The curtain comes down on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival with the 2024 National Hunt Challenge Cup, a race the Irish have won for seven of the last eight years.
This race for amateur jockeys was previously staged over 4 miles, but in 2020, the distance was reduced to just short of 3 miles and 6 furlongs, with the criteria for the qualifying riders also adjusted. The race still requires a top staying performance to win, regardless of the conditions.
This is another race in which the Irish have an excellent record, with Gordon Elliott winning four renewals (or five if you credit him with Galvin’s success in 2021).
Willie Mullins took this in 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2023, further enhancing his dominance of the Cheltenham Festival.
Read on for National Hunt Challenge Cup betting odds, tips and free bets.
National Hunt Chase Betting Offers & Tips
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, March 12th, 5:30pm |
| Prize: | £125,000 |
| Distance: | Three-miles & five-and-a-half furlongs |
| Race Type: | Chase |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course | Old Course |
| Weights: | 11st 4lbs (5yo), 11st 6lbs (6yo+), 7lb allowance for mares |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
National Hunt Chase Tips
This race has just as much importance on the day as it does for the future. Over the years, we’ve seen horses go on from here to be staying chasers, including Tiger Roll, who won this race in 2017 before his Grand National heroics.
To close out day one, we have Alan Kelly’s horse racing tips and Charlie McCann’s racing tips as we aim to end the festival’s first day on a high.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our Cheltenham Day 1 Tips or our selections for each individual race on Day 1:
- Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Tips
- Arkle Challenge Trophy Tips
- Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
- Champion Hurdle Tips
- Mares’ Hurdle Tips
- Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips
National Hunt Chase Betting Odds
Check back closer to Cheltenham for the latest National Hunt Chase odds and betting chat.
What Happened Last Year?
The 2023 National Hunt Chase was won by Gaillard Du Mesnil, trained by Willie Mullins, and ridden by Patrick Mullins.
Sent off the 10/11 favourite for the final race of the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, Gaillard Du Mesnil put in a power-packed finish up the hill to reel in Chemical Energy and give Patrick Mullins his fourth success in the race.
National Hunt Chase Key Race Stats
- 11 of the last 13 winners were aged between 7 and 9
- Patrick Mullins has ridden the winner of the race four times in the last 10 years
- 14 of the last 17 winners had previously won at least once over three miles
Previous Winners of the National Hunt Chase
Check out the last five winners of the National Hunt Chase in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Gaillard Du Mesnil |
| 2022 | Stattler |
| 2021 | Galvin |
| 2020 | Ravenhill |
| 2019 | Le Breuil |
FAQs
How to watch National Hunt Chase online?
The National Hunt Chase closes day one of the Cheltenham Festival. Not broadcast on ITV, you can watch this race with your bookmaker, where live streams of the action will be available.
What time is the Cheltenham National Hunt Chase?
The National Hunt Chase is the final race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, with the race due off at 5:30pm.
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