The BIG Cheltenham Festival Preview: Day 1

The BIG Cheltenham  Festival Preview: Day 1


Introduction

It's finally here! Hello and welcome to my 2025 Cheltenham Festival preview. Here I'll be covering all 28 races across all 4 days of the festival as well as a selection for every single race!
I understand this is going to be a lot to consume so to make it easy I'm just going to give a brief description of each selection along side the potential danger in the race as well as a rating out of 5 on how keen I am on each one. So with that being said let's get straight to it!


13.20 - Supreme Novices' Hurdle

We kick off with the Supreme Novice Hurdle and I know it's not very original but I'm all over the favourite here which is Kopek Des Bordes. Now if you've followed me for a while you'll know how much I've been going on about this lad since his bumper last Easter at Fairyhouse. I actually put him up for the Turner's so this is slightly bitter sweet seeing him run here after seeing my 25/1 slip fall by the wayside but he's a horse I've been sweet on for a while now and I can't wait to watch him bolt up in the opener of the meeting! 

One I like at a price would be Workahead for Henry De Bromhead at around 12/1. He'll make the running and try put the field under pressure from the word go and although I think kopek will catch him, I'm not too sure many others will.

Selection: Kopek Des Bordes

Danger: Workahead

Star rating:  5/5


14.00 - Arkle Chase

The Arkle Chase is next and surprise surprise I'm siding with another favourite in the name of Majborough. A lot of people were quick to criticise his jumping at the DRF but I thought he was actually quite clever to get over the few fences he got in close too which to me is a sign of a horse who is all class and I just think he'll have way too much of it here.

Although I cannot see the favourite being beat here, I do think Touch me Not could run a big race at about 16/1. He was behind Majborough at the DRF and could easily see him following him home again here and outrunning his odds.

Selection: Majborough

Danger/EW: Touch Me Not

Star rating: 5/5


14.40 - Ultima Handicap Chase

If you followed my ante post series you'll know that I tipped up Lowry's Bar for this race whose unfortunately not lining up here now so I've had to look elsewhere. Although the price has now completely gone I did back The Changing Man earlier in the week but I wouldn't be too sweet on him now at odds of around 8/1. If I had to choose a winner right now I would still give him a chance but would be a small play.

If I was to go in again now I'd probably side with another one whose been well backed over the last week or so and that is Whistle Stop Tour for Lucinda Russell. He finished 5th on trials day at Cheltenham last time out over 2m4f so the step up in trip should suit and I could definitely see him hitting the frame. 

Selection: The Changing Man

Danger/EW: Whistle Stop Tour

Star rating: 3/5


15.20 - Mares Hurdle

With Brighterdaysahead on her way to the Champion Hurdle I think most people half expected this mare to do the same however a late change of mind means Lossiemouth sets to retain her crown in this race for a 2nd year running. I know this is another short priced fav on day one but I just can't see how she gets beaten in this after what she did in the race 12 months ago.

One I do like at a price here is Kala Conti. She finished behind July Flower over Christmas at Leopardstown whilst finishing 12 lengths in front of Jetara who was back in 3rd. The race slightly fell apart that day and set up perfectly for July Flower to come off the pace and win so in a truly run race I wouldn't be surprised to see her reverse that form here.

Selection: Lossiemouth

Danger/EW: Kala Conti

Star rating: 4/5

16.00 - Champion Hurdle

We've reached our feature race of the day and what a cracker this is! this selection might be more heart than head but like most people I am hoping that Constitution Hill can regain his title as the best hurdler around. I think the only thing you're gambling on here is the wellbeing of the horse. If he's 100% fit and back to his best after the troubles he went through over the last year then he will beat these lot convincingly.  

Now the obvious danger in this race is Brighterdaysahead for Gordon Elliot. She was so impressive at Christmas and I imagine she'll adopt the same tactics here using stablemate King of Kingsfield as a pace maker and if she manages to get the field under pressure from the get go she could be something to think about for the favourite.

Selection: Constitution Hill

Danger: Brighterdaysahead

Star Rating: 4/5


16.40 - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Now I must admit this isn't a race that I've had much success in over the last few years but I'm looking to put that right this season and the horse I've chosen is JP McManus owned Beyond Your Dreams. I actually backed this horse a few weeks back but has since been pushed close to favouritism and although I think he's a huge threat, I feel 6/1 about him now might be a tad on the short side. Having said that he comes in here off a mark of 123 and does look an extremeley well handicapped horse.

There's a fair few in here with a chance but I think the main danger is Total Look for Gavin Cromwell. He did disappoint over course and distance at the back end of last year but It's his run at Navan earlier in the season that really caught my eye. He did beat Beyond your Dreams that day which is a solid line of form so if he can show that kind of performance here he will be a massive player.

Selection: Beyond Your Dreams

Danger: Total Look

Star Rating: 3/5


17.20 - National Hunt Chase

Our final race on day one is the first of the 3 races that has been changed into a handicap for this years meeting and the markets shows that it's shaping up to be quite a competitive affair. There are no trends to go by in this race with the changes made however other handicap chases tell us that Cheltenham form is essential when landing one on the big day and for that reason I'm siding with Haiti Couleurs. He was mighty impressive that day and I could see him doing the same again here off a mark of 135.

A horse he beat that day was Transmission and I think he's the biggest danger in the field. He was finishing the strongest of anyone in that race and although the slightly longer trip might be concerning, It wouldn't be massive shock to see him reverse the form.

Selection: Haiti Couleurs

Danger: Transmission

Star Rating: 3/5



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