The biggest betting event of the year is fast approaching, with the 2025 Cheltenham Festival getting underway on Tuesday, March 11.
Across the four days in the Cotswolds, some of the most exciting National Hunt horses in training will be in action. Legends will be written, while dreams will be achieved at the home of racing in the United Kingdom.
British trainers will be aiming to end the Irish domination at Cheltenham, while the Irish will be led into battle once again by the all-conquering Willie Mullins.
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So, who are the current market leaders for some of the significant races at the Cheltenham Festival this year?
Majborough- Arkle Chase
The first novice chase of the Festival has a different complexion to it than it did a month ago, as Majborough very much looks like the runner to beat following Sir Gino’s withdrawal.
Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner already has Festival experience and has won two from two over fences this year. However, a mix of inexperience and jumping scares in the G1 Arkle Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival could mean that is among the weaker favourites of the week.
Constitution Hill- Champion Hurdle
The king will be back to reclaim his throne at the Festival in 2025, as Constitution Hill is on course for a mouth-watering showdown with last year’s champion State Man, and star mares Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth.
Nicky Henderson’s superstar remains unbeaten on ten starts under rules, which includes straightforward wins in the G1 Christmas Hurdle and G1 International Hurdle this season. He is yet to hit his peak this term, but there are few bigger stages to set the world alight than Cheltenham in March.
Jonbon- Champion Chase
Another Henderson hot-pot dominates the Champion Chase betting, as Jonbon looks to finally add a Festival winner to his impressive CV. The nine-year-old has an impressive record under rules, winning 17 from 20, and he has won 12 from 14 over fences. However, it remains a concern that all three of his career defeats have been suffered at Cheltenham.
The Champion Chase has been a graveyard for favourites in recent years, meaning there will be little surprise to see market confidence in Gaelic Warrior, Marine Nationale, and Energumene on the day.
Fact To File- Ryanair Chase
Such has been Galopin Des Champs’ dominance over the staying trips that one of the main contenders for the Gold Cup in 2025 looks set to bypass the challenge and opt for a run in the Ryanair.
The Willie Mullins runner landed the G1 Punchestown Chase in November over an extended two miles and three but has been firmly put in his place on his last two efforts over an extended three miles against the duel Gold Cup winner. Dropping back in trip poses few issues, but it could be a deep renewal of the Ryanair, with French raider Il Est Francais, and British hopes Protektorat and Djelo also involved.
Teahupoo- Stayers’ Hurdle
Teahupoo has been the long time favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle after dominating when winning the race in 2024. The Gordon Elliott runner has won eleven from 17 starts over hurdles, and endured a rare blip when second behind Lossiemouth over an inadequate trip of two miles and four at Fairyhouse in December.
Once again, Elliott has opted to avoid running the eight-year-old following that effort, meaning he will be very fresh for the Festival in March. However, the stayers’ division looks incredibly weak, meaning that he will only likely need to be at 80% to get the better of rivals such as Home By The Lee, Lucky Place, and Gowel Road.
Lulamba- Triumph Hurdle
It could be argued that the weakest favourite of the week runs in the Triumph Hurdle, as Lulamba has beaten very little since making his rules debut in Britain. Many consider him to be another Nicky Henderson hype horse, who has proven popular purely due to sporting the same colours as Sir Gino.
Lulamba’s form looks even more questionable at this stage, as Mondo Man, who was second behind him at Ascot in January, has since failed to get a career win. East India Dock and Hello Neighbour both have more substantial form to their name.
Galopin Des Champs- Cheltenham Gold Cup
Galopin Des Champs could join the greats of National Hunt in March, as he chases a third straight Cheltenham Gold Cup. The nine-year-old looks very challenging to oppose in his pursuit of history and has looked better than ever on his last two starts.
Most recently when landing the G1 Irish Gold Cup by a dominant four-length margin. Cheltenham brings out a different beast in this horse, and he could be one of the most-backed horses of the week at Cheltenham. Banbridge looks like his only serious competition if getting good ground, while British hopes hinge on veteran contenders L’Homme Presse and Ahoy Senor.
Photo: By Arpingstone – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1322039
