The curtain comes down on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival with the 2023 National Hunt Challenge Cup, a race the Irish have won for the six of the past seven seasons.
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. The criterion for the qualifying riders was also adjusted too. This event still requires a top staying performance to win it regardless of the conditions. Read on for National Hunt Steeplechase Challenge Cup betting odds, tips and free bets.
National Hunt Chase Betting Offers & Tips
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| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday 14th March, 17:30pm |
| 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 UK, Bookmaker Streams |
National Hunt Chase Tips
This is a race that has just as much importance on the day, as it does for the future, and over the years we’ve seen horses go on from here to be staying chasers, including Tiger Roll, who won this race before his Grand National heroics.
To close day one, we have both Alan Kelly’s horse racing tips and Charlie McCann’s racing tips as we look to end the first day of the festival on a high.
Check out our Cheltenham Day 1 Tips or our tips for each individual race for Day 1:
- Supreme Novice Hurdle Tips
- Arkle Novice Chase Tips
- Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
- Champion Hurdle Tips
- Mares Hurdle Tips
- Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips
National Hunt Chase Betting Odds
The market leader for this contest is Gaillard Du Mesnil, named as one of the Irish bankers of the festival, not just the first day.
If they have a good day before this race, don’t be surprised to see him very well backed on the day, that could see him go off odds on for this one, to give Willie Mullins the race.
What Happened in 2022?
We only had a small field for this contest last year, with just six going to post, and the betting was dominated by a front three who were trained in Ireland.
It was Willie Mullins who came out on top, second favourite Stattler produced a better staying and jumping display than his rivals, and came away with ease to win the contest by eight lengths, under jockey Patrick Mullins.
National Hunt Chase Key Race Stats
This contest has proven to be a real springboard for future top staying prospects.
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 most recently in 2022, further enhancing his dominance of the Cheltenham Festival
Here are some stats and facts on this race:
- 10 of the last 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
- Mr J J Codd has won the race 3 times in the last 20 years
- 13 of the last 16 winners had previously won at least once over three miles
Previous Winners of the National Hunt Chase
- 2022 - Stattler
- 2021 – Galvin
- 2020 – Ravenhill
- 2019 – Le Breuil
- 2018 – Rathvinden
National Hunt Chase 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 a start time of 5:30pm.
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