Grand National runners set for Cheltenham Festival
Punchestown Racing – Winter Festival Day 1, Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Kildare 14/11/2021 The Liam And Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Steeplechase Keith Donoghue on Vanillier jump the last fence to win
The Cheltenham Festival is upon us, with a host of Grand National contenders primed to go head-to-head.
The Gold Cup is undoubtedly the highlight of the week at Prestbury Park, and it’ll now feature Grand National favourite Inothewayurthinkin, but Grand National fans will have their eyes glued to the screens across a number of different races in the week ahead.
Ultima Handicap Chase
While the Ultima may not be the biggest race at Cheltenham, it offers valuable clues about which horses could emerge as serious contenders in April’s Grand National.
The 2022 and 2023 editions saw Corach Rambler triumph for Lucinda Russell, before going on to claim victory in the Grand National in April 2023.
One of this year’s leading contenders is Broadway Boy, who is aiming to rediscover his best form from 2023. He has an impressive record at Cheltenham, with three wins, a second, and a third from six starts. Another strong performance here could see his odds slashed for the main event at Aintree next month.
King Turgeon and Malina Girl are also expected to use the Ultima as a key prep race before heading to the National, making their performances well worth watching.
Cross Country Chase
Meanwhile, the Cross Country Chase is another Cheltenham Festival race that often signals future Grand National success. Tiger Roll famously won both in 2018 and 2019 before securing back-to-back National victories a month later. Similarly, Delta Work, a two-time Cross Country winner, has twice finished in the top three at Aintree.
This year, plenty of eyes will be on Vanillier, the striking grey who came agonisingly close to becoming only the fourth grey horse to win the National in 2023. He arrives at Cheltenham in peak form, having recently demolished a 15-runner field by 18 lengths at Punchestown. If he can carry that form forward, Vanillier could be the one to beat at both Cheltenham and Aintree this spring.
No matter how it all unfolds, one thing is certain – we’re in for some spectacular racing in the week ahead.
Grand National runners at Cheltenham
Check out our list of the likely Grand National runners who are also set to do battle at the Cheltenham Festival.
| Day | Race | Horse | Cheltenham Odds | Grand National Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ultima | Broadway Boy | 15/2 | 40/1 |
| 1 | Ultima | Malina Girl | 14/1 | 100/1 |
| 1 | Ultima | King Turgeon | 22/1 | 66/1 |
| 1 | Ultima | Famous Bridge | 20/1 | 66/1 |
| 1 | Ultima | Trelawne | 33/1 | 100/1 |
| 1 | Ultima | Stay Away Fay | 40/1 | 66/1 |
| 1 | Ultima | Zanahiyr | 40/1 | 66/1 |
| 1 | NH Challenge Cup | Gericault Roque | 9/1 | 100/1 |
| 1 | NH Challenge Cup | Stuzzikini | 33/1 | 100/1 |
| 2 | Cross Country | Stumptown | 11/4 | 20/1 |
| 2 | Cross Country | Galvin | 4/1 | 40/1 |
| 2 | Cross Country | Mister Coffey | 15/2 | 66/1 |
| 2 | Cross Country | Vanillier | 8/1 | 33/1 |
| 2 | Cross Country | Busselton | 15/2 | 150/1 |
| 2 | Cross Country | Coko Beach | 20/1 | 100/1 |
| 2 | Cross Country | Chemical Energy | 25/1 | 100/1 |
| 2 | Cross Country | Minella Crooner | 50/1 | 100/1 |
| 3 | Ryanair | Envoi Allen | 18/1 | 66/1 |
| 4 | Gold Cup | Inothewayurthinkin | 17/2 | 8/1 fav |
| 4 | Gold Cup | Montys Star | 14/1 | 25/1 |
| 4 | Gold Cup | L’Homme Presse | 40/1 | 50/1 |
| 4 | Gold Cup | Hewick | 80/1 | 66/1 |
| 4 | Gold Cup | Royale Pagaille | 100/1 | 100/1 |
| 4 | Gold Cup | Grangeclare West | 100/1 | 33/1 |
Anthony Vella
