Cheltenham’s famous turf is back this weekend as the National Hunt season begins with Willie Mullins amongst the headlines to send runners at the two-day Showcase.
While it’s not often that we see Willie Mullins represented at the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting, this year the Irishman has decided to send Chart Topper into the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle as his lone representative.
Given Mullins’ impressive record at Cheltenham, any runner from his yard deserves close attention, but expectations will be high as Chart Topper looks to extend his trainer’s remarkable success at this venue.
Cheltenham’s season opener gets an added lift this year thanks to the announcement of William Hill as the first title sponsor, their name set to feature across five key races throughout the weekend fixture.
All eyes then turn to Saturday, as the Showcase Trophy headlines the two-day meeting to kick start Cheltenham’s first major handicap chase of the season.
Favourites in that race, Malina Girl and Hyland are expected to feature prominently and will hope to favour the winnings of up to £100,000.
With that substantial amount of prize money in mind, it is among the richer handicaps on the card which will make it a priority target come Saturday for both riders and spectators.
The action begins this afternoon with the William Hill Novices’ Chase, a strong test for novice chasers finding their feet on the Autumn ground.
Later in the afternoon, the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle doubles as a qualifier for the popular series final at the Festival, meaning a strong and competitive field is all but guaranteed.
After months of anticipation, Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting serves its annual reminder: jump racing is back. Two days of competitive action, rising talent, and returning favourites await at Prestbury Park.
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