Victor Chandler Chase (Ascot)
The major highlight leading up to the Cheltenham festival is a spectacle with horse owners and trainers using this race to test their horses in preparation for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Many punters will back the winner of this race for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in the Cheltenham Festival. This is a tactic that worked with Viking Flagship (1994), Call Equiname (1999), Master Minded (2009), Sprinter Sacre (2013), Sire de Grugy (2014) and Dodging Bullets (2015) all winning this race and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The field is usually full to the brim with two-mile chasers, this provides a great spectacle at the famous Ascot course. The tournament features horses aged five and older and takes place every January. This year Un De Sceaux ridden by P Townend and trained by W P Mullins won the event for the third time in a row.
2018 Results: Un De Sceaux 4/9F, 2 Speredek 16/1, 3 Kylemore Lough 8/1
Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham)
The most prestigious hurdling event in the calendar featuring eight hurdles over a distance of 110 yards. Big winners of this event include; Rock On Ruby who clinched the 2012 edition and Hurricane Fly on the 2011 edition. Hardy Eustace was the last horse to conquer consecutive years, winning in 2004 and 2005.
There were no surprises in this year’s event with favourite Buveur d’Air ridden by Barry Geraghty and trained by Britain’s Nicky Henderson beating Melon by a neck. Two high priced horses came 3rd and 4th with 25/1 shot Mick Jazz finishing 3 lengths behind in third and 50/1 Identity Thief finishing 4th.
2018 Results: 1 Buveur d’Air 4/6F, 2 Melon 7/1, 3 Mick Jazz 25/1
Queen Mother Champion Chase (Cheltenham)
This race was established to honour the Queen-mother on her 80th birthday and the race is the highlight on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is a Grade one-two miler and is the premium chase event in the horse racing calendar.
Badsworth Boy is the most successful horse in this race, winning the event in 1983, 1984 and 1985, the only horse to win this event three times. The leading trainer is Tom Dreaper who had six winners, Fortria (1960, 1961), Ben Stack (1964), Flyingbolt (1966), Muir (1969) and Straight Fort (1970). 2018 Results: 1 Altior Evs, 2 Min 5/2, 3 God’s Own 40/1
World Hurdle
The Cheltenham Festival is quite a spectacle as every day of the tournament features a trademark race. The third day of the event is the World Hurdle that has twelve hurdles over a distance of three miles. A real test of strength, endurance, and stamina for the racers.
The race has been Paul Nicholls-trained French gelding territory. His horse Big Buck’s won the race four times in a row from 2009 to 2012 and almost made it five but couldn’t feature due to injury on the 2013 edition. It was an Irish 1 and 2 at this year’s event, W P Mullins and J Harrington the winning trainers.
2018 Results: 1 Penhill 12/1, 2 Supasundae 6/1, Wholestone 14/1
Cheltenham Gold Cup (Cheltenham)
The final and the main event of the Cheltenham Festival is the Gold Cup. The prize money is the most valuable non-handicap chase in the UK. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious of all National Hunt events.
The winners of this race often become the most successful and legendary horses of all time. Kauto Star, Golden Miller, and Best Mate all feature on this list. This year was a thrilling spectacle with Native River beating Might Bite in a race-long duel.
2018 Results: 1.Native River 5/1, 2 Might Bite 4/1f, 3.Anibale Fly
Grand National (Aintree)
A monster race that covers over four miles with thirty fences to jump. It is the largest field attempt with the runners having to make their way around the National Course at Aintree twice. It is the most famous horse race in the world and attracts bets of all shapes and sizes, from the office sweepstake, online for small each-way punts or huge wagers from high rollers.
The most fancied national Hunt in the British calendar is regarded as the ultimate test for jockeys and their horses, as well as the trainers, owners, and punters. A very eventful race that is unpredictable.
The most famous horse in the world, Red Rum made his name at the Grand National, winning the race three times, in 1973, 1974 and finally in 1977. In his first win in 1973, Red Rum closed a 30-yard gap to claim the win. The remains of Red Rum are buried at the Aintree winning post.
The 2018 event was a good one for each-way bettors with a 25/1 and 40/1 all finishing as a place bet.
2018 Results: 1.Tiger Roll 10/1, 2. Pleasant Company 25/1, Bless the Wings 40/1
2000 Guineas Stakes
The first leg of the Triple Crown held along with the Derby and St. Leger. It’s the first of five Classics that commenced in 1809. Some of the greatest names in the sport have won this event such as Frankel in 2011.
2018 Results: 1.TSaxon Warrior 3/1, 2. Tip Two Win 50/1, Masar 5/2F
Epsom Derby
The derby is Britain’s richest horse race with a total prize fund of £1,325,000. It is the highest rated and valued of the five classics of the flat season and stands as the middle leg of the Triple Crown.
This year saw Masar, who finished third in the 2000 Guineas Stakes take the honours. Ridden by William Buick.
2018 Results: 1.Masar 16/1, 2. Dee Ex Bee 20/1, Roaring Lion 6/1
King George VI Chase (Kempton Park)
An eighteen fences jump over a run of three miles is the highlight of the second most prestigious chase in Britain to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Big name previous winners include Dessert Orchid who won the event four times and the incredible Kauto Star who secured four victories in six years.
2018 Results: 1.Might Bite 6/4F, 2. Double Shuffle 50/1, Tea For Two 20/1
