Cheltenham Festival: Champion Day

We’re just a couple of weeks away from four of the most thrilling days in the sport of horse racing: Cheltenham Festival 2017!  With seven races every day, this is an exciting opportunity to cash in on your knowledge of horse racing by wagering on one of the best uk betting sites.  You can attend the races and bet in person, or you can watch them on ITV or stream them online and bet on your home computer or mobile device.

The action kicks off with Champion Day on Tuesday, March 14^th.

Here is the schedule for Champion Day 2017:

1:30     The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (2m 1/2f)

2:10     Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (2m)

2:50     The Ultima Handicap Chase (3m 1/2f)

3:30     Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (2m 1/2f)

4:10     The OLGB Mares' Hurdle Race (2m 4f)

4:50    The J T McNamara National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders' Novices Steeple Chase) (4m)

5:30     The Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase (2m 4 1/2 f)

These are all exciting races to look forward to, but one of the bigger stories involves the Champion Hurdle itself.  Willie Mullins has just announced that six-year-old mare Limini may run in the race.  Last March, Limini won the inaugural running of the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park.  She also just beat Apple’s Jade at Punchestown, and appears to be well on form.

The previous two horses to win the Champion Hurdle are Annie Power and Faugheen.  Both are down for the count with injuries, which means that Limini may stand a solid chance of winning.

Nonetheless, Mullins is sober about Limini’s prospects, stating, “I would say it’s 50-50 [whether she will be added to the race].” 

Trainer Nicky Henderson is getting quite a bit of attention this year as well.  Henderson has several contenders for the Champion Hurdle: Buveur D’Air, Brain Power and My Tent Or Yours.  Henderson says that Buveur D’Air’s chances are best if the ground goes soft, whereas Brain Power is most likely to excel with good ground.  Of My Tent Or Yours, Henderson tells The Guardian the horse “wasn’t sparkling [earlier in the season] but he’s in good form.” 

So now you know some of the key horses and trainers to keep an eye on as news unfolds leading up to Champion Day.  This is just the first of four exciting days of races.  Be sure to read up on:

• Ladies Day

• St. Patrick’s Day and

• Cheltenham Gold Cup Day.

Also check our Cheltenham Festival main page to find out where you can get the best online betting promotions for Cheltenham 2017!