Cheltenham 2022: Day 1, Champion Day

This page covers all the information you need for the first day of Betting on Cheltenham Festival. There's a guide for each race including statistics, links and tips for betting on the race itself.

When the Racing Post produced a survey of the best day’s racing of the year the first day of the Cheltenham Festival polled most votes. As the first race gets underway on the Tuesday there is a huge roar from the crowd. Champion Day is the most eagerly anticipated single day’s racing of the year. The months of trials and speculation are now over and the action begins at the best race meeting in the world.

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There are seven races on the opening card and the battle between the bookies and punters has begun. Betting turnover on races at Cheltenham is huge and if several favourites win on the first day the punters will be in front. However, the racing is competitive so it’s difficult to finish in front. The key is not to lose all your betting bank as there are three more days and 21 races to do that. Breaking even is a result but Cheltenham is a war and not a battle and only the first skirmishes have been done.

A look ahead to the rest of the week : Ladies Day | St Patrick's Thursday | Gold Cup Day

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2022 Cheltenham Festival

For those looking at the 2022 festival, it is always important to remember what happened in previous years. Course form, and especially festival form can prove vital to a horse's chances of winning. Now we take a look at each of the races taking place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.30pm)

Hurdle Race (Two miles 1/2 furlong – Old Course)
Open to horses aged four-years-old and older

The Supreme Novices Hurdle is contested by the best novices over the shorter distance. It is traditionally the opening race of the four day Cheltenham Festival in March. The race was originally registered as the Gloucestershire Hurdle and up to 1971 was often split into two or even three divisions. Legendary Irish handler Vincent O’Brien dominated the race in the early years and between 1952 and 1959 recorded ten victories. In recent years another Irish trainer has dominated the race with Willie Mullins winning five of the last ten renewals ncluding last year's winner.

2022 RESULT

Constitution Hill - 9/4 JF - Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville
Jonbon - 5/1 - Nicky Henderson, Aidan Coleman
Kilcruit - 6/1 - Willie Mullins, Mr P Mullins

The Last 10 Winners of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle:

2022 - Constitution Hill - 9/4JF - Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville
2021 - Appreciate It 8/11F - Willie Mullins, P Townsend
2020 - Shishkin (6/1) Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville
2019 - Klassical Dream 6/1) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2018 - Summerville Boy (8/1) Tom George, Noel Fehily
2017 – Labaik (25/1) Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy
2016 – Altior (4/1) Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville
2015 – Douvan (2/1F) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2014 - Vautour (7/2JF) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2013 – Champagne Fever (5/1) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Fact File

Ruby Walsh has ridden the winner of this race a record six times after his 2019 success.
Willie Mullins has trained the most winners of this race with seven victories including two of the last three.
The favourite or co-favourite has won this race for the past two years.

Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeplechase (2.10pm)

Steeplechase (Two miles – Old Course)
Open to horses five-years-old and older

The Arkle Challenge Trophy is the leading minimum distance chase for novices in the National Hunt calendar and is traditionally the second race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. The race was first run in 1946 under the title of the Cotswold Chase. In 1969 the race was renamed after Arkle, the three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the horse considered the best chaser in the history of the sport.It is the novices’ championship over two miles and is often a stepping stone to the Champion Chase in the following year. The race has had several sponsors and the Racing Post newspaper began its sponsorship in 2012

2022 RESULT

Edwardstone - 5/2F - Trained by Alan King and ridden by Tom Cannon
Gabynako - 25/1 - Gavin Cromwell, Keith Donoghue
Blue Lord - 4/1 - Willie Mullins, Paul Townend

The Last 10 Winners of the Arkle Challenge Trophy

2022 - Edwardstone 5/2F - Trained by Alan King and ridden by Tom Cannon
2021 - Shishkin 4/9F - Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville
2020 - Put the Kettle On (16/1) Henry De Bromhead, Aidan Coleman
2019 - Duc Des Genievres (5/1) Willie Mullins, Paul Townend.
2018 - Footpad (1/1F) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2017 – Altior (1/4F) Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville
2016 – Douvan (1/4F) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2015 – Un De Sceaux (4/6F) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2014 – Western Warhorse (33/1) David Pipe, Tom Scudamore
2013 – Simonsig (8/15F) Nicky Henderson, Barry Geraghty

Arkle Challenge Trophy Fact File

Favourites have won this race for five of the last seven years.
The most wins for a jockey in this race is four by both Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty.
Top trainer is Nicky Henderson who has won this race seven times.
The last six years have produced four wins for Willie Mullins and two for Nicky Henderson.

Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50pm)

Steeplechase (Three miles and 100 yards – Old Course)
Open to horses aged five-years-old and older

The Ultima Handicap Chase has had several sponsors in the past and Ultima began their sponsorship in 2015. The race is one of the most competitive handicap chases of the season. Horses that run well often then run in the Grand National as the winners in particular are weighted well and are proven over a long distance in a big runner field as the race is always well oversubscribed due to the prestige and prize money.

2022 RESULT

Corach Rambler - 10/1 - Trained by Lucinda Russell, ridden by Derek Fox
Gericault Roque - 9/1 - David Pipe, Tom Scudamore
Oscar Elite - 22/1 - Colin Tizzard, Harry Cobden
Tea Clipper - 12/1 - Tom Lacey, Stan Sheppard

The Last 10 Winners of the Ultima Handicap Chase

2022 - Corach Rambler - 10/1 - trained by Lucinda Russell, ridden by Derek Fox
2021 - Vintage Clouds - 28/1 - Sue Smith, Ryan Mania
2020 - The Conditional (15/2) - David Bridgwater, Brendan Powell
2019 - Beware the Bear (10/1) Nicky Henderson, Jeremiah McGrath
2018 - Coo Star Sivola (5/1) Nick Williams, Lizzie Kelly
2017 – Un Temps Pour Tout (9/1) David Pipe, Tom Scudamore
2016 – Un Temps Pour Tout (11/1) David Pipe, Tom Scudamore
2015 – The Druids Nephew (8/1) Neil Mulholland, Barry Geraghty
2014 – Holywell (10/1) Jonjo O’Neill, Richie McLernon
2013 – Golden Chieftain (28/1) Colin Tizzard, Brendan Powell Jnr

Ultima Handicap Chase Fact File

Only one of the last five winners won carrying less than 11 stone.
The last two races have been won by female trainers.
Tom Scudamore shares the record with Robert Thornton on most winners for a jockey.
The last favourite to win this race was in 2009.
Neither Willie Mullins or Paul Nicholls have trained the winner of this race.
Vintage Clouds was the winner in 2021, aged 11-years-old equalling the record highest age for a winner of this race but the first this century.

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (3.30pm)

Hurdle Race (Two miles 1/2 furlong – Old Course)
Open to horses aged four-years-old and older

The Champion Hurdle as the name of the race suggests is the championship race of the season for hurdlers. It is the most prestigious hurdle race in the National Hunt calendar and is the third race of the Tuesday of the Cheltenham Festival. The feature was first run in 1927.

2022 RESULT

Honeysuckle - 8/11F - Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore
Epatante - 16/1 - Nicky Henderson, Aidan Coleman
Zanahiyr - 28/1 - Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy
Saint Roi - 33/1 - Willie Mullins, Mark Walsh

The Last 10 Winners of the Champion Hurdle

2022 - Honeysuckle - 8/11F - Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore
2021 - Honeysuckle - 11/10 F Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore
2020 - Epatante (2/1F) - Nicky Henderson, Barry Geraghty
2019 - Espoir D'Allen (16/1) Gavin Cromwell, Mark Walsh
2018 - Buveur D'Air (8/15F) Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty
2017 – Buveur D'Air (5/1) Nicky Henderson, Noel Fehily
2016 – Annie Power (5/2) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2015 – Faugheen (4/5) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2014 - Jezki (9/1) Jessica Harrington, Barry Geraghty
2013 – Hurricane Fly (13/8F) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh

Champion Hurdle Fact File

Ruby Walsh and Tim Moloney have both ridden a record four winners of this race.
Nicky Henderson has trained a record eight winners of this race, including three of the last five.
Only four of the last 22 winners weren't from an Irish trainer or Nicky Henderson.
The winning distance has been a neck four times this century.
2021 saw Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the race.
The favourite has won this race for the past three years.
Honeysuckle became the first mare to win the race twice, when successful in 2022.

Mares' Hurdle Race (4.10pm)

Hurdle Race (Two miles four furlongs – Old Course)
Open to fillies and mares aged four-years-old and older

The Mares’ Hurdle was first run at the meeting in 2008 and the race features nine hurdles. Other than the first staging when it was on the fourth day the race has been run on the first day of the festival. The championship hurdle race for fillies and mares was originally given Grade 2 status but was upgraded to a Grade 1 race in 2015.

2022 RESULT

Marie's Rock - 18/1 - Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville
Queens Brook - 4/1 - Gordon Elliott. Jack Kennedy
Mrs Milner - 14/1 - Paul Nolan, BJ Cooper
Stormy Ireland - 7/2F - Willie Mullins, Paul Townend

The Last 10 Winners of the Mares' Hurdle

2022 - Marie's Rock (18/1) - trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville
2021 - Black Tears - (11/1) - Mrs Denise Foster, J W Kennedy
2020 - Honeysuckle (9/4) - Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore
2019 - Roksana (10/1) Dan Skelton, Harry Skelton
2018 - Benie Des Deaux (4/1) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2017 – Apple's Jade (7/2) Gordon Elliott, Bryan Cooper
2016 – Vroum Vroum Mag (4/6) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2015 – Glens Melody (6/1) Willie Mullins, Paul Townend
2014 – Quevega (8/11F) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
2013 – Quevega (8/11F) Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh

Mares Hurdle Race Fact File

Quevega won this race six times.
Ruby Walsh rode Quevega to all her wins but has also had two more successes in this race making a record eight.
Willie Mullins has trained the winner of this race on nine occasions.
No favourite has won since 2014.
Seven-year-olds have won this race in six of the last eight years.
The race has been won by an Irish trainer for nine of the last 12 years.

The Boodles Juvenile Handicap (Fred Winter Hurdle (4.50pm)

Hurdle Race (Two miles – Old Course)
Open to horses aged four-years-old only

The race is named in honour of Fred Winter who had a successful career as a National Hunt jockey and trainer. The race was introduced in 2005 and acts as a consolation contest for four year olds who are not quite good enough to race in the Triumph Hurdle, the championship race for juveniles. The race has had Grade 3 status since 2009 and is run on the second day of the meeting.

2022 RESULT

Brazil - 10/1 - Trained by Padraig Roche and ridden by Mark Walsh
Gaelic Warrior - 13/8F - Willie Mullins, Paul Townend
Bell Ex One - 28/1 - Paul Nicholls, Harry Cobden
Hms Seahorse - 8/1 - Paul Nolan, BJ Cooper

The Last 10 Winners of the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

2022 - Brazil - (10/1)- Trained by Padraig Roche and ridden by Mark Walsh
2021 - Jeff Kidder - (80/1) Noel Meade, Sean Flanagan
2020 - Aramax (7/2F) - Gordon Elliott, Mark Walsh
2019 - Band of Outlaws (7/2F) - JP O'Brien, JJ Slevin
2018 - Veneer of Charm (20/1) Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy
2017 - Flying Tiger - (33/1) Nick Wiliams, Richard Johnson
2016 – Diego Du Charmil (13/2) Paul Nicholls, Sam Twiston-Davies
2015 – Qualando (25/1) Paul Nicholls, Nick Schofield
2014 - Hawk High (33/1) Tim Easterby, Brian Hughes
2013 – Flaxen Flare (25/1) Gordon Elliot, Davy Condon

Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Fact File

Mark Walsh is the only jockey to win this race more than once.
Top trainers are Gordon Elliott and Paul Nicholls with three wins.
The 2021 winner was the first since 2013 to carry less than 11st.

National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase (5.30pm)

Steeplechase (Four miles – Old Course)
Open to horses aged five-years-old and older

The National Hunt Chase is the main long distance race of the meeting for novice chasers ridden by amateur jockeys and the race includes 24 fences and almost three circuits of the track. It is the longest and most often run race in the history of the festival. In the early history of the race it was the second most important race of the season after the Grand National. The event now has listed status but other races have become more important.

2022 RESULT

Statler - 2/1 - Trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Mr P W Mullins
Run Wild Fred - 15/8F - Gordon Elliott, Mr JJ Codd
Vanillier - 11/4 - Gavin Cromwell, Mr Derek O'Connor
Beatthebullet - 100/1 - Rebecca Curtis, Mr B O'Neill

The Last 10 Winners of the National Hunt Chase

2022 - Statler - (2/1) - Trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Mr P W Mullins
2021 - Galvin - (7/2) - Ian Ferguson, Mr J W Kennedy
2020 - Ravenhill (12/1) - Trained by Gordon Elliott, ridden by Mr JJ Codd
2019 - A Plus Tard (5/1) Henry De Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore
2018 - Rathvinden (6/1) Willie Mullins, Patrick Mullins
2017 – Tiger Roll (16/1) Gordon Elliott, Lisa O'Neill
2016 – Minella Rocco (8/1) Jonjo O’Neill, Derek O’Connor
2015 – Cause Of Causes (8/1) Gordon Elliott, Jamie Codd
2014 – Midnight Prayer (8/1) Alan King, Joshua Newman
2013 – Back In Focus (9/4F) Willie Mullins, Patrick Mullins

National Hunt Chase Fact File

Four of the last seven winners have been seven year-olds.Since 1946 Jonjo O'Neill has trained the most winners of this race with six victories.
The last favourite to win this race was in 2013.