Cheltenham International Meeting Preview

We are just weeks away from the 2024 Christmas Meeting getting underway at the historic Cheltenham Racecourse.

The 2024 Cheltenham International Meeting, also known as the Christmas Meeting, will be the final major race meeting of the calendar year. It will take place over two days at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse, with the horse racing action taking place from Friday 13th to Saturday 14th December 2024.

14 thrilling races will be taking place over the course of these two days, from the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Friday) to the BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Saturday). Both races will capture the attention of those watching on from the racecourse and at home, but some races stand out more than others.

Such races also include the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (also known as the December Gold Cup). It will be interesting to see who can write their name in the history books by winning these historic races or any of the other races set to take place at Cheltenham on Friday and Saturday.

Here, we will preview the 2024 renewal of the Cheltenham International Meeting, starting with the races set to take place on Friday.

British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle – 12:05

The race to open the 2024 Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham is the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle. The most recent winner, back in 2023 was Dysart Enos, ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan.

The field for the 2023 renewal of this race consisted of 11 horses, and they are: Dusart Enos (Paddy Brennan), Beat The Bat (Jonathan Burke), Kintail (Nico de Boinville), Meatloaf (Harry Cobden), Spirits Bay (Jordan Nailor), Soldante (Eoin Walsh), Shinji (Sean Bowen), Brendas Asking (David Bass), Royal Defender (David Noonan), How And Ever (Gavin Sheehan) and Ascension Day (Danny McMenamin).

Steel Plate & Sections Novices’ Chase – 12:40

The Steel Plate & Sections Novices’ Chase, is the race that is next up on the opening day. Last year (2023), Harry Cobden rode Ginny’s Destiny to victory ahead of Harry Skelton’s Grey Dawning in second place.

The six horses taking part in 2023 were: Grey Dawning (Harry Skelton), Trelawne (David Bass), Crebilly (Jonjo O’Neill Jr.), Ginny’s Destiny (Harry Cobden), Tritonic (Tom Cannon) and Blue Hop (Jack Quinlan).

Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle – 13:15

The third race on Friday (Day One) was the Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle. Last year’s race was enthralling, and it saw Go Dante (ridden by Sean Bowen) fend off competition from Nico de Boinville’s Doddiethegreat (2nd) and Harry Cobden’s Panjari (3rd) for the victory.

The field for the 2023 race were as follows: Doddiethegreat (Nico de Boinville), Panjari (Harry Cobden), Williethebuilder (Harry Skelton), Go Dante (Sean Bowen), Donnacha (David Noonan), Ginger Mail (Danny McMenamin), Mr Mackay (James Turner), Wonderful Eagle (Michael Nolan), Skytastic (Ben Jones), In This World (Tristan Durrell), Kaleb (Jack Quinlan), Lebowski (Patrick Wadge) and The companysergeant (Donagh Meyler).

Southam Handicap Chase – 13:50

The Southam Handicap Chase comes next, and in the most recent running of this race in 2023, it was won by Keith Donoghue’s La Malmason, who finished ahead of Ben Poste’s Royale Margaux and Joe Anderson’s Eureka Creek in the top three.

Now, in the latest Southam Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, the field was as follows: Keith Donoghue’s La Malmason, Harry Skelton’s Walk In Clover, Charlie Deutsch’s Malaita, Ben Jones’ Mad About Sally, Ben Poste’s Royale Margaux, Tom Cannon’s Game On For Glory, Patrick Wadge’s I Am Gonna Be, Joe Anderson’s Eureka Creek, Lorcan Williams’ Petticoat Lucy, Rex Dingle’s Lilith, Jonathan Burke’s Pougne Aminta, Sean Houlihan’s Happy D’ex and Sean Bowen’s Brianna Rose.

Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase – 14:25

The third to last race on day one was the Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase. Back in the most recent running of this race in 2023, the winner was Cepage who jockey Charlie Deutsch rode.

The field for the 2023 edition of this race was: Brendan Powell’s Le Ligerien, Richard Patrick’s Storm Control, Charlie Deutsch’s Cepage, Harry Cobden’s Top Ville Ben, Tristan Durrell’s Go Steady, Danny McMenamin’s Up Helly Aa King, Gavin Sheehan’s Lord Due Mesnil, Jonathan Burke’s Sam Brown and David Noonan’s Duc De Beauchene.

Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase – 15:00

The 2024 Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase is the penultimate race on Friday. Latenightpass, ridden by Gina Andrews was the winner of the most recent renewal of this race back in 2023, beating some competition off the likes of Sean Bowen’s Francky Du Berlais in 2nd place, and Jonathan Burke’s Fameafterglory in third place.

The field for this race in 2023 was: Gina Andrews’ Latenightpass, Keith Donoghue’s Galvin, Henry Brooke’s Gesskille, Rachael Blackmore’s Minella Indo, Charlie Deutsch’s Didero Vallis, Eoin Walsh’s Enjoy D’allen, Sean Bowen’s Francky Du Berlais, Sam Ewing’s Fury Road, Tiernan Power Roche’s Vital Island, Brendan Powell’s Diesel D’Allier, Ben Jones’ Wick Green, Robert Dunne’s Volcano and Jonathan Burke’s Fameaftertheglory.

Citipost Handicap Hurdle – 15:35

The final race on day one of the Cheltenham International Meeting is the 2024 Citipost Handicap Hurdle. In the 2023 edition of this race, White Rhino, ridden by jockey Henry Brooke, won the race ahead of Bold Endeavour (Freddie Gordon) and Hermino AA (Niall Houlihan).

The ten horse field for the latest renewal of this race included: Henry Brooke’s White Rhino, Brendan Powell’s Gyenyame, Freddie Gordon’s Bold Endeavour, Nico de Boinville’s Captain Morgs, Robert Dunne’s Fontana Ellissi, Harry Cobden’s Tiger Jet, David Noonan’s Paricolor, Jack Quinlan’s Big Bresil, Niall Houlihan’s Hermino AA and David Bass’ Shantou Express.

Now that we have looked at the races from day one, we will look ahead at the seven on day two of the Cheltenham International Meeting (Saturday), starting with the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (12:05).

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle – 12:05

The opening race of day two, the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle, takes place at 12:05 on Saturday. The field for the 2023 race was as follows: Harry Skelton’s Kourosh, Tom Bellamy’s An Bradan Feasa, Harry Cobden’s Kabral Du Mathan, Harry Reed’s Balboa, Henry Brooke’s Eagle Prince, Jack Tudor’s Rebel Angel, Robert Dunne’s Walk The Moon and Roisin Leech’s Maglia Rosa.

The most recent winner of this race is Tom Bellamy’s An Bradan Feasa, who was followed by runner-up Balboa (Harry Reed) and Eagle Prince (Henry Brooke) in third place.

John Wyke Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap – 12:40

The second race on Saturday will be the John Wyke Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. The field for the 2023 race was as follows: Harry Cobden’s Mofasa, Michael O’Sullivan’s Weveallbeencaught, Nico de Boinville’s Wiseguy, Jonathan Burke’s Some Scope, Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Are U Wise To That, Gavin Sheehan’s Everything’sontick and Danny Mullins’ Midnight Our Fred.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Are U Wise To That was the winner of the most recent running of this race, followed by some stern competition from the likes of Danny Mullins’ Midnight Our Fred (2nd Place) and Gavin Sheehan’s Everything’sonthick (3rd Place).

Quintessentially Handicap Chase – 13:13

Up next will be the Quintessentially Handicap Chase. The seven strong field for the 2023 running of this race contained the following: Harry Skelton’s Calico, Jonathan Burke’s In Excelsis Deo, Charlie Deutsch’s Funambule Sivola, Rex Dingle’s Aucunrisque, Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Prince Escalus, Harry Cobden’s Madara and Henry Brooke’s Baron De Midleton.

In the end, it was Madara, ridden by jockey Harry Cobden, was the winner of this race back in 2023 with Jonathan Burke’s In Excelsis Deo coming in second place in the end. It was Charlie Deutsch’s Funambule Sivola who came in third place.

December Gold Cup – 13:48

Race Four on Saturday will be the 13:48 December Gold Cup, the headline race of not just day two but possibly the meeting as a whole. The field for the latest chapter of this historic race was as follows: Sean Bowen’s Thunder Rock, Harry Cobden’s Monmiral, Mark Walsh’s So Scottish, Bryony Frost’s Il Ridoto, Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Fakir D’oudairies, Gavin Sheehan’s Fugitif, Charlie Deutsch’s Frero Banbou, Tom Bellamy’s Grandeur D’Ame, Sam Twiston-Davies’ Torn and Frayed, Conor Stone-Walsh’s Railway Hurricane, Derek Fox’ Do Your Job and Harry Skelton’s Jay Jay Reilly.

The most recent winner of this highly prestigious race was Gavin Sheehan’s Fugitif, followed by Bryony Frost’s Il Ridoto in second place, whilst it was Charlie Deutsch’s Frero Banbou, who came in third overall.

BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Chase – 14:23

Next up on the second and final day of the 2024 Cheltenham International Meeting will be the 14:23 BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Chase. The nine horse field for the latest renewal of this race consisted of: Sam Twiston-Davies’ Broadway Boy, Harry Cobden’s Threeunderthrufive, Conor Stone-Walsh’s Malina Girl, Harry Skelton’s Protektorat, Nico de Boinville’s City Chief, Charlie Deutsch’s Easy As That, Bruce Lynn’s Elvis Mail, Richard Patrick’s Rapper and Sean Bowen’s Back On The Lash.

The winner was Sam Twiston-Davies’ Broadway Boy, followed by Harry Cobden’s Threeunderthrufive as the runner-up that day, with Harry Skelton and Protektorat coming in third place.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – 14:58

The penultimate race of the 2024 Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse as a whole will be the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. The star-studded field that took part in the latest renewal of this race was: Nico de Boinville’s Shanagh Bob, David Bass’ Destroytheevidence, Derek Fox’s Cadell, Harry Skelton’s Illico De Cotte, Adam Wedge’s Kerryhill, Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Yes Day, Ben Harvey’s Moon D’Orange, Jonathan Burke’s Carrigmoorna Rowan, Sean Bowen’s Genietoile & Tom Bellamy’s Monbari.

It was Nico de Boinville and Shanagh Bob who came out on top in this race in the most recent running of it back in 2023, whilst it was David Bass’ Destroytheevidence and Ben Harvey’s Moon D’Orange who had to settle for a second and third place finish respectively in the end.

BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle – 15:35

The 2024 BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle will be the final race of the 2024 Cheltenham International Meeting (Christmas Meeting). The 10 horse field in the most recent running of this race back in 2023 was: Paddy Brennan’s Bonttay, Nico de Boinville’s Theatre Glory, Harry Skelton’s Nurse Susan, Rex Dingle’s Coquelicot, Henry Brooke’s Windtothelightening, Sam Twiston-Davies’ Good Look Charm, Jonathan Burke’s Martha Divine, Sean Bowen’s Zestful, Kit Alexander’s Stainsby Girl and Harry Cobden’s Ilovethenightlife.

Excitement and anticipation are growing ahead of the 2024 renewal of the Cheltenham International Meeting.

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