16:40 Cheltenham Tips: 50/1 shot a live each-way play in Hunters’ Chase

Immediately after the big event on Friday at Cheltenham comes the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase - the Gold Cup for amateur riders. 

It is run over the same course and distance as the Blue Riband and, this year, will feature a cast of 24 contenders. Enda provides us Runners Guide for us here at Betfred Insights along with his Hunters' Chase Tips...

Betfred's special offer for this one is this race will have an Extra Place Boost. That means we are paying out five places instead of four. You can check out all the Ts and Cs for our Extra Place Races boosts this Cheltenham Festival over on our main promo page (linked to at the bottom of the article). and you can double-check all the latest prices over on our main site with up to date Hunters' Chase Odds...

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Hunters' Chase Runners Guide

Allmankind (James Owen/Alex Chadwick) 11/1 

Was once a high-class prospect when trained by Dan Skelton and, after having missed a year and a half, he's getting back on now after a pair of recent point-to-point wins. 

Angels Breath (Tim Vaughan/Edward Vaughan) 50/1 

Pulled up in the Martin Pipe on this card 12 months ago, but scored at Taunton on debut for this year/seasonal reappearance in January and second behind Shearer since at Ffos Las. Unexposed at this trip. 

Al Fleuron (Max Comley/Aimee Jones) 100/1 

Ex-Gordon Elliott inmate, won a point-to-point in October, but three tame efforts in that sphere since and has it all to prove now. 

Bardenstown Lad (David Loughnane/Eoin Mahon) 33/1 

Beat a decent sort in Stuzzikini when landing a beginners' chase at Kilbeggan last summer for Gavin Cromwell and a game winner of a hunters' chase at Fakenham last month. Lively outsider. 

Carnfunnock (Stuart Crawford/Stephen Connor) 25/1 

In good form when winning his previous two point-to-point starts in Ireland, his form under Rules previously does leave him with a bit to find however. 

D'jango (Victoria Collins/Darren Andrews) 100/1 

It has been 13 months since he won a Warwick hunters' chase, but he ran a blinder to be fourth in this contest last year. Will need to rediscover that sort of form. 

Fairly Famous (Mrs G Andrews/Gina Andrews) 20/1 

A winner over course and distance last season, he returns fresh from a pair of wins in the point-to-point sphere and has to be given due respect. 

Go On Chez (Fred Hutsby/Tom Hutsby) 125/1 

Scored in this sphere at Ludlow and Kelso in the spring last year, but was a long way behind Bardenstown Lad at Fakenham in last month's debut for this trainer. 

Haven't Time (Miss S McQueen/Lucy Turner) 66/1 

Winner in this sphere at Southwell 12 months ago and not beaten far behind Shearer at Taunton in February on their respective reappearances. Much more needed in this company. 

Its On The Line (Emmet Mullins/Derek O'Connor) 4/1 

Second in the previous two renewals of this contest and is a dual winner of the Champion Hunters Chase at the Punchestown Festival. Comes here after successive defeats in Ireland, but remains a key player with Derek O'Connor on board. 

Lift Me Up (Maxine Filby/Jack Andrews) 33/1 

Third behind Fairly Famous over C&D last May (beaten 27 lengths) and returns here after a Warwick win in January, he's a multiple point-to-point winner and cannot be discounted. 

Lisleigh Lad (Eleanor Broderick/Darragh Allen) 100/1 

Winner of a hunters' chase at Fairyhouse in November, he's just seven-years-old and has scope for further improvement but his jumping will have to be on point in this line-up. 

Music Drive (Kelly Morgan/Ellie Callwood) 12/1 

Ex-Gordon Elliott inmate, twice placed here over hurdles including in a Grade 2 as a novice. He has won two point-to-points already in 2025 and now looks to bring that form to this table. 

Ontheropes (Tom Mullins/Charlie Mullins) 16/1 

Decent chaser for Willie Mullins, he was fifth in the Scottish National at Ayr last season. Bagged a January point on debut for this trainer and followed home Ryehill at Naas since in this sphere, with Its On The Line behind. 

Plan Of Attack (Henry De Bromhead/Barry O'Neill) 50/1 

A smart chaser in his pomp, he's 12 now, but comes into this after a point-to-point win last month. He has enjoyed good efforts in the Kim Muir and Cross Country races at this meeting. 

Rocky's Howya (Mr Declan Queally/Declan L Queally) 14/1 

Best effort under Rules saw him finishing fourth in this contest in 2023 and he's a serial winner in point-to-points, including last time out. 

Ryehill (Ross O'Sullivan/ Lee Shanahan) 8/1 

Comes here off the back of a personal-best when dismissing the likes of Ontheropes and Its On The Line at Naas last month. Did that quite easily and arives on the up as a result. 

Shearer (Paul Nicholls/Olive Nicholls) 9/1 

Winner at Ffos Las in February after 601 days off and was turned out again to win at Taunton 12 days later to secure his place in this field. Goes up in trip/class now but his powerful trainer has earmarked this race and is bidding for a record fifth win in it. 

Take All (Myles Osborne/Martin McIntyre) 50/1 

Showcased that he retains ability with second at Taunton behind Angels Breath in January and then won a point-to-point next time, however his most recent effort at Haydock was a bit less pleasing. 

West Of Carrig (Don Browne/AJ Browne) 33/1 

Knocked on the door in maiden hunters' chases at Limerick and Clonmel either side of Christmas and has won a pair of point-to-points emphatically since. Needs more in this company, but is in good heart. 

What A Glance (Tom Britten/Toby McCain-Mitchell) 33/1 

Winner at the Hunter Chase evening here last May, before following up at Stratford later that same month. Only second-best in his two points recently and has to get back on track. 

Willitgoahead (Gordon Elliott/Jamie Lee Scallan) 4/1 

Multiple winner in point-to-points and followed up a Limerick second in this sphere over Christmas by scoring very willingly under this rider at Thurles in January. Snapped up by Bective Stud and now with Gordon Elliott. More to come from him. 

Wonderwall (Sam Curling/Rob James) 25/1 

Hasn't quite fulfilled the early promise shown, but he does arrive here after winning twice in point-to-points to sign off for 2024. Has run here three times before and needs to come up the hill stronger. Stable also runs Angels Dawn. 

Angels Dawn (Sam Curling/Patrick King) 7/2 

Yeats mare, who beat Stumptown to win the Kim Muir here in 2023 and was still going great guns when falling two out in that contest last year. Beat Ryehill by six lengths in a point-to-point when last spotted and this race has been targeted. 

Verdict 

Willitgoahead @ 4/1 & Plan Of Attack @ 50/1 

Former Festival winner Angels Dawn commands a major chunk of respect and beat Ryehill when last spotted in a point-to-point. That rival has since won at Naas, ahead of rivals here rivals Ontheropes and Its On The Line. The last-named has been second in this two years in a row. 

WILLITGOAHEAD gets the nod over them all. He's a regular winner between the flags in points and comes here after decisively winning a Thurles Hunters' Chase in January for Sean Doyle. 

He's under new ownership now and has moved to Gordon Elliott and this seven-year-old has plenty of scope for further progress. 

Shearer has been aimed at this race by Paul Nicholls, who seeks a record fifth win, but of those at bigger prices, it's worth a look at Henry de Bromhead's PLAN OF ATTACK, who was fourth in the Kim Muir here in his pomp and won a point-to-point at Punchestown last month.