Irrespective of the manner in which you commemorated New Year’s Eve, there is no superior method to commence the year 2024 than by participating in New Year’s Day at Cheltenham. Experience exhilarating and top-notch racing events that are certain to offer valuable Cheltenham Festival knowledge, a refreshing atmosphere, and exceptional free entertainment for the whole family.
The day features seven fiercely competitive races, including Graded and Listed challenges. The racing action will invigorate and refresh after the New Year’s Eve festivities.
With live performances by LAMPA in The Village and the highly sought-after Family Fun zone, as well as live music in The Centaur by Tommy & the Fuse following the races, there is exceptional entertainment available for both children and adults.
Ahead of the prestigious race, today’s article will give you a complete event breakdown of the schedule, past winners, and more.
Cheltenham New Year’s Day Racing Schedule
The one-day racing event will commence with The Prestbury Maiden Hurdle and conclude with the Sudely ‘Junior’ National Hunt Flat Race.
While all the events are notable, one meeting specifically stands out among the others at this event scheduled for New Year’s Day; the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase.
Monday 1st January 2024 Cheltenham Schedule:
- Prestbury Maiden Hurdle @ 12:20 PM
- Winchcombe Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase @ 12:55 PM
- Paddy Power Handicap @ 13:30 PM
- Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase @ 2:05 PM
- Doran Engineering Relkeel Hurdle @ 2:40 PM
- Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle @ 3:15 PM
- Sudely ‘Junior’ National Hunt Flat Race @ 3:30 PM
Cheltenham New Years Day 2023 Recap
- Prestbury Maiden Hurdle
The inaugural event scheduled for New Year’s Day schedule is the Maiden Hurdle. The previous Maiden Hurdle, which occurred in Jan 2023, saw anticipated frontrunner Weveallbeencaught take victory with jockey Sam Twiston-Davies. Rock My Way, ridden by Tom Scudamore, secured second place, while Militaire finished in 3rd.
- Winchcombe Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
The Maiden will be succeeded by the most recent edition of the Winchcombe Novices Limited Handicap Chase. Rapper, ridden by jockey Richard Patrick, emerged as the victor in the latest restricted handicap race held at Cheltenham. Tom Scudamore’s horse, Java Print, finished in second place, while Adam Wedge’s horse, Secret Reprieve, finished in third place.
- Paddy Power Handicap
The 2024 Paddy Power Handicap will be the third race. In the previous edition of this race, Sam Twiston-Davies won aboard The Real Whacker, surpassing Harry Cobden’s Monmiral, the pre-race favourite. Thunder Rock, owned by Adrian Heskin, was the third and final horse to place.
- Paddy Power Handicap Chase
The event that ensues after the Paddy Power Handicap is the New Year’s Day Handicap Chase, which will be the day’s main attraction. As previously stated, Harry Skelton rode Midnight River to victory in this prestigious competition, surpassing Sam Twiston-Davies’ Stolen Silver and Jamie Moore’s Nassalam, which finished in second and third place, respectively.
Luca Morgan’s Shakem Up’Arry, the pre-race favourite at the licensed horse racing betting sites, was unable to improve from fifth position.
- Relkeel Hurdle
Before the penultimate race, we will see the Relkeel Hurdle. The victor of the 2023 competition was Marie’s Rock, steered by Nico de Boinville and coached by Nicky Henderson. Rex Dingle’s horse, Dashel Dancer, finished in second place, while James Bowen’s horse, First Street, finished in third place.
- Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle
The second-to-last contest of this event will be the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle. Lilly Pinchin’s Hector Javilex emerged as the victor in 2023, triumphing against strong contenders like Jet Of Magic.
- Sudely Junior National Hunt Flat Race
The Sudely ‘Junior’ National Hunt Flat event has been designated as the concluding event of the 2024 New Year’s Day Meeting. Luca Morgan’s horse, Fiercely Proud, emerged as the victor in the most recent edition of this race in 2023. Harry Cobden’s horse, Meatloaf, secured second place, while Tom Cannon’s horse, Dancing In Brazil, finished in third place.
Cheltenham Handicap Chase Betting Trends
Upon analysing the winning probabilities in the last 19 events, Shantou Flyer in 2017 was the highest-priced victor. This horse, trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Aidan Coleman, triumphed at odds of 20/1. Examining the leading contenders in the market over the last 19 editions, there have been five instances where the favourite emerged victorious in the race.
As the betting favourite has only won in five of the previous 19 Cheltenham New Year’s Day Handicap Chase races, it’s something for bettors to consider ahead of 2024’s festivities.
The Main Event
Cheltenham Handicap Chase Past Winners
- 2023 – Midnight River
- 2022 – Vienna Court
- 2020 – Oldgrangewood
- 2019 – Aso
- 2018 – Ballyhill
- 2017 – Shantou Flyer
- 2016 – Village Vic
- 2015 – Splash Of Ginge
- 2014 – Double Ross
- 2012 – Calgary Bay
Cheltenham Handicap Chase Trainer Trends
Nigel Twiston-Davies has emerged as the most successful trainer in the Cheltenham New Year’s Day Handicap Chase history, having secured victory in the race five times over the past 19 editions. His winning horses are Whereareyounow (2004), Double Ross (2014), Splash Of Ginge (2015), Ballyhill (2018), and Vienna Court (2022). Venetia Williams and Dan Skelton have each had numerous victories in the Cheltenham New Year’s Day Handicap Chase, with each of them securing two triumphs.
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