In what is the final race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, the National Hunt Challenge Cup is a Grade 2 affair run over three miles and seven furlongs. Oftentimes referred to as the ‘four miler’, the £125,000 contest is a battle of attrition that requires a sound strategy from trainer and jockey alike.
Considering the race only allows for amateur jockeys to take part, the National Hunt Challenge Cup is truly a unique fixture.
There are so many variables in a race such as this – there are many thoroughbreds who could boast claims on March 14 – so with that in mind, read on as we dissect the Cheltenham day 1 antepost favourites at the time of writing.
Gaillard Du Mesnil
An overwhelming favourite, Willie Mullins’ Gaillard Du Mesnil has a win, a second-placed finish and a third to his name in three starts this season. All of them were at the Grade 1 level, however, so he shouldn’t struggle at Cheltenham this month given he is dropping down in competition. Another factor to consider is the distance, and while the extra seven furlongs are nothing to scoff at, the French horse’s sole win this season came up in trip in a three-miler at Leopardstown.
He kept on strongly that day in December, therefore, if he can jump fluently and show the sort of stamina down the stretch that he did in Ireland, he should prove strong. For those looking to place a bet on Gaillard Du Mesnil to take home the chocolates at Prestbury Park – the seven-year-old currently sits at evens to do so.
Mahler Mission
Boasting a similar record to Gaillard Du Mesnil this season, albeit against lesser competition, the John McConnell-trained Mahler Mission enters this race as a 13/2 shot – which is good for second favourite. The Irish horse has plenty of experience over three miles or longer, having contested over the distance in more than half of his runs, which could bode well for the seven-year-old come race day.
Couple that with the fact that Mahler Mission had to beat a short-priced favourite in his most recent outing at Navan en route to a victory, and the gelding has more than enough in the tank to cause upset.
Churchstonewarrior
Boasting a record that includes a Grade 2 win and multiple tilts at the Grade 1 level, eight-year-old Churchstonewarrior has proven to be a reliable statesman since making his debut more three years ago. His trainer Jonathan Sweeney has been sure to keep him busy this campaign, with the Irish thoroughbred having lined up already four times in the 2022/23 season.
He has been largely consistent in each performance, finishing runner up on three straight occasions at Galway, Thurles and Leopardstown – before breaking through for his first triumph of the season in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan last month. It was a near-perfect display from Churchstonewarrior last time out, as he jumped well, made a strong challenge three out and ran on well to beat the aforementioned Mahler Mission three quarters of a length.
Churchstonewarrior is garnering odds of 15/2 to win the National Hunt Challenge Cup.
Enjoy four extraordinary days of racing at the Cheltenham Festival from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 March 2023.
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