Hundreds of thousands of National Hunt racing fans will descend upon Prestbury Park this month for one of the most highly anticipated meetings on the UK & Ireland racing calendar – the Cheltenham Festival.
The Grand National notwithstanding, Cheltenham is the most prestigious event in jumps racing – and given the amount of incredibly talented entries expected to line up at 2023’s renewal – it is shaping up to be one of the most memorable Festivals in its long and storied history.
Each day has its fair share of competitive fixtures – and with that in mind – in this article, we’re going to dissect the horse racecards on the fourth and final day of the Festival.
JCB Triumph Hurdle
In what is the opening race on day four, the JCB Triumph Hurdle is a Grade 1 affair open to four-year-olds. It is run over two miles and a furlong, and there are eight hurdles to be jumped throughout – and acts as the leading event in the National Hunt calendar to be exclusively contested by juveniles. It was Willie Mullins’ Vauban who took the spoils in 2022 – with the French horse reigning supreme by two-and-a-half lengths from Fil Dor.
Favourites in 2023:
- Lossiemouth 7/4
- Blood Destiny 15/8
- Gala Marceau 11/2
County Handicap Hurdle
A premier handicap run over two miles and a furlong, the County Handicap Hurdle has been a fantastic breeding ground for talented up-and-coming prospects. You only have to look at last year’s victor State Man – who is now one of the leading contenders for the Champion Hurdle on day one of 2023’s renewal.
Favourites in 2023:
- Filey Bay 5/1
- Pembroke 9/1
- Gin Coco 10/1
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The second Grade 1 fixture of the day is the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, a three-mile race consisting of twelve hurdles during its running. It is open to horses aged four years and older and boasts more than £100,000 in prizemoney. Mullins secured his third Albert Bartless Novices’ Hurdle gong last year, with his gelding The Nice Guy maintaining his unblemished record to win by five lengths.
Favourites in 2023:
- Corbetts Cross 4/1
- Embassy Gardens 13/2
- Three Card Brag 15/2
Gold Cup
In what is the feature race of the Festival, the Gold Cup is considered by many fans and pundits alike as the most competitive fixture on the National Hunt racing calendar. The three-mile and two-and-a-half-furlong affair is open to horses aged five years or older – and has 22 fences to be jumped over the course of the contest.
Not only is reigning supreme enormous for a horse’s, jockey’s and trainer’s respective legacies – it’s also financially rewarding – with the winner’s connections bagging a cool £351,000 in prizemoney.
2022’s edition saw 3/1 favorite A Plus Tard finish first past the post in what was a dominant display – and he and jockey Rachael Blackmore will have the opportunity to make it back-to-back Gold Cup successes as they will be lining up again in 2023.
Favourites in 2023:
- Galopin Des Champs 13/8
- A Plus Tard 13/2
- Bravemansgame 13/2
Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
A grueling contest run over three miles and two-and-a-half furlongs, the Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase has 22 fences to be jumped and is oftentimes referred to as the ‘amateur Gold Cup’. To be eligible for the race, a horse must be at least five years of age and have finished either first or second twice in hunter chases. Conversely, if they have won two open point-to-point races or have won an open point-to-point race and finished first or second in a hunter chase – that too will ensure a thoroughbred is eligible for the ungraded fixture.
Favourites in 2023:
- Vaucelet 7/4
- Ferns Lock 6/1
- Winged Leader 6/1
Mares’ Chase
The Grade 2 Mares’ Chase is a fixture that is still in its infancy somewhat, having only been added to the Festival schedule in 2021. It is run over two miles and four-and-a-half furlongs and consists of 17 fences from start to finish. In its two editions thus far, Mullins has been the only trainer to taste success in the penultimate race on day four, with his mares Colreevy and Elimay taking home the chocolates in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Favourites in 2023:
- Allegorie De Vassy 11/8
- Impervious 6/4
- Jeremy Flame 9/2
Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
The final race of the Festival is the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle which will take place at 5:30 pm. It is a two-mile and four-and-a-half-furlong affair open to horses 4yo+ and consists of nine hurdles during its running. Winners of this fixture oftentimes go on to win graded contests – with the last two champions, Banbridge and Galopin Des Champs, further evidence of that.
Favourites in 2023:
- Spanish Harlem 11/2
- Imagine 6/1
- Cool Survivor 15/2