Cheltenham Festival Hunter Chase Entries - Who Will Go to Post in Amateur Riders' Showpiece?

Ante-post favourites Ferns Lock and Its On The Line have both been given entries for the St James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase, run on the Friday of the Cheltenham Festival. The race is often considered to be a Gold Cup equivalent for amateur riders, as it will be contested over the same course and distance directly after the big race on March 15th.

The pair at the head of the market fiercely contested Down Royal’s Boxing Day hunters’ chase earlier this season, with Its On The Line running down Ferns Lock in the closing stages. With a 7lb swing in favour of the latter though, it is David Christie’s charge who is a narrow favourite. Christie came agonisingly close to winning the race in 2022 when Winged Leader was pipped by Willie Mullins’ Billaway.

19 have been given entries in total for the race, with Billaway back to contest the race, as well as defending champion Premier Magic, who sprung a 66/1 shock 12 months ago. Bradley Gibbs’ 11-year-old has not been seen since winning another hunters’ chase at Prestbury Park last May.

Some other significant names have been given provisional entries, including two-time Festival hero Samcro, who has won four of his five Point To Points since being registered in that sphere. Former Grade 2 winner for Paul Nicholls, Secret Investor is another among the entries two-and-a-half weeks out from the race.

Festival Hunter Chase Entries