The 2023 Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching. Some 240,000+ spectators are expected to embark on Cheltenham for this iconic four-day festival of jump racing, which brings together the finest National Hunt thoroughbreds on the planet, let alone the UK and Ireland. It’s twice as long as our very own Down Royal Festival of Racing, scheduled for 3rd-4th November this year.
To that end, it’s high time that we assess the runners and riders of the biggest ‘championship’ races scheduled at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Below, we’ll explore one pick for each feature race to give you some food for thought before the ‘Cheltenham roar’ takes flight.
Cheltenham Gold Cup – Galopin Des Champs
When it comes to the headline race of the festival – the Cheltenham Gold Cup – the horse racing betting tipsters are focused squarely on Irish-trained Galopin Des Champs. He’s considered one of the top five Irish National Hunt thoroughbreds, having stormed to a seemingly unassailable lead in the Turners Novices’ Chase at last year’s festival, before falling at the final fence. It’s also not gone unnoticed that he’s trained by Willie Mullins, who landed back-to-back Gold Cups with Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Champion Hurdle – Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill looks certain to go off as the shortest priced favourite at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. He’s a horse that’s currently undefeated over hurdles and strolled to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in the 2022 Festival. Although Henry de Bromhead’s Honeysuckle could return to try and win the Champion Hurdle once more, the bookies seem to favour Constitution Hill, who has taken to fences with real aplomb.
Queen Mother Champion Chase – Energumene
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is one of the toughest tests at Cheltenham over fences. The two-mile distance means thoroughbreds have to be on-point from start to finish. Last year’s winner, Energumene, looks set to be pitched in for 2023. He’s warmed up for Cheltenham nicely, with a Grade 2 victory in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork. Although most eyes will be on him, Edwardstone is another to keep in mind, having won the Arkle at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.
Stayers’ Hurdle – Paisley Park
Many pundits are tipping Paisley Park to return and win the Stayers’ Hurdle for a second time in five years, having won this race back in 2019. The 11-year-old is a reliable sort that many will lean on at this year’s festival, given that the other front runners in the Stayers’ Hurdle ante post markets seem somewhat weak.
This covers four of the 28 races at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, with heaps of top-class National Hunt racing to look forward to outside of the feature races too. Live coverage of all the action will be available on ITV each afternoon.
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