Our Guide to the Cheltenham Festival 2023

Cheltenham Festival 2023 Update Guide

With less than two months until the Cheltenham Festival starts, horse racing fans across the world will be counting down the days until one of the most prestigious events in the sport.

When does the festival begin?

The festival will start on Tuesday 14^th March, finishing four days later on Friday 17^th March 2023.

Key Races & Horses to look out for

You may be wandering which races are of particular note across the four days and which horses you should be looking out for. For the opening day, four races are taking place. Read on to find out.

Day One (Tuesday 14^th March)

The first is the Champion Hurdle, the favourite to win this race is reigning Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Champion Constitution Hill. Fellow favourite Honeysuckle is the champion of both of the previous two Champion Hurdles.

The next opening day event is the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Marine Nationale, Et Passe, Tahmuras and Facile Vega are all seen as the favourites. However, Facile Vega is seen as the most likely to win the Novices’ Hurdle this year, as the horse is unbeaten so far this season.

Jonbon, Dysart Dynamo, Appreciate It, El Fabiolo and Saint Roi are all seen as favourites for the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase, with Jonbon edging the competition as the horse is unbeaten over fences.

2022 Close Brother’s Mares’ Hurdle Champion Marie’s Rock is the favourite for this year’s race, but faces competition from Epatante and Love Envoi.

Day Two (Wednesday 15^th March)

For Day Two, Energumene is the favourite for the Champion Chase, whilst Gaelic Warrior and Hermes Allen are both the favourites to win the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. The other key races to look out for on Wednesday is the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and the Glenfarclas Chase.

Day Three (Thursday 16^th March)

The penultimate day has four races. Flooring Porter is the favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle and is looking for a third successive win. For the Ryanair Chase, King George is the favourite alongside Blue Lord and Shishkin.

Appreciate It and Mighty Potter are seen as favourites for the Turners Novices’ Chase, whilst Luccia is the current favourite to win the Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle.

Day Four (Friday 17^th March)

The prestigious Gold Cup is on the final day, with Galopin Des Champs the favourite to win the race alongside Noble Yeats. Bravemansgame and Protektorat are also both seen to have a chance of securing victory too.

There are several favourites for the Triumph Hurdle, including Lossiemouth who is unbeaten over hurdles, with the other favourites including Gala Marceau and Blood Destiny.

Another key race is the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, which is seen as a tight race. Last year’s winner was The Nice Guy.

The favourites for this year’s Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase are Allegorie De Vassey and Impervious.

There is plenty to look forward to at this year’s Cheltenham Festival where there are bound to be stunning moments and numerous shock winners.

As official hospitality suppliers for Cheltenham Festival appointed directly by Cheltenham Racecourse, Eventmasters are delighted to provide Cheltenham Festival hospitality packages in 2023.