Cheltenham Festival handicaps suffer significant drop in number of entries

A significant drop in entry numbers for the handicaps at this year's Cheltenham Festival was revealed on Tuesday with a total of 585 put in the nine races.

At this stage last year, 654 remained in contention but even that was a reduced figure from 676 in 2021, the year when the number of handicaps was reduced from ten to nine.

Ireland claimed a dominant 18-10 win in the Prestbury Cup last year and the away side will once again have a formidable line-up, with 45 per cent of the handicap entries trained there.

Britain has a leading Ultima Handicap Chase contender in Into Overdrive, who is among 63 entries for the 3m1f contest on the opening day of the festival. That figure has dropped from 82 last year.

The eight-year-old was last seen beating Sounds Russian by half a length in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on December 26.

That was his fifth win from his last six starts and trainer Mark Walford is full of confidence heading to Cheltenham in three weeks' time.

Into Overdrive: could prove to be Mark Walford's first Cheltenham Festival winnerCredit: John Grossick

He said: "He's in cracking form and this race is certainly the target. He seems to be improving all the time and won a very competitive renewal of the Rowland Meyrick.

"We'll go there with a fighting chance. He definitely stays well and we have no concern even though he's won over shorter distances.

"He's versatile ground-wise, so if it turns out softer I wouldn't be too worried and if it's good ground that'll be fine too. On the first day of the festival I don't think it'll be quicker than good."

Into Overdrive is a general 8-1 shot to provide Walford with his first festival winner, while Threeunderthrufive, Remastered and Irish raider The Goffer are also near the top of the betting.

The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, the final race of the festival, has attracted the most entries with 88, but that figure has dropped by 23 from 12 months ago, while 87 are in the Coral Cup.

In the Martin Pipe, 46 of the entries are Irish-trained and Gordon Elliott is responsible for 18, including ante-post favourite Three Card Brag. Elliott could also saddle Landrake, while recent Ascot winner Irish Hill and Langer Dan – well fancied for this race in each of the last two years – also feature.

Willie Mullins is leaving his options open for Grade 1 winner Brandy Love, who is one of 87 entered in the Coral Cup on day two. The seven-year-old, who makes her first start since April in the Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday, could take on the likes of Fil Dor and the Gary Moore-trained Fifty Ball.

Stage Star: Plate entry for Paul NichollsCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Paul Nicholls has a strong hand in the Plate Handicap Chase with Flic Ou Voyou, Hitman, Il Ridoto and Stage Star among the 64 entries for the 2m4½f contest on day three.

The Grand Annual Handicap Chase on day two has 47 entries (up from 38 last year) including ante-post favourite Aucunrisque.

The Chris Gordon-trained Betfair Hurdle winner is 7-1 with most firms to back up his Newbury success with a festival victory.

"He's grand and has come out of the race at Newbury really well," said Gordon. "He's entered in both the County Hurdle and Grand Annual as I wanted options for him.

"The handicapper has put him up 9lb, and his chase mark has also risen, so we'll find it incredibly tough next time. He's a talented horse who keeps picking up again and again, and I was incredibly proud of him last time out."

Aucunrisque: Betfair Hurdle winner could go for the Grand Annual Handicap ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Gordon added: "We'd normally be getting him over fences at home now but the ground is so quick. We might have to get him up to Lambourn on the all-weather gallop."

Fifty-five are entered in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on day one and ante-post favouritism is held by the Mullins-trained Tekao.

The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle has recorded the lowest number of entries with 44, down from 53 last year. Maxxum, Botox Has and Rendlesham runner-up Itchy Feet are among the possible runners.

A total of 61 have been entered in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, down by just two from last year. The Mullins-trained Mr Incredible and Gavin Cromwell's Stumptown head the betting for the 3m2f contest.

The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle has attracted 76 entries, including the Nicky Henderson-trained First Street, Filey Bay and last year’s Triumph Hurdle third Pied Piper.

Total entries for the Cheltenham Festival's nine handicaps over the past decade

2023 585
2022 654
2021 676
2020 856
2019 812
2018 766
2017 882
2016 897
2015 930
2014 923

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