The butterflies are building for punters, jockeys, trainers, owners (and horses). The 2024 Cheltenham Festival is here, well almost. Not long now!!!! 28 top quality National Hunt races over four amazing days.
Will Willie Mullins and the Irish raiders be partying at Prestbury Park? The festival never fails to disappoint. Hope and dreams are alive and kicking as the tension continues to build before the tape flings up for the first race, the Supreme Novices. Let us check out the Day 1 race action.
Embed from Getty ImagesSupreme Novices’ Hurdle (13:30)
Legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins has landed the Day 1 opener on seven occasions with some top-notch equine stars. The best of the magnificent 7 being Vautour who would follow up his 2014 Supreme Novices success with stunning wins in the JLT Novices (2015) and the Ryanair Chase (2016). He would not finish worse than 2nd in 16 career runs, aside from a fall in the Melling Chase at Aintree.
The Closutton clan go mob-handed into the festival opener again this year, with six runners (half the field). The most fancied of the six are Mystical Power & Tullyhill. Mystical Power is one of only two unbeaten horses in the race (the other being Nicky Henderson’s Jeriko Du Reponet). He has sparkling pedigree, the son of Epsom & Irish Derby winner Galileo and Champion Hurdle winner, Annie Power.
Mystical wrapped up his festival preparations when cruising to his second successive 7-length victory of the season in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. A prep race that Mullins has used prior to a successful shot at the Supremes before. A slight concern is his lack of experience over hurdles compared to others in the line-up. A high percentage of previous Supreme winners have had at least 3 runs over hurdles. Mystical Power has only had two.
Will Tully Power Up The Hill?
Tullyhill comes to Cheltenham with two stress free victories himself, the last being at Punchestown. He impressed in bumpers at the start of 2023, but his 24-length seasonal debut defeat there in November may be a worry for some though. Willie Mullins’ main rival for the trainers’ crown, Gordon Elliott, will have high hopes for his sole Supreme runner, Firefox. His winning streak was ended at Naas in January, but his defeat of well thought of Ballyburn previous to that at Fairyhouse got the tongues wagging.
Could unbeaten Jeriko Du Reponet break Irish hearts and give Britain the perfect start to the Festival? Nicky Henderson needs a pick-me-up following the bleak news that Constitution Hill will miss out on Cheltenham, and Jeriko could provide that. While not setting the world alight, he has done all that has been asked of him, in his three hurdle wins to date. He has some formidable hoofsteps to follow in, with Seven Barrows sending out Constitution Hill, Shishkin & Altior for Supreme success in the past.
Pick: Tullyhill
Check the latest Supreme Novices’ Hurdle odds
Embed from Getty ImagesArkle Chase (14:10)
Following the Supreme Novices, the spotlight shifts to the chasers. The Arkle is raced over an almost identical 2-mile distance to the Day 1 opener, but there are 13 fences compared with the Supreme’s 8 hurdles. The obstacles come thick and fast, and mistakes must be kept to a minimum. The Arkle has been painful for the bookies over the past decade or so. Numerous favourites, many odds-on, have gone in and many without breaking sweat. Recent standout performances include: Shishkin’s 12 lengths success in 2021 (4/9F) and Footpad’s 14 length romp in 2018 (5/6F).
Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have trained the winners of 9 of the previous 12 editions of the Arkle. Henderson has no runners this time around, but unsurprisingly Mullins has several. None of his are hugely fancied or reaching odds-on levels as in previous years, but three are currently residing in the top-5 in the betting: Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps & Hunters Yarn.
Can Quilixios Back Up His Triumph Success?
Gaelic Warrior made a right mess of his jumping at Leopardstown at the start of February, eventually unseating Paul Townend. With all previous 12 winners having won their Cheltenham prep race, some will view it as a negative. He is also failed to get his nose in front on his Cheltenham outings, finishing second both times. Il Etait Temps finished fifth on both his visits to Prestbury Park, taking a keen early hold. Hunters Yarn disappointed connections when coming 12th in the County Hurdle at the Festival twelve months ago. His only previous Cheltenham experience.
One who has recorded a Cheltenham win in the line-up is Quilixios. Henry De Bromhead’s raider is ridden by Rachael Blackmore once again. She was in the saddle when he claimed Triumph Hurdle honours last year. The only other previous former Cheltenham victor is My Mate Mozzie. He won in a smooth fashion, but it was in a small field at the October meeting.
Pick: Quilixios
Check the latest Arkle Chase odds
Embed from Getty ImagesUltima Festival Trophy Chase (14:50)
The first handicap of the Festival, with 20 fences to be cleared over a testing 3 miles. Whereas the Arkle has been a punter’s friend recently, this chase for 5-year-olds and over has seen only three favourites go in, in the last 15 years. Corach Rambler when defending his crown last year, Coo Star Sivola (2018) and Wichita Lineman (2009).
It has proved to be one of the weakest races for the Irish raiders with none claiming victory since Dun Doire won for Tony Martin almost 20 years ago (2006). So, it is a little surprising to see Willie Mullins (Meetingofthewaters) and Gordon Elliott (The Goffer) mounts at the top of the bookies boards currently. Another concern for Meetingofthewaters backers is that he is never raced out of Ireland before, and Cheltenham experience has proved essential in other years. The Goffer ran in this race last year, finishing 4th. He would make good headway after early errors but weakened when it mattered most.
Is Stump Going to Trump His Rivals?
If you are looking for one with good Cheltenham form, Stumptown has it in spades. Gavin Cromwell’s 7-year-old was only beaten a neck in a thrilling finish to last year’s Kim Muir. That is raced over 3 miles 2 furlongs, so stamina will not be an issue either. He finally did find his way into the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham when victorious on New Year’s Day in heavy going over the same distance as the ‘Ultima’.
One at bigger prices who might give a good account of himself is Venetia Williams’ Chambard. He was the winner of the 2022 Kim Muir at odds of 40/1 in soft going. He also recorded 2nd and 4th place finishes over similar distances at non-Festival Cheltenham meetings in 2023. At 12 years of age though, there will be those who have written him off as being over the hill.
Whoever wins, it’s worth noting to see if they have a Grand National entry. Several winners of the opening Cheltenham handicap of the week have gone on to further success in the Aintree showpiece. The list includes last year’s ‘Ultima’ winner, Corach Rambler, as well as West Tip, Seagram and Rough Quest amongst others.
Pick: Stumptown (Next Best: Chambard)
Check the latest Ultima Festival Trophy Chase odds
Embed from Getty ImagesChampion Hurdle (15:30)
Constitution Hill would have gone off the strong odds-on jolly to defend his Champion Hurdle crown. Sadly though, health/fitness issues meant that his Festival dreams would be dashed this year. Willie Mullins’ State Man has now taken over the odds-on favourite tag for the Day 1 feature.
The Irish star hasn’t put a hoof wrong (4 straight wins) since a well-beaten second to Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle. In fact, he hasn’t put a hoof wrong for the majority of his career. That second at the 2023 Festival was his only loss in his last eleven starts. It will be State Man’s third Cheltenham Festival. He won on his debut appearance, when justifying favouritism in the County Hurdle.
Could Nicky Henderson Bag No.10?
The Gordon Elliott trained Irish Point is second favourite in the betting. The Cullentra Stables’ handler hasn’t finished better than 3rd in previous shots at the Champion Hurdle. This will be Irish Point’s first Cheltenham run out, so a question mark remains on how he will perform at the track. Though he did scoot to victory impressively on his first trip across the Irish Sea at Aintree last April.
With Constitution Hill absent, Nico de Boinville takes the ride on Greatwood Hurdle winner, Iberico Lord, for Nicky Henderson. The Seven Barrows’ trainer also sends out Luccia for the race he’s won a staggering 9 times, stretching back to the first of See You Then’s three victories in 1985. Both Iberico Lord and Luccia have tasted defeat this season which doesn’t bode well if you’re a trends studier. The last 9 Champion Hurdle winners were unbeaten throughout the season.
Pick: State Man
Check the latest Champion Hurdle odds
Embed from Getty ImagesClose Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (16:10)
From one odds-on Willie Mullins good thing to yet another, as Lossiemouth looks to maintain her 100% record at Cheltenham. After winning the Triumph Hurdle at the 2023 Festival, she would dominate her rivals when returning to Prestbury Park in January to claim the International Hurdle. The grey has only been beaten once before in her career, when finishing second to Gala Marceau (another Mullins trainee) at Leopardstown. She did suffer trouble in running that day and hit straight back when taking the Triumph Hurdle crown.
Willie Mullins next best on paper (and in the odds) is Ashroe Diamond. She ticks some of the criteria in terms of winning last time out and recently (end of January). Unlike Lossiemouth, she’s yet to race at Cheltenham, so that’s an unknown factor. Although she did win well on both her previous trips to England, with cosy victories at Doncaster and Aintree.
Marie’s Rock Looks To Pull Off Another Shock
The 18/1 shock winner of the 2022 Mares Hurdle, Marie’s Rock, lines up again to take another shot at stardom. Though she’ll have to spring another surprise if she’s to claim the title again. She finished a distant 7th in the 2023 renewel won by Honeysuckle and was dispatched with ease by Bob Olinger in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham this January.
Love Envoi & Telmesomethinggirl should both be there or thereabouts if repeating previous Cheltenham performances. Love Envoi has been 1st (2022 Mares Novices Hurdle) and second twice on three visits to the track. While Henry De Bromhead’s Telmesomethinggirl also won the Mares Novices (2021) and then was travelling well in the 2022 Mares Hurdle before being brought down two out.
Pick: Lossiemouth (Next Best: Telmesomethinggirl)
Check the latest Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle odds
Embed from Getty ImagesBoodles Juvenile Hurdle (16:50)
Five down, two races to go (well 23 if you’re in for the 4-day long haul !!!). This penultimate race on Day 1 is often seen as a Triumph Hurdle (Division 2) affair. While Willie Mullins tends to have a love affair with a number of Cheltenham Festival races, it’s Gordon Elliott who has tended to farm the winner of this contest. He’s won it four times and three times in the past six years. Though he has four going to post in this year’s renewal, his one with the best chance, according to the bookies, Ndaawi, is just one of a handful of horses vying for favouritism. That will likely continue til the off, in what looks like a very open event.
A worry for Ndaawi is that he carries top weight along with Liari, and we’ve only seen one topweight winner since the Fred Winter was first run in 2005. Batman Girac may also struggle carrying just one pound less than those two.
Will The Bookies Be Beaming Again?
Eight of the previous twelve winners were priced 18/1 or higher, so it’s one where the bookies should be licking their lips. Four of the bigger-priced ones that catch the eye are: Roaring Legend, Latin Verse, Pacini & Pigeon House. All have respectable recent form over similar 2 mile trips, which have been factors to look out for with other Fred Winter winners.
If looking to narrow it down, Pacini and Latin Verse could be the pick of those four. Pacini is one of the four Elliott runners and he recorded a 2 mile win at Fairyhouse in December. He had two good run outs at Naas during February to keep his eye in too. Eagle Fang beat Pacini in one of those Naas races, in heavy going, so the William Durkan horse also comes into the final reckoning. Syd Hosie’s Latin Verse hosed in by 19 lengths in a 2 mile contest at Ludlow on February 21st and will be in fine fettle. Both Latin Verse and Pacini go off handy weights of 10-12 too.
Pick: Pacini (Next Best: Eagle Fang)
Check the latest Boodles Juvenile Hurdle odds
Embed from Getty ImagesNational Hunt Chase (17:30)
And so we reach the last on Day 1. We’re all hoping it’s the lucky last and keeps us in positive mood ready for Day 2. Remember, it’s a marathon not a sprint. Big deep breaths are required !!!
Good lungs are definitely required for the National Hunt Chase which is raced over a stamina-sapping 3 miles 6 furlongs and is just for amateur jockeys. It was actually reduced from 4 miles a few years ago, due to welfare concerns, as only a small number of the field finished. The standard of horse entered has improved in recent years and the more fancied runners have started to hold sway. The odds of the last three winners being: 10/11, 2/1 & 7/2.
Corbetts Cross and Salvador Ziggy have the best Cheltenham form of the small select bunch that go to post. Corbetts Cross was looking good in the Albert Bartlett last year, before unexpectedly jinking right and running out. It might be safer to plump for Salvador Ziggy who finished 2nd (2023) and 4th in the Pertemps (2022).
Pick: Salvador Ziggy (Next Best: Corbetts Cross)
Check the latest National Hunt Chase odds
Good luck folks. We are all going to need it !!
The first five races are shown live on ITV, with the 16:50 & 17:30 shown live on Racing TV. Keep up with today’s horse racing results via Racing Post.
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Image Credit: Deposit Photos
