So the magical Cotswolds Kingdom which is Cheltenham racecourse will soon be hosting the most eagerly anticipated national hunt horse racing meeting of the year, The Cheltenham Festival. With bookmakers scrambling to offer the best promotions and bonuses for the 2024 festival, OnTheBallBets has put together our favourites.
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In our 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview, we’ll be taking a look at the race programme for the week and giving you details on the whole four days of racing, plus a look at the major contenders, both equine and human.
We’ll share some insights into each race, and dive a bit deeper into each of the four championship races, plus we’ll give you the latest info on all the best offers from the top bookmakers.
For the last two years, our horse racing expert Richard Smith has produced his daily tips and full analysis of every festival race and when the week had finished, he had generated a profit both years. Below you’ll see links that will take you to a separate full in-depth previews of each day with selections if you are looking for some Free Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips.
If you are a fan of Bet365, then their “Feature Race 4/1 Offer” is great for all the championship races and the big handicap during the week.
So let’s see what the schedule looks like for each day of the Cheltenham Festival with a rundown of the races and race times.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL RACECARD – DAY 1 – TUESDAY 14TH MARCH
- 13:30 The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
- 14:10 The My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
- 14:50 The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase (Premier Handicap) (Grade 3)
- 15:30 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)
- 16:10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 16:50 The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap) (Grade 3)
- 17:30 The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Steeple Chase) (Grade 2)
SKY BET SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE
The first race of the day is the two-mile championship for novices and is always a fiercely contested race with top trainers Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson always firing some of their best younger horses at the race. Of course, this year is no exception, but it is Mullins who has all of the bullets and it could be the Annie Power progeny Mystical Power who could upset her better fancied stable mates.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Supreme Novices Hurdle include:
- Ballyburn
- Tullyhill
- Mystical Power
MY PENSION EXPERT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
The second race of the day is the two-mile chasing championship for novices over the larger obstacles and is always run at a blistering pace, with top trainers Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliot always sending some of their best novice hurdlers from the previous season to compete. Of course, last year’s Supreme Novices winner Marine Nationale was very dissapointing in his prep run for this race but he is still topping the betting and may look a big price at 5/2 currently.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Arkle Challenge Trophy include:
- Marine Nationale
- Il Etait Temps
- Found A Fifty
ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE
The third race of the day is the first big handicap of the meeting for the chasers and this is a cracking race run over the three-mile and one-furlong trip. Trainers to note in this include David Pipe, Jonjo O’Neill and last year’s winning trainer Lucinda Russell. However, it could be the Gordon Elliot trained The Goffer who ends up victorious in this. His prep run came in a flat race where he won by five lengths last time.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Ultima Handicap Chase include:
- Meetingofthewaters
- The Goffer
- Stumptown
UNIBET CHAMPION HURDLE
The feature race of the day is the two-mile hurdling championship where we will be hoping to see the match-up between Constitution Hill and State Man be a little bit closer than last year. It looks unlikely that Willie Mullins chestnut can turn the tables on the Nicky Henderson superstar who won his second Chritsmas Hurdle in a hack canter last time. It is typical renewal with Henderson and Mullins going head to head once again.
The main contenders for the 2024 Champion Hurdle include:
- Constitution Hill
- State Man
- Vauban
If all three of these top-class horses turn up for the race, then we are in for a real treat. Constitution Hill is a heavy favourite and it remains to be seen if Honeysuckle will be back to defend her crown after losing her unbeaten tag last time out.
Throw in the mix State Man from the Willie Mullins yard, plus his stablemate Vuaban, and recent Sandown scorer Love Envoi, and we have a fascinating race in store after all the above five won at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Constitution Hill
State Man
Vauban
It really is going to be a fascinating race, and make sure to check out our full Cheltenham Festival Preview and free tips from our racing expert Richard Smith for Day 1 on Sunday before the race.
CLOSE BROTHERS MARES HURDLE
The Mares Hurdle is the two-mile championship for mares only and it is going to be fascinating to see if Love Envoi could possibly topple the Mullins duo of Lossiemount and Ashroe Diamond. The Mullins trained grey mare has had a very big reputation for a long time and no fan would deny Rich and Susannah Ricci a Cheltenham winner.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Mares Hurdle include:
- Lossiemouth
- Ashroe Diamond
- Love Envoi
BOODLES JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE
The next on the card on Day 1 is a cracking handicap for the four-year-old juveniles, and Irish trainers have a great record in this race, having won the last 6 renewals, and the trainer to watch is Gordon Elliot who has saddled three of the last six winners. He’ll be sure to have a strong hand once again and the one from his team that might come out on top is Ndaawi
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle include:
- Lark In The Mornin
- Batman Girac
- Kargese
NATIONAL HUNT CHALLENGE CUP
The final race of the day and one of the major stamina tests of the whole meeting run at just short of three and three-quarter miles, and a prize targeted by the Irish trainers with Paul Nicholls usually flying the flag for the home team. It is interesting to note that sixteen of the last twenty one winners have been aged 7 or 8 years old, with eleven of those being seven.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 National Hunt Challenge Cup include:
- Embassy Gardens
- Corbetts Cross
- Salvador Ziggy
Make sure to check out our separate full in-depth 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview for Day 1. Each day of the meeting, our expert Richard Smith will be passing on his Free Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL RACECARD – DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 15TH MARCH
- 13:30 The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
- 14:10 The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
- 14:50 The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
- 15:30 The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
- 16:10 The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
- 16:50 The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap)
- 17:30 The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)
BARING BINGHAM NOVICES HURDLE
The first race of the day and one of the major stamina tests for this year’s crop of novice hurdlers is run over 2 miles and 5 furlongs and is always a race targeted by the big yards with horses they feel may turn into Gold Cup contenders maybe a couple of years down the line. It will be interesting to see if the Willie Mullins-trained Mystical Power will go for this or a tilt at the Supreme Novices Hurdle on Day 1.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle include:
- Slade Steel
- Mystical Power
- Ile Atlantique
BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES CHASE
The second race on Day 2 is a staying chase for the novices and can often throw up a very talented horse, as it did last year with The Real Whacker who we could possibly see take a tilt at this years Gold Cup. The three trainers to watch in this race are undoubtedly Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls, who between them have trained ten of the last twenty winners of the race.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase include:
- Fact To File
- Stay Away Fay
- Grey Dawning
CORAL CUP HANDICAP HURDLE
The first big handicap on Day 2 is the Coral Cup run over 2 miles and 5 furlongs and is always a tough puzzle to solve. With up to 28 runners, it always provides an exciting spectacle and has been a great race for trainer Nicky Henderson who has saddled the winner in three of the last 12 years (A 25% strike rate)
And, we are also sure to see the Cheltenham specialist Langer Dan line up here or in one of the other big handicap hurdles during the week.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle include:
- Sa Majeste
- Langer Dan
- Lucky Place
BETWAY QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
Race four on Day 2 is the feature race of the day and brings together the best of the best in the two-mile chasing division. We have seen some real champions down the years with horses like Moscow Flyer, Master Minded, Sprinter Sacre and most recently Altior all being dual winners and etching their names in the history books. This year though it looks a match between last years Arkle 1-2 El Fabiolo & Jonbon.
On that occasion the Mullins horse came out a winner by just over 5 lengths, so it will be interesting if Jonbon can make inroads after dissapointing last time out at Cheltenham.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase include:
- El Fabiolo
- Jonbon
- Dinoblue
If all three of these horses turn up for the race, then we are in for a real treat. After the recent Cheltenham Festival Trials day when Energumene was beaten, it will be interesting to see where we stand on the betting, but he is still the current favourite to defend his crown.
Throw into the mix the Cheltenham Festival trials day winner Editeur Du Gite and we have an absolute cracker in store for this race.
El Fabiolo & Dinoblue
Jonbon
It really is going to be a fascinating race, and make sure to check out our full Cheltenham Festival Preview and free tips from our racing expert Richard Smith for Day 2 on the Monday before the race.
GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY CHASE
The Cross Country has been a fixture of the Festival for some time now and the Gordon Elliot-trained Delta Work will be aiming to become another hatrick winner of the race following compatriot Tiger Roll. However, former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo is in the entries this time around which will make that task very difficult.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Glenfarclas Chase include:
- Delta Work
- Galvin
- Minella Indo
JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL HANDICAP CHASE
The sixth race of the day is the race named in honour of Johnny Henderson, the late father of current trainer Nicky Henderson. This is a handicap chase and is always a highly competitive affair. It is also the oldest race to be run at the meeting, with the first running taking place in 1834.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase include:
- My Mate Mozzie
- Saint Roi
- Madara
WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER
The final race of the day is the Champion Bumper and usually a benefit to the Irish-trained horses. With plenty of firepower from the Gordon Elliot, and most notably the Willie Mullins yard, it will be a surprise if the prize is not heading back over the Irish Sean once again. Those two trainers are responsible for six of the last seven winners of this race.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Weatherbys Champion Bumper include:
- Maughreen
- Jasmin De Vaux
- Teeshan
Make sure to check out our separate full in-depth 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview for Day 2. Each day of the meeting, our expert Richard Smith will be passing on his Free Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL RACECARD – DAY 3 – THURSDAY 14TH MARCH
- 13:30 The Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
- 14:10 The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap)
- 14:50 The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
- 15:30 The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 16:10 The TrustATrader Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap)
- 16:50 The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle)
- 17:30 The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Sponsored by The JRL Group) Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)
TURNERS NOVICES CHASE
Day 3 kicks off with another novice chase, and of course, this race produced one of the biggest talking points a couple of years back when Galopin Des Champs (last years Gold Cup winner) jumped and slithered on landing and lost the race. This year sees Willie Mullins well represented once more, but it could be one for the home team with Paul Nicholls Ginnys Destiny going for a four timer.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Turners Novices’ Chase include:
- Il Est Francais
- Ginnys Destiny
- Facile Vega
PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE
The second race of the day and one of the major stamina tests for the staying hurdlers with the race being run at just short of three miles. It’s another tricky handicap and one that needs some studying, especially if you are still hoping to be in the Tote Placepot heading to leg three. A great betting race and one where you are likely to see bookmakers going 8/1 the field.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle include:
- Gaoth Cuhil
- Chantry House
- Icare Allen
RYANAIR CHASE
The third race of the day does not hold championship status, but in recent years has attracted some of the very best staying chasers on both sides of the Irish Sea, and unfortunately this year we won’t be seeing Allaho and it could just mean that this prize will not fall into the hands of The Closutton maestro.
It’s a competitive field and we could see Envoi Allen go back to back at the biggest stage of all. And do not rule out the home team favourite Stage Star.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Ryanair Chase include:
- Banbridge
- Envoi Allen
- Stage Star
PADDY POWER STAYERS HURDLE
The feature on Day 3 is the championship for the staying hurdlers and this is set up to be an absolute cracker. The favourite looks sure to be Teahupoo who put up a gutsy display last time to win the the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse where he outbattled Impaire Et Passe.
Irish Point is a very promising stayer who hacked up last time, and throw in the mix that amazing horse Paisley Park and the 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats and the script is written.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle include:
- Teahupoo
- Irish Point
- Noble Yeats
If all three of these top-staying hurdlers turn up, then we are in for a real humdinger of a race. Teahupoo is a worthy favourite, and Paisley Park, who was beaten at the recent Cheltenham Festival trials day is sure to be at the top of a lot of punter’s lists.
Throw in the mix Sir Gerhard, a dual Cheltenham Festival winner and we have the ingredients for the race of the week here.
Teahupoo
Irish Point
Noble Yeats
It really is going to be a fascinating race, and make sure to check out our full Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Preview and free tips from our racing expert Richard Smith for Day 3 on the Tuesday before the race.
THE TRUSTATRADER PLATE HANDICAP CHASE
The fifth race of the day is the Plate Handicap Chase, this year sponsored by TrustATrader. Run over an extended two and a half miles, this is always run at a helter-skelter pace and from a punting point of view, you need a horse that stays further than two and a half miles. For betting purposes, it is always good to look for horses that have run well not just at Cheltenham, but ideally in another festival race in the past.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase include:
- Crebilly
- Letsbeclearaboutit
- Theatre Man
RYANAIR MARES NOVICE HURDLE
A relatively new race at the festival and it has been a welcome addition to have a mares-only novice event. It gives the girls the opportunity to compete at the top level, and of course, in recent seasons we have seen mares go on to win the following year’s two-mile championship, The Champion Hurdle.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle include:
- Jade De Grugy
- Brighterdaysahead
- Dysart Enos
FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP HANDICAP CHASE
Affectionately known as the Fulke Walwyn or Kim Muir in seasons past. The final race on Day 3 now has the names of both legends as a commemoration of their service to the sport of national hunt racing and serving their country in the military.
The race is for amateur jockeys only and is sometimes referred to as the amateurs Gold Cup.
Leading modern-day amateur Jamie Codd is the winning most jockey with four victories to his name. But it will be interesting if 2022 winning combination Venetia Williams and jockey Lucy Turner team up again to try and repeat their 2022 victory with Chambard.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase include:
- Good Time Jonny
- Meetingofthewaters
- Angels Dawn
Make sure to check out our separate full in-depth 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview for Day 3. Each day of the meeting, our expert Richard Smith will be passing on his Free Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL RACECARD – DAY 4 – FRIDAY 15th MARCH
- 13:30 The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 14:10 The County Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap)
- 14:50 The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
- 15:30 The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
- 16:10 The St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
- 16:50 The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
- 17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE
The first race on the final day is the main hurdle event for the juveniles and the four-year-olds do battle for the Triumph Hurdle, a race that many trainers use as a stepping stone for the following year’s Champion Hurdle. Last year’s winner Lossiemouth will be competing in the big event this year.
However, this race is all about the Henderson runner Sir Gino who won very easily on Cheltenham Festival Trials day, and has been backed into odds on from 11/2.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 JCB Triumph Hurdle include:
- Sir Gino
- Kargese
- Storm Heart
THE COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE
We are back to the big handicap hurdles for race two on Day 4 and it is the speed test for two-mile handicap hurdlers. Again we’ll see a field of up to 28 runners go to post and it’s another race where dreams of landing a big Tote Placepot payout hinge. In the last eight years, it has been won four times by Irish trainer Willie Mullins and four times by young British trainer Dan Skelton. It’s always worth keeping an eye out for entries from those stables.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 County Handicap Hurdle include:
- Iberico Lord
- Absurde
- Zenta
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES HURDLE
Race 3 on the final day is the staying hurdling test for the novices and is always a severe test of stamina. Horses in this race are likely being primed as potential Gold Cup stars of the future. The race has been run nineteen times since it was introduced in 2005, and it is key to note that 6 and 7-year-olds have been responsible for 16 of those wins.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle include:
- Dancing City
- High Class Hero
- Now Is The Hour
BOODLES CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP
It’s the big one and the race everybody has been waiting for, and this year we have what looks to be one of the most exciting races for some time. This year sees the hype horse Galopin Des Champs try to win the Blue Riband for Willie Mullins for a second time in a row, but a host of horses stand in his way, with the likes of Fastorslow, Shishkin, and Bravemanasgame all looking to topple the Mullins machine.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase include:
- Gallopin Des Champs
- Fastorslow
- Shishkin
If all of these top-class horses turn up for the race, and it looks like they will, then we are in for a really exciting race. Gallopin Des Champs is a short-price favourite and it remains to be seen if Shishkin can redeem his somewhat tarnished reputation. He did win the Denman chase last time and was going no better than on the run-in, suggesting this ever stiffer test will suit.
The top four all clearly hold strong chances, but Gerri Colombe, Hewick and the once highly touted Monkfish are others that could be in the mix for the each-way money.
Gallopin Des Champs & Fastorslow
Shishkin
It really is going to be a fascinating race, and make sure to check out our full Cheltenham Festival Preview and free tips from our racing expert Richard Smith for Day 4 on the Wednesday before the race.
ST JAMES PLACE FESTIVAL CHALLENGE CUP HUNTERS CHASE
The action keeps coming thick and fast on the final day and the hunters chase, which is run over the same distance as the Gold Cup is a chance for the amateur jockeys to write their names on the historic roll of honour this race holds. Old favourite Billlaway will be trying to follow up his dramatic last-gasp victory in 2022, but he has some younger rivals to deal with this time around. This race is always run at a very sharp pace and you need a horse that really stays at least three and a half miles.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase include:
- It’s On The Line
- Winged Leader
- Ferns Lock
MRS PADDY POWER MARES CHASE
The penultimate race on the final day is the Paddy Power Mares Chase. Like the mares hurdle, this is a relatively new addition to the festival and has only been run three times so far, with two of the three runnings going to horses trained by Willie Mullins. Both of those winners were aged 8 years old but this year he has two very talented mares, both of which are 7 years old. If we were to lean towards one, it would be Dinoblue who ran a fine race when second behind El Fabiolo last time.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase include:
- Allegorie De Vassy
- Brides Hill
- Dinoblue
MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS HANDICAP HURDLE
We finish up this 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview with the final race on Day 4 which is the competitive conditional jockeys handicap hurdle named after the legendary trainer Martin Pipe. No doubt his son, and current trainer David Pipe will be well represented. Always a very competitive race, and one in which has seen 9 of the 15 runnings won by a horse carrying 11st 7lbs or higher, an interesting stat.
Some of the main contenders for the 2024 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle include:
- Quai De Bourbon
- Under Control
- Gold Dancer
Make sure to check out our separate full in-depth 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview for Day 4. Each day of the meeting, our expert Richard Smith will be passing on his Free Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips.