Behind the Scenes of the Cheltenham Festival

Published 2021/12/09

Behind the Scenes of the Cheltenham Festival

Minella Indo may have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2021, but will the Irish bay gelding be able to produce a similar performance in 2022? What about Put The Kettle On? Aidan Coleman rode the Irish mare to his first Queen Mother Champion Chase victory last year, but what are her ante-post odds this year?

With still some time left in between now and Champions Day, a look behind the scenes is necessary for anyone who wants to place an ante-post bet at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival races.

Arkle Chase (15th March)

The Arkle Challenge Trophy (3,499 metres), aka the Arkle Chase is scheduled to be the 2nd race on Champions Day (Tuesday) at 2:10 pm. Last year’s champion Shishkin has not yet lost a single steeplechase, and yet the racehorse will not be participating this year, as confirmed by trainer Nicky Henderson. This means that the following five horses have the best ante-post winning odds right now.

1. Appreciate It: 9/4 - 7yo Irish bay gelding, trained by Mullins.

2. Ferny Hollow: 7/2 - 6yo Irish bay gelding, trained by Mullins.

3. Edwardstone: 8/1 - 7yo Irish bay gelding, trained by A. King.

4. Riviere dEtel: 9/1 - 4yo French grey filly, trained by G. Elliott.

5. Bob Olinger: 10/1 - 6yo Irish bay gelding, trained by Bromhead.

The Champion Hurdle (15th March)

The 4th and main race of Day One, the Unibet Champion Hurdle (3,298 metres) will start at 3:30 pm sharp. It is the most prestigious hurdle race in the UK and some of National Hunt’s greatest moments have been recorded here. Do not forget to check this year’s Unibet offers for Cheltenham Champion Hurdle before placing any bets. Given that they are the sponsors, they should be able to provide you with the best value. As for the ante-post odds, you will find the best horses participating in this year’s Champion Hurdle below:

1. Honeysuckle (current champion): 8/11 – 7yo British bay mare, trained by Bromhead.

2. Sharjah: 8/1 – 11yo bay gelding, trained by A. Slattery.

3. Epatante: 14/1 - 7yo French bay mare, trained by Henderson.

4. Ferny Hollow: 14/1 - 6yo Irish bay gelding, trained by Mullins.

5. Appreciate It: 16/1 - 7yo Irish bay gelding, trained by Mullins.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase (16th March)

The main event on Ladies Day, the Queen Mother Chase (3,199 metres), has a £300,000 prize pool and the horses will kick off at 3:30 pm. Shishkin will be participating in the shorter race and the unbeaten gelding is expectedly a favourite to win this year.

1. Shishkin: 13/8 – 7yo Irish bay gelding, trained by Henderson

2. Energumene: 9/4 – 7yo French brown gelding, trained by Mullins.

3. Greaneteen: 8/1 – 7yo French bay gelding, trained by P. F. Nicholls.

4. Chacum Pour Soi: 10/1 – 9yo French bay gelding, trained by Mullins.

5. Nube Negra: 10/1 - 7yo Spanish brown gelding, trained by D. Skelton.

The Ryanair Chase (17th March)

Will Allaho repeat the win from last year? No one knows for sure, but the gelding has the highest ante-post odds for the Ryanair Chase 2022 (4,139 metres), which will start at 2:50 pm on St. Patrick’s Thursday.

1. Allaho: 9/4 - 7yo French bay gelding, trained by Mullins.

2. Envoi Allen: 6/1 - 7yo French bay gelding, trained by Bromhead.

3. Fakir D'Oudairies: 8/1 - 6yo French bay gelding, trained by J. P. O'Brien.

4. Energumene: 10/1 - 7yo French brown gelding, trained by Mullins.

5. Protektorat: 10/1 - 6yo French bay gelding, trained by D. Skelton.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup (18th March)

On Friday, we will all be eagerly waiting to see the main event unfold at 3:30 pm, as the next Cheltenham Gold Cup Champion is decided. Champion Minella Indo is still one of the two favourites to win this year, but the ante-post odds has put the 2021 champion behind A Plus Tard.

1. A Plus Tard: 3/1 – 7yo French bay gelding, trained by Bromhead.

2. Minella Indo: 9/2 - 8yo bay gelding, trained by Bromhead.

3. Chantry House: 10/1 – 7yo Irish brown gelding trained by Henderson.

4. Protektorat: 14/1 - 6yo French bay gelding, trained by D. Skelton.

5. Al Boum Photo: 16/1 - 9yo French bay gelding, trained by Mullins.

Don’t forget to keep in mind that the odds change often, and there could always be new developments. Stay updated with your news updates and get ready to enjoy the Cheltenham Festival 2022 in just a few weeks.

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