Hunters Chase Tips & Predictions
Hunters Chase Tips
On Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival, we have the St James's Place Festival 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' and amateur riders that go onto 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.
In regards to the use of amateur riders, there has been one exception to the rule as in 2021 professional jockeys ran in the race due to health worries in the United Kingdom at the time.
16:10 -St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (3m2½f)
Last year's runner up Its On The Line looks to go one better than year, and he will be doing it in the famous green and gold colours of JP McManus, having been bought by him recently. He has been in fine form this season, winning on all three of his starts, and beating Ferns Lock, who is prominent in the betting for this race.
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
It is still unconfirmed which horses will run in the 2024 Hunters Chase but we have picked a horse in the Ante Post betting that we think might look good in the running, they are:
Billaway - An almost guaranteed runner in this race, Billaway sits at 7/1 in the ante post betting odds (subject to change) and in it's 24 chase races, it has finished in the each way positions on 20 occasions. If Mr Reliable was a horse, it'd be Billaway. Of course, the horse isn't perfect, if it was, it wouldn't be 7/1 but with 10 top two finishes in the last 12 races, the 12-year old Billaway certainly hasn't let age get in the way.
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 caliber 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? How has he performed recently?
Hunters Chase FAQs
Who won the 2023 Hunters Chase?
Premier Magic won the 2023 rendition of the Hunters Chasefor Bradley Gibbs who was trainer and jockey for the horse.
What time is the 2024 Hunters Chase?
The 2024 Hunters Chase begins at 16:10 on the Friday 15th March.
Are the Hunters Chase and the Foxhunters Chase the same race?
Yes! This race was formerly known as the Foxhunters Chase until 2021 when they changed the name of the race to just the Hunters Chase.
How do you qualify for the Hunters Chase?
There are only a small number of ways that horses can qualify for the Hunters Chase, they must meet one of the following criteria.
- Finished first or second twice in Hunter Chases.
- Won two open point-to-point races.
- Won one point-to-point race and finished in the top two of a Hunter Chase event.
