Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase

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The St. James’s Place Steeple Chase Challenge Cup is a prominent, ungraded National Hunt chase for amateur riders. The event traditionally takes place on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival. In 2022, it’s set for Friday, March 18th, after the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

It’s held on the same track as the Gold Cup. That, combined with its ungraded status and amateur riders, have earned it the nickname “amateur Gold Cup.” It’s quite a historic race, dating all the way back to 1904. As with all events at Cheltenham, it draws considerable attention from punters.

Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase: Tips and Predictions

Note: the predictions below refer to the 2021 running of this race – preview will be updated closer to the beginning of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.

The ‘Gold Cup for amateurs’ sadly misses those participants in 2021. Billaway was second to shock winner It Came To Pass 12 months ago, the former is much better placed to be in the mix again. Fourth last year was Stand Up And Fight. Enda Bolger’s charge has close ties with Billaway, though is yet to master him. LATENIGHTPASS is a former C&D winner and the point-to-point regular made it 2-2 in this sphere with his Warwick wins last month. He’s worth an each-way play under Bridget Andrews.

Enda McElhinney’s Selection: Latenightpass

2021 Winner: Porlock Bay (Lorcan Williams) 16/1

Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase: Betting Odds

Betting odds for the 2022 event will be added closer to the event.

Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase: Recent Winners