The arrival of March is normally an exciting time for Gordon Elliott, a month where he routinely showcases his training brilliance at the Cheltenham Festival.

Whether he gets the chance to add to his 32 Festival winners at Cheltenham 2021 is now in the hands of the racing authorities after Elliott admitted a picture of him sitting on a dead horse was genuine.

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The horrific picture is hugely damaging for the sport’s image and is likely to have devastating consequences for Elliott that extend well beyond this year’s Festival.

But, as things stand, nine of the favourites or co-favourites for the 28 races down for decision between March 16 and 19 are stabled at Elliott’s County Meath base.

Among them are some of the highest-profile horses in National Hunt racing and the threat to their participation in the Cotswolds is now very real. Here’s 11 who could miss out.

Escaria Ten: Second to Eklat De Rire at Naas last time out, the seven-year-old is the clear favourite for the Ultima Handicap Chase, the opening handicap at the Festival.

Quilixios: While more likely to take on stablemate Zanahiyr in the Triumph Hurdle on Gold Cup day, the Grade One-winning four-year-old also has the option of Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, on day one.

Galvin: Last seen completing a four-timer when winning at Cheltenham in October, the talented seven-year-old has been put away for the National Hunt Chase.

Grand Roi: Last seen chasing home Bachasson in a Naas Grade Three, the five-year-old heads the market for the Coral Cup, a race Elliott has won twice before.

Tiger Roll:

A four-time Festival winner, the dual National hero has struggled since his second Aintree success but would still have a chance in the Glenfarclas Chase.

Sir Gerhard: Unbeaten in two starts for Elliott, the son of Jeremy looked likely to go off favourite in the Champion Bumper until the Willie Mullins-trained Kilcruit usurped him at the head of the market with a visually stunning display at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Envoi Allen: A dual Festival winner, the unbeaten seven-year-old might just be the most talented horse Elliott has ever trained. The most recent of his five Grade One wins came at Fairyhouse in November and he has long been viewed as banker material for the Marsh Novices’ Chase.

The Bosses Oscar: Victorious at Thurles first time out this season, the six-year-old has since found one too good in two subsequent outings but still co-shares favouritism for the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.

Farclas: Though he has yet to win this season, the 2018 Triumph Hurdle winner has run some eye-catching races in defeat, efforts that have propelled him to the summit of the Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase market.

Zanahiyr: Unbeaten in three starts for Elliott, the son of Nathaniel has long looked the one to beat in the Triumph Hurdle. He could be a superstar.

Grand Paradis:

Cheltenham Festival Horses To Watch

Elliott always likes to target Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, a race named in honour of his mentor, and Grand Paradis looks this year’s chosen one after a dominant victory in a Thurles Grade Three last time out.

The pinnacle of National Hunt racing is here and what better way to get excited for the Cheltenham Festival than to look back at some of its most memorable horses.

From Kauto Star to Arkle, there have been some horses of a lifetime winning across the Festival and we have taken a trip down memory lane to remember them.

The Paul Nicholls-trained fan-favourite became a hero of the Cheltenham Festival. Winning the Gold Cup on two separate occasions is what this French-bred superstar was most well-known for.

Kauto Star became one of the most successful steeple chasers, finishing with an incredible £3,775,883 in prize money.

He is synonymous with the Gold Cup, winning in 2007 and 2009. He became the first horse to regain the Gold Cup after a 2008 defeat by Denman. In the 2008/09 season, Kauto Star ended the season as the highest-rated chaser for the second time.

Arguably Cheltenham’s most legendary horse, Golden Miller was dominant throughout the 1930s where he won the Gold Cup five consecutive times between 1932-1936.

This is a record that no other horse has been able to beat since and shows just how good this horse was. He is also the only horse to win the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year.

Cheltenham racecourse erected a statue of Golden Miller to forever remember his incredible achievements.

Arkle will forever go down as a Cheltenham legend. A true great in the sport, Arkle won the Gold Cup consecutively between 1964-66. This feat took nearly 50 years to replicate and is only topped by Golden Miller.

In the 1966 renewal of the race, Arkle was the shortest-priced favourite to ever run in the race, starting at 1/10. He was the highest-ever rated steeplechaser with a time form rating of 212. Other Cheltenham great, Kauto Star managed 191.

Arkle was the grandson of unbeaten flat horse Neacro and his sire was Achieve. With an impressive pedigree, Arkle was destined for greatness.

Similar to Golden Miller, Arkle had a statue erected at Cheltenhamto celebrate his career.

In 2002, 2003 and 2004 Best Mate won the Gold Cup. This matched Arkle’s incredible achievement. Best Mate was then favourite for the race in 2005 but had to withdraw due to a burst blood vessel.

Best Mate was an incredible jumper – in a career spanning 22 races he never once fell at a fence or hurdle.

One of the most popular horses in the UK, Best Mate’s sudden death in late 2005 made front-page news and sent shockwaves through the racing community.

Already a legend, Altior has been decimating the competition for many seasons. He hasn’t gone off a price higher than Evens since 2016 and has made a habit out of winning at Cheltenham.

Altior has thrived at Cheltenham, winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase twice, the Arkle and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He looks to win the Champion Chase once again this time around.

Altior has had a controversial season thus far, coming second to Cyrname at Ascot and then being pulled out of the Silvianco Conti Chase by trainer Nicky Henderson.

Altior seems to be back to his best after his Newbury win last time out. Having already built legendary stature within the racing industry, we can’t wait to see what else his career brings.

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Cheltenham Festival Horse Racing Tips

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