National Hunt Chase 2023 Tips - Mullins' favourite hard to oppose
- Tips, odds and predictions for the 2023 National Hunt Chase [Updated on 12/3/23]
- This Grade One takes place at 5:30pm on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
- Gaillard Du Mesnil features in our selections
Champions Day at the Cheltenham Festival draws to a close with the National Hunt Chase. This historic race first took place back in 1860 and provides amateur jockeys with the chance to thrust their names into the headlines.
Here's our free guide and tips for the 2023 National Hunt Chase.
Cheltenham 2023 Tips - National Hunt Chase 2023 Guide
National Hunt Chase 2023 Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Gaillard Du Mesnil | 11/10 |
| Ramillies | 3/1 |
| Mahler Mission | 6/1 |
| Chemical Energy | 7/1 |
| Mister Coffey | 8/1 |
| Bar | 10/1 |
National Hunt Chase 2023 Favourite
At the beginning of the season, word coming out of Closutton was that Gaillard Du Mesnil would be aimed at the National Hunt Chase. Willie Mullins' star - who finished third in both the Brown Advisory and the Irish Grand National as a novice last season - was backed into 5/1 before he'd even made his reappearance and Gaillard Du Mesnil's price has continued to shorten ever since.
Mullins' seven-year-old claimed his first victory over fences in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. On his other two starts, Gaillard Du Mesnil has chased Mighty Potter home over two-and-a-half miles, finishing second in the Drinmore and third when last seen at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Despite that victory at the highest level, there has been little talk of a second tilt at the Brown Advisory for Gaillard Du Mesnil. A run in the National Hunt Chase remains the plan, where Patrick Mullins - who has ridden Back In Focus, Rathvinden and Stattler to victory in this historic contest - is certain to take the ride.
National Hunt Chase 2023 Runners
Ramillies sits closest to Gaillard Du Mesnil in the betting. Being in the same stable and under the same ownership, it's unlikely the two will take each other on at the Cheltenham Festival, so Ramillies could join Sir Gerhard in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.
Jamie Codd will probably ride Chemical Energy for Gordon Elliott. Despite that emphatic victory at Cheltenham back in the autumn, I haven't been impressed with Chemical Energy's jumping this season and he doesn't appeal at all at a single-figure price.
Churchstone Warrior followed Gailled Du Mesnil home in that messy renewal of the Neville Hotels and he travels to Cheltenham on the back of a narrow victory over Mahler Mission in the Ten Up Chase. Mahler Mission will also take up his National Hunt Chase entry, where Barry O'Neill has already been booked to take the ride.
Derek O'Connor will ride Nicky Henderson's Mister Coffey, who's finished second in five of his seven starts over fences, including in last season's Kim Muir. Minella Crooner is another possible runner for Gordon Elliott. As is Willie Mullins' third-string, Tenzing.
National Hunt Chase 2023 Tips
If Minella Crooner was to run here, then I'd give Gordon Elliott's charge an each-way squeak. Although he hasn't warmed to chasing as well as most would have expected, Minella Crooner has registered some creditable results and I doubt he'll have any trouble seeing out this extended distance.
That being said, it's almost impossible to look beyond GAILLARD DU MESNIL, who seems to have everything going for him.
He's a second-season novice, who has twice placed at the Cheltenham Festival and has proven himself over this sort of distance. Gaillard Du Mesnil won't carry any sort of penalty for his Grade One success at Leopardstown and he'll be ridden by one of the best amateur jockeys in the business.
Verdict
The National Hunt Chase has clearly been the plan for Gaillard Du Mesnil all season. If he turns up, I can't see Patrick Mullins' mount getting beat and I can't see the favourite going off at a positive price. I'll take the 11/10 while it lasts.
Gaillard Du Mesnil
Straight Win
@11/10 - 25 Units
50% back up to £25
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