Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase.
Cheltenham · Friday, 13 Mar · 20:40
· 3m 2f 70y
· Class 2
· TURF
WEIGHEDIN
Status
16:40
Off time
23
Runners
Good to Soft (Soft in places)
Going
🎯 Tipster's 1·2·3
Sporting Life pick
🏆 Top pick
PANDA BOY (IRE
🥈 Second
CON'S ROC (IRE
🥉 Third
ITS ON THE LINE (IRE
Betting forecast
Market prediction · 24 runners · sorted by price
01 · 🏆 FAV
4.50
7/2
02 · 🥈 2nd
5
4/1
03 · 🥉 3rd
5.50
9/2
04 · —
7
6/1
05 · —
10
9/1
06 · —
11
10/1
07 · —
15
14/1
08 · —
17
16/1
09 · —
17
16/1
10 · —
19
18/1
11 · —
21
20/1
12 · —
29
28/1
13 · —
34
33/1
14 · —
41
40/1
15 · —
51
50/1
16 · —
51
50/1
17 · —
67
66/1
18 · —
81
80/1
19 · —
81
80/1
20 · —
81
80/1
21 · —
101
100/1
22 · —
151
150/1
23 · —
151
150/1
24 · —
151
150/1
Sporting Life forecast prices — published the night before the race. Top 3 highlighted as market favourites.
Runners
| Pos | No. | Dr | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Wgt | Best decimal odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | — |
Barton Snow (G)
Strong-travelling 9-y-o who made it 4-4 in hunters at Ludlow last month, again winning in a style that suggests he's well worth his place in this sort of company.
|
Mr H Crow | J J O'Shea | 9 | 76.2 kg |
5.50
9/2
|
| 10th | 2 | — |
Carnfunnock (G)
[P]
Never looked a threat when sixth in 2025 renewal of this race and while a winner of previous 4 starts in points (latest in January), he looks held by the market principals on form.
|
Mr Stephen Connor | S R B Crawford | 9 | 76.2 kg |
51
50/1
|
| 11th | 3 | — |
Chemical Energy (G)
[TP]
Runner-up in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at this meeting in 2023 and shaped much better than beaten distance when sixth in Cross Country last year. Confirmed himself in good heart with couple of point victories over the winter and coul…
|
Mr B O'Neill | G Elliott | 10 | 76.2 kg |
21
20/1
|
| 6th | 4 | — |
Con's Roc (G)
[P1]
Successful pointer looked a good prospect when making it 2-2 in hunter chases at Fairyhouse in November and was coming back for more when third behind It's On The Line in a race not ideally run to suit at Downpatrick last time. Remains one…
|
Mr Darragh Allen | T O'Brien | 9 | 76.2 kg |
10
9/1
|
| 4th | 5 | — |
Golden Son (G)
[TP]
Useful chaser who made it 2-2 in hunters with a taking success at Taunton last month, and while he faces a much sterner task is this company, he has the inherent ability to make his presence felt.
|
Miss O Nicholls | P F Nicholls | 8 | 76.2 kg |
17
16/1
|
| — | 6 | — |
Gracchus De Balme (G)
Right back to his useful best when landing the Foxhunters at Aintree last season. Backed that up with a decisive win at Stratford in May, though his tendency to hang left, coupled with a disappointing reappearance, makes him one to treat w…
|
Mr P A King | J J O'Shea | 10 | 76.2 kg |
51
50/1
|
| 2nd | 7 | — |
Its On The Line (G)
FAV
Runner-up in previous three renewals of this race, travelling with more zest than previously when narrowly denied last year. Went on to make it a hat-trick of successes in hunter chase at Punchestown festival subsequently and looks sure to…
|
Mr D O'Connor | E Mullins | 9 | 76.2 kg |
4.50
7/2
|
| — | 8 | — |
King Alex (G)
Veteran who was let down by his jumping when last seen under Rules at Cork in April and while clearly in fine heart in points since (3 lengths third to Wonderwall in November), this is a much stiffer test.
|
Mr J Ahern | G Ahern | 12 | 76.2 kg |
81
80/1
|
| — | 9 | — |
Kings Jet (G)
Surprise winner on Rules debut at Down Royal in May but disappointing in hunter chases since, latest when well behind Con's Roc at Fairyhouse in November. Second in a point last month but faces another uphill task in this sphere.
|
Mr T A Halford | C W J Farrell | 6 | 76.2 kg |
81
80/1
|
| — | 10 | — |
Lift Me Up (G)
[P]
Multiple point winner who has won twice in this sphere, though finished well held in this contest 12 months ago and looked out of sorts on reappearance last month.
|
Miss Heidi Palin | Miss M Filby | 10 | 76.2 kg |
151
150/1
|
| — | 11 | — |
Linelee King (G)
Veteran who made a winning start in hunters at Southwell before shaping best when runner-up in a similar race at Cartmel when last seen under Rules in May. Enhanced his excellent record fresh when seeing off Music Drive in a point last mon…
|
Mr James King | O Murphy | 11 | 76.2 kg |
41
40/1
|
| 3rd | 12 | — |
Music Drive (G)
[TP]
Shaped with a fair amount of encouragement when fourth behind Wonderwall last March, prior to making the most of a good opportunity over C&D in May. Turned over by Linelee King in a point on reappearance but highly likely that was a steppi…
|
Miss Ellie Callwood | Miss Kelly Morgan | 9 | 76.2 kg |
34
33/1
|
| 5th | 13 | — |
Panda Boy (G)
Useful type who has relished the switch to hunter chases/more positive tactics, jumping well when making it 2-2 in this sphere in determined fashion at Naas last month and that's usually a race worth following (won by Billaway/It's On The …
|
Mr J L Gleeson | M Brassil | 10 | 76.2 kg |
5
4/1
|
| — | 14 | — |
Paul Marvel (G)
[P]
Fairly useful performer for Willie Mullins in 2023/24 who chased home Golden Son at Warwick prior to landing pair of hunters at Leicester last month. Shapes as though a return to this trip will be in his favour but pitched into significant…
|
Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell | J J O'Shea | 9 | 76.2 kg |
81
80/1
|
| — | 15 | — |
Pyleigh Court (G)
Landed second hunter chase victory in heavy ground at Wincanton in January and while this step back up in distance will likely suit, he has plenty to find at the weights.
|
Miss Ella Herbison | R Pudd | 11 | 76.2 kg |
151
150/1
|
| — | 16 | — |
Shearer (G)
[T]
Lost an unbeaten record over fences when fifth in the 2025 renewal of this race and having failed to justify favouritism on reappearance at Haydock last time, he'll probably have to settle for minor honours again this year.
|
Miss Gina Andrews | P F Nicholls | 10 | 76.2 kg |
29
28/1
|
| 9th | 17 | — |
Solitary Man (G)
[V1]
Proved he's still capable of useful form when well backed third in listed handicap chase at Killarney last summer and won twice in points prior to finishing fourth behind Panda Boy on hunter debut at Thurles in January. Could outrun foreca…
|
Miss A B O'Connor | E Bolger | 8 | 76.2 kg |
15
14/1
|
| — | 18 | — |
Stattler (G)
[TP1]
One-time high-class chaser for Willie Mullins who nearly defied a 22-month absence on hunter/yard debut, prior to making the most of a good opportunity at Fakenham last time. This is much more competitive but addition of cheekpieces/retent…
|
Mr P W Mullins | Faye Bramley | 11 | 76.2 kg |
17
16/1
|
| 8th | 19 | — |
Take All (G)
[HT]
Going better than most when falling 3 out in this race 12 months ago, though he can flatter to deceive, typically looking less than straightforward under pressure in pair of hunter chases this year.
|
Mr Samuel Scott | Myles Osborne | 11 | 76.2 kg |
67
66/1
|
| — | 20 | — |
What A Glance (G)
[T]
Looked progressive before disappointing in last year's renewal and while recent second in a point has confirmed his well-being, he's probably up against it back under Rules.
|
Miss Clara Brewitt | T Britten | 11 | 76.2 kg |
151
150/1
|
| — | 21 | — |
Willewonga (G)
Can be a clumsy jumper, as was the case when pulled up in last year's Foxhunter at Aintree. Odds on defeat in 3-runner point in November hardly inspires confidence, either.
|
Mr Thomas Easterby | J J O'Shea | 10 | 76.2 kg |
101
100/1
|
| — | 22 | — |
Willitgoahead (G)
Useful third in corresponding race last year (briefly threatened better) and cannot be judged harshly on his non completions either side of a respectable seasonal reappearance behind Its On The Line on Boxing Day. Likely to be in the mix a…
|
Mr H C Swan | G Elliott | 8 | 76.2 kg |
19
18/1
|
| 7th | 23 | — |
Wonderwall (G)
[T]
Made his third visit to the Festival a winning one when successful in corresponding race last year. This will have been the target since winning a point in November (goes well fresh) and he should make a bold bid to defend his crown.
|
Mr R James | S Curling | 10 | 76.2 kg |
7
6/1
|
| — | 24 | — |
Wrappedupinmay (G)
Useful bumper/fairly useful hurdle winner for Paul Nicholls and though he didn't set the world alight in two chase starts, he's won back-to-back points for yard who won this race last year.
|
Mr D Doyle | S Curling | 8 | 76.2 kg |
11
10/1
|
Betting forecast: Its On The Line (7/2), Panda Boy (4/1), Barton Snow (9/2), Wonderwall (6/1), Con's Roc (9/1), Wrappedupinmay (10/1), Solitary Man (14/1), Golden Son (16/1), Stattler (16/1), Willitgoahead (18/1), Chemical Energy (20/1), Shearer (28/1), Music Drive (33/1), Linelee King (40/1), Carnfunnock (50/1), Gracchus De Balme (50/1), Take All (66/1), Paul Marvel (80/1), Kings Jet (80/1), King Alex (80/1), Willewonga (100/1), Pyleigh Court (150/1), What A Glance (150/1), Lift Me Up (150/1)
Prize money
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| P1 | 24445.0 GBP |
| P2 | 12220.0 GBP |
| P3 | 6110.0 GBP |
| P4 | 3055.0 GBP |
| P5 | 1530.0 GBP |
| P6 | 765.0 GBP |