The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest meeting in jump racing, and it is growing ever closer. In March of each year, the greatest jump-racing horses, trainers, and jockeys converge on the British track as they look to win some of the biggest races of the year across the four days of top-class action.
With 28 races in total, most of which are top-level, Grade 1's, the quality on show at the home of British jump racing is second to none. Whether you are an avid fan of the sport or merely have a passing interest, the Cheltenham Festival should not be missed.
With so many horses in action, it can be difficult to keep track of the best equine talent on offer. Let's take a look at four of the big-name runners that should definitely be kept in mind.
Horses To Follow At Cheltenham 2023
Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle)
Let's start with arguably the best jump-racing horse on the planet right now. Constitution Hill is the new superstar of racing and the 4/11 favorite in the Champion Hurdle betting markets is the name most mentioned in all Cheltenham 2023 tips.
Unbeaten in his career to date, Constitution Hill was a winner at the festival 12 months ago and is many people's idea of a ‘sure thing' in 2024. Bettors should beware, however, as many pre-race favorites have failed to fire on the big stage in the past.
Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup)
If Constitution Hill is the current superstar of hurdling, then the same mantle in the chasing division must go to Galopin Des Champs. The beautiful brown gelding has beaten all before him thus far, although he was involved in one of the most dramatic moments of recent times at Cheltenham when falling at the last with the Turners Novices' Chase at his mercy 12 months ago.
Facile Vega (Supreme Novices' Hurdle)
Despite having his colors lowered for the first time in his last race, Facile Vega's previous performances see him remain as the 11/4 favorite for the opening race of the week, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Facile Vega is the son of the legendary six-time Cheltenham Festival-winning mare, Quevega, and he himself won on his festival debut 12 months ago in the Champion Bumper. He has questions to answer after his last run, but he is still a class act and is one to follow in 2024.
Delta Work (Cross Country Chase)
The Cross Country Chase may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it provides plenty of thrilling moments as runners negotiate a myriad of quirky fences over a distance of nearly 4 miles. The race has been in existence since 2005 and has recently been dominated by two-time Aintree Grand National winner, Tiger Roll.
Last year, however, Tiger Roll's colors were lowered by his stablemate, Delta Work, and that horse will return in 2024 to try to defend his crown. Delta Work went on to finish third in last year's Grand National after winning this, and will again be using the race as a stepping stone to taking part in the Aintree showpiece.