Conditions
Cheltenham Foxhunters
The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Steeple Chase Total prize fund £50000
Distributed in accordance with Stakes and Prize Money Code £24445 to the winning horse, The second to receive £12220, the third, £6110, the fourth £3055,, the fifth £1530 and the sixth £765
For five yrs old and upwards, which, are qualified to run in Hunters' Steeple Chases under the Running Requirements Code and which, after September 2023, and before February 23rd, 2026, have been placed
FIRST OR SECOND ON TWO OCCASIONS in a hunters' steeple chase in Great Britain or Ireland OR have WON TWO OPEN STEEPLE CHASES at Point- to-Point Meetings (i.e. Gentlemens, Ladies or Mixed Open Races) in Great Britain or Ireland OR have WON ONE OPEN STEEPLE CHASE at a Point-to- Point Meeting in Great Britain or Ireland and have been placed FIRST or SECOND in a hunters' steeple chase.
THREE MILES ABOUT TWO AND A HALF FURLONGS (3m 2f 70yds)
£60 stake
Confirm by noon on March 7th and pay £190
Weights: 5-y-o.................................11st 10lb
6-y-o and up............................................12st
Mares allowed...........................................7lb
To be ridden by Amateur Jockeys
The Amateur Riders referred to above shall be Category B' Amateur Jockeys or 'Category C' Qualified Riders
The Challenge Cup is to be held by the winning owner until February 1st, next year.
Presentations will be made to the winning owner, trainer, jockey and member of racing staff responsible for the winning horse, and a £200 award given to the member of racing staff judged to be in charge of the best
turned out horse in this race.
PLEASE NOTE: Any horse for whom a confirmation of entry has been submitted will not be permitted to declare to run if, at the time fixed for declaration, it has been declared to run in any other race at this year's Cheltenham Festival. (This will apply whether or not the horse is subsequently declared a non-runner, unless the horse has been eliminated from a race, or declared as a reserve and not been made a non-runner.)
The British Horseracing Authority has modified paragraph 16 of the Running 104 IRISH RACING CALENDAR, THURSDAY, 5th FEBRUARY, 2026 Requirements Code for the purposes of this race to provide that horses will be qualified to run if they are qualified in Ireland and have a Hunters Certificate currently registered by the Stewards of the Irish National Hunt Steeple Chase Committee and which has not been cancelled. The British Horseracing Authority has modified Rule (I) 10 and the Elimination and Balloting Procedures (contained in the Race Administration Code) of the Rules of Racing to provide that, if it is necessary to do so, elimination of horses
from this race will be determined by the BHA Handicapper.
PLEASE NOTE: If more than 24 horses are declared to run in this race and elimination is necessary, priority will be given to horses which have run in Steeple Chases and Hunters' Steeple Chases under the Rules of
Racing. With this in mind, it is strongly recommended that horses qualifying to run in this race through Point-to-Points should also run in a Steeple Chase or Hunters' Steeple Chase prior to the six-day Confirmation stage, in order to avoid elimination.
The BHA Handicapper will, however, reserve the right to guarantee a place in the line-up for a maximum of one 'wild card' runner, should he wish to do so. The decision of the BHA Head Handicapper shall be final.
A Confirmation of Entry will not be accepted for any horse for which Medical Records are not submitted to the BHA by 3rd March, 2026 with a further update to be submitted by 6.00pm on the day before the race.
A Confirmation of Entry will not be accepted for any horse for which Medical Records are not submitted to the BHA by 3rd March, 2026 with a further update to be submitted by 6.00pm on the day before the race.
No
DE
DE
Form
Horse
Pedigree / Hunt
Pedigree / Hunt
Weight
Handler
Owner
Owner
1
BARTON SNOW (IRE)
(9yo B G) (867)
| 28 Oct 2023 | Galway | s | MdnHdl | Miss M M McElligott | -25/1 | 5th | 11L | Waterford Whispers |
| 12 Oct 2023 | Tramore | hy | NHF | Miss M M McElligott | -9/2 | 6th | 19L | Where's Nanny |
| 25 Aug 2023 | Kilbeggan | s | NHF | Miss M M McElligott | -9/2 | 3rd | 4¾L | Largy Ray |
| 21 Jun 2023 | Wexford | g | NHF | Miss M M McElligott | -7/2 | 8th | 23L | Walmix |
| 02 Jun 2023 | Tramore | g | NHF | Miss M M McElligott | -7/1 | 2nd | ¼L | Chef D'Etat |
12st 0lbs
J J O'Shea
The MMI Partnership
2
CARNFUNNOCK (IRE)
(9yo B G) (48)
| 24 Jan 2026 | Tyrella | gy | Open | S Connor | 15/8-11/10F | 1st | 6L | CONFLATED (IRE) |
| 26 Dec 2025 | Down Royal-R | gy | Hunt Chs | S Connor | 25-12/1 | 6th | 6L | ITS ON THE LINE (IRE) |
| 26 Oct 2025 | Curraghmore | g | Open | S Connor | 2-100/30 | 1st | 1½L | LIFETIME AMBITION (IRE) |
| 02 May 2025 | Punchestown-R | y | Champ Hunt Chs | S O'Connor | 8-12/1 | PU | ITS ON THE LINE (IRE) | |
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | S Connor | 25-100/1 | 6th | 15L | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
S.R.B. Crawford
Largy Bloodstock
3
CHEMICAL ENERGY (IRE)
(10yo CH G) (110)
| 23 Nov 2025 | Lingstown | ys | Open Banks | B O'Neill | 1-2/1F | 1st | 6L | FRALIMONTI BILBERY (FR) |
| 19 Oct 2025 | Tinahely | ggy | Open (Graded Excl) | B O'Neill | 9/4-5/2 | 1st | 6L | ROUTINE EXCELLENCE (IRE) |
| 30 Jul 2025 | Galway | g | HcapChs | Eoin Staples | -66/1 | 13th | 27L | Western Fold |
| 03 May 2025 | Punchestown | gy | Chs | Sam Ewing | -7/2 | 5th | 5L | Vital Island |
| 12 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham | gs | XC Chs | Danny Gilligan | -16/1 | 6th | 15½L | Stumptown |
12st 0lbs
Gordon Elliott
Noel & Valerie Moran
4
CON'S ROC (IRE)
(9yo B G) (77)
| 26 Dec 2025 | Down Royal-R | gy | Hunt Chs | D Allen | -15/8F | 3rd | 1¼L | ITS ON THE LINE (IRE) |
| 21 Nov 2025 | Fairyhouse-R | h | Hunt Chs | D Allen | 7/4-9/4F | 1st | 17L | WEST OF CARRIG (IRE) |
| 26 Jan 2025 | Cragmore | ys | Open | D Allen | -4/9F | 2nd | ¾L | ROCKY'S HOWYA (IRE) |
| 29 Dec 2024 | Limerick-R | ys | Mdn Hunt Chs | D Allen | 12-6/1 | 1st | 3¾L | WILLITGOAHEAD (IRE) |
| 27 Mar 2024 | Ballyknock | h | Wnr One | D Allen | 5/4-11/8F | 1st |
12st 0lbs
Terence O'Brien
Near or Never Syndicate
12st 0lbs
Paul Nicholls
G. Mason, A. Ferguson & P. Nicholls
6
GRACCHUS DE BALME (FR)
(10yo B G) (344)
| 03 Apr 2025 | Aintree-R | gs | Foxhunters | H Edwards | 28-22/1 | 1st | 1L | JET PLANE (IRE) |
| 27 Feb 2021 | Fairyhouse | sh | NHF | Mr T Hamilton | -4/1 | 4th | 19L | O'Toole (IRE) |
| 07 Nov 2020 | Lisronagh | ys | 4yo Geld Mdn | Derek O'Connor | - | 1st | 6L | DINGHY YOUNG (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
J J O'Shea
D A Malam
7
ITS ON THE LINE (IRE)
(9yo BR G) (47)
| 25 Jan 2026 | Cragmore | s | Open | Derek O'Connor | 1/8-1/5F | 2nd | ½L | IN EXCELSIS DEO (FR) |
| 26 Dec 2025 | Down Royal-R | gy | Hunt Chs | Derek O'Connor | 7/4-16/5 | 1st | 1L | WILLITGOAHEAD (IRE) |
| 30 Nov 2025 | Ballindenisk | ys | Open | Ms M O'Sullivan | 5/2-7/2 | 4th | 2¼L | BARTLEMY BOY (GB) |
| 02 May 2025 | Punchestown-R | y | Champ Hunt Chs | Derek O'Connor | 1/1-10/11F | 1st | 2¼L | VIROFLAY (FR) |
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | Derek O'Connor | 9/2-4/1 | 2nd | nk | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
Emmet Mullins
J.P. McManus
8
KING ALEX (FR)
(12yo B G) (47)
| 25 Jan 2026 | Dungarvan-2 | h | Open Nov Rdrs | J P Ahern | 7/4-5/2 | 2nd | 3L | HUNTERS YARN (IRE) |
| 10 Jan 2026 | Ballindenisk | sh | Open Nov Rdrs | J P Ahern | 5/4-1/1F | 1st | 12L | LORD OF KERAK (GB) |
| 30 Nov 2025 | Ballindenisk | ys | Open | J P Ahern | 8-12/1 | 2nd | hd | BARTLEMY BOY (GB) |
| 09 Nov 2025 | Dromahane | ys | Open (Graded Excl) | J P Collins | 8-12/1 | 3rd | 3L | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
| 21 Apr 2025 | Cork-R | y | Hunt Chs | J P Ahern | 20-18/1 | 5th | 29L | LISLEIGH LAD (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
Garrett J. Ahern
Chloe Ahern
9
KINGS JET (IRE)
(6yo B G) (33)
| 08 Feb 2026 | Punchestown | sh | Open Nov Rdrs | T A Halford | -8/1 | 2nd | 2½L | MAGIC SADLER (GB) |
| 21 Nov 2025 | Fairyhouse-R | h | Hunt Chs | Ms E C Costello | 3-5/1 | 6th | 67L | CON'S ROC (IRE) |
| 25 Oct 2025 | Peppards Castle | ys | Ladies Open | Ms E C Costello | 2-5/2 | 1st | nk | GALON DE VAUZELLE (FR) |
| 11 Oct 2025 | Portrush | gy | Open | T A Halford | 3-7/1 | 2nd | 6½L | WINGED LEADER (IRE) |
| 30 May 2025 | Stratford-R | g | Hunt Chs | T A Halford | 5/2-10/3JF | PU | JEUX D'EAU (FR) |
12st 0lbs
C.W.J. Farrell
Nice But Dim Syndicate
10
LIFT ME UP (IRE)
(10yo B G) (364)
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | Jack Andrews | -33/1 | 13th | 67L | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
| 31 May 2024 | Stratford-R | gs | Hunt Chs | Jack Andrews | 22-14/1 | 2nd | 3¾L | WHAT A GLANCE (GB) |
12st 0lbs
Miss M Filby
Mr & Mrs C Horner
11
LINELEE KING (FR)
(11yo GR G) (2574)
| 24 Feb 2019 | Tinahely | gy | 4yo Mdn | B O'Neill | 4/6-4/5F | 1st | 8L | AGENT RUSHOUR (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
Olly Murphy
Mrs Camilla Murphy
12
MUSIC DRIVE (FR)
(9yo B G) (364)
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | Miss Ellie Callwood | 14-33/1 | 4th | 13L | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
| 26 Sep 2021 | Monksgrange | g | 4yo Geld Mdn | B O'Neill | -6/4JF | 1st | 2½L | HOWYABUD (IRE) |
| 24 Apr 2021 | Tipperary | y | 4yo Geld Mdn | B O'Neill | - | F | DAILY PRESENT (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
Kelly Morgan
Tim & Ali Wheeler
13
PANDA BOY (IRE)
(10yo GR G) (34)
| 07 Feb 2026 | Naas-R | s | Hunt Chs | J L Gleeson | 9/4-85/40 | 1st | 4L | HUNTERS YARN (IRE) |
| 18 Jan 2026 | Thurles-R | ys | Hunt Chs | F Maguire | -5/1 | 1st | 9L | LIFETIME AMBITION (IRE) |
| 30 Nov 2025 | Ballindenisk | ys | Open | J L Gleeson | 3-4/1 | 3rd | 2¼L | BARTLEMY BOY (GB) |
| 11 May 2025 | Killarney | y | HcapChs | John Shinnick | -14/1 | 8th | 44L | Cadatharla |
| 21 Apr 2025 | Fairyhouse | sh | HcapChs | Ricky Doyle | -28/1 | UR | Haiti Couleurs |
12st 0lbs
Martin Brassil
Claire Gleeson
12st 0lbs
J J O'Shea
N&K Richards, L&B Doyle, M&K Shore
15
PYLEIGH COURT (GB)
(11yo B G) (344)
| 03 Apr 2025 | Aintree-R | gs | Foxhunters | Ms E Herbison | -80/1 | PU | GRACCHUS DE BALME (FR) |
12st 0lbs
R C Pudd
R C Pudd
16
SHEARER (IRE)
(10yo B G) (364)
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | Miss Olive Nicholls | 9-6/1 | 5th | 13L | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
Paul Nicholls
McNeil Family & Paul Nicholls
17
SOLITARY MAN (IRE)
(8yo B G) (26)
| 15 Feb 2026 | Nenagh | s | Ladies Open - (NG) | Ms A O'Connor | 11/10-1/1 | 1st | 4L | WINGED LEADER (IRE) |
| 18 Jan 2026 | Thurles-R | ys | Hunt Chs | J M Halford | 11/2-10/30 | 4th | 17L | PANDA BOY (IRE) |
| 02 Nov 2025 | Rathcannon | gy | Open Nov Rdrs | L M Kelleher | 4/7-4/9F | 1st | 9½L | LORD OF KERAK (GB) |
| 19 Oct 2025 | Umma House | gy | Open Nov Rdrs | L M Kelleher | -4/6F | 2nd | 2½L | THE GOFFER (IRE) |
| 05 Oct 2025 | Castletown | y | Open Nov Rdrs | J M Halford | 5-8/1 | 1st | sh | MAGIC SADLER (GB) |
12st 0lbs
Enda Bolger
Mrs Paul Shanahan
12st 0lbs
Faye Bramley
R.A. Bartlett
19
TAKE ALL (IRE)
(11yo B G) (364)
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | M J McIntyre | 50-125/1 | F | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
Myles Osborne
Mrs Martine Scott
20
WHAT A GLANCE (GB)
(11yo B G) (364)
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | Mr Toby McCain Mitchell | 20-40/1 | 12th | 49L | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
| 31 May 2024 | Stratford-R | gs | Hunt Chs | Murray Dodd | 8-12/1 | 1st | 3¾L | LIFT ME UP (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
Tom Britten
Mrs Ann Taylor
21
WILLEWONGA (GB)
(10yo B G) (344)
| 03 Apr 2025 | Aintree-R | gs | Foxhunters | W Easterby | 40-50/1 | PU | GRACCHUS DE BALME (FR) |
12st 0lbs
J J O'Shea
Mr Nathan Richards
22
WILLITGOAHEAD (IRE)
(8yo B G) (54)
| 18 Jan 2026 | Thurles-R | ys | Hunt Chs | J H Williamson | -5/2F | UR | PANDA BOY (IRE) | |
| 26 Dec 2025 | Down Royal-R | gy | Hunt Chs | J H Williamson | 4-15/2 | 2nd | 1L | ITS ON THE LINE (IRE) |
| 02 May 2025 | Punchestown-R | y | Champ Hunt Chs | H C Swan | 7/2-9/1 | PU | ITS ON THE LINE (IRE) | |
| 03 Apr 2025 | Aintree-R | gs | Foxhunters | J L Scallan | -4/1F | 10th | 25L | GRACCHUS DE BALME (FR) |
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | J L Scallan | 9/2-13/2 | 3rd | 3½L | WONDERWALL (IRE) |
12st 0lbs
Gordon Elliott
Noel & Valerie Moran
23
WONDERWALL (IRE)
(10yo B G) (124)
| 09 Nov 2025 | Dromahane | ys | Open (Graded Excl) | Derek O'Connor | 1-4/5F | 1st | 2½L | BARTLEMY BOY (GB) |
| 14 Mar 2025 | Cheltenham-R | gs | Foxhunters | R James | 22-28/1 | 1st | nk | ITS ON THE LINE (IRE) |
| 03 Nov 2024 | Damma House | gy | Open | Derek O'Connor | -2/5F | 1st | 10L | FRANCOIS (FR) |
| 13 Oct 2024 | Loughrea | y | Open (Graded Excl) | Derek O'Connor | 6/4-5/4 | 1st | 1½L | ER DANCER (FR) |
| 20 Jul 2024 | Cartmel | g | HcapHdl | Dylan Johnston | -3/1 | 2nd | ¼L | Sea The Clouds |
12st 0lbs
Sam Curling
J. O'Leary
24
WRAPPEDUPINMAY (IRE)
(8yo CH G) (54)
| 18 Jan 2026 | Carrigarostig | sh | Open | Derek O'Connor | 4/7-4/5F | 1st | 11L | MACS CHARM (IRE) |
| 30 Dec 2025 | Dromahane | ys | Open (Graded Excl) | Derek O'Connor | 4-6/1 | 1st | 5L | RYEHILL (IRE) |
| 23 Nov 2025 | Moig South | sh | Ladies Open | Ms N Lockhead Anderson | 5-4/1 | 2nd | 8L | HUNTERS YARN (IRE) |
| 16 Jan 2025 | Wincanton | gs | NovHcapChs | Harry Cobden | -4/1 | PU | Ideal Des Bordes | |
| 18 Dec 2024 | Newbury | gs | NovHcapChs | Lorcan Williams | -13/2 | 3rd | 29½L | Herakles Westwood |
12st 0lbs
Sam Curling
Mayhem In March Syndicate
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