The Hunters’ Chase follows the Gold Cup and it is raced over the same course and distance as the Feature Race of the day. It is however restricted to amateur jockeys and we have another pretty short favourite if we look at the betting markets…

The ever improving eight-year-old Vaucelet is considered the best of the field according to the traders and punters coming in at 5/2 as of the time of writing. Nine wins from 11 since being transferred to the stable of David Christie has given the trainer every opportunity for his first ever win at the Festival. A year ago he had the 9/2 shot Winged Leader who led in the final strides but was beaten by a neck to the line by Billaway. Could this finally be the moment the Northern Irish man gets his winner?

Speaking of Billaway, Willie Mullins is sending him back out there to defend the title won a year ago. It has been a good 12 months for the 11-year-old since that victory but despite a win and a second this season, the speed figures seem down and it might just be a race too far for this horse. We are 15/2 that he can repeat as Hunters’ champion.

Just a hair shorter at 7s we have French eight-year-old Famous Clermont who deserves plenty of attention. Three wins so far this season have all come at a relative stroll and he looks to be getting stronger with every outing. Surprised he’s so much longer than the favourite.

Down in the market plenty of well-known trainers looking for a win. Henry De Bromhead has the fourth choice in the market with 9/1 shot Chris’s Dream. Two wins from two this season as very short odds-on favourite shows that this 11-year-old has something about him but this is a step up in class.

Paul Nicholls has arguably the best value horse in the field as he sends out Secret Investor. We currently have him priced up at 11/1 but if you look at his career record, this is clearly the classiest horse in the field. He might not have the speed that he did back in 2020 or 2021 when he had Racing Post Ratings of 167 and 168 but certainly one to look at closely. He also sends out 22/1 shot Cat Tiger.

Gordon Elliott has The Storyteller at 14s, Harry Derham has Bob And Co at 12s with Emmet Mullins saddling up Its On The Line at 16s.

We currently have Wotzizname as the rank outsider, available to back at 150/1.

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