2023 Cheltenham Festival’s Big Race Favorites

It’s that time of year again in the jump racing world. The Cheltenham Festival is upon us once more, and the top horses, trainers, and jockeys are now converging on the famous English track for the most exciting four days of action of the season.

Trainers from both Britain and Ireland have put the finishing touches to their stable stars’ preparations, as they look to bag one of the many world-famous races on offer at the festival. A total of 28 races are up for grabs throughout the week, but the four Championship races are the ones most coveted by everyone involved in the jump racing industry.

This Year’s Big Race Favorites

1⃣ Constitution Hill
2⃣ I Like To Move It
3⃣ Jason The Militant
4⃣ Not So Sleepy
5⃣ State Man
6⃣ Vauban
7⃣ Zanahiyr

Seven declared for Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle… pic.twitter.com/aNmVWwmV8K

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 12, 2023

The Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, and the Gold Cup, are the four Championship races that take place at the Cheltenham Festival each year, and in 2023 each contest has strong favorites in the latest Cheltenham Festival odds. Below we are going to take a look at these favorites, and see if they are worthy of their place at the head of the market.

Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup)

Galopin Des Champs is the new superstar chaser of the sport, and he is currently the +150 favorite for this season’s Gold Cup. With his trainer, Willie Mullins being the favorite to bag the leading trainer award, and his jockey, Paul Townend, being the most popular amongst all Cheltenham top jockey bets, it is no surprise that Galopin Des 

Champs is considered to be one of Ireland’s ‘bankers’ for the week.

A superb jumper, with plenty of speed, Galopin Des Champs put to bed any worries over his stamina for the Gold Cup distance last time, and is a very worthy favorite for the highlight race of the week.

Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle)

Arguably the best jump racehorse in the world right now, Constitution Hill is thought to be unbeatable in this year’s Champion Hurdle, and currently sits at the head of the betting markets at -300 for the festival’s day-one highlight.

The hugely talented youngster is unbeaten in his five starts to date and has yet to be tested by any rival that has taken him on so far. The hype is huge around Constitution Hill this year, and he is likely to prove that all of that hype was justified.

HIT ❤️ IF YOU THINK CONSTITUTION HILL WINS ON TUESDAY pic.twitter.com/GYIJoGwFsT

— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) March 11, 2023

Edwardstone (Champion Chase)

The betting market for the Champion Chase has changed many times in the lead-up to this year’s race, particularly at the top where very little separates Edwardstone and Energumene. Edwardstone just shades favoritism at the moment, but he faces the tough task of justifying that favoritism against last year’s winner. 

Blazing Khal (Stayers’ Hurdle)

The Stayers’ Hurdle is the most open of the four Championship races at the festival this year, with very little separating the top four in the market. Irish raider, Blazing Khal, currently heads the betting at +300, and the so-far unbeaten hurdler is definitely the runner with the most room for progression.

Defending champion, Flooring Porter, the classy Teahupoo, and the vastly improved, Home By The Lee, are the other runners that are well-fancied to take home the Grade 1 prize.