The Kim Muir Challenge Cup is a National Hunt handicap steeplechase, and it’s the final race on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival. It is open only to amateur jockeys and is contested over 3 miles and 2 furlongs, with 21 fences to be jumped.
The race is known for attracting a strong field of experienced handicappers. Many horses have previously competed in other major National Hunt races, such as the Grand National or the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In addition, the race allows amateur jockeys to showcase their skills on the Cheltenham Festival stage.
The most successful trainer in the history of the Kim Muir Challenge Cup is Fulke Walwyn, who trained four winners between 1953 and 1973. The most successful jockey is Jamie Codd, who has ridden four winners, including two in consecutive years in 2016 and 2017.
Latest Kim Muir Challenge Cup Odds
It’s set to be a hugely competitive betting heat for the Kim Muir on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. Handicap entries are released the latest for such Cheltenham contests, though there will be plenty of big race hopefuls, including those with Grand National ambitions, who are likely to line up on the Thursday of the Festival in the Kim Muir.
Kim Muir Challenge Cup Odds and Entries 2026
Numerous contenders have a fair chance of winning, which is why it is tricky to give a rundown of the best of them at this stage before the Festival is underway. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin definitely won’t be seeking to repeat his win as his official rating is now far too high.
Betting on the Kim Muir Challenge Cup
The Kim Muir Challenge Cup is the finale on day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival and is restricted to amateur riders. The rules were changed in 2021 when professionals took over the reins due to Covid-19 restrictions. Jack Kennedy guided Mount Ida to victory that season, a well-backed 3-1 favourite in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup betting. He is the only successful market leader in the past ten seasons. Chambard became the second 40-1 winner in six seasons when winning for Venetia Williams and Lucy Turner in 2022.
The leading Irish amateur riders are always in great demand for this race. Jamie Codd won it four times between 2009 and 2016, most notably on Cause Of Causes who went on to finish runner-up in the Grand National. 2010 winner Ballabriggs won the Grand National the following season while 1989 winner Cool Ground went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1992.
The Kim Muir has gone close to producing another Grand National winner in recent years with Sunnyhillboy, runner-up in 2012, and Any Second Now, third in 2021 and runner-up in 2022. The competitive nature of the event makes an each-way bet on the Kim Muir Challenge Cup a tempting proposition with bookmakers offering enhanced place terms.
Kim Muir Challenge Cup News
A maximum field of runners will likely head to post for the Kim Muir, presenting punters with a headache of which horse or horses to back. That said, there are a few key stats to focus on when making your Kim Muir bets.
Gordon Elliott’s entries are worth noting, as his runners have a solid record of three wins and six places in the last 17 years, with 20 horses having competed. During Elliott’s six-month suspension, Denise Foster, the temporary license-holder at Cullentra House Stables, trained Mount Ida to win this race two seasons ago.
And over the last 12 runnings, 10 of the winners came from the top six in the betting, although Chambard succeeded as an outsider at 40/1 in 2022.