In this 1xBet review, we have collected key information about the most prestigious horse race in Ireland. The analysis of statistics and the main favourites’ performance will serve as the foundation for responsible gaming.

The Chase at Cheltenham has been run since 1960 and has provided some major days for top-quality horses over the years, perhaps peaking in the 2000s when it was won by Our Vic, Exotic Dancer, and future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander. While it is still a valuable prize in its own right with a purse of £160,000, it is worth noting that only one of the last twelve winners has gone on to win again later that season, as the handicapper tends to treat them harshly.

This year’s well-backed favourite is the 2025 Festival Plate winner Jagwar, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. He enjoyed an extremely productive campaign last term, rising thirty pounds in the handicap after winning four of his five starts, the last two of which came over this trip on the New Course at Cheltenham. However, his lack of a prep run could be a concern, given that ten of the last twelve winners had run at least once earlier in the season before taking this race.

Last year’s winner, Il Ridoto, bids to join Fortria, Gay Trip, Half Free, Bradbury Star, and Cyfor Malta as a dual winner of the race. He returns off just a one-pound higher mark for Paul Nicholls, who has trained the last two winners and four winners of the race in total. Although Il Ridoto was beaten on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow, only one of the last twelve winners had won on their previous start, and nine of the last twelve winners had run within the last 35 days – for Il Ridoto it will be 34.

Henry de Bromhead is never to be overlooked at Cheltenham, operating at a 16% strike rate at the course over the last five seasons, and he already has a winner from four runners there this season. He is represented by Coming Up Easy, who has risen twenty-six pounds after completing a three-timer in Ireland, culminating in a Listed handicap at Killarney in August. While that technically counts as a run this season, it falls well outside the 35-day window. His lack of Cheltenham experience and the lower level he has competed at may also be concerns, as eleven of the last twelve winners had run at least twice previously at the track, and seven of the last twelve had already won at graded level.

Bad, who looked a reluctant character over hurdles for Ben Pauling, won a pair of handicap chases at Kempton last season over this trip before winning again over a shorter distance on his seasonal debut. While he may improve again this term, his age is very much against him: he is six, and nine of the last twelve winners were aged between seven and nine. He is also set to carry 11-2 at the time of writing, and nine of the last twelve winners carried 11-0 or less.

Dan Skelton has yet to win this race in his relatively short career, but he fields two interesting contenders in Panic Attack and Riskintheground. Panic Attack fits the age profile at nine and carries less than 11-0, but will be attempting this on seasonal reappearance. Riskintheground, however, fits the majority of the main statistical trends: he is eight, is due to carry less than 11-0, and his Grade 2 Silver Trophy win last term satisfies both the graded form and course-form criteria. His comeback run fell within the 35-day window and, although he won, that form has since been boosted by the runner-up Blueking d’Ouroux, who landed the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton last weekend.

While Il Ridoto satisfies almost every key trend and is sure to run well, multiple winners of this race are rare: the last was Cyfor Malta in 1998 and 2002, and back-to-back winners are rarer still (Bradbury Star in 1993 and 1994). He is also short enough in the market at a general 5/1, and nine of the last twelve winners came from outside the top three in the betting. For that reason, I would be more inclined to side with Riskintheground at a double-figure price. He matches just as many of the historical trends and may continue to be overlooked as long as he is seen as the stable’s second string.

The analytical piece was prepared by Emmet Kennedy— Presenter, Producer, and Owner of The Final Furlong Podcast, Broadcaster with TalkSPORT, and Broadcast Consultant —  with the support of 1xBet Ireland.

1XBET AND TERMINUS PLATFORM IRELAND LIMITED DO NOT SPONSOR ANY OF THE EVENTS ABOVE AND HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH ASSOCIATED SPORTS LEGUES AND/OR ASSOCIATIONS.