META: Take a look at our guide to the champions of Cheltenham past and present.
Horse racing fans around Britain will be jittering at the news the Cheltenham Festival is returning for 2022. For four days from Tuesday March 15th, there will be race after race, hurdles, chases, and trophies in one of the biggest horse racing events of the year.
Even more than that, there will be 13 dining experiences to choose from, all with views of the racecourse, there will be music acts scattered around the venue spreading cheer, and there will be the St Paddy’s Day celebrations where everyone is encouraged to wear green.
But the biggest fans are here for the horses, so let’s see what’s in store for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. Take a look at our guide to the champions of Cheltenham past and present.
Who’s defending their titles?
There are a lot of returning champions at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. The unbeaten dynamite mare that is Honeysuckle will be back to keep a hold of her Champion Hurdle trophy. Trained by Henry De Bromhead, the starlet is a favourite for the festival headlining opener.
On day two there will be the Ballymore Novice’s Hurdle, which will see last year’s winner, Galopin Des Champs arrive to keep his place in the grade 1 event. This will be followed by the St Paddy’s Day celebrations on day three, featuring the Ryanair Chase. The returning champion Allaho is sure to make an impression through that.
As usual, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most interesting of circumstances, not just because it is the featured event of the festival. Two-time winner Al Boum Photo will be back as the most promising addition to a coveted trophy made up of formidable foes like Minella Indo, Galvin, and A Plus Tard.
If you think there’s a winner in there, take a look at the Unibet website for the latest live odds on the Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival.
Who’s got an axe to grind?
Day one of the Cheltenham Festival is sure to bring drama as a few heads butt on the course. The Irish-trained duo of Kilcruit and Dysart Dynamo will go up against the Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon and Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novice’s Hurdle. Everyone’s got a point to prove in this race. Meanwhile, the British raider edwardstone is itching to go against the Willie Mullins-trained Blue Lord in the Arkle Challenge Trophy grade 1 race.
The second day 2-mile Championship event will see Nicky Henderson-trained horse Shishkin run into an old enemy of his: Energumene for a rivalry-led chase around the course.
Day three will see De Bromhead’s Bob Olinger battle against L’Home Presse in the Turner’s Novice’s Chase, kicking off the St Paddy’s celebrations with an epic clash.
The last day of the festival will see the Triumph Hurdle end in exactly that: a triumph. Two equally challenging adversaries, Pied Piper and Vauban, are sure to clash on the racecourse.
The Cheltenham Festival 2022 will take place from March 15th for four days, with tickets and restaurant reservations still available. Visit the Cheltenham Festival website to get your tickets today.
