A question many will be wondering the answer to is – what time is the first Cheltenham Festival 2024 race on each day? We’ve got all you need to know about the start times and more.
Cheltenham Festival 2024 Start Times The Same As Last Year
Each day of the Cheltenham Festival will see seven races, totalling to 28 over the week from Tuesday to Friday. This has been the case for a number of years now and is unlikely to change anytime soon.
The first race on each day will start at 1:30pm, with the final race of the afternoon commencing at 5:30pm. It remains the same as 2023, with plenty of action to get involved with once again.
What Time Is The First Cheltenham Festival 2024 Race On Each Day?
Tuesday 12th March – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2m) – 1:30pm
The first race of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which has produced some of the best National Hunt horses in recent years.
Willie Mullins is the leading trainer in this race, with the likes of Vautour, Douvan, Appreciate It and Klassical Dream all winning it for his yard in the last 10 years.
It’s also not been a bad race for Nicky Henderson in the last few years either, with Altior, Constitution Hill and Shishkin all winning the Festival opener. His best chance is the JP McManus-owned Jeriko Du Reponet.
However, it’s Mullins that seems to have the strongest hand in 2024. He trains the current top three in the betting, with Ballyburn, Mystical Power and Tullyhill all with strong claims. Whilst Ballyburn isn’t yet confirmed to be running in the race, if he does turn up then he could be the one to beat. But, he is also entered in the first race on Wednesday – and according to the Betfair Exchange, he could head there instead.
Wednesday 13th March – Baring Bingham (Gallagher) Novices’ Hurdle (2m5f) – 1:30pm
The second day kick starts with the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle, another race known for producing future stars. Faugheen won this race in 2014 for Willie Mullins, who has also won this more times than any other trainer.
Envoi Allen, Bob Olinger, Sir Gerhard and Impaire Et Passe are the most recent winners, all from Irish stables. And it’s the Irish who have leading hope once again this year.
Mullins has the market leader for this too, with Ballyburn currently looking favoured for this over the Supreme. He also has the Tony Bloom-owned Ile Atlantique in the race, who is the second favourite.
Thursday 14th March – Turners Novices’ Chase (2m3f) – 1:30pm
Day three kicks off with the Turners Novices’ Chase, won last year by the Paul Nicholls-trained Stage Star. He has the market leader this year in Ginny’s Destiny, who has won three times in a row at Cheltenham this season and arrives to Prestbury Park again with a top chance.
Should be a fascinating renewal, and a very open one too. The likes of Grey Dawning could show up, as well as the Rich Ricci-owned Gaelic Warrior.
Meanwhile Iroko looks to make an early return from injury, in his first start since winning his chase debut back at the start of November last year.
Friday 15th March – Triumph Hurdle (2m) – 1:30pm
And finally…the last day of the Cheltenham Festival 2024 will start with the Triumh Hurdle, where many exciting four-year-olds will meet over 2m1f.
Nicky Henderson holds a stellar record in this race (more wins than anyone) and trains the hot ante-post betting favourite Sir Gino. This French import has won all three of his starts under rules, most recently landing the Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham on Trials Day in January, in what was a trial for this race.
There’s plenty in this contest that have a chance, and it could be another to produce a superstar, or even a Grand National winner. Tiger Roll won this race in 2014, going on to succeed in the Aintree spectacle two years on the bounce in 2018 and 2019.
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