Cheltenham Festival Preview and Odds

Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday 11th March. This year promises to be a brilliant showcase of all the top horses and jockeys. Over the course of the four day festival, the expected turnout for the festival is well over 230,000 spectators and punters. Across the country over £500million is expected to be wagered on the outcome of the twenty five different races.

Day One: The main event on the first day of the festival is The Smurfit Champion Hurdle. For championship hurdlers this is one of horse racing’s most revered and sought after accolade. The 2 mile hurdles race has been won by an Irish competitor on seven out of the last nine occasions. This has spurred the English competitors even further and many expect a win this year.

Also on Day One: Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase, BGC Cross Country Chase and the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Day Two: The second day, Wednesday 12th March, sees what many consider the most exciting race of the entire season, the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Championship Chase. This is a 2 mile chase that offers fast paced competition and fierce rivalry.

Also on Day Two: Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle, Royal & SunAlliance Chase, Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle), Peter O'Sullevan National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup and the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Day Three: On Thursday spectators can see the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. This is the most important race of the day, providing onlookers with the chance to see both endurance and excitement as the long distance hurdlers race over three miles. This year Inglis Drever will be racing for the chance to win for the third consecutive time. Thursday is also second annual ‘Ladies day’, adding another aspect to the series, fashion, where ladies can win awards such as Best Hat and Best Dressed Lady. It is the day of recognition to the contribution made by Ladies to Jump racing. The highlight is the presentation of award for the most outstanding contribution to jump racing.

Also on Day Three: Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase, Ryanair Chase, Racing Post Plate Handicap Chase, Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase and the Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle).

Day Four: Friday sees the highlight of the entire racing season, the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. This is the race of the season, a race that all jockeys dream of winning. It is a race over three and a quarter miles that demands the best from all the competitors and is the race that almost all horse racing pundits will place a bet on. The defending champion, Kauto Star is competing again, looking to become one of the few horses to be multiple winners of the Blue Riband event.

Also on Day Four: JCB Triumph Hurdle, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup, Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup and finally the David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle.

Horses:

Here’s a quick look at the some of the front runners for the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and how they fair up:

Kauto Star, 11/10* (Sporting Bet) has dominated the National Hunt Season and was backed as favourite last year as well as this. Last year Kauto Star comfortably won the Gold Cup and was awarded £250,000 first prize as well as £1m for owner Clive Smith.

Denman, 7/4* (NP Bet) is a hurdles favourite. On his last racecourse appearance Denman won what looked like a competitive Grade One race by 21 lengths from The Cool Guy. This surprised even his owner, Paul Nicholls.

Exotic Dancer, 20/1* (Coral) won the Gold Cup in 2006 under Tony McCoy who, following a back injury, has been cleared to race again this series. Due to his volatile nature, Exotic Dancer has been described as both the most enjoyable and frustrating horse to ride.

Aces Four, 25/1* (Party Bets) produced one of his best performances last year at Aintree, then went to the Ellier Developments Novice Chase and was winning with a clear margin between him and his opponents before crashing to the floor on the last hurdle. Despite this the young horse is still a favourite among punters.

Neptune Collonges, 33/1* (William Hill), trained alongside Denman under Paul Nicholls, was the first British trained winner of the Guinness Gold Cup in Ireland and is responsible for ending the drought of wins for British horses last year, when the Irish horses run of success finally came to an end. *Odds correct as of 12pm Wednesday 27th February. Subject to change.