Byrne Group Plate

The Byrne Group Plate is the second-last race on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is a Grade 3 handicap chase. Run over an approximate distance of 2 miles and 5 furlongs, there are a total of seventeen fences to be jumped.

The race has been known as the Byrne Group Plate since 2010 when the construction company began their sponsorship. The race has come under several different names in recent years. It was called The Racing Post Plate from 2006-2008 when sponsored by the popular newspaper. The 2009 running was called the Freddie Williams Festival Plate, in honour of Freddie Williams who was a popular Scottish bookmaker with a pitch at the festival.

Burning Off The Rivals In 2012

Once again, we have another handicap race that represents little appeal in the ante post market until we know the likely runners. The race has proved to be difficult to predict with not a single winner in the past ten years having been a single-digit starting price. We have seen three horses win at a starting price of 25/1 in those ten years, and also a huge 66/1 winner in Mister McGoldrick who took the race in 2008. Horses who have an official rating within the 130′s have had a good level of success so we are still looking at a useful performer despite the big priced winners that have won.

Prominent in the market is Quantitativeeasing and Roudoudou Ville who were just a length apart when finishing first and third in a valuable handicap at Cheltenham. The former has several race options though and it would be best to wait to see the confirmed target. Great Endeavour, Aerial and Havingotascoobydo are three other market principals who have had good campaigns so far and would warrant serious respect if this was a race they took. It must be pointed out, however, that eight of the last ten winners have had an official rating of no higher than 139, and all of these bar Havingotascoobydo are above 140. Havingotascoobydo reverted to hurdles last time out and may be looking to preserve his chasing mark. He is one that I recommend to keep an eye on at the festival as connections may be looking to land a valuable prize with him.

Taking The Plate in 2011

Last year’s Byrne Group Plate saw the third 25/1 of the last ten years when Holmwood Legend took victory. The Patrick Rodford trained gelding was ridden by Kieran Burke who was able to claim a valuable 3lbs. He tracked the leaders and made a move three out, soon taking up the lead and going clear. Despite a mistake at the last he still won by three and a half lengths from Aimigayle, another 25/1 shot. The fourth and fifth placed horses both returned at a starting price of 20/1 showing the big prices often seen in this race.