Horse Racing stats man, Andy has contributed to OLBG for 18 years - An Ipswich fan and F1 fanatic, he also contributes EFL football and Motor Sport opinion.
2026 Festival Hunters Chase Preview
The Festival Hunters Chase is run over the Gold Cup distance of three miles and two and a half furlongs restricted to amateur riders only, the 'Amateurs Gold Cup' here at Cheltenham.
The race is open to runners who have either twice won a Point to Point (PTP) race or those who have finished in the first two of a Hunter Chase at least twice.
Many of the older runners will have contested handicap chases under national hunt rules in their early days. Who are our racing tipsters tipping to win the 'Amateurs Gold Cup'?
Gain an edge on the Festival Hunters Chase by examining our detailed insights into previous race trends and trainer statistics, then check out our list of free bets for Cheltenham.
Festival Hunters Chase Information:
- Festival Hunters Chase Past Winners
- Festival Hunters Chase Trainer Statistics
- Festival Hunters Chase Jockey Statistics
If you are interested in other predictions at Cheltenham then head over to the Cheltenham tips page to see which runners are being supported by the OLBG racing tipsters and also compare those predictions to the runners that make the trend shortlist when added below. We cover every race at the Cheltenham Festival and below you can find links to all of the races for each of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites 2025
How competitive is the Festival Hunters Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2024 when the race had an over-round of 120%. The race in 2007 was a race that was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 136%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Festival Hunters Chase, the over-round has been 130%, which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £130 which is bet.
Below you will find the 2026 Festival Hunters Chase Trends, see which patterns have occurred over the recent renewals that you may be able to use for the next renewal, we also have a section that looks at the Festival Hunters Chase Trend Analysis.
These are the top three quickest-run Festival Hunters Chase over the last 20 renewals:
- Zemsky (6:37.20) in 2011
- Whyso Mayo (6:42.70) in 2006
- Pacha Du Polder (6:42.80) in 2017
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 20 if you had followed the winner of the Festival Hunters Chase next time out then you would have backed a total of 8 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of +3.87. Remember to use the racing predictions along with the information on this page to find a bet on the 2026 Festival Hunters Chase.
When looking over the past 20 renewals, a time of 6:37.20 was set by Zemsky in 2011, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by I R Ferguson and ridden by Mr Derek O'Connor. The slowest winning time was set in 2024 when Sine Nomine won in a time of 7:17.70, booked to ride was Mr John Dawson by the trainer Fiona Needham.
Festival Hunters Chase Past Winners
Here are the Festival Hunters Chase past winners for the last 10 renewals. Each row details the year of the race, the horse which won along with the age & weight of the horse. The horse's trainer and the jockey at the time of winning the Festival Hunters Chase are also displayed, along with the starting price at which the horse was sent off.
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 6:51.04 | Wonderwall (IRE) 9yo 12-0 28/1 | Mr R James S Curling (IRE) |
| 2024 7:17.70 | Sine Nomine (GB) 8yo 11-7 8/1 | Mr John Dawson Fiona Needham (GB) |
| 2023 7:00.24 | Premier Magic (IRE) 10yo 12-0 66/1 | Mr Bradley Gibbs Bradley Gibbs (GB) |
| 2022 6:55.31 | Billaway (IRE) 10yo 12-0 13/8F | Mr P W Mullins W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2021 6:55.68 | Porlock Bay (FR) 10yo 12-0 16/1 | Lorcan Williams Will Biddick (GB) |
| 2020 6:55.51 | It Came To Pass (IRE) 10yo 12-0 66/1 | Miss M O'Sullivan Eugene M O'Sullivan (IRE) |
| 2019 6:50.75 | Hazel Hill (IRE) 11yo 12-0 7/2F | Mr Alex Edwards Philip Rowley (GB) |
| 2018 7:17.30 | Pacha Du Polder (FR) 11yo 12-0 25/1 | Miss Harriet Tucker Paul Nicholls (GB) |
| 2017 6:42.80 | Pacha Du Polder (FR) 10yo 12-0 16/1 | Bryony Frost Paul Nicholls (GB) |
| 2016 6:53.70 | On The Fringe (IRE) 11yo 12-0 13/8F | Ms N Carberry E Bolger (IRE) |
Where have the winning runners come from?
Here are the countries where the winning trainers of the Festival Hunters Chase have been based:
- GB: 10 winners with an additional 21 placings from 325 runners
- IRE: 10 winners with an additional 20 placings from 123 runners
Festival Hunters Chase Trainer Statistics
There are multiple leading trainers in the Festival Hunters Chase over the last 20 renewals with Paul Nicholls, E Bolger and Rodger Sweeney having all won the race two times. Paul Nicholls winners have been with Pacha Du Polder (2017 & 2018). E Bolger winners have been with On The Fringe (2015 & 2016). Rodger Sweeney winners have been with Salsify (2012 & 2013). There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Festival Hunters Chase, Alan Hill has sent a total of 10 runners to the race without recording any wins.
Here are some of the top Festival Hunters Chase trainer statistics over the last 20 renewals (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Trainer | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Nicholls | 22-2-3 | +21.00 | +1.00 |
| E Bolger | 10-2-4 | -0.37 | -3.18 |
| Rodger Sweeney | 4-2-2 | +7.00 | +2.50 |
| Eugene M O'Sullivan | 8-1-2 | +59.00 | +26.50 |
| Jonjo O'Neill | 7-1-1 | +14.00 | +4.00 |
| W P Mullins | 7-1-3 | -4.37 | -4.18 |
| Philip Rowley | 6-1-3 | -1.50 | -2.25 |
| Mrs C A Coward | 5-1-1 | +29.00 | +12.50 |
| Nigel Twiston-Davies | 4-1-2 | +1.50 | -0.25 |
| Bradley Gibbs | 3-1-1 | +64.00 | +31.00 |
Festival Hunters Chase Jockey Statistics
Two jockeys have not had the best of times over the last 20 renewals in the Festival Hunters Chase, Mr B O'Neill has ridden 11 runners to the race without recording any wins whilst Mr William Biddick has ridden 10 without a winner.
Here are some of the top Festival Hunters Chase jockey statistics over the last 20 renewals (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Jockey | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Derek O'Connor | 12-1-4 | +22.00 | +7.14 |
| Mr P W Mullins | 6-1-2 | -3.37 | -3.68 |
| Mr Alex Edwards | 5-1-3 | -0.50 | -1.25 |
| Mr Bradley Gibbs | 4-1-1 | +63.00 | +30.00 |
| Miss M O'Sullivan | 4-1-1 | +63.00 | +30.00 |
| Mr John Dawson | 4-1-1 | +5.00 | +1.80 |
| Bryony Frost | 3-1-1 | +14.00 | +6.00 |
| Mr R James | 2-1-1 | +27.00 | +13.00 |
| Miss Harriet Tucker | 2-1-1 | +24.00 | +11.50 |
| Lorcan Williams | 2-1-1 | +15.00 | +7.00 |
2026 Festival Hunters Chase Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): PU, 2, PU, 12, (1, BD), (4, UR), 2, 1, 5, 3, 1, 4, 8, 1, 2, 2, 1, 7, 2, 9
The percentage shown is the percentage of the total number of runners who fell under that factor. High percentages are less appealing than lower ones as you would expect them to do well.
- 20 / 20 (81%) - No bigger than 66/1
- 20 / 20 (81%) - No older than an 11yo
- 20 / 20 (85%) - Fewer than 33 races (Career)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - No more than 2 falls (Career)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Fewer than 1 race (Trip)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Not BB/BL/BR/RG in colour
- 19 / 20 (74%) - Furthest ran 3m½f - 4m
- 19 / 20 (76%) - No more than +4yrs (Vs Min Age)
- 19 / 20 (80%) - No bigger than 25/1 (Career Place)
- 19 / 20 (81%) - Not in a Handicap (Last Win)
- 19 / 20 (82%) - Off a break of 20 - 364 days
- 19 / 20 (85%) - Highest Run is not Cl3-4/Cl6
- 19 / 20 (85%) - Beaten no more -25l (LTO)
- 19 / 20 (85%) - No bigger than 18/1 (Career Win)
- 19 / 20 (88%) - Carried 152 - 174lbs (Last Win)
Remember to use the trends listed above along with the Cheltenham racing predictions to see if you can find the winner of the Festival Hunters Chase. Did you know that we have an OLBG Betting School section on OLBG? It is a place to help you improve your betting experience with articles covering numerous topics.
Are you already a member? If not, then why not? With over £6,000 given away each month in the tipster competition, why not get involved? Remember, It is completely FREE! So, head over to the registration page to sign up today! If you are already a member, then share your thoughts on the Festival Hunters Chase by adding a tip on the race here.
101 Ways to find Winners in Horse Racing
Festival Hunters Chase Trend Analysis
✅ The trend factor which had produced 10+ winners and shows the best LSP, an LSP of +59.76 is when runners were trained in Ireland.
❌ The worst performing factor that has failed to produce a single winner is when runners had 2 career places with the jockey, when backing these the trend shows a record of 0-84.
The course which has produced the most winners of the Festival Hunters Chase is Leopardstown, there has been a total number of 5 winners of this race who ran at Leopardstown last time out.
The race is open to both sexes with the Male runners having produced a total of 19 winners from a total of 436 runners whilst the Female runners have produced 1 winner from a total of 12 runners.
Looking over the past renewals, these are the stallions whose offspring have produced multiple winners of the Festival Hunters Chase:
- Beneficial (2 Wins)
- Exit To Nowhere (2 Wins)
- Muhtathir (2 Wins)
- Presenting (2 Wins)
These are the stallions whose offspring have not produced a winner of the Festival Hunters Chase despite multiple attempts:
- Oscar (0 Wins from 12 runners)
- Flemensfirth (0 Wins from 9 runners)
- Shantou (0 Wins from 9 runners)
- Turgeon (0 Wins from 9 runners)
- Kings Theatre (0 Wins from 8 runners)
Looking at the winning odds over the last 20 renewals, the biggest-priced winner was Premier Magic in 2023, winning for Bradley Gibbs at odds of 66/1 under the guidance of Mr Bradley Gibbs. Looking at the runners at the head of the market over the last 20 renewals there have been 5 winning favourites in the race. Remember to use the best racing tipsters along with the information on this page to find you a bet on the 2026 Festival Hunters Chase.
Route to the Festival Hunters Chase
Many trainers will target races to use as prep races before coming to the Festival Hunters Chase, these are the races which the recent winners ran in before coming here:
| Info | Last Race |
|---|---|
| 2025 - Wonderwall Cartmel - 2nd of 12 (3/1) | William Hill Cumbria Crystal Cup Handicap Hurdle |
| 2024 - Sine Nomine Wetherby - 1st of 6 (6/1) | Join The Vickers Customer Racing Club Open Hunters Chase |
| 2023 - Premier Magic Cheltenham - PU of 19 (25/1) | Festival Hunters Chase |
| 2022 - Billaway Naas - 1st of 6 (2/5) | Congratulations To Naas GAA On An Incredible Year Hunters Chase |
| 2021 - Porlock Bay Wincanton - 2nd of 16 (11/4) | Stewart Tory Memorial Open Hunters Chase |
| 2020 - It Came To Pass Down Royal - 7th of 16 (9/1) | Bluegrass Hunters Chase |
| 2019 - Hazel Hill Warwick - 1st of 12 (5/1) | Overbury Stud Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters Chase |
| 2018 - Pacha Du Polder Doncaster - 3rd of 5 (6/4) | 1st Security Solutions Open Hunters Chase |
| 2017 - Pacha Du Polder Bangor - 1st of 5 (9/4) | John Hewitt Memorial Open Hunters Chase |
| 2016 - On The Fringe Leopardstown - 7th of 11 (1/1) | Leopardstown Inn Hunters Chase |
Schedule for Tuesday at the Cheltenham Festival
Prepare for the ROAR of the Cheltenham Festival on the opening day when the tape goes up for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, the feature on Tuesday is the Champion Hurdle.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Supreme Novices Hurdle | Kopek Des Bordes (FR) 5yo - 4/6 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Arkle Challenge Trophy | Jango Baie (FR) 6yo - 5/1 | Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Ultima Handicap Chase | Myretown (IRE) 8yo - 13/2 | Lucinda Russell Patrick Wadge |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Close Brothers Mares Hurdle | Lossiemouth (FR) 6yo - 4/6 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle | Golden Ace (GB) 7yo - 25/1 | Jeremy Scott Lorcan Williams |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Puturhandstogether (IRE) 4yo - 17/2 | Joseph Patrick O'Brien Mark Walsh |
| 17:20 Cheltenham National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup | Haiti Couleurs (FR) 8yo - 7/2 | Rebecca Curtis Ben Jones |
Schedule for Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival
The dust has settled on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and now on to day two. The feature on the second day is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. We also have the cross country scheduled on Wednesday, a race like Marmite, some love it and some don't!
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Turners Novices Hurdle | The New Lion (GB) 6yo - 3/1 | Dan Skelton Harry Skelton |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Brown Advisory Novices Chase | Lecky Watson (IRE) 7yo - 20/1 | W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Coral Cup | Jimmy Du Seuil (FR) 6yo - 16/1 | W P Mullins Danny Mullins |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Cross Country Chase | Stumptown (IRE) 8yo - 5/2 | Gavin Cromwell Keith Donoghue |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Queen Mother Champion Chase | Marine Nationale (IRE) 8yo - 5/1 | Barry Connell Sean Flanagan |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Johnny Henderson Grand Annual | Jazzy Matty (FR) 6yo - 15/2 | Cian Collins Danny Gilligan |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Champion Bumper | Bambino Fever (IRE) 5yo - 4/1 | W P Mullins Miss J Townend |
Schedule for Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival
Halfway through the festival and onto day three where the Stayers Hurdle is the feature race. A hurdle race to test the stamina and see how can last best up the Cheltenham hill.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Mares Novices Hurdle | Air Of Entitlement (IRE) 6yo - 16/1 | Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Novices Limited Handicap Chase | Caldwell Potter (FR) 7yo - 7/1 | Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Pertemps Network Final | Doddiethegreat (IRE) 9yo - 25/1 | Nicky Henderson Brian Hughes |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Ryanair Chase | Fact To File (FR) 8yo - 6/4 | W P Mullins Mark Walsh |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle | Bob Olinger (IRE) 10yo - 8/1 | Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Festival Plate | Jagwar (FR) 6yo - 3/1 | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O'Neill Jr |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Daily Present (IRE) 8yo - 12/1 | Paul Nolan Mr B T Stone |
Schedule for Friday at the Cheltenham Festival
The final day of the festival and feature race that we have all been waiting for, the Cheltenham Gold Cup in which the Irish have been fairly dominant in recent years.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle | Poniros (GB) 4yo - 100/1 | W P Mullins Jonjo O'Neill Jr |
| 14:00 Cheltenham County Handicap Hurdle | Kargese (FR) 5yo - 3/1 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase | Dinoblue (FR) 8yo - 6/4 | W P Mullins Mark Walsh |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle | Jasmin De Vaux (FR) 6yo - 6/1 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Cheltenham Gold Cup | Inothewayurthinkin (IRE) 7yo - 15/2 | Gavin Cromwell Mark Walsh |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Festival Hunters Chase | Wonderwall (IRE) 9yo - 28/1 | S Curling Mr R James |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle | Wodhooh (FR) 5yo - 9/2 | Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan |
Article Contributor Information
We are blessed with an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. Contributing to creating and maintaining this Festival Hunters Chase Preview are at hand, Andy and James. They both work on the Horse racing tips team team looking after the tipsters and managing the tips settlement, whilst also creating and managing all of the horse racing event previews for National Hunt Racing.
James Banting
Tipster Competition Assistant
Andy Powell
Content Editor
