What’s To Look Forward To At The 2019 Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival is the leading national hunt meeting in horse racing, and thousands flock to Prestbury Park every March for the annual event to watch the best horses in the UK and Ireland take each other on in their respective divisions.

With the 2018/19 campaign already up and running, the Championship races at the Festival next year are now starting to take shape. Here is what there is to look forward to in March in what should another fantastic four days at Cheltenham.

Kalashnikov v Mengli Khan in Arkle Trophy 

peter max via Twitter

Kalashnikov and Mengli Khan were two of the leading novice hurdlers last season and finished in the placings, second and third respectively, in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle behind Summerville Boy. Both horses have made an excellent start to their chase careers as they remain unbeaten in the early stages of the campaign. The aim for the two horses will be the Arkle Trophy on day one of the Festival where we should be set for another fascinating duel between the talented jumpers.

Buveur D’Air Budding for Third Straight Champion Hurdle

Buveur D’Air has dominated the hurdling division over the last couple of years, where he has scored in the premier 2m hurdle race in 2017 and 2018. Nicky Henderson’s horse proved at Newcastle recently in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle that he is still the one to beat at the Festival as he defeated two of the leading novices from last season in Samcro and Summerville Boy. A third consecutive Champion Hurdle would help Buveur D’Air cement his place in history alongside some of the all-time hurdlers, and the betting suggests he is a heavy favourite now at 8/11 in the latest ante-post market for the race.

Altior in Fine Shape for Queen Mother Champion Chase Defence

At The Races via Twitter

One of the leading horse racing tips for the 2019 Cheltenham Festival is sure to be Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, especially after his recent success in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown where the eight-year-old looked in great shape on his seasonal return. Altior has won all 10 of his races over fences and is a great sight to see when he is travelling at the speed he does over his obstacles. It will take a good horse to beat him at Cheltenham, where he has been successful at the last three Festivals.

Native River vs Might Bite II in Gold Cup

The duel between Native River and Might Bite in the Gold Cup earlier this year was one of the highlights of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival. Both horses set a strong pace that never dropped during the 3m2f contest. Although neither were at their best recently in the Betfair Chase, which was won by Bristol De Mai, they should be at their peak again in March, which could make for another fantastic renewal of the Gold Cup where Native River is the 11/2 second favourite to retain his trophy.

With all of the above and so much more to look forward to, the 2019 Cheltenham Festival can’t come quick enough for horse racing fans!