Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival is titled ‘Ladies Day’, and proceedings start with the newly named Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle, also known as the Baring Bingham, and previously known as the Ballymore.
This Grade One race over 2 miles and 5 furlongs requires speed and stamina in equal measure and is for the best middle-distance prospects aged four and upwards.
It’s a race won by some of the top names in hurdling, including Istabraq, who won the race in 1997 before winning the Champion Hurdle on three occasions.
The race has been dominated by Irish-trained horses recently, with just four British winners since 2010.
Read on for Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle odds, tips and free bets.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Wednesday, March 13th - 1:30pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £75,964 |
| Distance: | Two-miles & five furlongs |
| Race Type: | Grade 1 Novice Hurdle |
| Age: | 4-Years+ |
| Course: | Old Course |
| Weights: | 10st 12lb (4yo), 11st 7lb (5yo+), 7lb allowance for fillies & mares |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle Betting Offers & Free Bets
Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle Betting Tips
Ballyburn is a rock-solid favourite for the opening race on Day Two of the Festival, but Ed Quigley is taking him on with a 12/1 each-way selection.
Ed Quigley - Handstands (Each-Way)
Ben Pauling knows what it takes to get the job done at the Cheltenham Festival, and I think he has a cracking each-way chance with the exciting HANDSTANDS in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle.
Unbeaten for the Cotswold handler, I have been impressed with how he has progressed this term and was last seen putting in a very smart performance to land the Listed Sidney Banks Hurdle. The form of that race looks fairly strong in seeing off Grade 1 winner Jango Baie in the process and he has to have a live chance in this encounter.
The yard continues to operate in red-hot form, and this race looks tailor-made for him. Willoughby Court won this for the yard in 2017, and I wouldn’t be shocked if another representative from that stable got on the roll of honours board.
Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle Betting Odds
Many consider Ballyburn one of the bankers of the week, and he is the horse they all have to beat in this year’s Gallagher Novices’.
Willie Mullins has an exceptional group of novice hurdlers, and Ballyburn is the highest-rated of the lot going into the Festival, and connections made a relatively late choice to run in this race rather than the Supreme Novices.
What Happened Last Year?
It was another Cheltenham winner for trainer Willie Mullins, his sixth success in the race, as Impaire Et Passe outclassed the field under jockey Paul Townend.
Sent off the 5/2 second favourite, Impaire Et Passe cruised through the race and took the lead turning into the straight before powering clear up the Cheltenham hill to win with stablemates Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely in behind to give Mullins a 1-2-3 in the race.
Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle Key Stats
- The last 23 winners of this race were aged either five or six
- Nine of the last 12 winners came from the front three in the betting
- Ten of the last 11 winners finished first or second in all previous hurdle runs
- Nine of the last 10 winners were Irish-trained
Previous Winners of the Gallagher Novices Hurdle
We’ve listed the last five winners of the Gallagher in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Impaire Et Passe |
| 2022 | Sir Gerhard |
| 2021 | Bob Olinger |
| 2020 | Envoi Allen |
| 2019 | City Island |
FAQs
What day is the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The Gallagher Novices' Hurdle is the first race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival which always falls on a Wednesday. In 2024 this will be on Wednesday, March 13th.
What distance is the Gallagher Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The race is run over a distance of about two miles and five furlongs (4,225 metres).
Who won the Gallagher Novices Hurdle in 2023?
The Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe won the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle in 2023, when it was known as the Ballymore.
What time is the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle?
The Gallagher Novices Hurdle is the first race on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival (the Wednesday) and is due off at 1.30 pm.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 2 races:
