PACAFI (Thursday 16 April 2026)
April 15th, 2026
THE UNTAMED 2.00 Ripon at 2.68 (Betfair) 1pt win
Trainer Form: 5-34 for 15% (10)
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Archive for February 2021
National Hunt Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 3m5f201y
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The National Hunt Chase is the oldest race run at the Cheltenham Festival first run over 140 years ago. These days it always carries a large field and is ridden by Amateur riders over the marathon trip of 4m. All horses are young novice chasers. The race is a recipe for a shock and … Continue reading
Boodles (Fred Winter) Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m87y
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The Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle race is a tricky one to weigh up as it’s for 4yo hurdlers only and their form can improve dramatically as they gain experience. These young horses have two options at the festival, either go for the better known Triumph Hurdle on the Friday, where they all carry the … Continue reading
The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m3f200y
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The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle was known as the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle until 2011 and is a Grade 1 race open to mares of 4yo and older. It is to be ran on the Old Course over a distance of 2m3f200y with nine hurdles to be jumped. There is not very much information … Continue reading
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 2m87y.
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The winner of the Champion Hurdle Grade 1 over 2m is normally one of the fancied runners with an OR between 162 to 165. To win this race in particular you need to travel, jump and then show resolve/stamina at the business end and though that may seem obvious to all races especially this one, … Continue reading
The Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m1f
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The Ultima Handicap Chase is the first of five competitive handicap chases run at the festival. It provides a stiff test over a trip of 3m1f where the pace is always strong. Novice or second-season chasers have a good record in the race, making life difficult for the proven class horses who are more … Continue reading
Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1m7f199y
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The Arkle Challenge Trophy is the leading minimum-distance chase for novices in the National Hunt calendar for the speedier types, so a test for accurate jumping at speed. Experience is key in this race. 2021 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL (Home Page) 1.55: (Old) Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1m7f199y. 21/21: Ran over fences a maximum … Continue reading
Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m87y
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The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle often produces winners who continue to shine at the Festival in future years. It is one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the entire season though not a great race for favourites. Only 2 have won in the last 15 renewals, that said, only a couple of those have started longer … Continue reading
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f127y
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The Ryanair Chase attracts some of the best middle distance chasers. Run over a distance of 2m5f and open to 5yos and above it is no longer limited to novices as it was years ago. This race was added when the Cheltenham Festival was increased to four days from three so there is only 16 years … Continue reading
Marsh Novices Chase (Grade 1) 2m3f168y
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The Marsh Novices’ Chase, much like the other three races in the novice chase division, suffers from protagonists having multiple entries, meaning it is difficult to assess the race from an ante-post perspective. Considering it is run over two and a half miles, the JLT is perhaps the biggest victim as it’s open to … Continue reading
Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
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The Coral Cup is hugely competitive and the first big handicap hurdle of the meeting, full of plotted up horses and early morning gambles. It can be tough to work out as many of the trainers will want to get into the race with as low a weight as possible, therefore shielding their horses … Continue reading