The pinnacle of the Jumps racing season. The Cheltenham Festival is the highlight in the sports calendar. Not only is it the biggest event for racing fans but also the bookmakers themselves. Whether it`s the best offers or Cheltenham tips you’re after our guide has you covered.
Think of National Hunt Jumps Racing and one meeting spring to mind the Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the season. Known effectively as the Olympics of the sport but thankfully we don`t have to wait 4 years with the event held on March annually at the famous Prestbury Park race course.
the four days in March and is widely considered the pinnacle of the jump racing season. There are a total of 28 incredible Cheltenham races, featuring 14 Grade 1 events contested in front of more than 65,000 racegoers each day. Every owner, jockey and trainer dreams of a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, cementing their place in history alongside some of the legends of the sport including Denman, Kauto Star and Istabraq.
Thousands of racing fans make the pilgrimage each year with the best horses from both sides of the Irish Sea doing battle across 4 days of thrilling sport. Each day features championship races including the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase Stayers Hurdle and the blue ribband event itself the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself
The likes of trainers Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson head the English challenge as there horses do battle with the likes of runners from Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot from Ireland.
That’s not the only head-to-head battle that occurs during Cheltenham Festival week though as such is the statue of the Cheltenham Festival now it`s often a case of all roads lead to Cheltenham during the Jumps season so racing fans will have been studying the form and it certainly is a case of putting your money where you mouth is in terms of the annual punter v bookmaker to see who comes out on top.
Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham racecourse has hosted racing since 1815 and now showcases some of the best jump racing in Britain.
To add to the excitement, there is an ongoing rivalry between Great Britain and Ireland which has been celebrated in recent years with the introduction of the Prestbury Cup. The two nations compete against one another to accumulate the most winners at the Cheltenham Festival. The side to win the most wins at Cheltenham in 2023 is presented with the Prestbury Cup at the end of the week.
Last year the Prestbury Cup was claimed by Irish trainers with a total of 18 wins compared to 10 for the British trainers.
Recent form, Trainers to follow or simply names and colours. Many of us have our own way of finding winners at arguably the greatest 4 days racing of the year.
Our race-by-race guides including Cheltenham key race trends and Festival betting stats along with form analysis by our team of racing expert hopefully should help steer you in the right direction and provide you with the best Cheltenham Festival tips and insight around. Add to this the latest and best bookmaker offers and you’ve come to the right place to make this year’s Cheltenham a enjoyable and profitable one
Cheltenham actually has 2 courses on the main track cross country being the other within the infield and unique in its own right. Whilst both courses are left-handed, undulating with a stiff uphill finish there are actually some characteristics that are notably different which can have a impact on how races play out. The old course is deemed the much quicker of the 2 and you often need a handier type who travels within themselves comfortably. Whilst on the new course over hurdles stamina can be the key assets with only 2 hurdles in just under the final mile its often the case that races develop too early. During the Festival the old course host the initial 2 days with the new course used on Thursday and Friday.
Underfoot conditions are one of the key factors which can impact a horse’s performance. Having a understanding of likely ground conditions and any keeping a watchful eye on likely weather forecast can prove pivotal when deciding where to place your money.
Many horses thrive under certain conditions especially when it comes to extremes of going for example only certain horses will have the right physical characteristics or pedigree to handle deep heavy ground. It` also worth noting that many horses improve for the usual likely spring ground after having found things much tougher during the winter months.
Like most of us trainers are creatures of habits, they will buy a particular type of horse and map races out well in advance leading up to Cheltenham itself so the past is often a good indication of the future.
Much talk in recent years have been the Irish trained dominance at the festival. With the trainer leading the way being Willie Mullins leading trainer. He`s won the Leading trainer award numerous times in recent years and will most likely be a short priced favourite to do so once more this year. He also scooped 10 victories last season so it pays to follow the Closutton maestro. If the Willie Mullins dominance wasn’t enough the likes of Gordon Elliot whose handicap runners especially should be noted and Henry De Bromhead who has tasted plenty success recently with likes of Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard and Champion mare Honyesuckle add plenty of depth to the Irish challenger. As can be seen below Gavin Cromwell has become some what of a target trainer with a small number of runners along with the ultra-shrewd Tony Martin
it’s no surprise that’s the likes of Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson dominate the English challenge in terms of quantity of winners. While David Pipes handicap runners can be worthy of consideration.
| Trainer | Runners | Wins | Win% | Places | Place% |
| Cromwell, Gavin Patrick | 22 | 4 | 18.18% | 6 | 27.27% |
| Elliott, Gordon | 259 | 32 | 12.36% | 92 | 35.52% |
| Mullins, W P | 527 | 64 | 12.14% | 167 | 31.69% |
| Martin, A J | 34 | 4 | 11.76% | 10 | 29.41% |
| Bromhead, Henry De | 142 | 15 | 10.56% | 37 | 26.06% |
| Curtis, Miss Rebecca | 44 | 4 | 9.09% | 5 | 11.36% |
| Harrington, Mrs John | 47 | 4 | 8.51% | 12 | 25.53% |
| Henderson, N J | 323 | 26 | 8.05% | 85 | 26.32% |
| Pipe, D E | 120 | 7 | 5.83% | 19 | 15.83% |
| ONeill, Jonjo | 104 | 6 | 5.77% | 16 | 15.38% |
| Nicholls, P F | 244 | 14 | 5.74% | 44 | 18.03% |
| Trainer | Runners | Wins | Win% | Places | Place% |
| Daly, H D | 20 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 5% |
| Ferguson, J P | 36 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2.78% |
| Keighley, M | 23 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 8.70% |
| Longsdon, C E | 52 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 3.85% |
| McCain Jnr, D | 34 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 8.82% |
| Morris, M F | 21 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 19.05% |
| Newland, Dr R D P | 30 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 6.67% |
| OBrien, Fergal | 41 | 0 | 0% | 6 | 14.63% |
| Vaughan, Tim | 23 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 4.35% |
| George, T R | 65 | 1 | 1.54% | 12 | 18.46% |
| Moore, G L | 49 | 1 | 2.04% | 6 | 12.24% |
| Mulholland, N P | 45 | 1 | 2.22% | 4 | 8.89% |
| Williams, Evan | 37 | 1 | 2.70% | 6 | 16.22% |
| Lavelle, Miss E C | 34 | 1 | 2.94% | 6 | 17.65% |
Paul Townend has led the way in recent years thanks to his long-established partnership with trainer Willie Mullins.
In 2021 Rachel Blackmore became the first female rider to be leading jockey at the meeting winning 6 races across the 4 days including success with the unbeaten at the time wonder mare Honeysuckle in the Champion hurdle.
Experience can pay when it comes to the big occasions and it can often pay to focus on the established jockeys within the weighing room. That’s especially true when it comes to races in which amateur riders take the stage with the Codfather Jamie Codd showing a seriously impressive strike rate in recent years.
| Jockey | Runners | Wins | Win% | Places | Place% |
| Codd, Mr J J | 35 | 8 | 22.86% | 16 | 45.71% |
| Walsh, R | 111 | 25 | 22.52% | 48 | 43.24% |
| Donoghue, K M | 14 | 3 | 21.43% | 6 | 42.86% |
| Blackmore, Rachael | 71 | 12 | 16.90% | 20 | 28.17% |
| Boinville, Nico | 94 | 15 | 15.96% | 30 | 31.91% |
| Townend, P | 147 | 22 | 14.97% | 58 | 39.46% |
| Geraghty, B J | 121 | 18 | 14.88% | 39 | 32.23% |
| Kennedy, J W | 70 | 10 | 14.29% | 27 | 38.57% |
| Russell, D N | 113 | 16 | 14.16% | 43 | 38.05% |
| Powell, Brendan | 30 | 3 | 10% | 4 | 13.33% |
| Cooper, Bryan J | 100 | 9 | 9% | 32 | 32% |
| Mullins, Mr P W | 57 | 5 | 8.77% | 17 | 29.82% |
| Walsh, M P | 81 | 7 | 8.64% | 19 | 23.46% |
| Jockey | Runners | Wins | Win% | Places | Place% |
| Aspell, Leighton | 23 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 4.35% |
| Bellamy, Tom | 21 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 4.76% |
| Biddick, Mr W | 24 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 12.50% |
| Bowen, Sean P | 29 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 6.90% |
| Brennan, P J | 61 | 0 | 0% | 12 | 19.67% |
| Casey, D J | 21 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 19.05% |
| Moore, Joshua | 25 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 8% |
| Mullins, David | 50 | 0 | 0% | 7 | 14% |
| ONeill, Mr B | 25 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 16% |
| Hutchinson, Wayne | 56 | 1 | 1.79% | 7 | 12.50% |
| OBrien, T J | 51 | 1 | 1.96% | 10 | 19.61% |
| Burke, Jonathan | 47 | 1 | 2.13% | 8 | 17.02% |
| ORegan, Denis | 43 | 1 | 2.33% | 3 | 6.98% |
| Heskin, A P | 41 | 1 | 2.44% | 6 | 14.63% |
| Cannon, Tom J | 36 | 1 | 2.78% | 5 | 13.89% |
| Deutsch, Charlie | 36 | 1 | 2.78% | 8 | 22.22% |
| Moore, Jamie | 36 | 1 | 2.78% | 5 | 13.89% |
| Waley-Cohen, Mr S | 31 | 1 | 3.23% | 11 | 35.48% |
| ONeill, Jonjo (Jr) | 28 | 1 | 3.57% | 2 | 7.14% |
| McGrath, Jeremiah | 27 | 1 | 3.70% | 7 | 25.93% |
| Flanagan, S W | 25 | 1 | 4% | 2 | 8% |
| Walsh, Ms K | 24 | 1 | 4.17% | 6 | 25% |
As mentioned, Cheltenham is a pretty unique racecourse and it can take a certain type of horse to handle the demands. With that in mind it’s worth noting where horses have run previously on there final prep run before the festival itself. It’s no surprise to see the top grade 1 courses like Cheltenham itself and Leopardstown in Ireland with runners particularly from the Dublin Racing Festival having a good win % but what is more of a lesser-known fact is the performance of some of the smaller Irish courses like Tramore, Limerick, Thurles, Naas and Navan. On the other side of things its worth noting some course like Carlisle, Catterick and Chepstow to name just a few who have surprisingly not produced a Cheltenham Festival winner in the last 10 years.
| (LR) Track | Runners | Wins | Win% | Places | Place% |
| Tramore | 8 | 3 | 37.50% | 4 | 50% |
| Limerick | 22 | 4 | 18.18% | 6 | 27.27% |
| Thurles | 62 | 9 | 14.52% | 15 | 24.19% |
| Naas | 131 | 17 | 12.98% | 44 | 33.59% |
| Navan | 113 | 13 | 11.50% | 28 | 24.78% |
| Leopardstown | 619 | 67 | 10.82% | 195 | 31.50% |
| Cheltenham | 474 | 39 | 8.23% | 112 | 23.63% |
| Fairyhouse | 127 | 9 | 7.09% | 30 | 23.62% |
| Warwick | 170 | 12 | 7.06% | 33 | 19.41% |
| Punchestown | 192 | 13 | 6.77% | 41 | 21.35% |
| Sandown | 197 | 13 | 6.60% | 36 | 18.27% |
| Exeter | 96 | 5 | 5.21% | 12 | 12.50% |
| Gowran Park | 110 | 5 | 4.55% | 20 | 18.18% |
| Kempton | 294 | 12 | 4.08% | 55 | 18.71% |
| Ascot | 255 | 10 | 3.92% | 46 | 18.04% |
| Wincanton | 92 | 3 | 3.26% | 11 | 11.96% |
| Newbury | 292 | 9 | 3.08% | 44 | 15.07% |
| Doncaster | 209 | 6 | 2.87% | 30 | 14.35% |
| Haydock | 198 | 4 | 2.02% | 23 | 11.62% |
| (LR) Track | Runners | Wins | Win% | Places | Place% |
| Carlisle | 15 | 0 | 0% | 5 | 33.33% |
| Catterick | 20 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 10% |
| Chepstow | 77 | 0 | 0% | 16 | 20.78% |
| Fakenham | 14 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 28.57% |
| Fontwell | 35 | 0 | 0% | 4 | 11.43% |
| Lingfield | 34 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2.94% |
| Ludlow | 49 | 0 | 0% | 5 | 10.20% |
| Market Rasen | 36 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 8.33% |
| Newcastle | 24 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 4.17% |
| Sedgefield | 10 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 10% |
| Southwell | 14 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Stratford | 18 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 5.56% |
| Taunton | 49 | 0 | 0% | 8 | 16.33% |
| Wolverhampton | 10 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Musselburgh | 108 | 2 | 1.85% | 13 | 12.04% |
| Leicester | 36 | 1 | 2.78% | 3 | 8.33% |
| Wetherby | 71 | 2 | 2.82% | 10 | 14.08% |
| Huntingdon | 60 | 2 | 3.33% | 9 | 15% |
| Kelso | 47 | 2 | 4.26% | 4 | 8.51% |
It`s easy to think that given the competitive nature of the racing at the Cheltenham Festival that plenty of big price winners can be expected. Whilst we will always see the occasional winner at fancy odds the performance of those towards the head of the market and in particular favourites in recent years is worth noting. Considering that these are the longest established markets of the season and with more known about the majority of horses than in other races across the year then there is some logic to why favourites at the Cheltenham Festival perform so well. It`s also worth mentioning this record improves considerably in many of the championship races like the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and the Gold Cup itself.
| Pos Odds Market | Runners | Wins | Win% | Places | Place% |
| Clear Top | 253 | 80 | 31.62% | 146 | 57.71% |
| Joint Top | 51 | 4 | 7.84% | 22 | 43.14% |
| Clear Second | 227 | 40 | 17.62% | 110 | 48.46% |
| Joint Second | 54 | 4 | 7.41% | 23 | 42.59% |
| Clear Third | 205 | 22 | 10.73% | 77 | 37.56% |
| Joint Third | 93 | 11 | 11.83% | 28 | 30.11% |
| Clear Fourth | 193 | 13 | 6.74% | 56 | 29.02% |
| Joint Fourth | 82 | 2 | 2.44% | 26 | 31.71% |
| Fifth or Worse | 423 | 9 | 2.13% | 49 | 11.58% |
Are you ready for the roar!! The Cheltenham Festival kicks off in style which the traditional curtain raiser being the Supreme Hurdle. A race in which Willie Mullins has tasted plenty of success in recent years its often a race which starts the now Irish dominance in the Hurdle division. Nicky Henderson usually has something to say on that matter for including when successful last season with now Champion Hurdle favourite Constitution Hill.
The Arkle gives next seasons potential Champion Chase prospects a chance to show there a race in which many horses have gone on to do the double including the likes of the great Moscow Flyer and in more recent times Sprinter Sacre and Altior
The big race on Cheltenham Day One though is Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, this is the pinnacle of the sport for 2m hurdlers and has seen many great winners in the past including triple winner Istrabaq, Hurricane Fly and in most recent times 2 sensational mares in the shape of Annie Power and Honeysuckle
| Time | Race | Distance | Type | Class |
| 1.30 pm | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | 2m 1/2f | Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 2.10 pm | Arkle Challenge Trophy | 2m | Chase | Grade 1 |
| 2.50 pm | Ultima Handicap Chase | 3m 1f | Chase | Class 1 |
| 3.30 pm | Champion Hurdle | 2m 1/2f | Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 4.10 pm | Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle | 2m 4f | Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 4.50 pm | Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | 2m 4 1/2f | Chase | Class 1 |
| 5.30 pm | NH Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase | 3m 6f | Chase | Grade 2 |
The second day starts again with the novice hurdlers and once again it1s also a race in which the Irish trained runners have dominated in recent years. Many horses come with big reputations and conquer here including the likes of Sir Gerhard, Envoi Allen and the mighty Faugheen.
First of seven races on Day 2 is the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Run over 2m5f, some exceptionally exciting talents have won it in recent years.
The highlight of day 2 though is Queen Mother Champion Chase is race four. The ultimate speed test for chases Two miles over fences at Championship pace requires a particular type who cn travel and jump with ultimate accuracy and speed to succeed. The roll of honour for this race is a whos who of the jumping game including dual winners Altior, Sprinter Sacre, Master Minded and Moscow Flyer.
Tiger roll has added interest to the Cross-Country chase in recent times and the hope of seeing future stars in the Champion Bumper add further interest to the days racing in which another race in which the Irsh and most notably Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot have dominated in recent years.
| Time | Race | Distance | Type | Class |
| 1.30 pm | Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle | 2m 5f | Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 2.10 pm | Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | 3m 1/2f | Chase | Grade 1 |
| 2.50 pm | Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle | 2m 5f | Hurdle | Class 1 |
| 3.30 pm | Queen Mother Champion Chase | 2m | Chase | Grade 1 |
| 4.10 pm | Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | 3m 6f | X Country | Class 2 |
| 4.50 pm | Grand Annual Handicap Chase | 2m 1/2f | Chase | Class 1 |
| 5.30 pm | Weatherbys Champion Bumper | 2m 1/2f | NH Flat | Class 1 |
St Patricks day Thursday and its another treat for horse racing fans with 2 feature races the Ryanair Chase and Stayers Hurdle. The former is run over the intermediate trip and is a race in which Willie Mullins has dominated in recent years winning including success with dual winner Allaho, Min, Un De Sceaux and Vautour. A race that is now firmly established its also had some great stories in recent times thanks to the likes of Frodon who was successful under Bryony Frost and Uxizandre giving champion jockey Tony Mccoy his final success at the Cheltenham Festival. The other feature race on the Thursday is the Stayers Hurdle a race in which we have seen plenty of repeat winners most recently with Flooring Porter, four time winner Big Bucks and three time winner Inglis Drever
| Time | Race | Distance | Type | Class |
| 1.30 pm | Turners Novices’ Chase | 2m 4f | Chase | Grade 1 |
| 2.10 pm | Pertemps Network Final | 3m | Hurdle | Class 1 |
| 2.50 pm | Ryanair Steeplechase | 2m 5f | Chase | Grade 1 |
| 3.30 pm | Stayers’ Hurdle | 3m | Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 4.10 pm | Plate Handicap Chase | 2m 5f | Chase | Class 1 |
| 4.50 pm | Mares Novices’ Hurdle | 2m 1f | Hurdle | Grade 2 |
| 5.30 pm | Kim Muir Challenge Cup | 3m 2f | Chase | Class 2 |
The feature on the final day is the Cheltenham Gold Cup it’s the pinnacle race of the Cheltenham Festival whether you’re a trainer, jockey owner or punter it’s the one that we all want the winner of.
A race of huge stature its one in which never fails to provide great sporting drama and a story which goes down in racing history. Golden Miller managed the most wins in this race with five wins, then we have a hattrick of triple winners in the shaper of Cottage Rake the great Arkle and then Best Mate, who completed a hat trick in 2004. In more recent times we have seen the epic battle of champion trainer’s duo Denman and Kauto Star who both tasted success in the race. Over the last few years its again the Irish who have dominated with the likes Al Boum Photo and Minella Indo followed by A Plus Tard giving jockey Rachel Blackmore the honours of becoming the first female jockey to win the race.
The day kicks off with the Triumph Hurdle a race in which the top Juvenile hurdlers face up against each other followed by one of the most fiercely competitive handicaps of the season the County handicap hurdle.
| Time | Race | Distance | Type | Class |
| 1.30 pm | JCB Triumph Hurdle | 2m 1f | Chase | Grade 1 |
| 2.10 pm | County Handicap Hurdle | 2m 1f | Hurdle | Class 1 |
| 2.50 pm | Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle | 3m | Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 3.30 pm | The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup | 3m 2 1/2f | Chase | Grade 1 |
| 4.10 pm | St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup | 3m 2 1/2f | Chase | Class 2 |
| 4.50 pm | Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase | 2m 1/2f | Chase | Grade 2 |
| 5.30 pm | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | 2m 4 1/2f | Chase | Class 2 |
