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The 2025 Cheltenham Festival is almost upon us, the action set to take place from Tuesday, March 11, to Friday, March 14, at Prestbury Park Racecourse. This prestigious and eagerly awaited event features 28 races over four days, including several Grade 1 contests and the renowned Cheltenham Gold Cup. Below is a day-by-day preview of the key races and notable contenders:
Day 1: Champion Day (Tuesday, March 11)
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Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1:20 PM): The Festival opens with this Grade 1 race over 2 miles. Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes is the current favorite, having impressed with a dominant performance at the Dublin Racing Festival.
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Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (2:00 PM): A premier 2-mile novice chase. Majborough, trained by Willie Mullins, leads the betting following a decisive victory in the Irish Arkle.
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Champion Hurdle (4:00 PM): The day’s feature race over 2 miles. Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, returns after missing last year’s race, aiming to reclaim his title.
Day 2: Style Wednesday (Wednesday, March 12)
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Turners Novices’ Hurdle (1:20 PM): A 2m5f Grade 1 hurdle. Willie Mullins’ Final Demand is favored after an impressive win at the Dublin Racing Festival.
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Queen Mother Champion Chase (4:00 PM): The highlight of the day, a 2-mile Grade 1 chase. Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon seeks redemption after previous Festival near-misses, coming off wins in the Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chase.
Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday (Thursday, March 13)
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Ryanair Chase (3:20 PM): A 2m4f Grade 1 chase. Djelo, trained by Paul Kealy, is among the leading contenders, offering value in a competitive field.
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Stayers’ Hurdle (4:00 PM): A 3-mile Grade 1 hurdle. Lucky Place, highlighted by Paul Kealy, is a notable contender in this endurance test.
Day 4: Gold Cup Day (Friday, March 14)
- Cheltenham Gold Cup (4:00 PM): The Festival’s pinnacle event over 3m2f. Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs aims for a historic third consecutive Gold Cup victory, solidifying his status as a modern legend.
For those looking to engage in ante-post betting, it’s advisable to consider horses with strong form and proven track records at Cheltenham. Notable trainers like Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have historically performed well at the Festival, making their entries worthy of attention.
As the Festival approaches, our featured UK bookmakers are offering various promotions, including Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) on all 28 races, providing punters with added security should their selection not participate. It’s essential to stay updated, as race entries and conditions can change leading up to the event., therefore visit our News pages regularly for the latest information on the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Race & Horse Records
- Most Prestigious Race: Cheltenham Gold Cup
- Most Valuable Race: Cheltenham Gold Cup (£625,000 prize fund)
- Fastest Gold Cup Time: 6m 30.3s (Long Run, 2011)
- Biggest Winning Margin in Gold Cup: 25 lengths (Master Oats, 1995)
- Most Festival Wins by a Horse: Quevega – 6 wins (Mares’ Hurdle, 2009–2014)
- Most Gold Cup Wins by a Horse: Golden Miller – 5 wins (1932–1936)
Jockey & Trainer Records
- Most Festival Wins by a Jockey: Ruby Walsh – 59 career wins
- Most Wins at a Single Festival (Jockey): Ruby Walsh – 7 wins (2009, 2016)
- Most Festival Wins by a Trainer: Willie Mullins – Over 90 wins
- Most Wins at a Single Festival (Trainer): Willie Mullins – 10 wins (2022)
- Most Gold Cup Wins by a Trainer: Tom Dreaper – 5 wins
Economic Impact & Betting
- Estimated Local Economic Boost: Over £100 million
- Total Bets Placed: Over £500 million wagered across the festival
- Biggest Cheltenham Festival Payout: Over £1 million won by a single bettor on an accumulator bet
- Biggest Festival Gamble: The legendary “Cottage Rake Gamble” in the 1940s, when Vincent O’Brien’s horse won three Gold Cups
Festival Culture & Fun Facts
- The Cheltenham Roar: The famous loud cheer that erupts from the crowd when the first race begins
- Guinness Consumption: Over 250,000 pints of Guinness consumed over the four days
- Distance Covered by Runners: More than 60 miles of racing distance covered in total across all races
- Number of Horses Competing: More than 450 horses expected to take part
Final Thoughts
The Cheltenham Festival is a thrilling combination of history, excitement, and sporting excellence. Whether it’s the highly anticipated Gold Cup, the intense betting atmosphere, or the roar of the crowd, Cheltenham remains one of the biggest highlights of the horse racing calendar.
