The Cheltenham Festival is an annual National Hunt horse racing meeting that takes place over four days in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. It is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse racing events in the world, attracting top horses, jockeys, trainers, and racing enthusiasts from around the globe.
They are the highest level of National Hunt races, featuring 28 races, including several Grade 1 events. The highlight of the festival is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is run on the final day of the meeting and is considered one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.
This year, Cheltenham Festival occurs between Tuesday, March 14th and Friday, March 17th.
Delta Work
Last year, Delta Work was victorious in the cross-country chase, holding off Tiger Roll and Plan of Attack. The race was a nail-biter and should be again this year. Betting is always a big part of the festival and punters will be curious about who to place their bets on.
According to the outright Cheltenham betting markets, Delta Work is the current favourite at even odds, while Galvin closely follows him at 3/1 and Hip Hop Conti at 7/1. Of course, horse racing is an unpredictable sport and the outcomes may vary, but industry experts rallying to support Delta Work is surely promising.
Delta Work was foaled in Ireland on March 6th, 2012, and is owned by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud. Gordon Elliott trained Delta Work until 2021 and is now trained by Henry de Bromhead.
The nine-year-old began his racing career in 2017. In the following years, he won several notable races, including the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018 and the Irish Gold Cup in 2020. However, more considerable success came in the 2019-20 season when he won the Grade 1 Savills Chase and the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup, establishing himself as one of the top staying chasers in the sport. It culminated last year at Cheltenham when he took home the cross-country chase.
Delta Work is known for his impressive jumping ability and stamina, which have helped him win many races. Jack Kennedy is his jockey, who has ridden him to some of his most significant victories.
A Plus Tard
Last year’s Gold Cup was a landslide victory for A Plus Tard, who scored an impressive win over previous champion Minella Indo by 15 lengths. Rachael Blackmore rode A Plus Tard to victory for the first female jockey to win the Gold Cup. If we can take anything from that race, it’s that just because you won it last year doesn’t mean you’ll do it again.
A Plus Tard is a French-bred thoroughbred racehorse with significant success in National Hunt racing, particularly in steeplechase events. The horse was foaled on March 5th, 2013, and is owned by Cheveley Park Stud, a prominent racing and breeding operation based in Newmarket, England. A Plus Tard is trained by Henry de Bromhead in Ireland and ridden by jockey Rachael Blackmore.
He began racing in France in 2017, but he was purchased by Cheveley Park Stud and transferred to Ireland to continue his career. He won his first race in Ireland in December 2018 and has since established himself as one of the top staying chasers in the sport.
Success came in the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, where he won the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase. He put in a dominant performance, beating a high-quality field that included some of the best chasers in the sport. More success followed the next year, and he could become a legend if he was to take home another Gold cup this time around.
A Plus Tard is known for his impressive jumping ability and maintaining a fast pace over long distances. One of the top National Hunt horses in the world, he is admired for his talent, athleticism, and competitiveness.
The festivities
The festival is known for much more than its racing. It’s a lively atmosphere, with thousands of spectators attending each day and enjoying a range of entertainment and hospitality options. The festival has a long history and has been held since 1860.