Cheltenham Festival 2023 entries, final declarations - Day one including Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle

Tuesday March 14

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle

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1 Chasing Fire 6 11 7 Olly Murphy Mrs Diana L. Whateley Aidan Coleman

2 Dark Raven (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

3 Diverge ts 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland C. Jones Mr P. W. Mullins

4 Doctor Bravo (FR) 6 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd Davy Russell

5 Facile Vega (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Hammer & Trowel Syndicate P. Townend

6 Fennor Cross (IRE) 6 11 7 John McConnell Ireland The Positivity Syndicate Simon Torrens

7 High Definition (IRE) 5 11 7 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Derrick Smith/Mrs John Magnier J. J. Slevin

8 Il Etait Temps (FR) h 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Hollywood Syndicate & Barnane Stud Daniel Mullins

9 Inthepocket 6 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr John P. McManus Rachael Blackmore

10 Marine Nationale (IRE) 6 11 7 Barry Connell Ireland Mr Barry Connell M. J. M. O'Sullivan

11 Palace Boy (GER) 6 11 7 Fergal O'Brien Mr Rupert Lowe Paddy Brennan

12 Rare Edition (IRE) 6 11 7 Charlie Longsdon Pay The Bill Syndicate Sam Twiston-Davies

13 Strong Leader 6 11 7 Olly Murphy Welfordgolf syndicate Sean Bowen

14 Tahmuras (FR) 6 11 7 Paul Nicholls Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Tahmuras Harry Cobden

Willie Mullins saddles four as 14 go to post for the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Facile Vega heads the bookmakers lists looking to give the master of Closutton a sixth victory in the race in the past 10 years, while his Dublin Racing Festival conqueror and stablemate Il Etait Temps is also in the mix.

Royal Bond scorer Marine Nationale, Tolworth champion Tahmuras and one-time Derby favourite High Definition are all other notable entries.

Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase

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1 Ballybreeze 7 11 7 Samuel Drinkwater Mr Kevin Price Robert Dunne

2 Dysart Dynamo (IRE) ts 7 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Ms Eleanor Manning Daniel Mullins

3 El Fabiolo (FR) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede P. Townend

4 Ha d'Or (FR) h 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci Sean O'Keeffe

5 Hollow Games (IRE) ts 7 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud Davy Russell

6 Jonbon (FR) 7 11 7 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Aidan Coleman

7 Saint Roi (FR) ts 8 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

8 Straw Fan Jack 8 11 7 Sheila Lewis Mr Graham Wilson Sean Houlihan

9 Effernock Fizz (IRE) ts, p 8 11 0 Cian Collins Ireland Mr T. B. Sheridan Sam Ewing

Ultima Handicap Chase

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1 Fanion d'Estruval (FR) 8 12 0 Venetia Williams Mr David Wilson Miss Lucy Turner (5)

2 Happygolucky (IRE) p 9 11 11 Kim Bailey Lady Dulverton David Bass

3 Remastered ts, p 10 11 10 David Pipe Brocade Racing David Noonan

4 The Big Breakaway (IRE) p 8 11 10 Joe Tizzard Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Brendan Powell

5 Threeunderthrufive (IRE) ts 8 11 9 Paul Nicholls McNeill Family A. P. Heskin

6 Fastorslow (FR) ts 7 11 9 Martin Brassil Ireland Sean & Bernardine Mulryan J. J. Slevin

7 The Goffer (IRE) 6 11 8 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr Allan Snow Davy Russell

8 Tea Clipper (IRE) p 8 11 6 Tom Lacey Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Stan Sheppard

9 Into Overdrive ts 8 11 6 Mark Walford Mrs Wendy Hamilton Jamie Hamilton

10 Corach Rambler (IRE) ts 9 11 5 Lucinda Russell The Ramblers Derek Fox

11 Cloudy Glen (IRE) 10 11 4 Venetia Williams Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Charlie Deutsch

12 Nassalam (FR) p 6 11 3 Gary Moore John and Yvonne Stone Jamie Moore

13 Karl Philippe (FR) 8 11 1 Fergal O'Brien C Coley, D Porter, H Redknapp, P Smith Jack Hogan (5)

14 Top Ville Ben (IRE) h 11 10 13 Philip Kirby Harbour Rose Partnership Thomas Dowson

15 Monbeg Genius (IRE) ts 7 10 13 Jonjo O'Neill Barrowman Racing Limited Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

16 Good Boy Bobby (IRE) 10 10 13 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

17 Oscar Elite (IRE) ts 8 10 12 Joe Tizzard Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton Harry Cobden

18 Iceo Madrik (FR) ts, p 5 10 9 David Pipe Prof. Caroline Tisdall Jack Tudor

19 Laskalin (FR) 8 10 8 Venetia Williams David & Carol Shaw Shane Quinlan (3)

20 Harper's Brook (IRE) ts, p 7 10 7 Ben Pauling The Megsons Tom Cannon

21 Fantastikas (FR) ts, p 8 10 5 Nigel Twiston-Davies Imperial Racing Partnership Sam Twiston-Davies

22 The Wolf (FR) bl,ts 9 10 3 Olly Murphy McNeill Family & Stone Family Paddy Brennan

23 Glamorgan Duke (IRE) 10 10 2 Paul John Gilligan Ireland Natalie Gilligan Danny Gilligan (7)

Unibet Champion Hurdle

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1 Constitution Hill 6 11 10 Nicky Henderson Mr Michael Buckley Nico de Boinville

2 I Like To Move It 6 11 10 Nigel Twiston-Davies Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Sam Twiston-Davies

3 Jason The Militant (IRE) ts 9 11 10 Philip Kirby Mr G. Nicholson Joe Williamson

4 Not So Sleepy 11 11 10 Hughie Morrison Lady Blyth Jonathan Burke

5 State Man (FR) 6 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly P. Townend

6 Vauban (FR) ts 5 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci Daniel Mullins

7 Zanahiyr (IRE) ts, p 6 11 10 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud Davy Russell

Hot favourite Constitution Hill will take on six rivals in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old has been sensational since making his debut at Sandown in December 2021, winning all five of his starts under rules, including the last four at the top level.

He has not raced since sauntering to a 17-length defeat of stablemate Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, but is long odds-on to give Henderson a ninth victory in the extended two-mile showpiece.

Willie Mullins saddles State Man, who has a little more experience and is unbeaten in six completed outings for his Closutton trainer after falling on his Irish debut.

State Man has similarly won his last four Grade One contests and heads to Prestbury Park as the Irish Champion Hurdle winner.

Mullins is double-handed with last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Vauban lining up, while Gordon Elliott is responsible for Zanahiyr, who finished third in the race last year but has subsequently been disqualified.

Phil Kirby has declared Jason The Militant, while Nigel Twiston-Davies relies on I Like To Move It, who won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November and also the Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on his last run.

The field is completed by Not So Sleepy, who represents Hughie Morrison.

Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle

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1 Brandy Love (IRE) h 7 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly P. Townend

2 Echoes In Rain (FR) ts 7 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Barnane Stud Mr P. W. Mullins

3 Epatante (FR) 9 11 5 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Aidan Coleman

4 Honeysuckle 9 11 5 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr K. Alexander Rachael Blackmore

5 Love Envoi (IRE) ts 7 11 5 Harry Fry Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Love Envoi Jonathan Burke

6 Marie's Rock (IRE) ts 8 11 5 Nicky Henderson Middleham Park Racing XLII Nico de Boinville

7 Midnight Ginger 7 11 5 Andrew Martin Mr A. V. John James Martin

8 Queens Brook (IRE) 8 11 5 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud Davy Russell

9 Shewearsitwell (IRE) 8 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Closutton Racing Club Daniel Mullins

10 Theatre Glory (IRE) 6 11 5 Nicky Henderson Canter Banter Racing 2 Daryl Jacob

Marie’s Rock will defend her crown in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle with the eight-year-old one of three to line up in the race for Nicky Henderson.

Owned by Middleham Park Racing, she got the better of Gordon Elliott’s Queens Brook to triumph 12 months ago and will arrive at Cheltenham on Tuesday unbeaten in four having followed up last year’s success at both the Punchestown Festival and on reappearance in the Relkeel on New Year’s Day.

Much of the speculation in the build-up to the Festival has centred around the possibility of Marie’s Rock stepping up to three miles for a crack at the Stayers’ Hurdle, but with conditions forecast to be on the slow side throughout the week, connections have plumped for the shorter option which could steal the show on the opening day.

Middleham Park’s Tom Palin said: “There’s a bit of an unsettled forecast at the back end of the week and that kind of made our decision for us.

“We’d love to see her over three miles and I’m pretty sure we’ll go to Aintree and see her there in the three-mile Grade One hurdle on Grand National day.

“That’s probably her next target and I’d love to see her over that, but I think the New course is stamina-sapping at the best of times and if you chuck in there soft, or maybe worse than that, you might just be asking a few too many questions in one big hit.”

Marie’s Rock is joined in the line-up by stablemates Epatante and Theatre Glory, who were both late supplementary entries at the six-day stage, while last year’s Mares Novices’ Hurdle winner Love Envoi also takes her chance.

The race is also the place for Honeysuckle’s farewell to the racecourse as the dual Champion Hurdle heroine looks to record her fourth straight Festival victory and recapture the prize she won in 2020.

“She’s gone over and it’s exciting having her going over there again,” said trainer Henry de Bromhead.

“We’ll see what Tuesday brings, she seems in great form and everyone seems happy.”

On it being a hot renewal, De Bromhead added: “Absolutely, but no more than you’d expect. We’re delighted to have her going and we’ll see how it unfolds.”

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

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1 McTigue (IRE) 4 11 12 Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr P. Byrne Donagh Meyler

2 Tekao (FR) h 4 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

3 Perseus Way (IRE) p 4 11 2 Gary Moore Mr O. S. Harris Jamie Moore

4 Sir Allen 4 11 1 A. Slattery Ireland Eight Star Syndicate Daniel Mullins

5 Byker (IRE) p 4 10 12 Charles Byrnes Ireland Relicpride Co Ltd Partnership P. Byrnes (5)

6 Risk Belle (FR) 4 10 11 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus Luke Dempsey

7 Punta Del Este (FR) 4 10 10 Dan Skelton Darren & Annaley Yates Harry Skelton

8 Bad (FR) 4 10 10 Ben Pauling Mr D. P. Howden Rachael Blackmore

9 Samuel Spade (GER) 4 10 10 Ben Pauling Mrs Emma Palmer Luca Morgan

10 Jazzy Matty (FR) ts, p 4 10 9 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd M. J. M. O'Sullivan (3)

11 Metamorpheus (IRE) 4 10 9 Paul Nolan Ireland The Spice of Life Partnership Sean Flanagan

12 Action Motion (IRE) 4 10 9 Denis G. Hogan Ireland Mr Justin Carthy Mr Harry Swan (5)

13 Morning Soldier (IRE) ts 4 10 9 Thomas Mullins Ireland HOS Partnership Darragh O'Keeffe

14 Mighty Mo Missouri (IRE) ts, p 4 10 8 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Mount Temple Three Syndicate Conor Smithers (7)

15 Fils de Roi (FR) 4 10 7 Fergal O'Brien The Yes No Wait Sorries Paddy Brennan

16 Afadil (FR) 4 10 7 Paul Nicholls Mr P. J. Vogt Harry Cobden

17 Gordons Aura (IRE) 4 10 6 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr Michael Phillips Sam Ewing

18 Shared p 4 10 6 Harry Derham Mr Colm Donlon Paul O'Brien

19 Ludus 4 10 4 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr Aidan J. Ryan Jordan Gainford

20 Sundial (IRE) ts, p 4 10 4 Padraig Roche Ireland Mr John P. McManus Simon Torrens

21 Mr Freedom p 4 10 4 Sheena West The Affordable (3) Partnership Robert Dunne

22 Romancero Le Dun (FR) 4 10 3 Mrs Jane Williams Tom Chadney and Friends David Noonan

Reserves

R23 Zanndabad (IRE) ts 4 10 3 A. J. Martin Ireland Mr P. Davies

R24 Arclight 4 10 2 Nicky Henderson Fortnum Racing

WellChild National Hunt Chase

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1 Chemical Energy (IRE) 7 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd Mr J. J. Codd

2 Coolvalla (IRE) p 7 11 7 Chris Gordon Mr L. Gilbert Mr Joshua Newman

3 Fakiera (FR) bl,ts 8 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr T. O'Driscoll Mr D. G. Lavery

4 Gaillard du Mesnil (FR) 7 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly Mr P. W. Mullins

5 Mahler Mission (IRE) ts 7 11 7 John McConnell Ireland Colm Herron & Rockview Racing Syndicate Mr J. C. Barry

6 Malinello ts 8 11 7 Ben Pauling Martin & Lynn Jones Miss Gina Andrews

7 Minella Crooner (IRE) p 7 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland KTDA Racing/Nick Courtney/Cillian Moran Mr Barry O'Neill

8 Mister Coffey (FR) 8 11 7 Nicky Henderson Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Mr Derek O'Connor

9 Tenzing (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland C. Jones Mr N. McParlan

10 Bellatrixsa (IRE) 6 11 0 Venetia Williams Ms Sharon Kinsella Miss Lucy Turner

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