Cheltenham Festival 2023: St Patrick’s Day Preview

Turners Novices’ Chase (13:30)

The Turners Novices’ Chase is the race that opens St. Patrick’s Day, with the 2022 race a memorable one indeed.

It was Galopin Des Champs who was expected to win the race, as the gap to the rest of the field only getting wider and wider. However, it was Bob Olinger who went on to win the Turners Novices’ Chase  after taking the lead at the final hurdle after a fall from Galopin Des Champs.

Mighty Potter is the favourite to win the 2023 Turners Novices’ Hurdle.

Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (14:10)

The Handicap hurdle has been dominated by Ireland over the years, but the 2022 race did not follow the trend.

Third Wind is the most recent winner. Kansas City Chief led the race initially, building a good lead. However, after some enthralling action at the final hurdle, Third Wind was able to pass Allaphillipe to take the win.

The Bosses Oscar is the favourite to win the 2023 Pretemps Handicap Hurdle.

Ryanair Steeple Chase (14:50)

Allaho was the favourite for most people ahead of the most recent Ryanair Chase in 2022, very much lived up to the pressure of expectation.

It was a dominant performance from Paul Townend who was able to guided Allaho to a comfortable victory ahead of competition from Janidil (France) and Eldorado Allen (France) in second and third place. This was Allaho’s second successive win in this race.

Shishkin is seen by the Racing Post as the favourite to win the Ryanair chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (15:30)

The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is the headline race of the third day at the Cheltenham Festival. There was no-one who was surprised by the winner in 2022.

Flooring Porter was the winner of the race last year, and Danny Mullins produced a dominant performance. Mullins set the pace for the rest of the field throughout the race and was only briefly challenged for the lead by Champ. Flooring Porter did lead all the way to the finish line for the victory.

Sire Du Berlais is the favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle according to the Racing Post for 2023.

Magners Plate Handicap Chase (16:10)

Ahead of the 2022 edition of the race, Coole Cody had shown fantastic historic form at Cheltenham which was a good omen for a win.

And it was a win for Coole Cody, who despite being 11 years old produced a great performance to take the win. Jockey Adam Wedge maintained the lead throughout the race after being able to hold off a challenge from Imperial Alcazar.

The Racing Post sees Datsalrightgino as the favourite to take the victory in the 2023 Magners Plate.

The Mares’ Novices Hurdle (16:50)

Dinoblue, trained by Willie Mullins, was the favourite for the 2022 race, but it was not to be in terms of the win.

It was Love Envoi who crossed the finish line to win the race after taking the lead on the Cheltenham straight, going on to claim victory in comfortable fashion. Ahorsewithnoname (Great Britain) and Grangee (France) finished second and third respectively. Dinoblue had to settle for 9^th in the end.

Luccia is the favourite to win the 2023 Mares’ Novices Hurdle (via the Racing Post).

Kim Muir Handicap Chase (17:30)

In the 2022 edition of the Kim Muir Handicap Chase, it was Chambard (France) who took the win last year.

It was a fantastic performance from jockey Lucy Turner who was able to hold off the competition in a tense and competitive race to seal a deserved victory. It was Mister Coffey (France) and Didero Vallis (France) who finished second and third respectively.

The favourite for the Kim Muir Handicap Chase is Fontaine Collonges. This is according to the Racing Post.

With the 2023 Cheltenham Festival well underway, we are already looking forward to 2024! Check out our VIP Hospitality Packages for next year’s event.