The RSA Chase, formerly known as the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, has seen a few shock results along the way. The third race on day two of the Festival, winners of the race include Minnehoma, Florida Pearl, Looks Like Trouble, Albertas Run and of course Denman, but surprisingly, only a few have gone on to Gold Cup glory. Perhaps taking into account the fast pace of it, combined with the stamina sapping journey they must complete, explains this. Indeed some trainers may prefer to avoid the race altogether, while some horses...

The Champion Bumper, the only flat race at the Festival, is the finale of day two. Not only does it attract some of the main jockeys from the Flat, but some of the most exciting young horses in training. Despite only having a seventeen year history, it has seen winners like Florida Pearl, Monsignor, Cousin Vinny and Dunguib. It has also seen the likes of French Holly, Thisthatandtother, Rhinestone Cowboy, Witchita Lineman, Albertas Run and Fiveforthree compete. Last seasons renewal sees the first five home all likely to return...

The RyanAir Chase, a partial replacement for the Cathcart, is the third race on the thrid day of the Festival. Initial fears the race would detract from the Queen Mother and Gold Cup fields have been dispelled, as the RyanAir Chase has been a complete success. It has shown in its five year existence to date, not only is there a crop of two and a half mile chasers but a number who specialize in such a trip. Open to 5yo’s and upwards, run over two miles and five furlongs and worth £250,000, let’s take a look through the main...

The Neptune Novices’ Hurdle is the second race on day two of the Festival. The role of honour has included a host of bright young stars, including triple Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq, Champion Hurdle third French Holly, the awesome Monsignor, and more recently the highly regarded Fiveforthree. Open to novices 4yo and upwards, run over two miles and five furlongs and worth £100,000, let’s take a look through the main contenders of this years field. Firstly, I am not a person who takes much interest in trends but even...

The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a championship race run over two-miles for five-year-old chasers and above at Grade 1 level. The total prize fund for this race stands at around £320,000. The race itself is the feature on the second day of the Festival (Wednesday) and is always filled with high quality entrants. Traditionally the field sizes for this race are smaller than some of the other big Festival races; however what we lack in quantity is made up for in quality, as the very best two-mile chasers do battle over the larger...

The Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase is the second race on the opening day of the Festival and is considered the Champion Chase for novices. Generally fields for the Arkle are smaller than most Festival races but that doesn’t stop it from being a very real test for novices, who must run, travel and jump faster than they ever have before. Unsurprisingly, with such an examination offered, the race has a good record of producing future stars, with the likes of Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop, Well Chief and Voy Por Ustedes...

The Champion Hurdle is the main attraction on the opening day of the Festival. With a roll of honour containing the likes of Persian War, Sea Pigeon, Istabraq, Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca, it is of no surprise the best hurdlers are targeted at tasting success in this race. Open to 4yo’s and upwards, run on the old course over an extended two mile trip and worth £370,000, let’s take a look through the main contenders of this years field. Firstly, I am not a person who takes much interest in trends but even the most naïve...

The Triumph Hurdle is a race run for four-year-old novices run over a total distance of two miles and one furlong. The race is run on the final day of the Festival and opens the Gold Cup day of The Festival. With this race being for four-year-olds only, it has often pointed to inexperience to being a problem in the past. Although in recent years with more horses coming off the flat to contest this race it has been less of an issue. 2007 victor, Katchit, was the first winner of this race since Kribensis in 1988 to go on to win the Champion...

The World Hurdle is regarded as the feature race of Day 3 of the Festival. Some top quality horses have won this race in years gone by and non more so than Inglis Drever who passed away in 2009. Big Bucks was the latest horse to add his name to the roll of honour and is a short priced favourite to repeat-the-dose. I’m not really one for stats and usually stick to punting on the flat due to me being a time merchant, however a few key stats to adhere to in this event are: No five-year-old has ever won the World Hurdle. An...