National Hunt Chase Odds: Dominant Irish head the betting

The last race of Cheltenham day one is the National Hunt Chase (17:30), which is one for the stayers, who race over three miles and six furlongs. It also has the added interest of being a race for amateur jockeys, so expect some fireworks!

The race has produced some stellar winners in the past, including Grand National legend Tiger Roll in 2017. We’ve taken a look at the National Hunt Chase odds for the 2024 renewal at Betfred, the betting dominated by the Irish.

With only seven runners declared for the race, Betfred will pay a fifth of the odds, THREE places instead of two.

Embassy Gardens @ 2/1

The Willie Mullins-trained Embassy Gardens is fighting for favouritism. He has been a comfortable winner in both starts this season.

A 13-length victory in a Beginners Chase at Punchestown in December was followed up with a Grade 3 victory at Naas a month later, where he was stepped up in trio to three miles and a furlong.

The eight-year-old pulled up in the Albert Barlett on his only visit to Cheltenham and will have Patrick Mullins in the saddle on Tuesday.

Corbetts Cross @ 2/1

The Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross is battling at the top of the market at odds of 2/1 with Betfred.

The seven-year-old has won on only one of his four starts over fences and was a faller on his last start at Fairyhouse in February when he was sent off the ¼ favourite.

At Christmas, he was second in a Grade 1 Novice contest at Leopardstown over three miles and half a furlong. His solitary win this season came at Fairyhouse in a Beginners Chase in December over two miles and five and a half furlongs.

The seven-year-old raced freely and ultimately ran out in the Albert Bartlett here at the Cheltenham Festival last year when the 9/4 favourite.

However, the horse is well regarded given his price, and jockey booking Derek O’Conner is a cut above the other amateurs lining up here and could prove to be the difference.

Salvador Ziggy @ 5/1

Bowie fans can get excited about Salvador Ziggy's 9/2 chance. The highest officially rated horse in the race, he has three wins from four starts over chase fences.

Campaigned over the summer by his trainer, Gordon Elliott, the eight-year-old was second in a Grade 3 contest at Listowel over three miles in September.

With just one race since then, a facile seventh place over two miles and five furlongs in the Autumn, his second place in last year’s Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival is keeping him very much onside in the Betfred book and arrives here fresh!

Kilbeg King @ 9/1

Kilbeg King has the shortest odds of the UK-trained runners and is available to back at 9/1.

Anthony Honeyball’s nine-year-old is yet to win over chase fences in four attempts, including last time out when he finished second in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot.

He was only beaten a head that day, the closest yet to a win!

Apple Away @ 11/1

16/1 chance Apple Away is the only mare in the race, but she is priced as though that weight allowance won’t make much of a difference.

Trained by Lucinda Russell, the seven-year-old hasn’t finished outside of the top three in her four starts this season, albeit in small fields and has two and three quarters to make up on Henry’s Friend and Kilbeg King based on her third place behind them last time out in the Reynoldstown.

Henry’s Friend @ 14/1

Henry’s Friend was the horse who beat Kilbeg King at Ascot the last day, but the odds suggest it could be roles reversed here.

The Ben Pauling-trained seven-year-old has won three of his four chase starts, but he has plenty to find on official ratings at the sharp end of this field.

Mr Vango @ 20/1

At bigger odds, Mr Vango runs for Sara Bradstock. The eight-year-old has plenty to find on ratings, with over a stone and a half to find on the main protagonists.

However, he’s the only horse in the field to have won over Tuesday’s trip at Exeter last month, where he absolutely hacked up in the Devon Grand National!

Find more Cheltenham Tips here at Betfred Insights.