Festival Hunters’ Chase Tips, Odds, Free Bets, Betting Offers & Preview
Craig Jones
The Festival Hunters’ Chase is run over the same gruelling three-mile two-furlong distance as the Gold Cup and is the amateur’s version of the race. It’s open to qualifying amateur riders and horses aged five and over.
In fact, its full name is actually the St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters Chase, although has been more commonly known as the Foxhunters’ Chase in recent times.
For a horse to be eligible for the race, it must have - finished first or second twice in hunter chases, won two open point-to-point races or won one open point-to-point race and finished second or first in a hunter chase.
Read on for Festival Hunters’ Chase betting odds, tips and Cheltenham free bets for the 2025 renewal.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Friday, March 15th - 4:40pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £50,000 |
| Distance: | Three-miles & two-and-a-half furlongs |
| Race Type: | Hunter Chase |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course: | New Course |
| Weights: | 11st 12lbs (5yo), 12st 0lb (6yo+), 7lb allowance for mares |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Festival Hunters’ Chase Betting Offers & Free Bets
The penultimate race of the Cheltenham Festival sees a number of free bets to be used only for new accounts in top bookmakers.
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Festival Hunters’ Chase Tips
Alan Kelly gives his thoughts on the hunter chase where he has a win selection.
Alan Kelly - Angels Dawn
Winner of the Kim Muir at the festival back in 2023, the same combination of Tipperary trained Sam Curling and amateur rider Mr P A King, now take the hunter chase route with the 10-year-old Angels Dawn, who, in receipt of a handy 7lb from her 23 rivals, can prove the one to beat in this St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase.
The daughter of Yeats had little trouble in winning both of her point-to-point starts towards the end of last year and providing there is no repeat of her fall 2 out when challenging for the lead in last year’s Kim Muir, Angels Dawn can prove too good for main market rivals Its On The Line and Willitgoahead.
Foxhunters’ Chase Betting Odds
Angels Dawn leads the way in the betting market, but there's plenty behind in with a chance.
What Happened Last Year?
Festival Hunters’ Chase Key Stats
- 11 of the last 12 winners were aged eight or older
- Eight of the previous 12 winners of the Foxhunters’ Chase had at least one previous run at Cheltenham
- Ten of the last 12 winners had a rating of 134 or higher
Previous Winners of the Foxhunters’ Chase
Check out the most recent winners of the Festival Hunters’ Chase in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Sine Nomine |
| 2023 | Premier Magic |
| 2022 | Billaway |
| 2021 | Porlock Bay |
| 2020 | It Came To Pass |
FAQs
When is the Festival Hunters' Chase?
The Festival Hunters' Chase takes place on the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival. It’s the fifth race on the card and takes place immediately after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In 2025 it is scheduled for Friday, March 14th, at 4:10pm.
What time is the Festival Hunters' Chase?
The official start time of the 2024 Festival Hunters' Chase is 4:40pm. The race is the sixth race on the seven-race Gold Cup Day racecard.
Who won the Festival Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham?
Sine Nomine won the 2024 Festival Hunters' Chase for John Dawson and Fiona Needham
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 4 races:
Latest Betting Offers
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