSA Chase as the 5/2 favourite in what is a great chance for his second win at Cheltenham.
Let's Dance was the winning favourite of the Mares Novices' Hurdle last year - this year might prove more challenging though when she lines up as a 33/1 shot in the Stayers Hurdle where the favourite is Sam Spinner.
Day Four
| Race | 2017 Winner | SP | Expected entry 2018 | Best Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Hurdle | Defi Du Seuil | 5/2 | NR | NR |
| Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle | Arctic Fire | 20/1 | NR | NR |
| Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle | Penhill | 16/1 | Stayers Hurdle | 9/1 |
| Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup | Sizing John | 7/1 | NR | NR |
| Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup | Pacha Du Polder | 16/1 | Foxhunters Chase | 16/1 |
| Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle | Champagne Classic | 12/1 | NR | NR |
| Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Rock The World | 10/1 | Grand Annual | 20/1 |
None of 2017's winners on day four are expected to repeat the trick in 2018, although Penhill is the fourth favourite in the Stayers Hurdle and could run well again.
Rock The World has only achieved one place since his win at Cheltenham and, as such, goes into the same race he won last year as a 20/1 outsider.
