It’s that time of year again. The best horses, trainers, and jockeys are ready to converge at the biggest jump race meeting in the world – the Cheltenham Festival. Cheltenham racecourse is the home of jump racing in England, and for four days every year in March, it takes center stage in the world of horse racing.
Let’s have a look at three of the big races throughout the week to see who could walk away as champion of the most coveted prizes in racing.
The Champion Hurdle
Cheltenham 2023 has a mix of short-priced favorites and those with large horse race odds for bettors to get their teeth into.
The Champion Hurdle is the biggest 2-mile hurdle race in Europe and is an early chance to place your Cheltenham bet on day one of the meeting. The 2023 renewal is all about one horse, Constitution Hill. The new superstar of racing is undefeated in five starts and the betting odds for this season’s race reflect this.
Constitution Hill is the short-priced 1/3 favorite, with his main danger in the race, State Man, being 11/4. It seems to be a two-horse race for Champion Hurdle success this year, and racing fans are waiting with bated breath to see Constitution Hill potentially fulfill his destiny.
His chances have been boosted in recent weeks, as it has been confirmed that the winner of the last two renewals, Honeysuckle, will be lining up in a different race this year.
The Champion Chase
The Champion Chase is the equivalent of the Champion Hurdle, but this time competitors will be jumping the bigger fences over a distance of 2 miles. The race has been won by some of the greats of jump racing, and in 2023 fans are in for a treat as three potential future greats go to battle on the hallowed turf.
Energumene, Edwardstone, and Editeur Du Gite are the three top 2-mile chasers in the business, and although it was the latter that came out on top in their previous meeting, it is Energumene who is the 11/8 favorite.
The Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is the pinnacle of the jump racing industry. Alongside the Aintree Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most famous jumps race in Europe. Run over 3 miles and 2 furlongs, a Gold Cup winner must possess an array of attributes that only a few horses have.
Speed, Stamina, and jumping precision are the main talents needed to be successful, and in 2023 we are going to be graced by a special horse that possesses all three in abundance.
Galopin Des Champs is a superstar! pic.twitter.com/nJKI5Vun7z
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 4, 2023
Galopin Des Champs is the horse on everyone’s lips as the big race approaches. Trained in Ireland by the legendary trainer, Willie Mullins, the current 11/8 favorite is a special talent, something that the world of racing is set to see on the final day of Cheltenham 2023.
The above are just 3 races of 28 up for decision over the four days of racing, and each one will bring its own backstory with the horses involved.
New champions will be crowned, old warriors will cause a surprise, and fans are guaranteed to witness dramatic moments from start to finish.