Al Boum Photo, Chacun Pour Soi, Honeysuckle, and Paisley Park feature among a host of stars going forward for the six non-novice G1 races at The Festival™.
Al Boum Photo (Willie Mullins) heads 29 acceptors for the feature G1 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, 19 March, in his quest to become the first three-time winner of Jump racing’s Blue Riband since Best Mate in 2004.
Fellow Irish challenger A Plus Tard (Henry de Bromhead) is set to pose a serious threat following his thrilling victory in the G1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
G1 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase victor Frodon (Paul Nicholls) will attempt to become the first horse since Long Run to win Kempton Park’s mid-winter highlight and chasing’s most prestigious prize in the same season.
Fast improving novice Royal Pagaille (Venetia Williams) and 2020 G1 Festival Novices’ Chase victor Champ (Nicky Henderson) also go forward.
Chacun Pour Soi (Willie Mullins) is the red-hot favourite for the G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday, 17 March, following two deeply impressive displays in G1 company at Leopardstown.
The 24 remaining entries also include Altior (Nicky Henderson), who landed the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2018 and 2019 during a 19-race unbeaten streak. Badsworth Boy in the 1980s is the only triple winner of the race.
Star mares Honeysuckle (Henry de Bromhead) and Epatante (Nicky Henderson), the defending champion, are on course for an exciting clash in the G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, 16 March.
Epatante has something to prove after a shock defeat behind Silver Streak (Evan Williams) in the G1 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, while Honeysuckle looked as good as ever in the G1 Irish Champion Hurdle, notching up her 10th consecutive win under Rules.
Other names to note among the 23 acceptors include Buveur d’Air (Nicky Henderson), the winner of this race in 2017 and 2018, and classy five-year-old Aspire Tower (Henry de Bromhead).
An intriguing showdown in the G1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is on the cards, with Paisley Park (Emma Lavelle) and Thyme Hill (Philip Hobbs) headlining the 42 remaining entries.
The score between the pair stands at one apiece this season, with Thyme Hill victorious in the G2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November before Paisley Park reversed the placings in the G1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December.
G1 Irish Gold Cup winner Kemboy has been left in after trainer Willie Mullins suggested he could pitch up here instead of taking up an engagement over fences at The Festival™.
Ante-post favourite Allaho (Willie Mullins) and Imperial Aura (Kim Bailey) top 35 acceptors for the G1 Ryanair Chase on the same afternoon, Thursday, 18 March.
Min (Willie Mullins) and Saint Calvados (Harry Whittington), the first and second from last year, also go forward along with Mister Fisher (Nicky Henderson) and Master Tommytucker (Paul Nicholls).
Willie Mullins has a formidable record in the G1 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day, winning nine of the 13 renewals. He is responsible for five of the 23 remaining entries, with his team headed by the 2019 winner Benie des Dieux and Concertista.
Unibet Champion Hurdle – Tuesday, 16 March
Abacadabras (FR) 7 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Aspire Tower (IRE) 5 11 10 Robcour Henry de Bromhead IRE
Ballyandy (GB) 10 11 10 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies
Buveur d'Air (FR) 10 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson
Buzz (FR) 7 11 10 Thurloe for Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Nicky Henderson
Coeur Sublime (IRE) 6 11 10 C. Jones Gearoid O'Loughlin IRE
For Pleasure (IRE) 6 11 10 Premier Plastering (UK) Limited Alex Hales
Goshen (FR) 5 11 10 Mr Steven Packham Gary Moore
James du Berlais (FR) 5 11 10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins IRE
Jason The Militant (IRE) 7 11 10 Mr Peter Michael Henry de Bromhead IRE
Not So Sleepy (GB) 9 11 10 Lady Blyth Hughie Morrison
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 10 11 10 Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Gordon Elliott IRE
Saint Roi (FR) 6 11 10 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins IRE
Saldier (FR) 7 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Sceau Royal (FR) 9 11 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Alan King
Sharjah (FR) 8 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Silver Streak (IRE) 8 11 10 Mr L. Fell Evan Williams
Song For Someone (GER) 6 11 10 Sir Peter & Lady Gibbings Tom Symonds
Winston C (IRE) 7 11 10 Hudson River Farms LLC Keri Brion USA
Concertista (FR) 7 11 3 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins IRE
Epatante (FR) 7 11 3 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson
Honeysuckle (GB) 7 11 3 Mr K. Alexander Henry de Bromhead IRE
Verdana Blue (IRE) 9 11 3 Mrs Doreen Tabor Nicky Henderson
23 remaining entries, 11 Irish-trained, 1 USA-trained
Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle – Tuesday, 16 March
Anythingforlove (GB) 6 11 5 Foxtrot Racing Anythingforlove Jamie Snowden
Benie des Dieux (FR) 10 11 5 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Black Tears (GB) 7 11 5 Mrs C Walsh/Mr J Lightfoot Gordon Elliott IRE
Concertista (FR) 7 11 5 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins IRE
Dame de Compagnie (FR) 8 11 5 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson
Dame du Soir (FR) 8 11 5 Graham Clarkson & Andrew Smelt David Bridgwater
Dolcita (FR) 6 11 5 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Fergal O'Brien
Eglantine du Seuil (FR) 7 11 5 The Unlikely Lads Paul Nicholls
Elimay (FR) 7 11 5 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins IRE
Floressa (FR) 6 11 5 Just Four Men Nicky Henderson
Great White Shark (FR) 7 11 5 Mr Malcolm C. Denmark W. P. Mullins IRE
Honeysuckle (GB) 7 11 5 Mr K. Alexander Henry de Bromhead IRE
Indefatigable (IRE) 8 11 5 Mr Philip Rocher Paul Webber
Midnights' Gift (GB) 5 11 5 Pitchall Stud Partnership Alan King
Minella Melody (IRE) 7 11 5 Mr K. Alexander Henry de Bromhead IRE
My Sister Sarah (IRE) 7 11 5 Barnane Stud W. P. Mullins IRE
Perfect Myth (GB) 7 11 5 Mr R. J. Vines Neil King
Rayna's World (IRE) 6 11 5 Ace Bloodstock & Rayna Fitzgerald Philip Kirby
Roksana (IRE) 9 11 5 Mrs Sarah Faulks Dan Skelton
The Glancing Queen (IRE) 7 11 5 Dingwall, Farrell, Hornsey & Murray Alan King
Verdana Blue (IRE) 9 11 5 Mrs Doreen Tabor Nicky Henderson
Whitehotchillifili (IRE) 7 11 5 Chasing Gold Racing Club Harry Fry
Wynn House (GB) 6 11 5 Mr Rupert Anton Alan King
23 remaining entries, 8 Irish-trained
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase – Wednesday, 17 March
Altior (IRE) 11 11 10 Mrs Patricia Pugh Nicky Henderson
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Bun Doran (IRE) 10 11 10 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 9 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr V. Healy Michael Winters IRE
Cilaos Emery (FR) 9 11 10 Luke McMahon W. P. Mullins IRE
Duc des Genievres (FR) 8 11 10 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Paul Nicholls
Esprit du Large (FR) 7 11 10 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams
Fakir d'Oudairies (FR) 6 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien IRE
Fanion d'Estruval (FR) 6 11 10 Mr David Wilson Venetia Williams
First Flow (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr A. N. Solomons Kim Bailey
Greaneteen (FR) 7 11 10 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
Ibleo (FR) 8 11 10 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
Magic Saint (FR) 7 11 10 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Paul Nicholls
Min (FR) 10 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Notebook (GER) 8 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE
Nube Negra (SPA) 7 11 10 Mr T. Spraggett Dan Skelton
Politologue (FR) 10 11 10 Mr J. Hales Paul Nicholls
Rouge Vif (FR) 7 11 10 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington
Samcro (IRE) 9 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Sceau Royal (FR) 9 11 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Alan King
Simply The Betts (IRE) 8 11 10 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 8 11 10 T. F. P. W. P. Mullins IRE
Put The Kettle On (IRE) 7 11 3 One For Luck Racing Syndicate Henry de Bromhead IRE
24 remaining entries, 10 Irish-trained
Ryanair Chase – Thursday, 18 March
Al Dancer (FR) 8 11 10 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies
Allaho (FR) 7 11 10 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins IRE
Altior (IRE) 11 11 10 Mrs Patricia Pugh Nicky Henderson
Aso (FR) 11 11 10 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
Balko des Flos (FR) 10 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Cepage (FR) 9 11 10 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 9 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr V. Healy Michael Winters
Chris's Dream (IRE) 9 11 10 Robcour Henry de Bromhead IRE
Cilaos Emery (FR) 9 11 10 Luke McMahon W. P. Mullins IRE
Cyrname (FR) 9 11 10 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls
Daly Tiger (FR) 8 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE
Dashel Drasher (GB) 8 11 10 Mrs B Tully and Mr R Lock Jeremy Scott
Delta Work (FR) 8 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Esprit du Large (FR) 7 11 10 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams
Fakir d'Oudairies (FR) 6 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien IRE
Fanion d'Estruval (FR) 6 11 10 Mr David Wilson Venetia Williams
Greaneteen (FR) 7 11 10 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
Ibleo (FR) 8 11 10 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
Imperial Aura (IRE) 8 11 10 Imperial Racing Partnership 2016 Kim Bailey
Janika (FR) 8 11 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson
Kalashnikov (IRE) 8 11 10 Mr Paul Murphy Amy Murphy
Kemboy (FR) 9 11 10 Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate W. P. Mullins IRE
Master Tommytucker (GB) 10 11 10 Mr A. G. Fear Paul Nicholls
Melon (GB) 9 11 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins IRE
Min (FR) 10 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Mister Fisher (IRE) 7 11 10 James and Jean Potter Nicky Henderson
Real Steel (FR) 8 11 10 Mrs Kathy Stuart&Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd Paul Nicholls
Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 8 11 10 Carl Hinchy and Mark Scott Nigel Twiston-Davies
Saint Calvados (FR) 8 11 10 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington
Samcro (IRE) 9 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Simply The Betts (IRE) 8 11 10 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 8 11 10 T. F. P. W. P. Mullins IRE
Shattered Love (IRE) 10 11 3 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
35 remaining entries, 15 Irish-trained
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle – Thursday, 18 March
Bacardys (FR) 10 11 10 Shanakiel Racing Syndicate W. P. Mullins IRE
Bachasson (FR) 10 11 10 E. O'Connell W. P. Mullins IRE
Beacon Edge (IRE) 7 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE
Captain Zebo (IRE) 9 11 10 Mrs S. F. Dixon John Dixon
Champ (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson
City Island (IRE) 8 11 10 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil IRE
Decor Irlandais (FR) 8 11 10 Mr John Devine Noel C. Kelly IRE
Diol Ker (FR) 7 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE
Donna's Diamond (IRE) 12 11 10 D&D Armstrong Ltd Chris Grant
Emitom (IRE) 7 11 10 The Spero Partnership Ltd Warren Greatrex
Flooring Porter (IRE) 6 11 10 Flooring Porter Syndicate Gavin Cromwell IRE
French Dynamite (FR) 6 11 10 Robcour M. F. Morris IRE
Fury Road (IRE) 7 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Honest Vic (IRE) 8 11 10 Carole Daly & Partners Henry Daly
If The Cap Fits (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Harry Fry
Imperial Alcazar (IRE) 7 11 10 Imperial Racing Partnership 2016 Fergal O'Brien
Itchy Feet (FR) 7 11 10 Kate & Andrew Brooks Olly Murphy
Jacamar (GER) 6 11 10 Pegasus Bloodstock Limited Milton Harris
Kemboy (FR) 9 11 10 Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate W. P. Mullins IRE
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 10 11 10 Davies Smith Govier & Brown Neil King
Lisnagar Oscar (IRE) 8 11 10 Racing for Fun Rebecca Curtis
Main Fact (USA) 8 11 10 Munrowd's Partnership David Pipe
McFabulous (IRE) 7 11 10 Giraffa Racing Paul Nicholls
Next Destination (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr Malcolm C. Denmark Paul Nicholls
Paisley Park (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr Andrew Gemmell Emma Lavelle
Reserve Tank (IRE) 7 11 10 The Reserve Tankers Colin Tizzard
Ronald Pump (GB) 8 11 10 Laois Limerick Syndicate Matthew J. Smith IRE
Sam Spinner (GB) 9 11 10 Caron & Paul Chapman Jedd O'Keeffe
Sams Profile (GB) 7 11 10 Michael O'Flynn/John F O'Flynn M. F. Morris IRE
Sire du Berlais (FR) 9 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott IRE
The Mighty Don (IRE) 9 11 10 Golden Rose Partnership Nick Gifford
The Storyteller (IRE) 10 11 10 Mrs Pat Sloan Gordon Elliott IRE
Thomas Darby (IRE) 8 11 10 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy
Thyme Hill (GB) 7 11 10 The Englands and Heywoods Philip Hobbs
Tobefair (GB) 11 11 10 Down The Quay Club Debra Hamer
Vinndication (IRE) 8 11 10 Moremoneythan Kim Bailey
Younevercall (IRE) 10 11 10 Youneverknow Partnership Kim Bailey
Benie des Dieux (FR) 10 11 3 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Great White Shark (FR) 7 11 3 Mr Malcolm C. Denmark W. P. Mullins IRE
Heaven Help Us (IRE) 7 11 3 Mr J. Turner P. Hennessy IRE
Paul's Saga (FR) 7 11 3 Gerald Laroche D. Cottin FR
Roksana (IRE) 9 11 3 Mrs Sarah Faulks Dan Skelton
42 remaining entries, 17 Irish-trained, 1 French-trained
Cheltenham Gold Cup – Friday, 19 March
Al Boum Photo (FR) 9 11 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins IRE
Allaho (FR) 7 11 10 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins IRE
A Plus Tard (FR) 7 11 10 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE
Aso (FR) 11 11 10 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Black Op (IRE) 10 11 10 Mr R. S. Brookhouse Tom George
Burrows Saint (FR) 8 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE
Champ (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson
Cyrname (FR) 9 11 10 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls
Delta Work (FR) 8 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Frodon (FR) 9 11 10 Mr P. J. Vogt Paul Nicholls
Imperial Aura (IRE) 8 11 10 Imperial Racing Partnership 2016 Kim Bailey
Kemboy (FR) 9 11 10 Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate W. P. Mullins IRE
Lostintranslation (IRE) 9 11 10 Taylor & O'Dwyer Colin Tizzard
Master Tommytucker (GB) 10 11 10 Mr A. G. Fear Paul Nicholls
Melon (GB) 9 11 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins IRE
Minella Indo (IRE) 8 11 10 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead IRE
Native River (IRE) 11 11 10 Brocade Racing Colin Tizzard
Real Steel (FR) 8 11 10 Mrs Kathy Stuart&Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd Paul Nicholls
Royale Pagaille (FR) 7 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci Venetia Williams
Saint Calvados (FR) 8 11 10 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington
Samcro (IRE) 9 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
Santini (GB) 9 11 10 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson
Simply The Betts (IRE) 8 11 10 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington
The Conditional (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr P. J. Cave David Bridgwater
Vinndication (IRE) 8 11 10 Moremoneythan Kim Bailey
Yorkhill (IRE) 11 11 10 D & D Armstrong Ltd & Mr L Westwood Sandy Thomson
Magic of Light (IRE) 10 11 3 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Mrs J. Harrington IRE
Shattered Love (IRE) 10 11 3 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
29 remaining entries, 12 Irish-trained
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the northern outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting. The Festival™, which happens in March over four days every year, next takes place from Tuesday, 16 March, to Friday, 19 March 2021 inclusive and you can be the first to hear when tickets go on sale by registering your interest online at cheltenham.co.uk. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.
