In what is the biggest week of the year in Jumps racing around the world, the Cheltenham Festival sees the best horses compete in the showpiece of their respective division in the sport.
A total of 28 races take place across the four days at the meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. The meeting attracts over 250,000 spectators, which helps generate an electric atmosphere for those involved.
Galopin Des Champs Faces Strong Test
The Friday of the Cheltenham Festival is Gold Cup Day, with the highlight of the week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, scheduled to take place. Last year’s winner Galopin Des Champs will bid to retain his crown. He is the +125 favorite in the Cheltenham betting today for the big race.
THAT WAS SENSATIONAL!!! 🚀 😍
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS wins the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup under @PTownend. 🏆 🐎
#ITVRacing | @LeopardstownRC |@WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/sPEPASi5j4— ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 4, 2023
Many of Willie Mullins’ runners feature in the Cheltenham 2024 tips for the meeting, including his stars chaser, who won the Irish equivalent of the race at the Dublin Racing Festival recently.
Mullins will be fully aware that his horse faces a much tougher assignment this year. He will be coming up against Fastorslow, a chaser who has beaten him twice over the last 12 months. The field also includes Ascot Chase winner Shishkin and last season’s leading novice Gerri Colombe.
State Man the Star Attraction in Champion Hurdle
Irish Champion Hurdle winner State Man had to settle for second place in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. Unfortunately for connections of the hurdler, their runner proved no match for Constitution Hill, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest horses in history.
State Man will not run against Constitution Hill this year, as the defending champion will miss the race due to a setback in training. Racing fans may have to wait until Aintree’s Grand National Meeting to see the pair clash again.
The eight-time Grade One winner has dominated the 2m hurdles division in Ireland over the past couple of years. His leading rivals in the Champion Hurdle are likely to be fellow Irish raiders, with Lossiemouth and Irish Point both entered to run.
Talented Batch of Novices May Steal the Headlines
The quality of the novice hurdlers and chasers heading to the Cheltenham Festival is very strong this year. This is an important meeting for them, as it gives them an opportunity to prove their class at the highest level.
🚀 Lovely prospect
Ballyburn tastes G1 honours with a smooth performance in the Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/61FzMdcTLA
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 4, 2024
Ballyburn is one of the novices that has caught the eye this season. He was the winner of the Grade One Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle on his latest appearance. Mullins’ runner won the race in impressive style to enhance his reputation further. The six-year-old is the one to beat in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle.
In the Arkle Trophy Challenge earlier in the week, Il Etait Temps will be bidding to complete a big race double. He won the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown in February, beating Marine Nationale and Found A Fifty.
The opening race on the 2024 Cheltenham Festival is the Supreme Novices Hurdle and the meeting concludes on March 15 with the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
