Yahoo News Cheltenham 2018 festival: Tips, races, runners, results, winners, weather, race card, horse racing betting odds and more
Cheltenham Racecourse opens its gates to more than 250,000 people across four days as the first major National Hunt festival of the year takes place.
Record prize money of more than £4.6 million will be on offer, while punters are expected to withdraw more than £2million from the Racecourse's cashpoints as they attempt to get in on the action.
Sizing John will not defend his crown in the Gold Cup on Friday after a "hairline non-displaced fracture of his pelvis" dashed plans.
Trainer Jessica Harrington is still set to be represented in the Gold Cup through Our Duke, but Might Bite is the 11/4 favourite.
Scroll down for Standard Sport's comprehensive preview of the festival...
Date, time and venue
The Cheltenham races started on Tuesday, March 13 and will conclude on Friday, March 16.
The festival is staged at Cheltenham Racecourse and will include seven races per day - 28 in total, with one major event - or Championship race - per day.
Friday's Gold Cup is the blue riband race and will run at 3.30pm on the final day. For individual race times check out the full schedule below.
Tips
🐎 #CheltenhamFestival Friday tips@standardsport's Marco Giacomelli on which horses to back on the final day
More 👉https://t.co/rKDOEQtd2l pic.twitter.com/QwmY2GInAV— Standard Sport (@standardsport)
Weather
Cheltenham is braced for a dry, breezy morning, with the chance of light rain from 3pm.
The official going is Soft-Heavy in places following a dry night.
Schedule
Feature race at 3.30pm each day
Friday
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1.30pm JCB Triumph Hurdle |
1. Farclas 8/1 (FR) J W Kennedy |
2. Mr Adjudicator 9/1 P Townend |
3. Sayo 50/1 N Fehily |
2.10pm County Handicap Hurdle |
1. Mohaayed Bridget Andrews 28/1 (3) |
2. Remiluc 40/1 (FR) H Reed (5) |
3. Whiskey Sour 10/1 (IRE) D J Mullins |
2.50pm Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle |
1. Kilbricken Storm 33/1 (IRE) H Cobden |
2. Ok Corral 12/1 (IRE) B J Geraghty |
3. Santini 11/4 N De Boinville |
3.30pm Cheltenham Gold Cup |
1. Native River 9/2 (IRE) R Johnson |
2. Might Bite 10/3 (IRE) N De Boinville |
3. Anibale Fly 28/1 (FR) B J Geraghty |
4.10pm Foxhunter Steeple Chase |
1. Pacha Du Polder 18/1 (FR) Miss H C Tucker |
2. Top Wood 50/1 (FR) Mr S Davies-Thomas |
=3. Barel Of Laughs 25/1 (IRE) Mr A Edwards |
=3. Cousin Pete 66/1 |
4.50pm Conditional Jockeys Hurdle |
1. Blow By Blow 10/1 (IRE) D Meyler |
2. Discorama 40/1 (FR) D Robinson |
3. Early Doors 10/1 (FR) J J Slevin |
5.30pm Grand Annual Chase |
Garde La Victoire 20/1 (FR) R Johnson |
Forest Bihan 25/1 (FR) D Cook |
Rock The World 20/1 (IRE) R M Power |
Gino Trail 25/1 (IRE) Jamie Moore |
Vaniteux 22/1 (FR) T Scudamore |
North Hill Harvey 15/2 H Skelton |
Le Prezien 10/1 (FR) B J Geraghty |
Don't Touch It 12/1 (IRE) M P Walsh |
Top Gamble 11/1 (IRE) D N Russell Standard tip |
Valdez 20/1 W Hutchinson |
Dolos 16/1 (FR) H Cobden |
Sizing Platinum 66/1 (IRE) T J O'Brien |
Eastlake 33/1 (IRE) Jonjo O'Neill (7) |
Some Plan 16/1 (IRE) N Fehily |
Three Stars 12/1 (IRE) J J Slevin (3) |
Townshend 18/1 (GER) P Townend |
Dresden 22/1 (IRE) J M Davies |
Foxtail Hill 20/1 (IRE) Jamie Bargary (3) |
Bouvreuil 11/1 (FR) S Twiston-Davies |
The Game Changer (IRE) Non runner |
Theinval 16/1 (FR) J McGrath |
Born Survivor 22/1 (IRE) Bridget Andrews (3) |
Bright New Dawn 80/1 (IRE) A P Cawley |
Doitforthevillage 25/1 (IRE) P Brennan |
Results
Tuesday
1.30pm Supreme Novices Hurdle |
1. Summerville Boy 8/1 (IRE) N Fehily |
2. Kalashnikov 9/2 (IRE) J Quinlan |
3. Mengli Khan 10/1 (IRE) J W Kennedy |
2.10pm Arkle Challenge Trophy |
1. Footpad 1/1 (FR) R Walsh |
2. Brain Power 10/1 (IRE) N De Boinville |
3. Petit Mouchoir 7/2 (FR) D N Russell |
2.50pm Festival Handicap Chase |
1. Coo Star Sivola 5/1 |
2. Shantou Flyer 20/1 (IRE) J Bowen (3) |
3. Vintage Clouds 8/1 (IRE) D Cook |
3.30pm Champion Hurdle |
1. Buveur D'Air 8/15 (FR) B J Geraghty |
2. Melon 16/1 P Townend |
3. Mick Jazz 33/1 (FR) D N Russell |
4.10pm David Nicholson Mares Hurdle |
1. Benie Des Dieux 4/1 (FR) R Walsh |
2. Midnight Tour 66/1 D N Russell |
3. Apple's Jade 4/7 (FR) J W Kennedy |
4.50pm National Hunt Chase |
1. Rathvinden 6/1 (IRE) Mr P W Mullins |
2. Ms Parfois 13/2 (IRE) Mr W Biddick |
3. Sizing Tennessee 9/1 (IRE) Mr B O'Neill |
5.30pm Novices Handicap Chase |
1. Mister Whitaker 8/1 (IRE) B Hughes |
2. Rather Be 10/1 (IRE) J McGrath |
3. Rocklander 33/1 (IRE) A P Heskin |
4. Barney Dwan 8/1 (IRE) N Fehily |
Wednesday
1.30pm Ballymore Novices Hurdle |
1. Samcro 4/6 (IRE) J W Kennedy |
2. Black Op 10/1 (IRE) N Fehily |
3. Next Destination 7/2 (IRE) R Walsh |
2.10pm RSA Chase |
1. Presenting Percy 5/2 D N Russell Standard tip |
2. Monalee 10/3 (IRE) N Fehily |
3. Elegant Escape 9/1 (IRE) H Cobden |
2.50pm Coral Cup |
1. Bleu Berry 25/1 (FR) P Townend |
2. Topofthegame 12/1 (IRE) S Twiston-Davies |
3. Barra 20/1 (FR) J W Kennedy |
3.30pm Queen Mother Champion Chase |
1. Altior 11/10 (IRE) N De Boinville |
2. Min 7/2 (FR) P Townend |
3. God's Own 50/1 (IRE) P Brennan |
4.10pm Cross Country Chase |
1. Tiger Roll 11/2 (IRE) K M Donoghue |
2. Urgent De Gregaine 14/1 (FR) F de Giles |
3 The Last Samurai 6/1 (IRE) D Bass |
4.50pm Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle |
1. Veneer Of Charm 20/1 (IRE) J W Kennedy |
2. Style De Garde 14/1 (FR) N De Boinville |
3. Nube Negra 8/1 (SPA) H Skelton |
4. Padleyourowncanoe 25/1 T Scudamore |
5.30pm Champion Bumper |
1. Relegate 25/1 (IRE) Ms K Walsh |
2. Carefully Selected 10/1 (IRE) R Walsh |
3. Tornado Flyer 8/1 (IRE) P Townend |
Thursday
1.30pm JLT Novices Chase |
1. Shattered Love (IRE) J W Kennedy (5/1) |
2. Terrefort (FR) D Jacob (4/1) (3/1) |
3. Benatar (IRE) Jamie Moore (11/2) |
2.10pm Pertemps Final Hurdle |
1. Delta Work (FR) D N Russell (12/1) |
2. Glenloe (IRE) B J Geraghty (13/2) |
3. Connetable (FR) H Cobden (33/1) |
2.50pm Ryanair Chase |
1. Balko Des Flos (FR) D N Russell (12/1) |
2. Un De Sceaux (FR) TBC (11/10) |
3. Cloudy Dream (IRE) B Hughes (12/1) |
3.30pm Stayers Hurdle |
1. Penhill P Townend (9/1) |
2. Supasundae R M Power (11/2) |
3. Wholestone (IRE) A Coleman (14/1) |
4.10pm Stable Plate |
1. The Storyteller (IRE) D N Russell (15/2) |
2. Splash of Ginge Jamie Bargary (3) (33/1) |
3. King's Odyssey (IRE) A Wedge (20/1) |
4.50pm Mares Novices Hurdle |
1. Laurina (FR) TBC (8/13) |
2. Cap Soleil (FR) P Brennan (12/1 |
3. Champayne Lady (IRE) D O'Regan (66/1) |
5.30pm Kim Muir Challenge Cup |
1. Missed Approach (IRE) Mr N McParlan (9/1) |
2. Aubusson (FR) Mr Chester Williams (3) (20/1) |
3. Squouateur (FR) Mr J J Codd (9/2) |
Tickets
Cheltenham Festival tickets are still available across and range from £40 to £815 for hospitality packages. Click here for more information.
Is it on TV?
All four days of the Cheltenham Festival will be shown live on ITV.
Coverage starts at 1pm on Tuesday March 13.
Cheltenham Gold Cup odds (via Bet365)
Might Bite 11/4
Native River 9/2
Our Duke 13/2
Killultagh Vic 9
Road To Respect 8
Definitly Red 14
Total Recall 16
Minella Rocco 20
Edwulf 16
Djakadam 20
Anibale Fly 25
Bachasson 33
Outlander 25
Cue Card 33
Blaklion 33
Double Shuffle 40
Valseur Lido 50
Balko Des Flos 33
Sub Lieutenant 50
Tea For Two 50
The Last Samuri 66
Saphir Du Rheu 66
Mala Beach 66
Shantou Flyer 100
Tenor Nivernais 125
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