Editor

This Grade 1 race, sponsored by Albert Bartlett is for contenders aged four and older. Taking place on Friday March 16^th, on day four of the Cheltenham Festival, at 2.50 pm GMT. The distance is 3 miles, over 12 hurdles, on the New Course, and was previously known as the Brit Insurance as a Grade 2 race. Last year’s winner was Penhill, with Trainer Willie Mullins. The previous multiple winning jockey is Tony Mccoy, an Irishman who has won the trophy three times in 2013, 207 and 2006.

 

The prize fund for the 2018 race stands at £118,000, when the stop staying novices compete over the 12 hurdles and three miles at Prestbury Park. The 2018 race is a wide open challenge, yet although Santini is one of the leading hopefuls, Calett Mad, Poetic Rhythm and Chef Des Obeaux all fancy their chances of a win.

 

This fourth day of racing at Cheltenham, Gold Cup Day, brings along the rich and famous rubbing shoulders with knowledgeable punters. With no specific rules, other than there is no fancy dress permitted in the Club Enclosure, huge crowds are expected to attend every race.

 

 

This Grade 3 handicap 8-hurdle race takes place on Friday 16^th March at 14.10 GMT. For horses aged five years and older, the second race on day four is held on the New Course at Cheltenham and is run over two miles and one furlong.

 

The County Hurdle was won last year by Artic Fire for Willie Mullins at (20-1) ridden by Paul Townend. Second place L’Ami Serge (25-1) and third Ozzie the Oscar at (50-1).

 

This race actually started in 1920, although records for the race only date back to 1946. In 2017, it changed its name from the Vincent O’Brien to the Randox Health County handicap Hurdle with their new sponsorship.

 

Punters find that this race at the Cheltenham Festival is the most challenging one to back a winner. Named after Vincent O’Brien, the horse racing legend, who died in 1994 with a record breaking 23 wins at the Festival. This race is usually won by a classy horse, even though the competitors include a huge and varied field of different handicaps. Over the last few years, Willie Mullins has trained four of the previous eight winners, so punters expect big things from him again in 2018. One of this year’s favourites is once again a Willie Mullins horse, Max Dynamite. He has run in the Melbourne cup twice and in the Ascot Gold Cup and punters see him in with a big chance.

 

This opening race on Day four of the Festival at Prestbury Park, was won last year by Defi Du Seuil. This year’s race on Friday, 16^th March 2018 at 13.30 GMT is specifically for horses aged four years. Run over two miles over hurdles, this Grade 1 National Hunt race is taking place on the New Course.

 

Defi Du Seuil won the 2017 race at (5-2f) ridden by Richard Johnson the jockey, and trained by Philip Hobbs. Second place was Mega Fortune (7-1) and third Bapuame at (10-1). Apple’s Shakira is named as the favourite to win this year’s Triumph Hurdle, after winning three races at Cheltenham for Nicky Henderson after moving to Seven Barrows from France.

 

As this race is only for horses at four years of age, it’s never been won twice by the same runner, however jockey Barry Geraghty has five victories to his name in this race, Ivanovich Gorbatov in 2016, Peace And Co in 2015, Soldatino in 2010, Zaynar in 2009 and Spectroscope in 2003.

 

This race, sponsored by JCB, has had the field size reduced in recent years, with currently 28 horses going to the post. There have been many outstanding horses beginning their jumping careers taking part in this Triumph Hurdle, where punters will watch with interest to see which novices have a promising future.