Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

WellChild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham) (GBB Race)

Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Broadway Novices' Chase) (GBB Race)

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase) (GBB Race)

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Turners Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race)

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Magners Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Jack De Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (The Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle) (GBB)

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (Sponsored By JRL Group) (GBB)

JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase

Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares' Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 contest run over 2m½f and is the feature race on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. View the racecard here.

Compare the odds for all the runners in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Find out which bookmaker is offering the best odds.

Champion Hurdle tips and predictions from our horseracing experts for the most prestigious race on day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival 2023. Click to see more. 

Champion Hurdle - Racecard & Runners | Racing Post

The Unibet Champion Hurdle, the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, is the championship contest for 2m hurdlers and has been won by some of the greatest hurdlers of all time, including Night Nurse, Persian War, Sea Pigeon and Istabraq.

Compare the odds for all the runners in the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. Some bookmakers offer different odds and unique offers so look out for the offer icons under the bookmaker logos. You may want to look for an each-way alternative at bigger odds, which is where the Champion Hurdle odds comparison comes in handy.

Champion Hurdle Betting Odds Comparison 2023 | Racing Post

Champion Hurdle Tips - Cheltenham Festival | Racing Post

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Superstar mare Honeysuckle became the fourth dual winner of the race this century, following the likes of Hardy Eustace, Hurricane Fly and Buveur D’Air as two-time winners of Tuesday’s feature event. Honeysuckle justified odds-on favouritism under Rachael Blackmore to extend her unbeaten sequence to 15 under rules and seal a Cheltenham Festival victory for the third successive season. The margin of victory was not as emphatic as when she dispatched Sharjah by six and a half lengths 12 months earlier, but there were still three and a half lengths back to 2020 champion and fellow mare Epatante, who stumbled at the final hurdle, with outsider Zanahiyr completing the places.</span></p>


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<p>The Champion Hurdle odds comparison grid is simple and easy to use. All the runners are listed down the left, whilst each bookmaker is presented across the top. The odds box that crosses the horse and the bookmaker, is the odds that bookmaker is offering on that specific horse.</p>
<p>The odds that have a bold number indicate the best price available for that horse in the Champion Hurdle. The odds boxes are coloured red and blue to indicate whether a horse is being supported or not. The red boxes show a drift in price, which means the odds are getting bigger as less punters are betting on that horse. In contrast, the blue box shows when the odds are contracting, indicating the horse is being supported in the betting.</p>
<p>Underneath the bookmaker logo, are the offers available for the Champion Hurdle by that bookmaker. Some bookmakers offer more places for each way bets, or money back specials if your horse finishes second, so it’s always worth checking and comparing before placing your bet.</p>


Most people expect to see the coronation of Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill not only as the new king of two-mile hurdling but as one of the best of all time. It might well involve a procession too, given that all five of his wins over hurdles have come by a double-figure margin, most spectacularly when he ran away from stablemate Jonbon by 22 lengths in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He was already high on the list of top two-milers at that stage and he has stepped up again this season with a pair of crushing victories over Epatante, the 2020 Champion Hurdle winner, in the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles. The crown will pass from Honeysuckle, the queen for the past two years but set to return to the Mares’ Hurdle now. That leaves the Willie Mullins-trained State Man as the big Irish hope and he would have a top chance but for Constitution Hill after his run of four Grade 1 wins, most recently in the Irish Champion Hurdle. If it’s difficult to look beyond the big one, it’s even harder to see past the big two and the only other contender given any semblance of a chance in the market is State Man’s stablemate Vauban, last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner.

It's the moment that everyone has been waiting for, as CONSTITUTION HILL bids to cement his superstar status by adding a Champion Hurdle to his burgeoning CV. He's taking on some up-and-coming hurdlers who have good profiles but has proved so outstanding that he sets a tall standard on ratings and, having raced only five times over hurdles, has the potential to produce even bigger figures. State Man has developed into the most credible danger, having completed a Grade 1 four-timer since landing last year's County. I Like To Move It, who has an unblemished record over C&amp;D, is third choice narrowly ahead of Vauban.

<table dir="ltr" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
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<col width="100" />
<col width="100" />
<col width="100" />
<col width="100" />
<col width="100" />
<col width="100" />
<col width="100" /></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Year&quot;}"><strong>Year</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Horse&quot;}"><strong>Horse</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Previous Form&quot;}"><strong>Previous Form</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Age&quot;}"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Price&quot;}"><strong>Price</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Trainer&quot;}"><strong>Trainer</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Jockey&quot;}"><strong>Jockey</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2022}"><strong>2022</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Honeysuckle&quot;}">Honeysuckle</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;111-11&quot;}">111-11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8}">8</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:45238}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:5,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;d-m&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">8-11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Henry De Bromhead&quot;}">Henry De Bromhead</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Rachael Blackmore&quot;}">
<div>
<div>Rachael Blackmore</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2021}"><strong>2021</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Honeysuckle&quot;}">Honeysuckle</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;111-11&quot;}">111-11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7}">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:45025}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:5,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;d-m&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">9-4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Henry De Bromhead&quot;}">Henry De Bromhead</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Rachael Blackmore&quot;}">
<div>
<div>Rachael Blackmore</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2020}"><strong>2020</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Epitante&quot;}">Epitante</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;119-11&quot;}">119-11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6}">6</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;2-1F&quot;}">2-1F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Nicky Henderson&quot;}">Nicky Henderson</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Barry Geraghty&quot;}">
<div>
<div>Barry Geraghty</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2019}"><strong>2019</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Espoir D’Allen&quot;}">Espoir D’Allen</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;14-111&quot;}">14-111</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:5}">5</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:44942}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:5,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;d-m&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">16-1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Gavin Cromwell&quot;}">Gavin Cromwell</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Mark Walsh&quot;}">Mark Walsh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2018}"><strong>2018</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Buveur D’Air&quot;}">Buveur D’Air</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;11-111&quot;}">11-111</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7}">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;4-6F&quot;}">4-6F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Nicky Henderson&quot;}">Nicky Henderson</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Barry Geraghty&quot;}">
<div>
<div>Barry Geraghty</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2017}"><strong>2017</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Buveur D’Air&quot;}">Buveur D’Air</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;31-111&quot;}">31-111</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6}">6</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:44931}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:5,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;d-m&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">5-1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Nicky Henderson&quot;}">Nicky Henderson</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Noel Fehily&quot;}">Noel Fehily</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2016}"><strong>2016</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Annie Power&quot;}">Annie Power</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;21-F-11&quot;}">21-F-11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8}">8</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;5-2F&quot;}">5-2F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Willie Mullins&quot;}">Willie Mullins</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Ruby Walsh&quot;}">Ruby Walsh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2015}"><strong>2015</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Faugheen&quot;}">Faugheen</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;111-11&quot;}">111-11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7}">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;4-5F&quot;}">4-5F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Willie Mullins&quot;}">Willie Mullins</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Ruby Walsh&quot;}">Ruby Walsh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2014}"><strong>2014</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Jezki&quot;}">Jezki</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:-283427}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:5,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;m-yyyy&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">1-1124</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6}">6</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:44935}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:5,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;d-m&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">9-1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Jessica Harrington&quot;}">Jessica Harrington</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Barry Geraghty&quot;}">
<div>
<div>Barry Geraghty</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2013}"><strong>2013</strong></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Hurricane Fly&quot;}">Hurricane Fly</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;31-111&quot;}">31-111</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:9}">9</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;13-8F&quot;}">13-8F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Willie Mullins&quot;}">Willie Mullins</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Ruby Walsh&quot;}">Ruby Walsh</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


Latest odds for the Champion hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival

Champion Hurdle Odds 2023

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">No more than 12 hurdle runs, <strong>8/10</strong></span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rated within 8lb of RPR top-rated, <strong>9/10</strong></span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adjusted RPR of at least 168, <strong>8/10</strong></span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Won a Grade 1 hurdle, <strong>9/10</strong></span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aged between six and eight, <strong>8/10</strong></span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Won last time out, <strong>9/10</strong></span></li>
</ul>


Find the latest Champion Hurdle tips from our top racing experts

Champion Hurdle Tips 2023

Racing Post experts predict the likely big players and identify the each way value in the Champion Hurdle as well as analysing the trends and predicting the winner.

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)

This race was won in eye-popping style by Constitution Hill last year and, while it is likely to return to the realm of mortals this time, an intriguing contest is in prospect following ante-post favourite Facile Vega’s shock defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival. Willie Mullins’ son of Quevega was unbeaten until then and looked on course for another festival success to add to last year’s Champion Bumper. Now, though, he is threatened from within his own camp by Il Etait Temps, the impressive winner of that DRF race, and possibly Impaire Et Passe and Gaelic Warrior. Owner-trainer Barry Connell has a strong contender in Royal Bond winner Marine Nationale, while leading British hopes are Tolworth scorer Tahmuras for Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson’s promising Luccia, if she is diverted from the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Last year's Champion Bumper winner FACILE VEGA still has the potential to be a superstar despite his flop at Leopardstown last month, and he's taken to redeem himself and post a fourth Grade 1 victory. Tahmuras impressed when winning the Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown in January and is second choice ahead of Marine Nationale, who did well to get up in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse after things went against him in the straight. Il Etait Temps, who benefited from Facile Vega's flop at Leopardstown, is another to consider, while Gordon Elliott's sole representative Doctor Bravo is an interesting each-way contender among those at bigger prices.

A classic Ireland v Britain showdown is on the cards between El Fabiolo for Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, who are old rivals after being separated by just a neck in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree last season. There is still little to choose between them on form, with both having gone unbeaten since that narrow verdict in Jonbon’s favour, and in the betting. El Fabiolo has the edge on Racing Post Ratings, however, after his Irish Arkle success, while Jonbon arrives off the back of a less impressive win in a match race at Warwick. Despite that slight blip, both contenders are well up to scratch for this contest and another thrilling clash is in prospect. The two trainers have illuminated the Arkle roll of honour over the years, with Henderson the record-holder on seven winners and Mullins having made inroads with four triumphs in the past eight runnings, and their sporting battle is a microcosm of the Anglo-Irish rivalry. Mullins has strength in depth in this division, having fielded five runners in the Irish Arkle, and his other possibles include Dysart Dynamo, Appreciate It and Saint Roi – the last two being previous festival winners. The big two could scare away other potential opponents but ones who might stand their ground are Final Orders (Gavin Cromwell), Haddex Des Obeaux (Gary Moore) and Boothill (Harry Fry).

There was only a neck between Jonbon and EL FABIOLO in last season's Top Novices' Hurdle and the pair dominate the market after unbeaten novice-chase campaigns. Jonbon, who came out just on top in that Aintree clash and has impressed with his jumping in three wins in small fields over fences, has to be respected, but El Fabiolo's convincing success at Leopardstown in February is the strongest piece of form on offer and he's taken to extend his winning run. Dysart Dynamo was just over 10l back in fourth at Leopardstown but his bold jumping could be a potent weapon over these fences and he's not dismissed lightly. Ha D'Or retains potential as a chaser and may fare best of the outsiders.

Corach Rambler scored at 10-1 last year, chased home by 9-1 shot Gericault Roque, with both among the top five in the betting. While this prized handicap chase has had only three winning favourites since 1977, most winners have been well fancied with 17 of the last 23 returned at 10-1 or lower. Last year’s running was dominated by low-weighted horses, with Corach Rambler rated 140 and three of the next four home competing off 138.While Irish-bred horses account for 13 of the last 15 winners, those trained across the Irish Sea have not done so well, having been successful only twice since 1966 with Youlneverwalkalone (2003) and Dun Doire.



The home team have had their clutches on this race for some time but that doesn't mean the Irish can safely be crossed off the list and their FASTORSLOW looks a likely type for the race. While the 7yo hasn't proved himself over this far, his performance was all about stamina when soldiering into a close second on bad ground in the 2m5f Coral Cup 12 months ago and his recent chase runs, in Grade 1 races he couldn't win, have highlighted his potential over fences. Last year's winner Corach Rambler can be the main danger but his apparent need to come from way back means everything has to go to plan and he can't afford a late mistake, something that cost him any chance at Newbury in November. Reliable Happygolucky is next on the list ahead of Oscar Elite, with good runs also on the cards from Into Overdrive, Monbeg Genius, The Goffer and Nassalam. Cloudy Glen could also have a part to play if fired up by the Festival atmosphere.

The Irish stranglehold on this division was broken last year when the Nicky Henderson-trained Marie’s Rock scored at 18-1, although the next five home were all from the raiding party.
Many will expect Honeysuckle to reassert Ireland’s pre-eminence, having been rerouted here after her Champion Hurdle defence unravelled with the first two defeats of her career. Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old is a fading force at two miles, but her Racing Post Rating in defeat in the Hatton’s Grace on her seasonal debut was 1lb higher than her winning figure in this race in 2020, which puts her bang in contention here. Marie’s Rock has continued to improve (so much so that she could be diverted to the Stayers’ Hurdle) and is the main hope for the home team again. After Cheltenham last year, she took the Grade 1 Mares Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown festival and returned in excellent form this season with a six-length victory in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Henderson could also supplement Epatante, the 2020 Champion Hurdle winner and twice placed behind Honeysuckle in that race. The other leading British mare is the Harry Fry-trained Love Envoi, last year’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winner. Brandy Love looks the main contender for Willie Mullins, who has won only one of the past six runnings after dominating for so long.

A fascinating renewal. Two defeats this winter suggest Honeysuckle's powers are slightly diminished but she's certainly achieved enough to think she'll be a big player back among her own sex. Epatante is another mare who has been a major force in open company over recent years. It's likely this strong traveller will move menacingly into contention going to the last but her Grade 1 win over this trip came at Aintree and the forecast soft ground may stretch her stamina up the hill. Her stablemate MARIE'S ROCK (nap), who established herself as a top mare when taking this 12 months ago, looked better than ever when powering clear in the Relkeel here on her reappearance. There could be even more come from her, so she's preferred to Honeysuckle. Brandy Love is the most likely of the remainder to shake up the big three.

The market was right for once in last year’s race, with three of the first four coming from
high up the betting. Brazil, a first festival winner for trainer Padraig Roche, scored at 10-1
from 13-8 favourite Gaelic Warrior. Before that, seven of the previous ten winners were
at least 25-1.
The big stables are always worth noting in this fiercely competitive and often wide-open handicap hurdle. Paul Nicholls has been responsible for three winners, as well as several placed horses, Gordon Elliott has had two and Nicky Henderson and David Pipe have had a winner apiece. Joseph O’Brien, having won with Band Of Outlaws, is another significant player given the strength of his juvenile hurdling team.
Nicholls’ three winners were French-breds, who have done extremely well in this juvenile contest with six wins in 18 runnings (a French-bred has finished first or second in all but one of the last ten renewals). Aramax, the 2020 winner, was German-bred, and so was last year’s runner-up, Gaelic Warrior.
Thirteen of the 18 winners had won on one of their last two starts and four of the last nine winners carried 11st or 11st 1lb to victory. But higher-weighted runners have come to the fore in recent years with the victories of Brazil, Band Of Outlaws and Aramax.

Tekao would not have been entirely out of place in the Triumph and this does not look the strongest of renewals, but one suspects there will be something lurking off a friendlier mark. Step forward BYKER, who is a big lad for an ex-Flat racer and for whom this sort of test should bring out the best. When third to Sir Allen at Naas in a race that has produced three of the last four winners of this, he wasted valuable energy by racing freely and yet still produced a spirited finish. Ben Pauling's two are interesting, as the ex-French Bad has been well backed and Rachael Blackmore is booked, while Samuel Spade could be going under the radar.

This is the longest and oldest race at the festival, although three years ago the race distance was reduced to 3m5f201yds and with two fewer fences to jump. It has become more of a stamina-laden version of the Grade 1 3m novice chase in quality. That is reflected in the ratings. Last year Stattler was second-highest on the official figures on 153 and runner-up Run Wild Fred was top on 158 (it was the same story in 2021 with the top two finishing first and second but in reverse order on ratings). The big yards have dominated in recent years and it has been a happy hunting ground for the Irish with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott winning seven times between them in 12 runnings since 2011 (2021 winner Galvin had been trained by Elliott before his suspension and returned to him from Ian Ferguson afterwards).

His credentials should ensure a short price but this looks a cracking opportunity for GAILLARD DU MESNIL, who has run with stacks of credit in better races than this, including in the Irish Grand National when showing he stays at least 3m5f. Chemical Energy shapes as if he will eventually back up the form he showed here in a three-runner race in October but that event was on good ground and there is more for him to prove in the mud. Mahler Mission was poor in that October race but recent evidence suggests he's the one to follow the favourite home. Mister Coffey, Minella Crooner and Tenzing are considered for a place.

Paul Nicholls has his best shot in years at one of the festival’s Grade 1 novice hurdles with Hermes Allen, the unbeaten Challow winner, and must have high hopes of a first success in this race. Eight of the last nine winners have been Irish-trained – a sequence broken only by Ben Pauling’s Willoughby Court in 2017 – and their challenge will revolve around Willie Mullins, who has claimed three of those victories. The ante-post market has suggested Impaire Et Passe and Gaelic Warrior are his most likely contenders, but as usual he is strong across the board and in no rush to reveal his hand. Good Land, owned and trained by Barry Connell, has this as his only festival entry and has a leading chance after his Grade 1 success at the Dublin Racing Festival. Inthepocket (Henry de Bromhead) and Irish Point (Gordon Elliott) are other possibles.

It was hard not to be impressed by Impaire Et Passe in a Grade 2 at Punchestown in January but the most compelling piece of form arguably belongs to his stablemate GAELIC WARRIOR, who beat his 16 rivals fairly comfortably in a hot 2m handicap at Leopardstown last month. Both have stamina to prove today but Willie Mullins was quick to nominate this race as Gaelic Warrior's most likely target after he landed that big prize. British hopes rest almost entirely on the shoulders of Challow winner Hermes Allen, who has made an excellent start to his hurdling career, and he is third on the list.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Gerri Colombe cemented his already strong claims with victory in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown in February, which was the race used by L’Homme Presse en route to victory here last year. Gerri Colombe remains unbeaten in a career that has taken him through pointing, bumpers, hurdles and now chases, where he is a dual Grade 1 winner this season. The surprise contender is The Real Whacker for Patrick Neville’s small North Yorkshire stable but he is certainly not out of place after an impressive victory in Cheltenham’s Dipper Novices’ Chase on New Year’s Day, albeit he will be regarded by many as an underdog story. The Philip Hobbs-trained Thyme Hill, who has performed well at the festival on three occasions including when runner-up in last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle, is a late-comer to chasing but showed his class to land the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton, having been sharpened up by first-time cheekpieces. Willie Mullins has several cards to shuffle, principally Sir Gerhard, Gaillard Du Mesnil and Ramillies, but one of them at least should line up here as a strong contender. Other possibles include Thedevilscoachman (Noel Meade), Stage Star (Paul Nicholls), Galia Des Liteaux (Dan Skelton) and Thunder Rock (Olly Murphy), who is a good yardstick to the form having finished third to Gerri Colombe in the Scilly Isles and also third to The Real Whacker in the Dipper.

Declaring five and supplementing one of them is an atypical approach from Willie Mullins and it is hardly a vote of confidence in his cohort, particularly the talented Sir Gerhard who is inexperienced over fences. The standout is clearly GERRI COLOMBE (nap), who beat the best of the British handily in the Scilly Isles at Sandown and is likely to thrive at 3m on soft ground. With her mares' allowance, Galia Des Liteaux has as strong claims as anything else besides the favourite and may be the one for the forecast, just ahead of The Real Whacker.

Only three favourites (outright or joint) have won this highly competitive handicap hurdle in 29 runnings and last year it produced the longest-priced winner of the festival when Commander Of Fleet scored at 50-1 for Gordon Elliott. The most recent successful favourite was Dame De Compagnie (5-1 in 2020), one of just three winners at single-figure odds since 2004.
As might be expected from his odds, Commander Of Fleet went against several key trends. This race tends to suit younger, less exposed types, and the number of hurdles runs is a key factor. Commander Of Fleet (with 13) and Son Of Flicka (22) in 2012 are the only winners in the last 15 renewals to be into double figures. There were several older winners in the early years but Commander Of Fleet became only the fifth aged eight or older since 1999. Ireland has had five of the last seven winners and 12 in total, with nine of them returned at between 11-1 and 20-1. Eleven of the last 13 winners had won or finished second last time out. Commander Of Fleet did not fit that general trend either, although he had been third in a Grade 2 last time.

Langer Dan looks best of the British but he will probably prove vulnerable to an Irish improver, a role for which there are many plausible candidates. The vote goes to CAPTAIN CONBY who has shaped very well in defeat on his last two starts and looks the type to be well suited by today's test. Second on the list is An Epic Song, who can shoot back to prominence on this move back up from 2m, ahead of San Salvador who was the winner on Captain Conby's latest start. Cesarewitch winner Run For Oscar also needs to be taken very seriously, along with HMS Seahorse and Gordon Elliott's sizeable entry which might be headed by Fil Dor and Riaan.

The current stars in the two-mile arena are Energumene (Willie Mullins), who defends his title here, and last year’s Arkle winner Edwardstone (Alan King) but they no longer stand head and shoulders above the rest after recent setbacks. First there was Edwardstone’s unseat in the Desert Orchid Chase and then he and Energumene were pushed into the minor places in the Clarence House Chase by Editeur Du Gite (Gary Moore), the Desert Orchid winner. It all paints a somewhat messy picture but for punters it creates an intriguing puzzle. Will the class of the big two reassert itself when it matters or will there be the sort of open race won by Put The Kettle On two years ago? Mullins has back-up in Gentleman De Mee and Blue Lord, although he also has to cover the Ryanair Chase in the absence of Allaho, while other trainers will have greater hope that they can get involved too. Perhaps not least Dan Skelton, whose Nube Negra lost narrowly to Put The Kettle On and will have a shot at setting the record straight if the ground rides quick. Paul Nicholls’ Greaneteen, a close fourth in the 2021 running, is also in the mix again.

One of the key pieces of form is the rescheduled Clarence House here 46 days ago when EDWARDSTONE shaped like the best horse in the race. Having enhanced his Champion Chase claims this season, he's taken to bolster the good record of Arkle winners in this contest. Editeur Du Gite may struggle to confirm last-time-out placings with the selection but he's still a major contender, being such a progressive sort, and is the suggestion for the forecast. Energumene was only third in that Clarence House, having been under pressure when a late error exacerbated matters, but he has otherwise been a leading force in this division and would go very well in this bid to retain his Champion Chase crown granted a peak-form display.

This unusual event has had classy winners recently with triple hero Tiger Roll (2018, 2019 and 2021), the French-trained Easysland in 2020 and Delta Work last year (Tiger Roll was runner-up in those years). All three were rated at or close to Grade 1 standard at their peak. Ireland has won 15 of the 18 runnings and Gordon Elliott, trainer of Tiger Roll and Delta Work, has been the one to watch since the race was changed to a conditions event in 2016. Philip Hobbs is the only trainer to have won for Britain, with Balthazar King in 2012 and 2014.

Gordon Elliott's Cullentra House yard has an excellent recent record in this race and DELTA WORK is taken to win for the second year running, having pulled well clear with Tiger Roll 12 months ago. His stablemate Galvin is another class act and could be a big danger, having reportedly schooled well over similar obstacles, while fellow cross-country newcomer Franco De Port may be in the mix for Willie Mullins. At bigger odds, Snow Leopardess is an appealing each-way option having run really well in Haydock's Grand National Trial last month when the cheekpieces were first applied.

With the switch from Friday to Wednesday, this race had a significant change two years ago by moving from the New course to the Old. The Old course is slightly sharper and tighter, favouring a quicker, strong-travelling type, and both Sky Pirate in 2021 and Global Citizen last year were described in the Racing Post comments as “prominent” in running. The quality of this 2m handicap chase has improved year on year and nine of the last 12 winners were rated at least 140 (2019 winner Croco Bay was just below at 139). Global Citizen (10st 6lb last year) and Croco Bay (10st 12lb in 2019) are the only ones of the last nine winners to carry less than 11st. Before 2014 there was a 14-year run where no winner carried more than 10st 13lb. Twelve of the last 16 winners were sent off 10-1 or bigger.

JP McManus had a one-two in this back in 2013 and looks to hold a strong hand again. Dinoblue (second choice) has yet to experience the hurly-burly of a big-field handicap chase but her jumping has been sound in novice races and she's a very interesting contender. However, slight preference is for ANDY DUFRESNE, the mount of Mark Walsh. This selection has been well held on his last two starts but he found only Global Citizen too strong when a well-backed favourite for this last year and has presumably been primed for it again. He goes off the same mark as 12 months ago and can go one better with a tongue-tie added for the first time. Third Time Lucki and the thriving Final Orders are others with plenty to recommend them, while at likely longer odds Sizing Pottsie is worth a second look having dropped to an attractive mark judged on his best form.

Willie Mullins first made his name in this race and in recent years has re-established his iron grip, sending out the last three winners to take his overall score to 12 in 30 runnings. As usual he has a host of potential candidates and is likely to send several of them (last year he had seven runners, including three of the first four home). His top three on Racing Post Ratings are Fact To File, Western Diego and ante-post favourite It’s For Me, although he doesn’t have the top-rated in the race. That position is held by the John Kiely-trained A Dream To Share, who was clear of Fact To File in the often significant Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival. Kiely has a good record in big bumpers and his three-time winner certainly looks a big threat to the Mullins squad. Gordon Elliott is the only trainer apart from Mullins to have won this race in the past six years and he also has several possibles, including Better Days Ahead and Pour Les Filles. Britain wins this race intermittently and perhaps the best chance this year lies with the Fergal O’Brien-trained mare Dysart Enos.

Irish stables have won 23 of the 30 runnings and, also responsible for the first two home in the last six renewals, their dominance is hard to resist. Willie Mullins alone has won 12 and market vibes are strong for It's For Me, Fun Fun Fun and Fact To File, though as last year was the first time the stable has won this with its apparent first string since 2005, he has others to bear in mind as well. Chapeau De Soleil could well prove a different proposition than at Fairyhouse but his conqueror BETTER DAYS AHEAD did win with a nice bit to spare and he would appear to be a step further up the ladder at this stage of their careers. A Dream To Share's strengths, in keeping with his pedigree, may be ideally suited to a greater test of speed than this and he's no good thing to confirm Leopardstown places with Fact To File. Encanto Bruno and Western Diego are also considered.

Gordon Elliott has a strong hand in the novice chases and Mighty Potter has established himself as the clear leader at this intermediate distance with three clear-cut victories, the last two in Grade 1 company. Elliott has won this race twice in the past five runnings, from only three runners in that period (the other was third), and has an outstanding chance again. The most serious opposition also comes from Ireland and is led by Banbridge (Joseph O’Brien) and Appreciate It (Willie Mullins), the Irish Arkle second and third. Both were Cheltenham Festival winners over hurdles and Banbridge has added a chase success at the track this season. Other Irish possibles include Journey With Me (Henry de Bromhead) and Adamantly Chosen (Mullins), while Stage Star (Paul Nicholls) and Balco Coastal (Nicky Henderson) are the most likely threats for the home team.

Mighty Potter has to be the starting point, with comfortably the best chase form, and he will be hard to beat if he does not throw in a costly error but that's no certainty. He is also a red-hot favourite and preference is therefore for STAGE STAR who was poetry in motion when winning a notable novice handicap over C&amp;D last time out, which is also serious form. Appreciate It going back up in trip may well represent the most potent option among the rest, given that soft ground may not be ideal for Banbridge.

This had long been dominated by the home contingent but that stranglehold was broken in 2016 by Pat Kelly’s Mall Dini and it was one-way traffic from then on for Ireland until last year when Third Wind scored for Hughie Morrison at 25-1 and five of the first six were British-trained. Six-year-olds have the best recent record, having won five of the past ten runnings, while Delta Work was five when he won in 2018. Favourites have a poor record. Fingal Bay in 2014 and Sire Du Berlais in 2019 are the only two market leaders to have won in the past 25 runnings, although the trend has shifted a little with those recent successes and it is also worth noting that eight of the past ten winners were in the top six in the market.
The top trainer to note is Gordon Elliott, who won three straight runnings (with two 1-2s in that run) from 2018 to 2020.

Evergreen The Bosses Oscar has been given a handicapping lifeline and a very good show is on the cards for the runner-up in 2021. A few up-and-coming rivals have been able to guard their handicap marks, though, and it is hard to get away from the scintillating show put up by THANKSFORTHEHELP at Chepstow, when ridden with a lot of confidence over the new trip with his rider doing well to keep the winning distance to less than 7l. This is a lot more competitive but the same can be said for Walking On Air's win at Exeter and that of stablemate Captain Morgs's success here in December. These two are still respected, along with Maxxum who ran a shade flat at Leopardstown after two spreadeagling wins previously, and An Tailliur if the ground doesn't prove too soft for the latter. Of those at bigger prices Coltor, who won't mind what the weather does, and last year's third Mill Green are other contenders.

Allaho has dominated this race for the past two years and for a brief period in early February it seemed there would be a more open contest after he was ruled out for the season. Then came Shishkin’s decisive Ascot Chase victory, however, and suddenly there was a hot favourite again. A clash between Allaho and Shishkin would have been one of the races of the festival, but now many will have Nicky Henderson’s star chaser as a banker after his impressive 16-length victory at Ascot. After his difficulties, which started with a blowout in last year’s Champion Chase, he would be a hugely popular winner. A number of potential
rivals have been mixing up their race distances and are coming off defeats, including Blue Lord (Willie Mullins), Fury Road (Gordon Elliott) and Envoi Allen (Henry de Bromhead). Fakir D’Oudairies (Joseph O’Brien) and Janidil (Mullins), runners-up to Allaho in the past two runnings, are other possibles.

Shortly after the brilliant Allaho was ruled out of going for a Ryanair hat-trick, SHISHKIN staged a huge revival with a stunning performance in the Ascot Chase and became the clear favourite for this race. The Nicky Henderson-trained 9yo is evidently back in business and should follow up provided he remains in top form. It's quite open among the remainder but the suggested second choice is last year's runner-up Janidil, ahead of Envoi Allen who has a creditable record at the Cheltenham Festival. Blue Lord remains of interest despite an odds-on defeat last time and Fury Road also looks capable of going well.

Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter has made himself a Cheltenham hero with back-to-back all-the-way triumphs in the past two runnings but, with doubts about his form and even his participation this time, there has been plenty of activity in the ante-post market. The latest twist was the winning return of Blazing Khal in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle after a long layoff and that took him to favouritism for trainer Charles Byrnes, whose most recent festival victory came in this race ten years ago with Solwhit. Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo had previously headed the market, having landed the Hatton’s Grace and proved himself as a
stayer by taking the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle. Another leading Irish contender is the Joseph O’Brien-trained Home By The Lee, who was only sixth in this race last year but confirmed his significant improvement this season with victory in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. Klassical Dream (Willie Mullins) and Ashdale Bob (Jessica Harrington) are two more from Ireland, while British hero Paisley Park is set to line up again for Emma Lavelle. Marie’s Rock would have a major chance if Nicky Henderson sends her here rather going for a repeat bid in the Mares’ Hurdle and France’s Gold Tweet could well be supplemented after winning the Cleeve Hurdle for trainer Gabriel Leenders

On form there is no standout candidate and at big odds a chance is taken on SIRE DU BERLAIS. It is possible this 11yo is not as talented as he used to be but he was as good as ever as recently as last April, when winning the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree, and his staying-on fourth in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle last month was an encouraging performance over an inadequate 2m5f. He could be an entirely different proposition now back up in trip and back at the Cheltenham Festival, where he has an excellent record. Unbeaten hurdler Blazing Khal is second choice having defied a long absence to win the Boyne, with Flooring Porter next on the list in his bid to win this race for the third successive season. Teahupoo and Home By The Lee are other strong contenders.

Established in 1951 and traditionally known as the Mildmay of Flete, this race has been the biggest graveyard for favourites over the years. Last year 7-2 favourite Imperial Alcazar was outstayed up the hill by 22-1 winner Coole Cody. The previous trend of winners rated in the 130s has changed now that it is almost impossible to get into the race with that sort of mark. Mid-to-upper 140s has become the norm for winners.
Trainers with good records include David Pipe (three of the past 13 winners), Nicky Henderson (two winners, a second, two thirds and a fourth from his last 21 runners) and Venetia Williams (three wins in the last 16 runnings). There had been only one Irish winner in the race’s long history until a hat-trick from 2016 to 2018, followed by the gambled-on The Shunter in 2021. Some of the bigger stables struggle to get runners at the lower end of the handicap and Gordon Elliott (with The Storyteller in 2018) is the only one of the current big five trainers to have taken the prize in the past 15 years.

The vote goes to DATSALRIGHTGINO (nap) who has posted two very solid efforts since returning to 2m4f, including in a C&amp;D novice handicap that has thrown up a couple of subsequent Festival winners in recent years. He may raise his game even further with cheekpieces now fitted and looks to have a major prize in him. So Scottish, whose odds reflect his obvious claims, is feared most ahead of Frero Banbou who looks interesting off a handy mark upped in distance. Il Ridoto, Fugitif and Midnight River have all shown good form here this season, while Haut En Couleurs has the class to perform well on his handicap debut.

Willie Mullins won the first five runnings but has been eclipsed in the past two years by Henry de Bromhead with Telmesomethinggirl and Harry Fry, whose Love Envoi became the first British-trained winner. Mullins is set to field a strong team as usual, with Ashroe Diamond, Night And Day and Lot Of Joy among his possibles. Ashroe Diamond has been shortest of those in the ante-post betting since her impressive Grade 3 win at Fairyhouse in late January but Night And Day has the best Racing Post Rating. Britain, however, has the likely favourite if Luccia lines up here for Nicky Henderson instead of going for the Supreme. The dual Listed winner looks highly promising. De Bromhead has another decent shot with Magical Zoe, while Gordon Elliott’s best chance could be Liberty Dance.

Luccia is one of the talking horses of the meeting and her connections gave serious consideration to the Supreme before committing to this. She could be something special and waltz home, but she was more cautious than confident over the hurdles at Exeter last time, and dangers are lurking. Willie Mullins has whittled a seven-strong entry down to two and, while Nikini is up against it, LOT OF JOY rates an appealing alternative to the favourite. She had bags of class on the Flat and, having been a work in progress over hurdles, there were signs at Fairyhouse that she might have got the hang of things in the nick of time. Receiving 5lb off her market rival is not to be underestimated. Under Control adds considerable intrigue and, at lengthier odds, Halka Du Tabert and Ahorsewithnoname merit a second look.

This staying chase for amateur riders tends to get shared around and last year’s 40-1 victory for Chambard made Venetia Williams the tenth different winning trainer in the past 11 runnings. Only Gordon Elliott has doubled up in that time (2021 winner Mount Ida also came from his stable, officially under Denise Foster’s name). Elliott has become the most powerful force with two winners, two seconds, two thirds and a fourth from 14 runners. He has been instrumental in turning around the previously poor Irish record in this race.
The best amateur jockeys are in demand for this contest and Jamie Codd has been the main man with four wins, most recently aboard Cause Of Causes in 2016. Non-claiming riders have the edge in quality and others to note include Derek O’Connor and Patrick Mullins.
The higher-rated runners have started to do well and 11 of the last 14 winners carried 11st 4lb or more (including topweights Character Building in 2009, Ballabriggs in 2010 and Mount Ida in 2021).

The mare FONTAINE COLLONGES dug deep to beat subsequent Welsh National runner-up The Big Breakaway over 3m1f at Haydock in November, and her fast-finishing fourth over 3m at Kempton in December also suggests today's test will be an ideal fit. The ground was soft for both of those runs, and good to soft going may not have suited when she was disappointing at Haydock last month. Cheekpieces had a positive effect on Rapper when he won in fine style over C&amp;D on New Year's Day and he is feared most with a visor now applied. Dr Kananga could return to form with a big performance if, as expected, he's back on his favoured testing ground, while the highly progressive Stumptown has to be respected. Fellow Irish challengers Mr Incredible, Dunboyne, Royal Thief and Angels Dawn are others who can run well.

A number of ante-post favourites who looked set to arrive at the festival with the ‘banker’ tag met with setbacks in their final prep run and Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth had perhaps the most controversial reverse. She lost her unbeaten record against Gala Marceau with a luckless second in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle, leading to recriminations about the ride she was given by Paul Townend in what has become the key trial for the Triumph. Lossiemouth, who had previously beaten that stablemate in clear-cut fashion, held on to favouritism in
a market dominated by the Mullins team, which includes the impressive Blood Destiny as well as Gala Marceau. Their formlines are closely intertwined and it will be fascinating to see which one comes out on top, with the potential for a clean sweep of the places for the Closutton outfit. The strongest Irish candidate from elsewhere seems to be Joseph O’Brien’s Comfort Zone, while the leading British hopes are Scriptwriter (Milton Harris) and Bo Zenith (Gary Moore). France might also get involved with the Hugo Merienne-trained St Donats.

This is probably between the three market leaders. Paul Townend seemingly prefers Lossiemouth after they suffered something of a nightmare run in the big Leopardstown Grade 1, losing her unbeaten record. Gala Marceau took full advantage that day and would surely be an even more formidable rival were she to settle in today's first-time hood. Lossiemouth is preferred of those two, given that she is the more straightforward and there could be testing ground today, but both may lose out to BLOOD DESTINY. The selection's jumping could do with some improvement but he looks a very serious proposition when hitting top gear.

Ireland has accounted for 11 of the last 16 winners of this fiercely contested handicap, with eight of them trained by a Mullins. Willie Mullins had his first festival handicap victory in this race with Thousand Stars in 2010 and followed up with Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), Saint Roi (2020) and State Man last year. Being in the right ratings bracket has become a virtual prerequisite. All bar four winners since 2006 were rated in the 130s with five of the last ten having run off 137-139. The Betfair Hurdle and the Liffey Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival have been key pointers – nine of the past 22 winners had run in one of those hot contests. But also look closely at horses who have been kept out of the fray – five of the last seven winners were returning after breaks of 124 days, 418 days, 80 days, 97 days and 72 days.

Willie Mullins has won this six times, including with inexperienced novices in two of the last three seasons, and Paul Townend's mount Hunters Yarn has to figure prominently in calculations having easily won a Listed novice at Navan last month. His stablemate and two-time Champion Hurdle runner-up Sharjah is also respected off top weight but this could go to FIRST STREET, who was a fine second to State Man in this race last year and has had wind surgery since a below-par run in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last month. Magnor Glory is second choice having caught the eye with the way he powered clear at Listowel in September when last seen. Ballyadam, Filey Bay, Pinkerton and Gin Coco are others who can run well.

Ireland has won seven of the last nine runnings, including the last four in a row, and has all the leading fancies in the ante-post market, although it has to be noted that this race is always open to a surprise winner. Willie Mullins is going for his third success in four years with main hope Embassy Gardens, while his nephew Emmet Mullins has one of the main challengers in Corbetts Cross. Gordon Elliott, who has yet to win this race, has a strong team in Three Card Brag, Absolute Notions, Favori De Champdou and Cool Survivor, while Henry de Bromhead is set to field Monty’s Star and Hiddenvalley Lake, who were first and second in an often informative Grade 3 at Clonmel in February. Bear in mind that only one of the last nine winners has been priced in single figures.

This race gets stronger by the year and there's potential all over the shop. Stamina should ultimately win the day and for one bred to stay this trip standing on his head, THREE CARD BRAG must be some talent to have achieved what he has over shorter, notably pushing the Supreme fourth Inthepocket to a neck. He looks ready-made for this. The sure-footed Corbetts Cross only ran 19 days ago but, with the speed for 2m and stamina for 3m, he has all angles covered and looks a major threat. Irish stables have won seven of the last nine renewals and they probably have the best of the rest with a whole host of likely improvers within their ranks. Hiddenvalley Lake could be the pick of them.

Some race is in prospect here. Last year’s first three are set to return, along with last season’s top novice, the Grand National hero and this season’s King George, Betfair Chase and Savills Chase winners. Favourite is Galopin Des Champs, the aforementioned top novice of 2021-22 and now the Irish Gold Cup winner. With only last year’s festival fall to blot his copybook, he is the most exciting staying chaser around. That was a tag previously held by A Plus Tard, last year’s breathtaking Gold Cup winner, but then came his Betfair Chase flop. There are also question marks over Minella Indo and Protektorat, second and third last year, although the latter’s Betfair Chase victory is a top piece of form. Paul Nicholls has a big shot with King George hero Bravemansgame, Savills Chase winner Conflated goes for Gordon Elliott and Noble Yeats steps into Grade 1 company for the first time after his Grand National triumph. Add Stattler and Ahoy Senor to the mix and there are all the ingredients for a cracker.

The race is not always to the swift but until GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has shown he cannot stay 3m2f it is only fair to give this fine chaser the benefit of the doubt over the longest trip he has tackled. There is reason to be on the fence over the new distance, especially under these conditions, but the way he drew clear over 3m at Leopardstown suggested he could have gone further and his proven course form is also a plus. The ability to shine here is a question for Bravemansgame who was again well suited by Kempton when winning the King George, and although he keeps rising to the occasion the recent rain is less of a help to him than others. There was only one horse in this race last year once A Plus Tard let loose on the run-in from Minella Indo and Protektorat but he was a long way under a cloud in his only start since and it's asking a lot for him to be in the same form as 12 months ago. Ground conditions will be a major help to out-and-out stayer Noble Yeats (second choice) who did his best work late on when third to Ahoy Senor here in January and, along with that winner, has a good place chance now that cheekpieces are refitted. Stattler is another who won't fail through lack of stamina and Royale Pagaille could be overpriced if the ground is really testing but Conflated has more to prove with this test.

Nine horses since 1956 have won the race twice – three of them (Salsify, On The Fringe and Pacha Du Polder) in the last 11 runnings – and Billaway will be the latest to attempt the double. It was third time lucky for him last year after finishing second in the two previous runnings. He continued the recent run of success for older runners, being the eighth in a row aged in double figures. Dual winners inevitably push up the age level, but there have been only two first-time winners aged as old as 11 in the past 30 years (Cavalero in 2000 and Hazel Hill in 2019). Despite the recent upward trend, 16 of the last 30 winners have been aged nine or younger.

Northern Ireland trainer David Christie had the three ante-post favourites for this race and relies solely on VAUCELET to erase the painful defeat of 12 months ago when his Winged Leader looked all over the winner until Billaway's late lunge gave him the last laugh. It smacks of a huge vote of confidence for the progressive 8yo, who looks tailor-made for this given his apparently endless supply of stamina. Famous Clermont's star is firmly on the rise and he can provide the main threat, along with former top-notch chaser Chris's Dream. Bob And Co is owed one in this race and, so long as the absence of a run this season doesn't come back to bite him, he too can have a say.

Willie Mullins has won the first two runnings, although each time it has been his apparent second-string (both still quite short-priced) who has come out on top from the favourite from his yard. The overall figures for his runners are 124P15. His standout candidate this year is Allegorie De Vassy, who has won all four starts since joining Mullins from France. A Grade 3 scorer over hurdles last season, she was always expected to turn out much better as a chaser and has impressed with a pair of Grade 2 wins, both by a 19-length margin. Mullins looks set to face his strongest challenge yet from the Colm Murphy-trained Impervious, likewise unbeaten over fences in three runs and only 3lb off Allegorie De Vassy on Racing Post Ratings. Unlike her big rival, she has won outside mares’ company, having taken a Grade 3 from useful yardsticks Journey With Me and Minella Crooner last time. Also in the mix is the Gavin Cromwell-trained Jeremys Flame, who impressed in Listed victory at Huntingdon in January.

Allegorie De Vassy made a big impression when winning on her chase debut at Limerick but despite scoring by another wide margin at Thurles next time she didn't keep as straight nor meet all the fences quite as well as she had first time. She is a real powerhouse but with some possible competition for the early lead IMPERVIOUS may be the better option on this track after a very useful effort against the geldings at Punchestown. Jeremys Flame came through strongly to beat Zambella at Huntingdon and is next on the list as Magic Daze is likely to have stamina issues.

This handicap hurdle for conditional riders is not an easy ‘getting out stakes’ for punters at the end of the festival. Ten of the 14 winners have been sent off at double-figure odds and Sir Des Champs in 2011 is the only successful favourite. Interestingly, seven of the last nine winners ran in Graded company on their previous outing. The exceptions were 2020 winner Indefatigable, who had won a Listed mares’ hurdle last time out, and the inexperienced novice Banbridge last year. Ten of the last 12 runnings were won by Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls, Gordon Elliott or Joseph O’Brien. Nowadays it usually takes a rating in the mid-130s to get into the race. Runners rated between 133 and 139 have won eight of the 14 runnings but four of the last five winners were rated 142-145.

Irish-trained horses have won seven of the last nine runnings of this race, including two wins for Gordon Elliott who launches a six-pronged attack this time round, spearheaded by IMAGINE (nap) who could prove very well handicapped on his first attempt over a distance that he's bred to relish. Spanish Harlem, who ties in with the selection on Gowran form in November and has good credentials, is feared most ahead of Iroko who looks a particularly strong contender for the Brits. Cool Survivor has clear possibilities if he copes with the drop back to 2m4f, while Might I, Firm Footings and Irish Hill are other suggestions for the shortlist.

Champion Hurdle Tips 2023

Paul Kealy

Single

Constitution Hill

Johnny Dineen

Ante-post

Constitution Hill

Champion Hurdle Tips and Preview