Get our BetVictor picks and tips for the 2024 Hunters Chase at Cheltenham. A race that combines the old with the new and covers the same course as the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
We give you an in-depth overview of favourites, trainers, past winners and overlooked outsiders in this guide with the latest Cheltenham Festival odds.
Everything You Need to Know: The 2024 St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup
- The Hunters’ chase is a specialized National Hunt race for horses with national hunt experience and amateur riders, offering a unique blend of passion, community, and sporting excellence, highlighted by marquee events like the Cheltenham Hunter Chase and the Aintree Hunters Chase.
- The 2024 Hunters chase features both returning champions with a history of success, such as Premier Magic and Willie Mullins’ Billaway, and promising newcomers like Ferns Lock, indicating a competitive mix of experience and emerging talent.
- Success in betting on the 2024 Hunters chase involves understanding race trends, identifying value bets within the betting market, and practicing effective bankroll management to ensure responsible gambling.
When does the Hunters’ Chase take place?
The Cheltenham Festival Hunters Chase takes place on Friday 15 March 2024 at 16:10. It takes place just after the frenzy of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
How long is the race?
The St James’s Place Festival race covers a distance of three miles and two and a half furlongs. Not only that, runners will have to jump the same 22 fences as their counterparts in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
What Sets The Hunters’ Chase Apart From Every Other Cheltenham Festival Race?
The race is restricted to runners that have competed in a Point to Point (PTP) race at least twice or finished in the first two of a Hunter Chase at least twice.
The race is also only for amateur jockeys, giving this race it’s well known nickname of “The Amateurs’ Gold Cup”.
Another marquee event similar to the prestige of the Cheltenham Hunter Chase is the Aintree hunters Chase. The former, known as the ‘amateur riders’ Gold Cup’, is a testament to the significance of these races on the hunter chase calendar, especially considering the gold cup distance. The latter, with its famed Grand National fences, offers a distinctive challenge that tests the mettle of the finest amateur riders and their steeds.
Our Hunters Chase Odds
We’re currently offering Non Runner No Bet, which means if the horse you back doesn’t run, we’ll refund your wager.
Seasoned Horses in the Spotlight
The more experienced runners will have probably already competed in handicap chases under national hunt rules early on and already know the drill.
Whilst horses 10 and up have normally won the race, it is open to 5 year olds, with more and more fresh blood coming in each year. This could change the dynamics of the race as younger contenders come into play.
Top Hunters’ Chase Runners for 2024 – Hunters’ Chase Favourites
As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes are on the runners. From returning champions, whose past triumphs echo through the racetracks, to promising newcomers, ready to make their mark, the upcoming season promises a stellar line-up of competitors in our horse racing odds.
Let’s examine the horses that are poised to grab headlines in 2024:
The Darling Favourites:
- Ferns Lock is currently leading the Hunters Chase odds at 5/2* – a £5 stake could win you £17.50
- Its On The Line is second favourite at odds of 11/4* – a £5 stake could win you £18.75. Its On The Line was an outsider last year where he was priced at 28/1. He managed to overcome the odds and placed 2nd in 2023.
- Famous Clermont is third favourite at odds of 7/1* – a £5 stake could win you £40
Returning Champions and Runners
Among the top contenders for the 2024 season, a few names stand out due to their past triumphs. These previous winners bring with them a wealth of experience, a record of exceptional performance, and the determination to repeat their past victories.
- Premier Magic, trained by Bradley Gibbs, won in 2023 and could be good value with odds of 8/1*, meaning a £5 stake could give you potential returns of £45. This runner caused quite the upset last year priced at a whopping 66/1, which would have meant a £335 return if a £5 bet won.
- Billaway, trained by Willie Mullins, who emerged victorious in the Festival Hunters Chase in 2022 has had odds shortened from 14/1 to 8/1.*
- Rocky’s Howya placed 4th in 2023 with odds of 11/1. The horse is priced at 10/1* in 2024.
Essential Hunters Chase Betting Tips
Some bettors can find value when betting on the Cheltenham Hunters’ Chase. However, like any form of wagering, it requires some tact and wins are never guaranteed. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a novice, understanding race trends, identifying value bets, and managing your betting bankroll are crucial to success.
So how can you bet on the Hunters Chase?
Understanding Race Trends – Festival Hunters’ Chase Analysis
Let’s look at the Hunter Chase races over the years at the Cheltenham Festival. Analysing historical performances, studying rating trends, and observing course form can provide valuable insight to inform your betting decisions.
- The last 9 winners have been aged 10 or 11. Older runners with more experience seem to perform better.
- 7 of the last 26 favourites won.
- 8 out of 13 winners had at least 1 run at Cheltenham under their belt.
- All of the last 13 winners were geldings, with mares going unplaced 90% of the time over the last 12 years.
Previous Winners
| Year | Horse | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2003 | Kingscliff | 6 | Richard Young | Sally Alner |
| 2004 | Earthmover | 13 | Rilly Goschen | Paul Nicholls |
| 2005 | Sleeping Night | 9 | Colman Sweeney | Paul Nicholls |
| 2006 | Whyso Mayo | 9 | Damien Murphy | Raymond Hurley |
| 2007 | Drombeag | 9 | J. T. McNamara | Jonjo O’Neill |
| 2008 | Amicelli | 9 | Oliver Greenall | Cherry Coward |
| 2009 | Cappa Bleu | 7 | Richard Burton | Sheila Crow |
| 2010 | Baby Run | 10 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 2011 | Zemsky | 8 | Derek O’Connor | Ian Ferguson |
| 2012 | Salsify | 7 | Colman Sweeney | Roger Sweeney |
| 2013 | Salsify | 8 | Colman Sweeney | Roger Sweeney |
| 2014 | Tammys Hill | 9 | James Smyth | Liam Lennon |
| 2015 | On The Fringe | 10 | Nina Carberry | Enda Bolger |
| 2016 | On The Fringe | 11 | Nina Carberry | Enda Bolger |
| 2017 | Pacha Du Polder | 10 | Bryony Frost | Paul Nicholls |
| 2018 | Pacha Du Polder | 11 | Harriet Tucker | Paul Nicholls |
| 2019 | Hazel Hill | 11 | Alex Edwards | Philip Rowley |
| 2020 | It Came to Pass | 10 | Maxine O’Sullivan | Eugene O’Sullivan |
| 2021 | Porlock Bay | 10 | Lorcan Williams | Will Biddick |
| 2022 | Billaway | 10 | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 2023 | Premier Magic | 10 | Bradley Gibbs | Bradley Gibbs |
Top Trainers to watch
The leading trainer at this race is Paul Nicholls who has clocked in 4 wins since 2004:
- Earthmover (2004)
- Sleeping Night (2005)
- Pacha Du Polder (2017, 2018)
Other notable trainers include Enda Bolger with 2 wins (2015, 2016) and Willie Mullins with 1 win (2022).
Top Jockeys
Just as trainers like Paul Nicholls define the course of a horse’s career, jockeys bring that training to life on the racecourse. And at this track, several jockeys have made a significant impact with their skill and dedication. Among them, Nina Carberry stands out. Her multiple victories in the Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase have etched her name in the annals of the sport.
Other notable jockeys include Bryony Frost, Harriet Tucker, and William Biddick, who have all demonstrated exceptional skill and determination in the saddle.
Managing Your Betting Bankroll
Effective bankroll management is crucial for ensuring safe and responsible gaming at BetVictor. Set a budget and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Remember, betting is not just about selecting the right horse, but also about managing your funds wisely.
A successful bankroll management strategy can look like:
- Setting up deposit limits and Time Outs.
- Adjusting stakes when needed to reflect your current situation.
- Setting realistic goals
- Avoiding emotional betting, irrespective of winning or losing streaks.
With these tips in hand, you’re well on your way to a positive betting experience in the 2024 Cheltenham season. You can visit our Safer Gambling Portal or contact us for more information.
*All odds are correct at time of writing and are subject to change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Hunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase is a National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain for amateur riders and is open to horses aged six years or older. It is held on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, featuring a 3-mile and 2-and-a-half furlongs race with 22 fences to be jumped. Until 2020, the race was known as James’s Place Foxhunters’ Chase, but the word “Fox” has since been removed.
To qualify for Cheltenham Foxhunters, a horse must meet specific criteria such as finishing first or second twice in hunter chases, winning two open point-to-point races, or winning one open point-to-point race and finishing second or first in a hunter chase.
When choosing a horse to bet on, look for signs of ease in its surroundings, good coat condition, strong athletic appearance, and good muscle definition. Avoid relying on lucky charms or superstitions when making your decision.
