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St James's Place Hunters' Chase
16:40 Cheltenham Festival
2026-03-13
Winner: £24,445
Runners: 23
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 22
Distance:
The Hunters' Chase is on day four of the Cheltenham Festival. Run over the same course and distance as the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, but is restricted to amateur jockeys. For this reason it is often referred to as the amateurs’ Gold Cup and has previously been named the Foxhunters' Chase. Check the St James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase runners and riders ahead of the race and place your bets by clicking the odds buttons.
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8(0)
13/P5-
King Alex
-
J: Mr J P Ahern
T: G Ahern
12
12-0
120
115
Has been running well in points, though was grossly flattered by his close proximity to Wonderwall in November; he's only 1-8 over regulation fences and doesn't look up to this at the age of 12.
18(0)
24P/21
Stattler
-
J: Mr P W Mullins
T: Faye Bramley
11
12-0
137
144
Won the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at this meeting four years ago when in the care of Willie Mullins, for whom he signed off when pulled up in the 2024 Grand National; remains in the same ownership; long absence before competitive shows in hunter chases at Hereford and Fakenham; cheekpieces added; all ground comes alike to him; could be running on when others have cried enough.
11(0)
/4/1-2
Linelee King
-
J: Mr James King
T: Olly Murphy
11
12-0
124
130
This is his first visit to Cheltenham since beating one home in the Champion Bumper six years ago; has won one of his two hunter chases and the Cartmel defeat came at the hands of a useful rival; back from a break to beat Music Drive readily in a point in January and he could run well at lengthy odds; effective on good to soft and slower ground.
19(0)
1-4432
Take All
-
J: Mr Samuel Scott
T: Myles Osborne
11
12-0
126
129
125-1 for this last year but was still travelling within himself when falling three out; returns on the back of a positive performance at Haydock when just ahead of Shearer; hood returns; he's no forlorn hope by any means.
20(0)
/110-F
What A Glance
-
J: Miss Clara Brewitt
T: Tom Britten
11
12-0
137
135
Winner at this track in 2024 and he then beat Lift Me Up in Stratford's Horse & Hound Cup; however, he never counted in this 12 months ago and returns a year older and in no better form.
23(0)
34321-
Wonderwall
-
J: Mr R James
T: S Curling
10
12-0
140
142
4-4 since bought for £33,000 in July 2024 and he emerged from midfield to win this last year (good to soft; effective on softer), fending off the late charge of Its On The Line; has undergone a similar preparation, arriving here fresh after winning a point in early November; there have been back-to-back winners of this race and a bold defence looks on the cards.
3(0)
046-50
Chemical Energy
-
J: Mr B O'Neill
T: Gordon Elliott
10
12-0
141
140
Won a novice chase here in October 2022 and second in the NH Chase at this fixture that season; on a losing run of 14 under rules but contested plenty of strong handicaps in that time and back-to-back point wins in the autumn may give him some renewed belief; has soft-ground form but his trainer has always believed that good ground is ideal, so watch the weather; well held in a Galway Plate when tried in this equipment combination.
6(0)
P1-21P
Gracchus De Balme
-
J: Mr P A King
T: J J O'Shea
10
12-0
133
136
Only last April he enjoyed his finest hour when winning the hunters' chase over the Grand National fences (good to soft); followed that with a second over C&D to Music Drive before winning Stratford's Horse & Hound Cup; he's not without hope judged on all that and, although this year's form is underwhelming, so too was his run prior to winning at Aintree.
21(0)
/122P-
Willewonga
-
J: Mr Thomas Easterby
T: J J O'Shea
10
12-0
127
130
Five-time point winner but turned over at odds-on in latest start in that sphere; Gracchus De Balme and Linelee King have had his measure in the past.
16(0)
/115-3
Shearer
-
J: Miss Gina Andrews
T: Paul Nicholls
10
12-0
132
138
Relinquished an unbeaten record over regulation fences when fifth in this race last year, though he did well to be only 13l off Wonderwall given that he was in the firing line throughout; it's best not to read too much into a recent odds-on defeat behind past Festival hero Unexpected Party at Haydock (2m6f) as that was probably needed after 11 months off; has no ground preferences; can run well.
13(0)
3U-811
Panda Boy
-
J: Mr J L Gleeson
T: Martin Brassil
10
12-0
142
147
Has always had some class about him and he went off only 11-1 for the Grand National two seasons ago; lost his way afterwards but he's back in the good books after winning two hunter chases and the RPR he posted at Naas last month (3m, heavy; fine on good ground) was up there with his best; with confidence seemingly buoyed he's a must for the shortlist.
12(0)
29/4-1
Music Drive
-
J: Miss Ellie Callwood
T: Kelly Morgan
9
12-0
131
132
2022 Champion Bumper eighth and twice placed over hurdles here when with Gordon Elliott; has done well for current team following a long absence, winning over C&D last May after his never-dangerous 13l fourth to Wonderwall in this 12 months ago; needs to get his skates on a bit earlier to improve on that placing and he was beaten by Linelee King in a recent point (after a long break); return of cheekpieces is no bad thing; seems fine on all ground.
5(0)
3P3-11
Golden Son
-
J: Miss Olive Nicholls
T: Paul Nicholls
8
12-0
132
144
Returned from ten months off to win hunter chases at Warwick (3m, good to soft) and Taunton (2m7f, heavy); not remotely pressed on either occasion and the RPRs were highly respectable; Paul Nicholls has won this four times and this 8yo could be interesting, provided he lasts home.
2(0)
256-P6
Carnfunnock
-
J: Mr S Connor
T: S R B Crawford
9
12-0
126
130
Ran well for a 100-1 shot in this last year (sixth), doing best work late on; that was also the case when only 6l off Its On The Line at Down Royal over Christmas and, like last year, he arrives here after winning a point; cheekpieces offered nothing when tried once before (hurdles); place squeak.
1(0)
41-111
Barton Snow
-
J: Mr Henry Crow
T: J J O'Shea
9
12-0
142
135
Won here at last May's hunter chase meeting but that was 2m; his 3m point wins came chiefly in small-field affairs and he was left clear late on when successful over that trip at Ludlow on latest start, and the time was ordinary; could run well for a long way but ultimately prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.
15(0)
31P-12
Pyleigh Court
-
J: Miss Ella Herbison
T: R C Pudd
11
12-0
123
127
Dual hunter chase winner but tends to struggle on the bigger stage; remote third on sole visit here (2023) and pulled up in 2025 Aintree Foxhunters'.
7(0)
232-11
Its On The Line
-
J: Mr Derek O'Connor
T: Emmet Mullins
9
12-0
140
146
Part of the furniture in this race after going agonisingly close in the last three runnings, especially 12 months ago when he stayed on strongly to push Wonderwall to a neck, after which he secured a repeat win at Punchestown; although it's hardly encouraging that he was turned over at 1-5 in his latest point, the winner is useful on his day and this 9yo didn't exactly arrive here 12 months ago with the wind in his sails; all roads have led to this and he has clear claims.
10(0)
3210-P
Lift Me Up
-
J: Miss Heidi Palin
T: Miss M Filby
10
12-0
122
131
Jumping failed the test when he was tailed off in this last year, going off at 33-1, and his credentials are no more compelling this time around.
22(0)
30-P2U
Willitgoahead
-
J: Mr H C Swan
T: Gordon Elliott
8
12-0
134
138
Took form to new level in hunter chases last season and recruited by these connections prior to a staying-on third in this race; that campaign ended on a low note and, as in this last year, Its On The Line was ahead of him on his comeback at Down Royal; unseated mid-race last time; needs a career best but eight is no age in this discipline and he may have more to give.
17(0)
P-6434
Solitary Man
-
J: Miss A B O'Connor
T: E Bolger
8
12-0
136
137
Only an 8yo; he'll need to run better than when 17l fourth behind Panda Boy at Thurles in January but the market expected better of him and in his subsequent point he beat Winged Leader, who nearly won this in 2022; there are stamina queries over this far but his trainer has won this three times, so he knows what's required; first-time visor; seems able on all ground.
NR(0)
51/3P-
Wrappedupinmay
-
T: S Curling
8
12-0
118
Promising hurdler for Paul Nicholls, later sold on for £14,000 after two comprehensive failures over fences; however, he's looked good in winning two slow-ground points for Sam Curling and his profile isn't entirely dissimilar to that which his stablemate Wonderwall brought prior to winning this last year; he gives his yard a useful second string to their bow.
4(0)
1-13
Con's Roc
-
J: Mr D Allen
T: Terence O'Brien
9
12-0
132
135
An up-and-coming 9yo with so few runs on the board; 2-4 in points and suffered his first defeat in hunter chases when a rallying third behind Its On The Line and Willitgoahead at Down Royal during the Christmas period; he was favourite that day; this greater emphasis on stamina promises to play to his strengths; good chance in first-time cheekpieces.
14(0)
/P-211
Paul Marvel
-
J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell
T: J J O'Shea
9
12-0
120
123
Beaten 6l by Golden Son at Warwick in January and his subsequent wins (in the new cheekpieces) were races he was entitled to win at odds-on; lacks Cheltenham experience; opposable.
9(0)
1P6
Kings Jet
-
J: Mr T A Halford
T: C W J Farrell
6
12-0
120
133
Won a hunter chase last May (on good ground) and probably wasn't in love with the heavy surface (has won on yielding to soft) when tailed off behind Con's Roc at Fairyhouse in November in his latest hunter chase; has since run well behind a prolific pointer; only a 6yo but this race looks too tough.
RACING POST TIP
Con's Roc
It takes a forgiving nature to keep the faith in Its On The Line after three previous defeats in this race and, although still young enough and probably good enough, he rarely makes life easy for himself. His conqueror 12 months ago, Wonderwall (second choice), looks nailed on to put up a bold defence on the back of a near identical preparation, while Willitgoahead wasn't beaten far in third last year when a mere whippersnapper. Making cases for last year's placed horses entitles relative unknown quantity CON'S ROC to a close look, as he was hot on their heels at Down Royal over Christmas and it would appear that staying is his game. That always ticks a big box in a race that is usually helter-skelter from the outset. Former class act Panda Boy has looked revitalised in his recent hunter chases, while Wrappedupinmay has a similar profile to the stable's winner last year.
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Cheltenham Festival Tips
2026 Cheltenham Festival tips from Racing Post Experts
St James's Place Hunters' Chase PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2025 | Wonderwall | 432-11 | 9 | 28/1 | S Curling | R James |
| 2024 | Sine Nomine | 121-21 | 8 | 8-1 | Fiona Needham | John Dawson |
| 2023 | Premier Magic | 1-11 | 10 | 66-1 | Bradley Gibbs | Bradley Gibbs |
| 2022 | Billaway | 252-21 | 10 | 13-8F | Willie Mullins | Patrick Mullins |
| 2021 | Porlock Bay | 221-12 | 10 | 16-1 | Will Biddick | L Williams |
| 2020 | It Came To Pass | 1-U17P | 10 | 66-1 | Eugine O’Sullivan | Maxine O’Sullivan |
| 2019 | Hazel Hill | 112-11 | 11 | 7-2F | Philip Rowley | Alex Edwards |
| 2018 | Pacha Du Polder | 4-114-3 | 11 | 25-1 | Paul Nicholls | Harriet Tucker |
| 2017 | Pacha Du Polder | 633-41 | 10 | 16-1 | Paul Nicholls | Bryony Frost |
| 2016 | On The Fringe | 77249 | 11 | 13-8F | Enda Bolger | Nina Carberry |
| 2015 | On The Fringe | 31-122 | 10 | 6-1 | Enda Bolger | Nina Carberry |
Hunters' Chase KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- Aged ten or 11, 8/10
- Won over at least 3m, 8/10
- Top-three finish last time, 8/10
- Adjusted RPR of at least 135, 8/10
Other factors
- The record of the previous year’s winner is 41P7FP.
- There have been three back-to-back winners since 2012 – Salsify (2012-13), On The Fringe (2015-16) and Pacha Du Polder (2017-18). The last one before them was Double Silk in 1993-94.
- Five winners had competed at a previous festival.
- Those aged 12 or older are winless in the last ten years. The 13-year-old Earthmover (2004) is the only winner from this category since 1990.
We have all the best Cheltenham Betting offers ahead of placing your bets on the 2026 St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - St James's Place Hunters' Chase
Wonderwall struck for Irish trainer Sam Curling at odds of 28-1. Rob James’s mount held on by a neck from Its On The Line, who has been second in the race for the last three years. The 2023 Kim Muir winner Angels Dawn was sent off the 3-1 favourite but finished ninth.