A Comprehensive Guide to the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world. In this guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about the race, the horses, the jockeys, the trainers, the history, the odds, the betting options, and the predictions. Our goal is to help you enjoy the race to the fullest and make informed decisions.

Overview of the Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race, run over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs (5,331 metres) with 22 fences to be jumped. The race takes place annually at the Cheltenham Festival, usually in mid-March, and attracts the best steeplechasers from Britain, Ireland, and occasionally France. The prize money for the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup is expected to be over £625,000.

History of the Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup was first run in 1924, and has since become one of the most prestigious and iconic races in the sport. The race has produced many legendary horses, jockeys, and trainers, and has been won by some of the greatest steeplechasers of all time, including Golden Miller, Arkle, Best Mate, Kauto Star, Denman, and Al Boum Photo. The race has also had its share of controversies, upsets, and dramatic finishes, making it a thrilling and unpredictable event.

Favorites and Contenders for the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup

The 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup is still months away, but the betting markets have already started to predict the favorites and contenders for the race. Some of the most talked-about horses include:

• Envoi Allen: a 7-year-old gelding trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, who won the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Minella Indo. Envoi Allen is unbeaten in his 11 starts so far and has won the 2021 Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
• Monkfish: a 7-year-old gelding trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, who won the 2021 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Monkfish is unbeaten in his last 6 starts and has won the 2021 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
• A Plus Tard: a 7-year-old gelding trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, who won the 2021 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. A Plus Tard has won 7 of his 14 starts so far and has finished second in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Of course, there are many other horses who could surprise the betting markets and win the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup, such as:

• Royale Pagaille: a 7-year-old gelding trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by Charlie Deutsch, who won the 2021 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock. Royale Pagaille is unbeaten in his last 3 starts and has been compared to Kauto Star by his trainer.
• Minella Indo: an 8-year-old gelding trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Jack Kennedy, who won the 2021 Gold