We are now just a couple of weeks away from the most important meeting in the National Hunt calendar. The Cheltenham Festival brings the world's leading trainers, jockeys and horses to Prestbury Park to stake their claim for glory on the greatest stage of all. We have answered all the key questions on everyone's lips as we count down to the festival.
Who will be named leading trainer at Cheltenham?
Willie Mullins was named leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival for the sixth time when he saddled four winners in 2019. It fell some way short of his career best – he had eight winners in 2015 – but it was enough to see off competition from Gordon Elliott and Nicky Henderson. They will be Mullins' main rivals once again this year. Elliott secured more winners than any other trainer in 2017 and 2018, but struggled to make an impact last year. He was then rocked by the news that Michael O'Leary is withdrawing from the scene, but Elliott will have several big names from the Gigginstown House Stud to call upon this year. Henderson also has a formidable collection of runners to take to Prestbury Park, but Mullins should have a very strong hand in a number of races and he looks well priced at 6/5 to be named top festival trainer once again.
Can Great Britain regain the Prestbury Cup?
Great Britain snapped a lengthy losing streak when they held Ireland to a draw in the Prestbury Cup last year. The trophy is given to the country whose trainers secure the most victories at the festival. Ireland have Mullins, Elliott and Henry De Bromhead flying the flag with aplomb, while the likes of Joseph O'Brien could also chip in with a couple of winners. Henderson is Great Britain's leading light, but you should never write off Paul Nicholls at Cheltenham. Colin Tizzard, Nigel Twiston-Davies and Dan Skelton will all fancy their chances of a strong festival too. However, the Irish appear to have too much strength in depth this year and they deserve to be odds-on favourites for the Prestbury Cup.
Who can fill Ruby Walsh's shoes?
The legendary Ruby Walsh retired in May 2019 after securing far more winners at Cheltenham than any other jockey in the business. Punters loved following him at the festival, particularly when he rode seven winners in 2009 and 2016. He missed the last couple of years through injury, with Davy Russell named top trainer in 2018 and Nico de Boinville taking the honour last year. Yet it could be time for Paul Townend to fill the void in 2020. He took over as stable jockey for Mullins after Walsh's surprise retirement, and he will have his pick of the leading lights trained by the Closutton maestro.
Why is Santini the Gold Cup Favourite?
The price on Santini has continued to shorten in the buildup to the Cheltenham Gold Cup and he is now the outright favourite to land the festival's biggest prize. He could only finish second at the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase last year, and he made an underwhelming return to action at Sandown in November. However, he romped to victory ahead of Bristol De Mai in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on January 25. He appeared to relish the trip and enjoy the course, while the soft conditions posed no problems for him. Santini is a big, strong horse, and Henderson has warned rivals that the best is yet to come from him. He has described the eight-year-old as “crazy fresh” and in “terrific form”. Santini's only defeat over fences came in that RSA Insurance Novices' Chase, and he only lost by three-quarters of a length, while he had zero preparation for that race.
Who might stop him Seizing Glory?
Al Boum Photo handed Mullins his first ever Gold Cup victory last year. He will be back to defend his crown in 2020, but no horse has won back-to-back Gold Cups since the legendary Best Mate 16 years ago. Al Boum Photo won at Tramore on New Year's Day, his only appearance of the season, and Mullins has reported a trouble-free preparation for the big race. A really interesting contender is the 7/1 shot Lostintranslation. He secured superb victories at the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree in April and the Grade 1 Betfair Chase earlier this season. He struggled in the King George, but he has since had his palate cauterised and he should be raring to go in the Gold Cup.
Does Altior still have the legs for the Champion Chase?
Altior has become the punters' darling at Cheltenham after winning the Champion Chase for the last two years in a row. However, Henderson decided to step him up in trip to have a crack at the King George this season, and it did not go to plan. He went into the Christie Chase as the favourite, but he was well beaten by 2m 5f specialist Cyrname. That brought his record-breaking winning streak to an end, and he did not run in the King George. Henderson then announced that Altior would go back to his usual distance of 2 miles. He instantly returned to winning ways in a Grade 2 contest at Newbury, suggesting it was an error to try him out over a longer distance. However, Henderson felt compelled to do so, as Altior is now 10 years old and may not have the pace to dominate his rivals in 2m chases any more. He went off as the 1/4 favourite for last year's Champion Chase, but he is now 2/1 this time around, and that is symbolic of his decline. He will be a popular choice among punters, but it might be best to oppose him, as Defi Du Seuil looks a formidable contender.
Which race will Envoi Allen and Benie Des Dieux run in?
These are two of the most hyped runners at Cheltenham, and they are both sure to be of interest in the horse racing betting. Envoi Allen is the clear favourite to win the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, the first race of the festival. He has been cut from 10/1 a year ago to around 11/8 now to win the race. However, there was talk of him entering the Champion Hurdle, and now punters have even started lumping on him winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He is the preeminent novice hurdler in Ireland, so that makes sense. Yet Envoi Allen would be all but certain to clinch the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, handing Elliott a winning start to the meeting, so that looks to be his most likely destination. Benie Des Dieux certainly has the ability to trouble the male horses in the Champion Hurdle, and a sex allowance will help her cause, but she should end up in the Mares' Hurdle and destroy her rivals in that one. Look out for bookies that offer non-runner money back to be on the safe side, but they both look like strong antepost options.
Can Tiger Roll clinch a hat-trick?
The legendary Tiger Roll will bid for a third consecutive victory in the Cross Country Chase this year, and it is hard to see anyone stopping him. He jumps beautifully for such a small horse, his endurance is beyond reproach and he has the stamina and courage to charge to victory in this race. That would set him up nicely for a crack at an unprecedented third Grand National triumph in a row. Tiger Roll is priced at 11/10 for the Cross Country Chase, and that could make a nice double with Paisley Park, the odds-on favourite to defend his crown in the Stayers' Hurdle.
