This National Hunt Chase is run on the New Course at Cheltenham, over 22 fences and is especially for amateur riders. The distance is over three miles and two and a half furlongs, and is for horses age five years and more. Taking place on Friday, 16th March at 16.10 GMT, this Foxhunter Chase is the fifth race on the fourth day of the Festival.
The 2017 winner was Pacha Du Polder at (16/1), with Wonderful Charm coming in second place (7/2) and third, Barel of Laughs at (100/1). With three victories, Colman Sweeney is most named winner with Salsify in both 2012 and 2013, and also Sleeping Night in 2005. Highest number of wins goes to trainer Richard Barber, who had victories with Earthmover (1998), Fantus (1995 and 1997) and Rushing Wild (1992).
This is always a popular race for punters to take a gamble, as the Cheltenham Festival nears its close. Recent race trends have shown that 9 out of the last 10 winners had previously run in 3 or less handicap races, and all of the last 10 winners have won races on fields over 3 miles. The race is often referred to as the Amateur Gold Cup, named because the chase is run over the same distance and on the same course as the actual Gold Cup.
