The big Christmas event returns to Cheltenham this year with two days of racing action for The International on Friday, 10 and Saturday, 11.
We take a look at the three most anticipated races.
Gold Cup Handicap Chase
This race is a handicap chase open to runners aged over four years and is run over two miles around this left-handed track.
The competition will have a number of the main contenders from the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November going up against each other again.
Coole Cody, who won the Paddy Power Gold Cup in 2020, had his ‘unconventional’ style of jumping backed fully on Tuesday when trainer Evan Williams defied anyone to find a more resilient horse than his 10-year-old.
Owned by Wayne Clifford, Cody looked a real danger in the 2021 Cup last month, only to make a dramatic exit at the tricky penultimate obstacle allowing Ryan Mania on Midnight Shadow to lunge forward and win the Cup.
Williams told Racing Post: “He normally works it out. He didn’t work it out last time, but I’m sure he knows more about jumping than you or me. Not a lot bothers Coole Cody though. He’s a tough, genuine horse – they don’t come much tougher.”
He is a general 10-1 on Saturday to make a come-back when he faces his rivals including the fancied Lalor and familiar face Midnight Shadow.
The Betfair Handicap Steeple Chase
This race is a real test at the end of a hard season for these handicappers and is ran over the distance of three miles and one furlong.
Horses aged five years and older can enter, including novice horses although not many enter because of the tough nature of this race
Last season, Un Temps Pour Tout displayed a great performance winning the race for the second year in a row and beating Singlefarmpayment into second place.
Over the past few seasons this race has had many successful British trainers, with the Irish not managing to win it in the last ten years.
Rocco ridden by British jokey, Sam Twiston-Davies is not an everyday horse but still capable of very good things when he is in good spirits, as was the case last time in Wincanton, where he was ahead a lot of the time.
He’s in good condition now and has a real chance of winning on Friday.
Somerset born jockey, Harry Cobden on Enrilo is one of Rocco’s main opposition: A black gelding that’s gifted but not always sure of his jumps.
Santini, second in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham 2020 and winner of Group I on the hedges. He will be charged for this return and will start for his new entourage.
In their category, Mister Fogpatches and Fagan will be two interesting candidates for places.
The Unibet International Hurdle Race
The featured race of Day Two and the most anticipated with Goshen in the line up: He will be looking to repeat his triumph hurdle run from last season-minus the fall at the last.
With an excellent recent run of races to live up to, the pressure is on for Goshen which may make him vulnerable for this race.
Sceau Royal has won twice this season but lost out to Epatante at Newcastle and this uphill finish doesn’t suit him either.
Song For Someone has been ignored by a few but put up a great performance to win at Ascot on his seasonal debut and has solid enough form from last season already to his name.
Favourite, Adagio will miss the Hurdle race on Saturday after suffering a minor setback.
David Pipe’s stable star enjoyed an excellent campaign last season- winning at Cheltenham and Chepstow before filling the runner-up spot in the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival and at Aintree.
The main event is set to take place at 3:00pm on Day Two.
