The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, scheduled from Tuesday, 11 March to Friday, 14 March, promises four days of exhilarating National Hunt racing. Check out our betting previews with the best betting odds from featured bookmaker William Hill.
Each day features a unique theme and a series of prestigious races. Here’s a comprehensive preview of what to expect:
Day 1: Champion Day (Tuesday, 11 March)
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Feature Race: Unibet Champion Hurdle
The opening day sets a high standard with the Unibet Champion Hurdle as the highlight. This Grade 1 race over two miles showcases the elite hurdlers. The unbeaten Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, is the defending champion and strong favourite. However, Gordon Elliott’s mare, Brighterdaysahead, is set to challenge, having shown impressive form this season.
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Other Notable Races:
- Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
- Arkle Challenge Trophy
- Ultima Handicap Chase
Day 2: Style Wednesday (Wednesday, 12 March)
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Feature Race: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
This day is synonymous with elegance and high fashion. On the track, the Queen Mother Champion Chase takes centre stage. Jonbon, trained by Nicky Henderson, is among the leading contenders, having shown excellent form, including a recent victory at Ascot.
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Other Notable Races:
- Turners Novices’ Hurdle
- Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
- Coral Cup
Day 3: St. Patrick’s Thursday (Thursday, 13 March)
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Feature Race: Ryanair Chase
Celebrating Irish heritage, this day features the Ryanair Chase. Fact To File, trained by Willie Mullins, is a notable entry, with connections considering both this race and the Gold Cup.
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Other Notable Races:
- Stayers’ Hurdle
- Pertemps Final
- Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Day 4: Gold Cup Day (Friday, 14 March)
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Feature Race: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup
The festival culminates with the prestigious Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs, trained by Willie Mullins, is aiming for a historic third consecutive victory.
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Other Notable Races:
- Triumph Hurdle
- Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
- Hunters’ Chase
Additional Insights:
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Race Schedule: Each day features seven races, starting around 1:20 PM, with 40-minute intervals between races. The final race typically occurs at 5:20 PM.
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Broadcasting: Live coverage will be available on ITV and talkSPORT, providing commentary, betting tips, and expert analysis throughout the festival.
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Betting Tips: Experts like Lizzie Kelly have highlighted horses such as Jonbon, Teahupoo, and Galopin Des Champs as strong contenders in their respective races.
For those seeking in-depth discussions and insights, various preview events are scheduled leading up to the festival.Notably, The Official Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening on Thursday, 6 March, will feature a stellar panel and is free for annual members.
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival promises thrilling races, elite equine talent, and an electric atmosphere, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of the National Hunt racing calendar.
