Cheltenham Festival Tips 2025

The anticipation for the Cheltenham Festival is reaching its peak, and its not long now until the jumps racing pinnacle comes around once again.

Starting on Tuesday, March 12th 2025, the Festival promises four days of thrilling racing, featuring 14 Grade 1 races among a total of 28. This highlight of the National Hunt calendar is eagerly awaited by fans, ready to cheer as the event kicks off.

Rachael Blackmore, who made headlines in 2022, returned to the spotlight at the 2023 Festival by guiding Honeysuckle to a second Mares’ Hurdle victory in the mare’s final race.

Willie Mullins, dominating as the leading trainer for five consecutive years and nine out of the last eleven, brings a strong stable to the Festival, including prominent names like Lossiemouth, Ballyburn, El Fabiolo, and Gold Cup favorite Galopin Des Champs.

Several horses are set to return, seeking to replicate their past Festival successes. Marine Nationale, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, is the favorite for the 2024 Arkle. Allaho, after consecutive Ryanair Chase victories in 2022 and 2023, aims for a hat-trick in 2024.

Galopin Des Champs, having impressively won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown, is the favorite for a second consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Day 1

Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival, known as Champion Day, is one of the most highly anticipated days in the National Hunt calendar. With the famous Cheltenham roar signaling the start of the festival, the day features a host of top-class races, including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the Arkle Challenge Trophy, and the Champion Hurdle. Here are some expert tips and insights to help you make informed selections on this thrilling opening day.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1:30 PM GMT)

The festival kicks off with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, a fast-paced two-mile contest for young hurdlers. Speed and jumping fluency are key to success in this race. Horses that have performed well in trials such as the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle or the Tolworth Hurdle often fare well here.
Tip: Look for a Willie Mullins-trained runner, as the Irish trainer has dominated this race in recent years. Horses with proven form on good-to-soft ground are also worth considering.

Arkle Challenge Trophy (2:10 PM GMT)

The Arkle pits novice chasers against each other over two miles, providing a platform for emerging stars. Precision jumping and tactical speed are crucial in this race.
Tip: Focus on horses that have previously raced over fences at a similar distance. The winner of the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown often emerges as a strong contender.

Ultima Handicap Chase (2:50 PM GMT)

The Ultima Handicap Chase is a test of stamina over three miles, with large fields making it a challenging race to predict. Horses carrying lower weights and those proven in competitive handicaps tend to perform well.
Tip: Look for horses that have performed consistently in staying chases, particularly those that have shown resilience on soft or good-to-soft ground.

Champion Hurdle (3:30 PM GMT)

The feature race of Day 1, the Champion Hurdle is the ultimate test for two-mile hurdlers. Speed, stamina, and sharp jumping are all essential. Constitution Hill is the reigning champion and will likely start as the favorite, but expect stiff competition from seasoned runners and rising stars.
Tip: Proven Cheltenham form is a significant advantage in this race. Horses with experience at Grade 1 level and strong performances on similar ground conditions are worth backing.

Mares’ Hurdle (4:10 PM GMT)

This race often attracts high-quality mares and can be highly competitive. Horses with a blend of speed and stamina are usually the ones to watch.
Tip: Keep an eye on Irish-trained mares, as they have a strong record in this race. Horses stepping up in distance and those with strong finishes in their last outing often do well.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (4:50 PM GMT)

This race is for juvenile hurdlers, many of whom are unexposed and improving. It’s often a race where a long-shot can spring a surprise.
Tip: Look for lightly raced horses that have shown improvement in recent runs. Those with experience in large fields can handle the hustle and bustle of this competitive race.

National Hunt Chase (5:30 PM GMT)

The final race of the day is a grueling three-mile-six-furlong contest for novice chasers. Stamina is the defining factor, and horses with proven staying power and sound jumping ability are crucial.
Tip: Focus on horses with experience over long distances and those ridden by accomplished amateur jockeys, as their skill can make a significant difference in this race.

Tuesday The Champion Hurdle is the marquee race on the opening day. Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles, opting for back-to-back Champion Hurdles over chasing in 2024.

His main rival is expected to be State Man, defeated only by Constitution Hill in last year’s race.

Wednesday Ladies’ Day features a head-to-head between El Fabiolo and Jonbon. El Fabiolo, having won the Arkle, is favored over Jonbon in the Champion Chase.

Thursday Thursday hosts two Championship races, with Allaho vying for a third Ryanair Chase win. Despite falling short at Kempton, he’s well-positioned for another Ryanair victory.

The Stayers’ Hurdle also looks competitive, with Irish Point and Teahupoo as joint favorites.

Friday The Cheltenham Gold Cup, the pinnacle event, features legends of the sport. Galopin Des Champs, last year’s winner, is the favorite, despite some challenges at Punchestown, thanks to his commanding win at Leopardstown.