Cheltenham Festival 2024: Runners Revealed for Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle, Champion Hurdle, and Tuesday’s Key Races
State Man, the Unibet Champion Hurdle runner-up, leads a competitive field of eight in the bid to secure victory at Cheltenham Festival for the second time, with Constitution Hill absent. Joining him are Colonel Mustard, Iberico Lord, Irish Point, Nemean Lion, Not So Sleepy, Zarak The Brave, and Luccia.
In the My Pension Expert Arkle, Willie Mullins unveils Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps, and Hunters Yarn, among ten contenders for the Grade 1 chase, setting the stage for a thrilling opening day.
Mullins dominates the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with six of the twelve entries, featuring Tullyhill and Mystical Power as the leading contenders, while Firefox and Slade Steel pose strong competition.
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (4.10) favourite Lossiemouth, another of Mullins’ incredible team, will face ten rivals as Ireland’s champion trainer aims to reclaim a race he once dominated, but has not won since 2018.
The Maureen Mullins National Hunt Chase (5.30) will feature the smallest field of the day with just seven declared. Leading amateur rider Derek O’Connor was booked for Corbetts Cross. Embassy Gardens will be ridden by Patrick Mullins.
The Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) did not attract a full field of 24, falling one runner shy, with the Lucinda Russell-trained Apple Away switching to the National Hunt Chase.
A full field of 22 will line up for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (4.50), with the Fergal O’Brien-trained Teorie the final horse to make the cut. Topweight Liari stood his ground to pin the weights at 134.
The Gary Moore-trained Royal Way and the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Barrier and Pacini were the shortest-priced runners to miss out and were priced at 16-1, 20-1 and 25-1.
Champion Hurdle runners and riders
- Colonel Mustard JJ Slevin
- Iberico Lord Nico de Boinville
- Irish Point Jack Kennedy
- Nemean Lion Richard Patrick
- Not So Sleepy Sean Bowen
- State Man Paul Townend
- Zarak The Brave Daryl Jacob
- Luccia James Bowen
Supreme Novices’ Hurdlerunners and riders
- Asian Master Mr Thomas Costello
- Favour And Fortune Tom Cannon
- Firefox Jack Kennedy
- Gold Dancer Danny Mullins
- Jeriko Du Reponet Nico de Boinville
- Kings Hill Jack Gilligan
- Mistergif Daryl Jacob
- Mystical Power Mark Walsh
- Slade Steel Rachael Blackmore
- Supersundae Patrick Mullins
- Tellherthename Kielan Woods
- Tullyhill Paul Townend
Arkle Novices’ Chase runners and riders
- Authorised Speed David Noonan
- Found A Fifty Jack Kennedy
- Gaelic Warrior Paul Townend
- Hunters Yarn Daryl Jacob
- Il Etait Temps Danny Mullins
- JPR One Brendan Powell
- Master Chewy Tom Bellamy
- Matata Sam Twiston-Davies
- My Mate Mozzie Keith Donoghue
- Quilixios Rachael Blackmore
Mares’ Hurdle runners and riders
- Ashroe Diamond Patrick Mullins
- Echoes In Rain Brian Hayes
- Gala Marceau Danny Mullins
- Hispanic Moon Darragh O’Keeffe
- Lantry Lady Jack Kennedy
- Lossiemouth Paul Townend
- Love Envoi Johnny Burke
- Marie’s Rock Nico de Boinville
- Telmesomethinggirl Rachael Blackmore
- Theatre Glory James Bowen
- You Wear It Well Gavin Sheehan
