A winner at jump racing’s greatest meeting is always reason to celebrate but here’s a look at the people – and horses – who might have double cause for a party.
Horses
Constitution Hill
The unbeaten 2023 Champion Hurdler will try to regain his crown. Only Comedy Of Errors (1973, 1975) and Hurricane Fly (2011, 2013) have managed to wrestle back the title.
Energumene
After missing the whole of last season, dual BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Energumene is back for another crack at the Festival’s top two-mile chase. He will attempt to match Badsworth Boy’s record as the only three-time winner of the great race.
Galopin Des Champs
The current champ will attempt to join the greatest chasers as a three-time winner of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Only Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate have landed a hat-trick, or more, in the Festival’s biggest prize.
Jockeys
Harry Skelton
The former Champion Jockey will be looking for his tenth Cheltenham Festival victory. Any win would take on added significance as he currently heads the David Power Jockeys’ Cup.
Patrick Mullins
The top Irish amateur will be aiming to make it to ten Festival winners. He’s won both the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and National Hunt Chase on four occasions.
Paul Townend
The Irish Champion Jockey currently shares the record for the most Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup victories with Arkle’s rider Pat Taaffe. He’ll be going for his fifth win in the all-important chase on reigning champ Galopin Des Champs.
Sam Twiston-Davies
Sam is closing in on 100 winners for the season. He goes into the Festival on 95 and could bring up the milestone in style if steering Potters Charm to success in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on the Wednesday.
Nico De Boinville
The Festival’s leading rider in 2019 is just one victory away from making it to 50 winners for the season. He could hit the half-century in style on leading Champion Hurdle contender Constitution Hill.
Trainers
Willie Mullins
The Festival’s top trainer reached 100 mwinners at the meeting last year and will be aiming to win the Boodles Gold Cup for the fifth time. If he does he will join current record holder Tom Dreaper.
Paul Nicholls
The 14-times Champion trainer needs just one more winner to take his Festival tally to 50. With chances throughout the duration of the week, Team Ditcheat will hope to propel Harry Cobden further up the standings in the David Power Jockeys Cup (he currently sits in second place).
Nicky Henderson
Britain’s top Festival trainer will be attempting to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle for an incredible tenth time. He is already the record holder in hurdling’s greatest prize.
Joe Tizzard
Joe is closing in on the £1million mark for the season. His prize money haul topped £1m in his first season in 2023. His father Colin achieved the feat five times and topped £2m once.
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