Looking ahead: Cheltenham Showcase

Here are some of the horses that you should keep your eye on in Friday and Saturday’s races.

Excitement and anticipation amongst racing fans is building ahead of the 2023 Cheltenham Showcase Meeting, which is set to get underway on Friday, 27th October. The two days of racing will come to a close a day later on Saturday 28th October 2023.

This event effectively acts as the curtain raiser for the jump racing season. Some of the future stars of the horse racing world will be taking centre stage as they look for the all-important victory. All of the races carry prestige, but a couple of races stand out: the Bentley Flying Spur Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 2) and the Matchbook Betting Exchange Steeple Chase (Class 2).

On Day One, a total of 7 races will be taking place, from the Foundation Developments Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle to the Abu Dhabi Digital Markets Handicap Hurdle. As for the second and final day of racing, 7 races also take place this day, from the EPIC Value at William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase to the Cheltenham & South West Racing Club Open National Hunt Flat Race.

There are several horses that you should be keeping your eye on throughout Friday and Saturday’s action, and below, we take a look at some examples of horses who may taste glory this week.

Corach Rambler

Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler has three wins from three at Cheltenham and will be looking for a fourth this year in the Epic Jumps Season at William Hill Handicap Chase on Saturday. What ultimately makes Corach Rambler a leading contender to win this race is the victory recorded in the Grand National Handicap Chase at Aintree. Russell held off competition from the likes of Vanillier and Gaillard Du Mesnil to claim victory.

Corach Rambler’s most recent race at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse came on 14th March 2023, with yet another career victory being recorded in the Ultima Handicap Chase. There was competition from Fastorslow, Monbeg Genius and The Goffer, but they had to settle for the other three spots in the top four.

There will be some stern competition, but there are many people who see Corach Rambler as the likely winner.

Inthewaterside

Whilst Corach Rambler is one of the more experienced horses at Cheltenham this weekend, Inthewaterside is most certainly seen as one of horse racing’s rising stars. Inthewaterside’s debut race was at Exeter in the #racingiseveryonessport Open National Hunt Flat Race on 2nd December 2022. It is a race that was won by Inthewaterside ahead of Take No Chances and He’s My Shadow in second and third place, respectively.

His chances of victory are seen as far from remote with his potential over hurdles this season.

Apple Away

Apple Away is indeed a horse that you should keep your eye on in the 2023 William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday. This is a horse that has been showing plenty of ability and improvement recently. This was demonstrated in the Spring Getaway At Western House Hotel Handicap Hurdle at Ayr on 14th February 2022, where Apple Away won.

This was followed up by another victory, this time in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster Racecourse. She’s A Saint and Annie Magic did provide competition, but they ultimately had to settle for second and third place.

Apple Away can still improve further, and it will be interesting to see how the six-year-old fares at Cheltenham this weekend.

Excitement is building ahead of the action getting underway on Friday, with another two days of fantastic racing at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse to come.

There is no better way to enjoy the enthralling racing at this year’s Cheltenham Showcase Meeting than with an Eventmasters VIP Hospitality Package. Book now to avoid disappointment.