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Excitement is mounting in horse racing circles, with the 2023 Cheltenham Festival set to get underway on Tuesday, March 14.
The prestigious four-day meeting boasts a plethora of Grade 1 races featuring the best National Hunt horses, jockeys and trainers in the business.
The event provides punters with a ton of Cheltenham betting opportunities during what is undoubtedly one of the most high-profile weeks in the sporting calendar.
Read on as we look at the schedule for this year’s Festival, before assessing some of the biggest races being staged during the meeting.
Cheltenham Festival 2023 Schedule
Tuesday, March 14 – Champion Day
- 1.30 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2m 1/2f)
- 2.10 – Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (2m)
- 2.50 – Ultima Handicap Chase (3m 1/2f)
- 3.30 – Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (2m 1/2f)
- 4.10 – Mares’ Hurdle (for the David Nicholson Trophy) (2m 4f)
- 4.50 – Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase (2m 4 1/2 f)
- 5.30 – National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase (4m)
Wednesday, March 15 – Ladies Day
- 1.30 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2m 5f)
- 2.10 – RSA Steeple Chase (3m 1/2f)
- 2.50 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
- 3.30 – Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (2m)
- 4.10 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (3m 7f)
- 4.50 – Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m 1/2f)
- 5.30 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Open NH Flat Race) (2m 1/2f)
Thursday, March 16 – St Patrick’s Day
- 1.30 – Marsh Novices’ Steeple Chase (2m 5f)
- 2.10 – Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) (3m)
- 2.50 – Ryanair Chase (2m 5f)
- 3.30 – Stayers’ Hurdle (3m)
- 4.10 – Craft Irish Whiskey Co Plate Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
- 4.50 – Mares’ Novices Hurdle (2m2f)
- 5.30 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (3m 1 1/2f)
Friday, March 17 – Cheltenham Gold Cup Day
- 1.30 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f)
- 2.10 – Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)
- 2.50 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m)
- 3.30 – Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (3m 2 1/2f)
- 4.10 – Foxhunter Steeple Chase (3m 2 1/2f)
- 4.50 – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase (2m 1/2f)
- 5.30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 4 1/2f)
Cheltenham Festival 2023 Preview
The highlight of the opening day is the two-mile Champion Hurdle and this year’s race looks set to be dominated by one horse – Constitution Hill.
The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old romped to victory in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and will be tough to beat in the Champion.
Easy wins in Grade 1 events at Newcastle and Kempton have fired Constitution Hill to the top of the hurdling tree and he looks a banker bet to continue his fine form.
The Champion Chase on Day Two will likely be a more competitive affair, with several horses in with a genuine chance of emerging victorious.
Last year’s winner Energumene will be back to defend his crown, but must bounce back from a disappointing run at Cheltenham on his most recent outing.
He finished behind Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone on that occasion and the latter could be the value bet in what promises to be a thrilling race.
Plenty of familiar names will line-up in the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday including Paisley Park and Flooring Porter, but neither appeal as likely winners.
Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo will be tough to beat as he bids to follow up his hugely impressive victory in a Grade 2 event at Gowran Park earlier this year.
The standout race on the final day is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which brings together the finest staying chasers on the planet.
A Plus Tard will attempt to make it back-to-back victories in the race, but the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs is the most likely winner.