The Countdown To Cheltenham Begins

Four days of extraordinary. That is how organisers The Jockey Club market the Cheltenham Festival, and its fair say they are bang on the money. 

It is two years since patrons graced the hallowed Prestbury Park amphitheatre, leaving the 2021 festival a soulless occasion. That will all change with one of the biggest roars ever heard in Gloucestershire set to greet the runners in the Supreme Novices Hurdle when the tapes rise at 1.30pm on Tuesday. 

It is also a big week for British trained runners after just five winners were kept at home last year, the other 23 heading over the Irish Sea. The first three favourites of the meeting are trained on these shores though, so we are hoping for a fast start in the annual battle.

The first of those is Constitution Hill in the Supreme who headlines a cast of four unbeaten hurdlers in the hottest version of this race for many a year. 

The opening day will undoubtedly belong to Ireland’s Queen. Honeysuckle bids to retain her Champion Hurdle title and make it fifteen wins from fifteen runs under rules for Henry De Bromhead and last years star of the saddle, Rachael Blackmore.

My fancy for day one is Martello Sky each way in the Mares Hurdles. The Irish have dominated this race but Lucy Wadham’s 6yo has been underestimated and rates a fair each way play at 12/1.

Wednesday is all about Shishkin v Energumene II in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Shishkin, winner at the last two festivals, took the opening round at Ascot in January, but a case can be made for the runner-up there to turn the tables and this tops the bill on day two.

Bet of the day on Ladies Day is American Mike in the Champion Bumper to beat the strongly fancied Facile Vega. Either way, the prize looks set to head back to Ireland.

A switch to the more stamina sapping New Course awaits on St Patrick’s Day Thursday for the final two days. 

The Stayers’ Hurdle is the feature here with the last three winners, Paisley Park, Lisnagar Oscar and Flooring Porter all set to do battle. I am siding with Champ though to keep this prize on home soil. He was impressive at Ascot in December and there were reasons for his defeat here in January behind the admirable Paisley Park, but Champ can land a second festival success on his fourth appearance. 

Elsewhere on St Patrick’s Day, The Ryanair Chase looks at the mercy of Allaho for a second successive year while the opening Turners Novices Chase looks set to be a cracker if all the leading candidates, such as Bob Ollinger, Gallopin Des Champs and L’Homme Presse all go. 

Finally we reach the pinnacle of the week on Friday, Gold Cup Day. 

It kicks off with the Juvenile Championship, the Triumph Hurdle where Pied Piper and Vauban, separated by just half-length on their debuts on New Year’s Eve, renew rivalry after very impressive trial victories. 

The main even goes off at 3.30pm, the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

Al Boum Photo bids to emulate the late great Kauto Star and regain his title after finishing third last year, while last years hero, Minella Indo also aims to join the greats and would be the ninth dual winner of the Blue Riband.

My pick is Galvin, who flew home to beat last years runner-up A Plus Tard at Leopardstown over Christmas. This pair are vying for Gold Cup favouritism and as both are former festival winners, have proved their liking for the course. Galvin won the National Hunt Chase over almost four miles at last years festival and those stamina reserves could be the difference up the famous hill at the end of the three and a quarter mile trip on Friday afternoon. 

Over 250,000 racegoers, Twenty eight races and truly four days of extraordinary await at the Cheltenham Festival.