Advice on the St James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase
Date published: March 8, 2025
Friday 14th March 14:00
The County Hurdle kicks off at 2:00pm on the fourth day of the Cheltenham Festival, set for Friday, March 14th, 2025. Check out below where our seasoned horse racing gurus, Will Smith and David Young, dish out free picks for the County Hurdle.
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| Bookie | Selection | Best Odds | Market | Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Kargese | 10/1 | Ante Post
EW 5 Places NRNB County Hurdle |
Place Bet |
Date of Tips: 28/02/2025
Notice Odds for these picks were accurate when published (13:14 28/02/2025) but could have evolved since. Please confirm at County Hurdle - Cheltenham Festival 2025 the latest price before placing your bet.
As per usual, the buzz around potential handicap stories for the Cheltenham Festival is swirling, and it appears that the
William Hill County Handicap Hurdle at 2.00is at the crux of these hush-hush agendas. Names such as Kopeck De Mee, Absurde, Ethical Diamond, Valgrand, Mclaurey, and Karniquet have been frequently mentioned on podcasts or blog discussions.on theFridayof theCheltenham FestivalOne horse, however, that seems discretely fit for the event, has barely been mentioned. Based on last year’s juvenile rankings, this horse might well be
among the most advantageously ranked participants throughout the Cheltenham Festival.{-{i}-}Angles like this are key as much talk has leaned toward the Mares’ Hurdle this season. Yet, given her eager demeanor and the prospect of her first 2m4f run in what could be a strategic scenario, she could be far more intriguing in the vigorous pace of the County Hurdle at 2m1f.{-{/i}-}.
At10/1 each-waywithWilliam Hillor888Sportfor5 placesand with the‘Non-Runner, No Bet’concession in place,Kargeseis the horse in question.
TheNRNBSince she debuted for Willie Mullins, nearly overtaking the esteemed Kala Conti at the DRF,
her only defeats last season were to Majborough and Sir Gino. Her prowess is clear.KargeseSandwiched between Cheltenham and Aintree appearances,
she clinched two Grade 1 titles and asserted herself as a horse with potential to grow both in skill and mental aptitude.KargeseHer Triumph Hurdle performance was striking, and only after the last did Majborough edge her out. Remarkably, her recorded time was faster than what Absurde achieved winning the County Hurdle 40 minutes later.
At Aintree, it was another strong showing, with Sir Gino only surpassing her after the final stretch, leaving her with plenty of accolades that day.
Her season reopened with a Grade 2 race for mares at Ascot last month, and some might say that her 2/5 loss was underwhelming.
KargeseSure, being beaten was a letdown, but considering that formidable opponents like Lossiemouth and Ballyburn were also defeated in their initial UK races and the trainer's MO of advancing equine growth post-debut, it shouldn’t be alarming.
Furthermore, she was reserved amid inconsistent pace, quite enthusiastic, on potentially too firm ground. Her finishing run underscored her talent, subtly outpacing Ooh Betty (not an easy adversary at all) while being caught off-guard by the resilient, underestimated Take No Chances.
This form is more commendable than assumed, considering she
completed the last lap markedly quicker than Altobelli, who clinched the 2m3½f handicap and now holds a 147 rating after similar victories, sparking further optimism.KargeseThe UK handicapper rated her 141 before the event, and any reasonable course of action upon ratings confirmation next week would likely see a 1-2lb drop, absent any rise. With juvenile form from last year, a figure near 140 could prime her for success.
The owner’s newfound interest in Jade De Grugy for Tuesday's Mares Hurdle makes it plausible that
she'll align with an inherently more fitting challenge: KargeseFriday’s William Hill County Handicap HurdleThe County Hurdle is a fiercely contested race frequently culminating in thrilling finishes. It’s unpredictability makes it a prime contender for utilizing free bets rather than wagering personal funds. Luckily, many bookmakers extend free bet offers to new clients, with alluring race promotions throughout the festival..
We’ve curated some standout free bet offers for the County Hurdle below.
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As per usual, the buzz around potential handicap stories for the Cheltenham Festival is swirling, and it appears that the
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The County Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle event run on the culminating day of the Cheltenham Festival, known as Gold Cup Day.
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kopeck De Mee | 4/1 |
| Absurde | 7/1 |
| Mclaurey | 8/1 |
| Lark In The Morning | 8/1 |
| Kargese | 9/1 |
| Ethical Diamond | 10/1 |
| Valgrand | 10/1 |
| Karniquet | 12/1 |
| Burdett Road | 14/1 |
| Kabral Du Mathan | 16/1 |
| Karafon | 20/1 |
| Vischio | 20/1 |
| Irish Panther | 20/1 |
| Kala Conti | 20/1 |
| Bunting | 20/1 |
| King Of Kingsfield | 20/1 |
| Pinot Gris | 25/1 |
| Hansard | 25/1 |
| Hunters Yarn | 25/1 |
| Jimmy Du Seuil | 25/1 |
| My Mate Mozzie | 25/1 |
| Tounsivator | 25/1 |
| Ndaawi | 25/1 |
| Daddy Long Legs | 25/1 |
| Lump Sum | 25/1 |
| Gala Marceau | 25/1 |
| The Enabler | 33/1 |
| Welsh Charger | 33/1 |
| Alnilam | 33/1 |
| Colonel Mustard | 33/1 |
| Cracking Rhapsody | 33/1 |
| Farren Glory | 33/1 |
| Gaucher | 33/1 |
| Jipcot | 33/1 |
| Knickerbockerglory | 33/1 |
| Petrol Head | 33/1 |
| Raglan Road | 33/1 |
| Stormbreaker | 33/1 |
| We're Red And Blue | 33/1 |
| Favour And Fortune | 33/1 |
| Mirabad | 33/1 |
| Tellherthename | 33/1 |
| Batman Girac | 33/1 |
| Samui | 40/1 |
| Milldam | 40/1 |
| Our Champ | 40/1 |
| Wilful | 40/1 |
| Fils D'Oudairies | 50/1 |
| Williethebuilder | 50/1 |
| Afadil | 50/1 |
| Aucunrisque | 50/1 |
| Country Park | 50/1 |
| Fenway Park | 50/1 |
| Norman Fletcher | 50/1 |
| Ooh Betty | 50/1 |
| Spirit D'Aunou | 50/1 |
| Stream Of Stars | 50/1 |
| Go Dante | 50/1 |
| Florida Dreams | 50/1 |
| All In You | 66/1 |
| Highwind | 66/1 |
| Kings Hill | 66/1 |
| Stormalong | 66/1 |
| Pied Piper | 66/1 |
| First Street | 80/1 |
| Cormier | 100/1 |
| Aspire Tower | 100/1 |
| Royal Way | 150/1 |
| County Hurdle | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Distance | Type |
| Fri 14/03/2025 | 14:00 | 2m 179y | Hurdle |
Covering approximately 2 miles and 1 furlong, this race invites a range of competitors and often unfolds at a rapid tempo, delivering a thrilling spectacle for all attendees and viewers alike.
With a reputation for its unpredictability, the County Hurdle draws a large number of runners, making it exhilarating and rife with competition, as numerous contenders vie for victory.
Over the past two decades of festivals, trainer W P Mullins has clinched the County Hurdle six times with horses like Thousand Stars (2010), Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), Saint Roi (2020), and State Man (2020).
Keep an eye out for County Hurdle picks from our proficient horse racing analysts, led by Will Smith.
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As per usual, the buzz around potential handicap stories for the Cheltenham Festival is swirling, and it appears that the
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The County Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle event run on the culminating day of the Cheltenham Festival, known as Gold Cup Day.
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On the grand finale of the Cheltenham Festival, the County Hurdle takes center stage as a Grade 3 National Hunt race—a much-anticipated highlight of Gold Cup Day.
This heart-racing contest stretches over nearly 2 miles and 1 furlong, available for various entrants. With often breakneck speeds set by a crowded field, it provides an electrifying experience for fans and observers.
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Advice on the St James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase
Scheduled at 2:00 PM on the fourth day of the Cheltenham Festival, the County Hurdle awaits you on Friday, March 14th, 2025. Presented here are our no-cost betting predictions for the County Hurdle, crafted by skilled horse racing analysts Will Smith & David Young.
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