January 2018

On day two of the Cheltenham Festival the Glenfarclas Chase is an ungraded, cross country race across 3 miles and 7 furlongs. Taking place as the fifth race of the second day, on 14^th March at 16.10 GMT.

 

The Chase was won in 2017 by Cause of Causes at (4-1), ridden by Jamie Codd and trained by Gordon Elliot. Second place was taken by Bless The Wings (10-1) and third place Cantlow (9-4). Incidentally, last year’s winner, Cause of Causes is already one of 2018’s favourites. The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase has created its fair share of Cheltenham Legends, including Balthazar King and Garde Champetre.

 

Since its inception in 2005, thirteen Cross Country chases have taken place, with 32 different obstacles across the course, including hedges banks and ditches, with it recently being acknowledged as more of a conditions race, than as a handicapped event. Many trainers give this race a miss, as it’s not to everyone’s liking. Runners are restricted to ages five years and above, with a weigh allowance for Geldings of 11st 4lb, with a Mares’ allowance of 7lb.

 

With a prize fund of £65,000, this race is a great test for both horses and jockeys. Current favourite for this 2018 race is Josies Orders, who is a very exciting prospect to win this season.

 

This Grade 3 race is run over hurdles at two miles and five furlongs in length. It is a handicap race, for horses over four years of age. The 2018 Coral Cup will take place on 14^th March at 14.50 GMT. This race can be a tough one for punters, due to the large amount of contenders, especially as no one horse has won the race more than once.

 

The 2017 winner was Supasundae, (16-1) with second place Taquin Du Seuil, (12-1) third Who Dares Wins (33-1) and fourth place taken by Monksland (66-1). Run on the Old Course, this Grade 3 race is handicapped, with the challenge of 10 hurdles. Introduced in 1993, this most competitive of handicap races offers a prize cup of £100,000.

 

The Coral Cup is one of the Ladies Day races, and in reality, it’s more about the fashion styles on the course, than about the horse racing action. Many punters see the Coral Cup as a taster to the main event of the day, the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Unlike many other races at Cheltenham, this event has always been sponsored by the bookmakers Coral from the outset, who have kept up the association with the race ever since.

 

 

This popular race is one of the Cheltenham Festival highlights. It being the main race on the second day at the Festival, held on Wednesday 14^th March 2018 at 15.30 GMT. Using the New Course, this Grade 1 Chase is for horses over five years old, and covers two miles of course.

 

The 2017 Queen Mother Champion Chase was won by Special Tiara ridden by jockey Noel Fehily, with Trainer Henry de Bromhead, with Fox Norton in second place, and Sir Valentino in third. Other champions of this chase have been jockeys Barry Geraghty and Pat Taffe who have both been champions five times. A hat trick winner was Badsworth Boy with wins in 1983,1984 and 1985.

 

Favourite names just now are Douvan and Altior, who are among 30 other entrants in this Betway Chase at Cheltenham. Previously known as the National Hunt Two Mile Champion Chase, the race was given its current title to commemorate the Queen Mother’s 80^th Birthday in 1980. With a prize purse of £320,000, the chase, run over 2 miles with 12 fences, is the most prominent minimum distance chase of the racing Festival.

 

 

This Gold Cup Chase for novices is a Grade 1 race over 3 miles and 110 yards, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 14^th March 2018 at 14.10pm GMT. Run on the New Course at Cheltenham, this Chase is for horses over 5 years of age.

 

The 2017 RSA Chase was won by Might Bite, who went to victory over Whisper with Bellshill coming in third place. Number one favourite for the 2018 chase, is Monalee with Al Boum Photo a close second place.

 

This 3 mile race always proves a physical test of stamina, especially when it comes to the hill furlongs, particularly for the novice runners who have to tackle the nineteen fences. Previous talented novice winners include Arkle, Denman, Florida Pearl, and of course, Lord Windermere. It’s not unusual to see horses suffer falls or even to drop out of this race. With an even spread of both British and Irish trained horses winning over the last 10 years, who will win this year’s RSA Chase is anyone’s guess.