Entries have been announced today for the three showpiece Chases' at the Cheltenham Festival 2024 - the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Ryanair Chase.
GOLD CUP ENTRIES 2024
There are just 20 horses entered for the Gold Cup, down from 27 last year - which had been the lowest number in the previous dozen years.
Perhaps that is partly due to the impressive return to form of last year's winner, Galopin Des Champs, who routed his rivals in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown last week.
The Willie Mullins-trained chaser is currently the 11/10 favourite to retain his crown.
He is one of nine Irish-trained entries, which include Fastorslow, who beat Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup and then again in the John Durkan in November.
Other entries include King George VI winner Hewick and last year's Grand National winner Corach Rambler, who also won the Ultima Handicap Chase in both 2022 & 2023.
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase – Friday 15th March 2024
Ahoy Senor (IRE) 9 Lucinda Russell
Bravemansgame (FR) 9 Paul Nicholls
Conflated (IRE) 10 Gordon Elliott
Corach Rambler (IRE) 10 Lucinda Russell
Datsalrightgino (GER) 8 Jamie Snowden
Envoi Allen (FR) 10 Henry de Bromhead
Fastorslow (FR) 8 Martin Brassil
Galopin des Champs (FR) 8 W. P. Mullins
Gentlemansgame 8 M. F. Morris
Gerri Colombe (FR) 8 Gordon Elliott
Hewick (IRE) 9 John Joseph Hanlon
Jungle Boogie (IRE) 10 Henry de Bromhead
L'Homme Presse (FR) 9 Venetia Williams
Monkfish (IRE) 10 W. P. Mullins
Nassalam (FR) 7 Gary Moore
Protektorat (FR) 9 Dan Skelton
Royale Pagaille (FR) 10 Venetia Williams
Shishkin (IRE) 10 Nicky Henderson
Stay Away Fay (IRE) 7 Paul Nicholls
The Real Whacker (IRE) 8 Patrick Neville
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE ENTRIES 2024
There are 19 entries for the Champion Chase this year, up from 14 in 2023, with El Fabiolo and Jonbon (last year’s first two in the Arkle Chase) the current market leaders.
Energumene's bid to emulate Badsworth Boy by claiming a third consecutive Champion Chase was derailed by injury, but Willie Mullins still has six contenders.
As well as El Fabiolo, his entries include Ferny Hollow, who has not seen since December 2021, the mare Dinoblue, Appreciate It and Gentleman De Mee.
Edwardstone, Captain Guinness, Boothill and Editeur du Gite are others to note.
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase – Wednesday 13th March 2024
Amarillo Sky (IRE) 8 Joe Tizzard
Appreciate It (IRE) 10 W. P. Mullins
Boothill (IRE) 9 Harry Fry
Captain Guinness (IRE) 9 Henry de Bromhead
Dysart Dynamo (IRE) 8 W. P. Mullins
Editeur du Gite (FR) 10 Gary Moore
Edwardstone 10 Alan King
El Fabiolo (FR) 7 W. P. Mullins
Elixir de Nutz (FR) 10 Joe Tizzard
Ferny Hollow (IRE) 9 W. P. Mullins
Fil Dor (FR) 6 Gordon Elliott
Funambule Sivola (FR) 9 Venetia Williams
Gentleman de Mee (FR) 8 W. P. Mullins
Greaneteen (FR) 10 Paul Nicholls
Jonbon (FR) 8 Nicky Henderson
Nube Negra (SPA) 10 Dan Skelton
Visionarian (IRE) 9 Peter Fahey
Dinoblue (FR) 7 W. P. Mullins
Maskada (FR) 8 Henry de Bromhead
RYANAIR CHASE ENTRIES 2024
There are a total of 32 horses entered for the Ryanair Chase this year, which is up from 27 the previous season.
Allaho is bidding for a third Ryanair win, having missed the Festival last year and is one of eight entries for Willie Mullins, along with another dual Festival winner Sir Gerhard.
He also saddles Appreciate It, winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle two years ago.
Paul Nicholls' emerging force Stage Star now boasts three wins over the intermediate trip at Cheltenham, including last year's Turners Novices' Chase.
But the horse, owned by a 2,500-strong syndicate, will need to bounce back from yesterday's disappointing effort back at Prestbury Park.
The Joseph O'Brien trained Banbridge won the Martin Pipe Hurdle in 2022, but hasn’t raced since beating Stage Star at Aintree last season.
He looks to be decent ante post value at the 10/1 currently available, especially if the ground is good come March.
Last year's winner Envoi Allen, Jonbon and Fastorslow are among the entries who have multiple options.
Ryanair Chase – Thursday 14th March 2024
Ahoy Senor (IRE) 9 Lucinda Russell
Allaho (FR) 10 W. P. Mullins
Appreciate It (IRE) 10 W. P. Mullins
Ash Tree Meadow (FR) 8 Gordon Elliott
Banbridge (IRE) 8 Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Capodanno (FR) 8 W. P. Mullins
Classic Getaway (IRE) 8 W. P. Mullins
Conflated (IRE) 10 Gordon Elliott
Dysart Dynamo (IRE) 8 W. P. Mullins
Editeur du Gite (FR) 10 Gary Moore
Edwardstone 10 Alan King
El Fabiolo (FR) 7 W. P. Mullins
Envoi Allen (FR) 10 Henry de Bromhead
Fastorslow (FR) 8 Martin Brassil
Fil Dor (FR) 6 Gordon Elliott
French Dynamite (FR) 9 M. F. Morris
Fugitif (FR) 9 Richard Hobson
Greaneteen (FR) 10 Paul Nicholls
Hitman (FR) 8 Paul Nicholls
Idas Boy (IRE) 10 Noel Meade
Janidil (FR) 10 W. P. Mullins
Jonbon (FR) 8 Nicky Henderson
Jungle Boogie (IRE) 10 Henry de Bromhead
Millers Bank 10 Alex Hales
Minella Drama (IRE) 9 Donald McCain
Notlongtillmay 8 L J Morgan
Pic D'orhy (FR) 9 Paul Nicholls
Protektorat (FR) 9 Dan Skelton
Seddon (IRE) 11 John McConnell
Shan Blue (IRE) 10 Dan Skelton
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 9 W. P. Mullins
Stage Star (IRE) 8 Paul Nicholls
