5 Storylines for the 2023 Cheltenham Festival

All eyes will be on Cheltenham Racecourse between March 14-17 for the latest renewal of the Cheltenham Festival. The four-day meeting in the UK is the leading jumps meeting of the year in horse racing.

Here is a look at five storylines to look out for at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Constitution Hill Looking to Enhance Reputation in Champion Hurdle

After five wins from his opening five appearances over hurdles, Constitution Hill is one of the leading Cheltenham Festival betting tips for the meeting this year. Nicky Henderson’s runner is the -150 favorite for the Championship race on day one.

Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner has dominated the 2m division in the 2022/23 campaign. He has the potential to be one of the greatest hurdlers in history. If he is to achieve that status, he must prove himself in the Champion Hurdle at the Festival.

Grand National Winner a Strong Cheltenham Gold Cup Contender

Not many Grand National winners have gone on to achieve much after victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree, however, that is not the case with Noble Yeats. Last year’s winner of the 4m2½f contest has improved on his form this season.

After wins at Wexford (Listed) and Aintree (Grade Two), Noble Yeats has established himself as a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender. He is the leading challenger to Willie Mullins’ exciting chaser Galopin Des Champs.

Facile Vega May Be Best of Novices

Mullins is traveling across the Irish Sea with an exciting batch of novice hurdlers this year. Arguably the pick of them is Facile Vega, last season’s Champion Bumper winner. He was successful in a Grade One contest at Leopardstown over the festive period.

The six-year-old features in the opening race of the week, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. In 2022, we saw a special performance from Constitution Hill in that race. and we could be set for something similar from the Irish horse.

Delta Work Likely to Get a Better Reception 

Gordon Elliott’s chaser Delta Work won the Cross Country Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, but he left many spectators at the racecourse disappointed, as he denied two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll a victory on the final start of his career.

With Tiger Roll now retired, Delta Work is likely to be a popular selection in this year’s Cross Country Chase. His form has been rock-solid over the last 12 months. Expect him to get a loud cheer if he can defend his crown in the race.

Energumene Faces Tougher Queen Mother Champion Chase This Year

Last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene faces a much stronger challenge in the Championship race on day two of the meeting this year. The Irish star was beaten in the Clarence House Chase on his latest outing by Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone. He will face both of those horses again in the feature race on day two of the meeting and he will need to be at his best to reserve the form with the chasers.

With all the above to look forward to and more, it is set to be another special week for horse racing fans around the world at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.