Cheltenham Festival 2021 Day One Preview | Tuesday March 16th

When is the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

The 2021 Cheltenham Festival gets underway on Tuesday, March 16th 2021.

Where is the Cheltenham Festival held?

The Cheltenham Festival is held at the famous Cheltenham Racecourse in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. Many acknowledge Cheltenham Racecourse as the home of UK jump racing.

What is Day One of Cheltenham Festival known as?

Day One of the Cheltenham Festival is also known as Champions Day. The first day of the Cheltenham Festival is famous for the ‘Cheltenham Roar’ of the packed crowd in attendance.

How many races are there on Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

There are seven races set to run on Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

When does the 2021 Cheltenham Festival start?

The first race of the Cheltenham Festival 2021 is the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdles. This race gets underway at 13:20 GMT on Tuesday, March 16th 2021.

Will fans and spectators be in attendance at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

It is looking like the 2021 Cheltenham Festival will go ahead without fans, an unfortunate situation for racegoers who will have to enjoy Cheltenham from home this year.

The 2020 Cheltenham Festival caused controversy last year as hundreds of thousands of spectators attended all four days of the festival despite increasing health concerns over the spread of coronavirus across the UK. The 2020 Cheltenham Festival was the last major sporting event in the UK attended by crowds of spectators before the country went into its first lockdown.

What are the major races on Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

Five of the seven races on Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival are considered major races. These are…

• 1.20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdles
• 1.55 – Arkle Chase
• 3.05 – Champion Hurdle
• 3.40 – Mares’ Hurdle
• 4.50 – National Hunt Chase

How many Grade 1 Races are there on Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

There are four Grade 1 races for the 2021 Champion Day at Cheltenham Festival.

• 1.20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdles
• 1.55 – Arkle Chase
• 3.05 – Champion Hurdle
• 3.40 – Mares’ Hurdle

What is the feature race of Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

The feature race of Day One is the 15:05 GMT Champion Hurdle

How many hurdle races are on Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

There are four hurdle races scheduled for Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

• 1.20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
• 3.05 – Champion Hurdle
• 3.40 – Mares’ Hurdle
• 4.10 – Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

How many steeplechase races are on Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

There are three steeple chase races scheduled for Day One of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

• 1.55 – Arkle Chase
• 2.30 – Ultima Chase
• 4.50 – National Hunt Chase

What is the Day One Prize Money of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

The prize money for all seven races in Day One the 2021 Cheltenham Festival is nearly £1.2m. The race with the biggest prize pot is the feature race of the day, the Champion Hurdle, which has a huge prize pot of £450,000, making it one of the richest races on the National Hunt schedule.

What channel is the 2021 Cheltenham Festival on?

ITV and Racing TV are the two main UK broadcasters of the Cheltenham Festival.

How many 2021 Cheltenham Festival races are being broadcasted?

For one year only, ITV will broadcast six races every day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival instead of the traditional five races. This agreement has meant that they have bought racing times forward from their original scheduled times in order to accommodate all six races into the programme.

The first race begins at 13.20 GMT instead of 13:30 GMT. Time in between races has reduced from 40 minutes to 35 minutes.

Race 1 – The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race (1.20)

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Distance

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is a 2m ½f race containing eight hurdles on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Sky Bet.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race Type

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 novices’ hurdle race.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for both fillies and mares aged four-years-old and up.

Weight for four-year-olds is 10st 13lb and weight for five-year-olds and up is 11st 7 lb. There is a 7lb allowance for fillies and mares.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Shishkin, a six-year-old trained by Nicky Henderson. The winning jockey was Nico de Boinville.

Shishkin won at a price of 6/1, beating the likes of Abacadabras (11/4) and Asterion Forlonge (9/4) to first place.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is Willie Mullins with six career wins. Mullins last won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2019 with Klassical Dream.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Leading Jockey

The leading jockey is the retired Ruby Walsh, also with six wins. Walsh rode 2019 winner Klassical Dream for trainer Willie Mullins.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2021 Favourites

• Appreciate It
• Metier
• Ballyadam
• Soaring Glory
• Bob Olinger

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 2 – The Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (1.55)

Arkle Chase Distance

The Arkle Chase is a 2m race containing 13 fences on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Sporting Life.

Arkle Chase Race Type

The Arkle Chase is a Grade 1 novices’ chase race.

Arkle Chase Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged five-years-old and up.

Weight for four-year-olds is 11st 4lb. There is a 7lb allowance for mares.

Arkle Chase Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Put The Kettle On, a six-year-old trained by Henry De Bromhead. The winning jockey was Aidan Coleman.

Put The Kettle On won at a price of 16/1, beating the likes of Fakir D’oudairies (3/1) and Rouge Vif (9/1) to first place.

Arkle Chase Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in the Arkle Chase is Nicky Henderson, with six career wins. Henderson last won the Arkle Chase in 2017 with Altior.

Arkle Chase Leading Jockey

The leading jockeys in the Arkle Chase are the retired pair Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty, both with four wins. Walsh last won the Arkle Chase in 2018 on Footpad whilst riding for Willie Mullins, with Barry Geraghty’s last Arkle Chase win coming in 2013 on Simonsig whilst riding for Nicky Henderson.

Arkle Chase 2021 Favourites

• Shishkin
• Energumene
• Allmankind
• Franco De Port
• Fusil Raffles

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Arkle Chase 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Arkle Chase here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 3 – The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase (2.30)

Ultima Handicap Chase Distance

The Arkle Chase is a 3m 1f race containing 20 fences on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Ultima Business Solutions.

Ultima Handicap Chase Race Type

The Ultima Handicap Chase is a Grade 3 handicap chase race.

Ultima Handicap Chase Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged five-years-old and up.

As this is a handicap race, weight will be determined by the handicapper depending on the quality of the racehorse. The better the racehorse, the more weight it will carry during the race.

Ultima Handicap Chase Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was The Conditional, an eight-year-old trained by David Bridgwater. The winning jockey was Brendan Powell Jnr.

The Conditional won at a price of 15/2, beating the likes of Kildisart (10/1) and Discorama (11/2) to first place.

Ultima Handicap Chase Leading Trainer

The leading trainers in the Ultima Handicap Chase are Fred Rimell and Fulke Walwyn, both with four career wins. Rimell’s last win in the Ultima Handicap Chase came in 1954 with Holly Bank, whilst Walwyn’s last win was in 1977 with Gay Vulgan.

Ultima Handicap Chase Leading Jockey

The leading jockeys in the Arkle Chase are the Robert Thornton and Tom Scudamore, both with three wins. The retired Thorton last won in the Ultima Handicap Chase in 2011 with Bensalem whilst riding for Alan King, with Tom Scudamore’s last win in this race coming in 2017 on back-to-back winner Un Temps Pour Tout, riding for David Pipe.

Ultima Handicap Chase 2021 Favourites

• Remastered
• Royale Pagaille
• Escaria Ten
• Lieutenant Rocco
• Coco Beach

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Ultima Handicap Chase 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Arkle Chase here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 4 – The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (3.05)

Champion Hurdle Distance

The Champion Hurdle is a 2m ½f race containing eight hurdles on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Unibet.

Champion Hurdle Race Type

The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race.

The Champion Hurdle is the last leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling, a prestigious achievement whereby a racehorse wins the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle Racecourse, The Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park Racecourse, and finally the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse.

There are only two horses to win the Triple Crown of Hurdling. The first to win was Kribensis in 1989/90, and it was not until 2017/18 that Buveur d’Air secured the title after securing back-to-back Champion Hurdle wins at Cheltenham.

Champion Hurdle Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged four-years-old and up.

Weight for four-year-olds is 11st 2lb and weight for five-year-olds and up is 11st 10lb. There is a 7lb allowance for fillies and mares.

Champion Hurdle Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Epatante, a six-year-old trained by Nicky Henderson. The winning jockey was Barry Geraghty.

Epatante won at a price of 2/1, beating the likes of Sharjah (16/1) and Darver Star (17/2) to first place.

Champion Hurdle Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in this Arkle Chase is Nicky Henderson, with eight career wins. Henderson last won the Champion Hurdle in 2020 with Epatante.

Champion Hurdle Leading Jockey

The leading jockeys in the Champion Hurdle are Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty and Tim Molony, all with four wins. Walsh’s last win the Champion Hurdle came in 2018 on Annie Power whilst riding for Willie Mullins, Geraghty’s last win came in 2020 on Epatante whilst riding for Nicky Henderson and Molony’s last win was on three-time winner Sir Ken in 1954 whilst riding for Willie Stephenson.

Champion Hurdle 2021 Favourites

• Honeysuckle
• Epatante
• Goshen
• Abacadabras
• Silver Streak

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Champion Hurdle 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Champion Hurdle here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 5 – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race (3.40)

Mares’ Hurdle Distance

The Mares’ Hurdle is a 2m 4f race containing ten hurdles on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Close Brothers Group.

Mares’ Hurdle Race Type

The Mares’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race.

Mares’ Hurdle Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged four-years-old and up.

Weight for four-year-olds is 10st 10lb and weight for five-year-olds and up is 11st 5lb.

Mares’ Hurdle Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Honeysuckle, a six-year-old trained by Henry De Bromhead. The winning jockey was Rachael Blackmore.

Honeysuckle won at a price of 9/4, beating the likes of Benie Des Dieux (4/6) and Elfile (16/1) to first place.

Mares’ Hurdle Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in the Mares’ Hurdle is Willie Mullins with nine career wins. Mullins last won the Mares’ Hurdle in 2018 with Benie Des Dieux.

Mares’ Hurdle Leading Jockey

The leading jockey in the Mares’ Hurdle is the retired Ruby Walsh with eight career wins. Walsh last won the Mares’ Hurdle in 2018 with Benie Des Dieux, having incredibly won the race six consecutive times on Quevega whilst riding for Willie Mullins between 2009 and 2015.

Mares’ Hurdle 2021 Favourites

• Honeysuckle
• Epatante
• Goshen
• Abacadabras
• Silver Streak

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Mares’ Hurdle 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Mares’ Hurdle here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 6 – The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (4.15)

Boodles Handicap Hurdle Distance

The Boodles Handicap Chase is a 2m 4½ race containing eight hurdles on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Boodles.

Boodles Handicap Hurdle Race Type

The Boodles Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt handicap hurdle race.

Boodles Handicap Hurdle Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged four-years-old only.

As this is a handicap race, weight will be determined by the handicapper depending on the quality of the racehorse. The better the racehorse, the more weight it will carry during the race.

Boodles Handicap Hurdle Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Aramax, a four-year-old trained by Gordon Elliott. The winning jockey was Mark Walsh.

Aramax won at a price of 15/2, beating the likes of Night Edition (16/1) and Saint D’oroux (14/1) to first place.

Boodles Handicap Hurdle Leading Trainer

The leading trainers in the Boodles Handicap Hurdle are Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliott, both with three career wins. Nicholls last won last won the Boodles Handicap Hurdle in 2016 with Diego Du Charmil, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, whilst Elliott won last year’s race with Aramax, ridden by Mark Elliott.

Boodles Handicap Hurdle Leading Jockey

Their is no leading jockey in the Boodles Handicap Hurdle as no jockey to this day has managed to win the race more than once. Since the inauguration of the race in 2005, there have been different winning jockeys every year. Mark Walsh is the latest jockey to win the race in 2020.

Boodles Handicap Hurdle 2021 Favourites

• Adagio
• Hacker Des Places
• Teahupoo
• Sage Advice
• Talking About You

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Boodles Handicap Hurdle 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Mares’ Hurdle here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 7 – The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (4.50)

National Hunt Chase Distance

The Arkle Chase is a 3m 6f race containing 23 fences on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race does not have a sponsor.

National Hunt Chase Race Type

The National Hunt Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase race.

National Hunt Chase Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged five-years-old and up.

Weight for five-year-olds is 11st 4lb and weight for six-year-olds and up is 11st 6lb. There is a 7lb allowance for mares.

National Hunt Chase Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Ravenhill, a ten-year-old trained by Gordon Elliott. The winning jockey was Jamie Codd.

Ravenhill won at a price of 12/1, beating the likes of Lord Du Mesnil (11/2) and Lamanver Pippin (33/1) to first place.

National Hunt Chase Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in this National Hunt Chase is Jonjo O’Neill, with six career wins. O’Neill last won the Arkle Chase in 2016 with Minella Rocco.

National Hunt Chase Leading Jockey

The leading jockey in the National Hunt Chase is Jamie Codd, with three career wins. Codd last won the National Hunt Chase in 2020 with Ravenhill, having won the race in 2015 on Cause of Causes also riding for Gordon Elliott and in 2019 on Le Breuil whilst riding for Ben Pauling.

National Hunt Chase 2021 Favourites

• Galvin
• Royale Pagaille
• Latest Exhibition
• Next Destination
• Dickie Diver

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

National Hunt Chase 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the National Hunt Chase here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.