Hunters Chase Tips & Predictions
On Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival, we have the Hunters' Chase. This race is run under National Hunt rules for amateur riders with horses aged five or older. The race is run over a distance of 3 miles, 2 furlongs and 70 yards on the Cheltenham New course, which is the same course as most races at the event.
In this race, riders must overcome 22 fences and is similar to the Cheltenham Gold Cup which is arguably the main event of the entire festival. Known as the 'amateur Gold Cup' amateur riders that go on to ride a winning in this race could secure the biggest win of their career.
Until 2020, this race was known as the St James's Place Foxhunters Chase. However, the name was changed with Fox removed from the name in 2021.
16:40 -St. James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase (3m2½f)
Hunters Chase tips are vital to any bettor who wishes to win a bet on the race as most punters won't recognize many of the jockeys and riders. As the fifth race of the final day, this is one of the lesser-known races out of the Cheltenham Festival races. However, to qualify for the race, horses' must have either won or finished runner-up in two Hunter Chase events, have won two open point-to-point races or have won one of both.
- Most Successful Horse: Nine Horses (2 wins)
- Most Successful Jockey: Colman Sweeney - 3 Wins - Sleeping Night (2005), Salsify (2012, 2013)
- Most Successful Trainer: Richard Barber & Paul Nicholls (4 wins)
Richard Barber and Paul Nicholls share the accolade for the highest joint winning most trainer in the world with Richard Barber's wins coming from Rushing Wild, Fantus and Earthmover between 1992 and 1998 and Paul Nicholls’ winners coming from Earthmover, Sleeping Night and Pacha du Polder between 2004 and 2018.
Last year, Billaway won the 2022 Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup with Winged Leader and Mighty Stowaway finishing second and third respectively. It was the first hunter-chase victory for Willie Mullins, and it wouldn't surprise us if Mullins sought after most Hunter Chases in the future.
Tips for winning the Hunters Chase
Looking across the racecard and the current odds of each runner, the Hunters Chase looks to be a competitive race.
Angels Dawn is leading the way as the current favourite and has been in good form of late with two wins at the end of 2024. These races were both contested over 3m, and with the Hunters Chase requiring only an extra 2 furlongs, Angels Dawn could be a worthy contender.
Talking about worthy contenders, Its On The Line is another potential candidate when you consider the win at Aintree Grand National last year. However, it’s worth noting that the course was shorter, and the Hunters Chase will demand more. That said, Its On The Line has achieved two second-place finishes in previous races at Cheltenham, proving the gap is a fine one to make this year’s renewal a win.
The experienced Gordon Elliott now trains Willitgoahead, and recent results this season offer confidence heading into this race, with the most notable being the Thurles victory back in January.
What markets are best for tips on the Hunters Chase?
For most races you'll find that horse racing betting odds appear best for the winner market, the odds are higher and it is less complicated than other markets.
For example, you may find betting odds that feature the forecast and tricast bet type, this is where you'll find the biggest odds, but you'll also find that the best odds are due to the fact that you need to back the winner, the runner-up and even the third place horse in some scenarios. Bare in mind how difficult it is to pick a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, picking the second and third-place horses is near enough impossible.
So, this leaves the betting market that we believe is the best for betting on the festival and this is the Each Way betting market which pays out if a horse finishes in the top three of the race.
However, if the horse finishes second or third, it will find it's odds dramatically reduced and may only pay out at 1/5 odds. You can find how each betting operator divides their each-way odds by checking out their sportsbook, for example, for each race, you'll be able to find how BetUK divides it's each-way odds on each race.
Tips for Each way betting on the Hunters Chase
With the Hunters Chase being a race where jockeys are virtually unknown to the average bettor, it is important to look at the performances of horses in similar environments.
For example, if you're looking at a horse who has historically come within the top three on the same course, has a good record at the Cheltenham Festival and has traditionally been in the running for the top three places, you may look to place an each way bet on that horse no matter its odds.
However, be wary of bets like this as a horse may be up against a higher calibre of opponent than it is used to facing, and that may be why you find better odds than you may expect. So, in conclusion, these are our three tips for betting each way on the Hunters Chase.
Evaluate the field, don't just look at the top 5 horses.
Do your research on the performances of a horse and where they've raced.
Have you heard of the Amateur jockey and how have they performed recently?