Cheltenham Festival Horses
The most prestigious event in the National Hunt racing calendar, the Cheltenham Festival has a reputation for producing special moments from special horses.
The 2025 Festival is teeing up to be no different; there’s a long list of elite horses entered by trainers the likes of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Nicky Henderson. There's plenty to get excited about, from Galopin Des Champs and Jonbon to Constitution Hill.
Find and compare the latest odds from the UK’s top bookies for the Cheltenham Festival on the Oddschecker website. Alternatively, check out the three favourite horses for each of the key upcoming events in the Cheltenham Festival 2025.
Day 1: Champion Day - Tuesday, 11th March 2025
On the opening day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, Champion Day, you’ll find big names in a range of big races. Catch Majborough, Jonbon, Gaelic Warrior and Energumene on the day of racing.
Below, we’ve listed the top horses for the four key races of the day - the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ (13:20), the My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (14:00), the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (15:20) and the Unibet Champion Hurdle (16:00).
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kopek Des Bordes | 10/11 | Willie Mullins | 160 |
| Romeo Coolio | 6/1 | Gordon Elliott | 149 |
| Salvator Mundi | 15/2 | Willie Mullins | 153 |
14:00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) - 2m - Chase
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majborough | 4/7 | Willie Mullins | 171 |
| L'Eau du Sud | 9/2 | Dan Skelton | 162 |
| Jango Baie | 8/1 | Nicky Henderson | 165 |
15:20: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m abt 4f - Hurdle
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighterdaysahead | 4/7 | Gordon Elliott | 174 |
| Lossiemouth | 9/4 | Willie Mullins | 165 |
| Jade De Grugy | 9/4 | Willie Mullins | 149 |
16:00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m - Hurdle
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constitution Hill | 4/5 | Nicky Henderson | 166 |
| Brighterdaysahead | 9/4 | Willie Mullins | 176 |
| Lossiemouth | 6/1 | Willie Mullins | 167 |
Day 2: Style Wednesday - Wednesday, 12th March 2025
Ballyburn, The New Lion, Jonbon, Gaelic Warrior and Energumene are among the biggest names on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Below, we’ve listed the top horses for the three key races of the day - the Turners Novices’ Hurdle (13:20), the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (14:00) and the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (16:00).
13:20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m abt 5f - Hurdle
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Demand | 15/8 | Willie Mullins | 161 |
| The New Lion | 11/5 | Dan Skelton | 159 |
| Kopek Des Bordes | 7/1 | Willie Mullins | 143 |
14:00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase - 3m Chase
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballyburn | 13/8 | Willie Mullins | 167 |
| Dancing City | 7/2 | Willie Mullins | 156 |
| Better Days Ahead | 8/1 | Gordon Elliott | 159 |
16:00: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) - Abt 2m - Chase
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonbon | 10/11 | Nicky Henderson | 181 |
| Marine Nationale | 7/1 | Barry Connell | 176 |
| Energumene | 15/2 | Willie Mullins | 177 |
Day 3: St. Patrick’s Thursday - Thursday, 13th March 2025
Don’t miss Fact To File, Banbridge, Gaelic Warrior and Teahupoo running on day three, St. Patrick’s Thursday, of the 2025 Festival.
Below, we’ve listed the top horses for the three key races of the day - the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (13:20), the Ryanair Chase (15:20) and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (16:00).
13:20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) - 2m 1f - Hurdle
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sixandahalf | 3/1 | Gavin Cromwell | 130 |
| Maughreen | 7/2 | Willie Mullins | 120 |
| Karoline Banbou | 7/1 | Willie Mullins | 120 |
15:20: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) - 2m 4f Chase
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fact To File | 15/8 | Willy Mullins | 175 |
| Il Est Francais | 4/1 | Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm | 177 |
| Spillanes Tower | 7/1 | James Joseph Mangan | 176 |
16:00: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) - 3m Hurdle
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teahupoo | 6/5 | Gordon Elliott | 169 |
| Home By The Lee | 13/2 | Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 163 |
| Lucky Place | 8/1 | Nicky Henderson | 156 |
Day 4: Gold Cup Day - Friday, 14th March 2025
Catch The Yellow Clay and The Big Westerner before cheering on Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File and Gerri Colombe in the big one.
Below, we’ve listed the top horses for the three key races of the day - the JCB Triumph Hurdle (13:20), the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (15:20) and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (16:00).
13:20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m - Hurdle
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lulamba | 9/4 | Nicky Henderson | 144 |
| East India Dock | 21/10 | James Owen | 155 |
| Hello Neighbour | 5/1 | Gavin Cromwell | 144 |
15:20: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) - 3m - Hurdle
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Demand | 2/1 | Willie Mullins | 161 |
| The Yellow Clay | 7/2 | Gordon Elliott | 155 |
| The Big Westerner | 5/1 | Henry De Bromhead | 144 |
16:00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) - 3m 2f - Chase
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Racing Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galopin Des Champs | 8/13 | Willie Mullins | 187 |
| Banbridge | 13/2 | Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 178 |
| Fact To File | 17/2 | Willie Mullins | 175 |
Cheltenham Festival 2025 Favourites
The 2025 Festival is jam-packed full of big-name horses, jockeys and trainers. We’ve listed a handful of the Cheltenham Festival 2025 favourites, including Galopin Des Champs, Jonbon, Fact To File and Constituion Hill below.
Galopin Des Champs
Already recognised as Cheltenham royalty, Galopin Des Champs is looking to dominate headlines for the third year in a row. Willie Mullins’ French-bred thoroughbred is the clear favourite to win the Gold Cup - achieving this title for the third year in a row.
Check out the recent performance of Galopin Des Champs from the last five races in the table below:
| Event | Date | Distance | Position | Going |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leopardstown (IRE) Irish Gold Cup Chase | 1 Feb 2025 | 3m1/2f | 1/10 | Y |
| Leopardstown (IRE) Savills Chase | 28 Dec 2024 | 3m1/2f | 1/9 | Gd/Y |
| Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase | 24 Nov 2024 | 2m3 1/2f | 3/8 | Sft |
| Punchestown (IRE) - Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup | 1 May 2024 | 3m1f | 2/9 | Gd/Y |
| Cheltenham - Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase | 15 Mar 2024 | 3m2 1/2f | 1/11 | Sft |
| Leopardstown (IRE) - Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase | 3 Feb 2024 | 3m1/2f | 1/4 | Sft |
Jonbon
Pulled from last year’s Cheltenham Festival, Nicky Henderson is hoping for redemption with Jonbon this year. He’s the favourite to win the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, taking the title away from Captain Guinness (currently 50/1).
Check out the recent performance of Jonbon from the last five races in the table below:
| Event | Date | Distance | Position | Going |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascot Clarence House Chase | 18 Jan 2025 | 2m1f | 1/4 | Gd |
| Sandown Tingle Creek Chase | 7 Dec 2024 | 1m7 1/2f | 1/6 | Sft |
| Cheltenham - Shloer Chase | 15 Nov 2024 | 2m | 1/4 | Gd |
| Sandown - bet365 Celebration Chase | 27 Apr 2024 | 1m7 1/2f | 1/7 | Gd |
| Aintree - My Pension Expert Melling Chase | 12 Apr 2024 | 2m4f | 1/7 | Sft |
| Cheltenham - My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase | 27 Jan 2024 | 2m1/2f | 2/5 | GS |
Fact To File
Fact To File, another from the stable of Willie Mullins, is the narrow favourite to win this year’s Ryanair Chase. A current RPR of 171 gives the 8-year-old Gelding a strong chance on paper - but it’s the Gold Cup that Mullins’ wants. Fact To File is currently the second favourite, behind Galopin Des Champs, to bring home the Gold Cup this year.
| Event | Date | Distance | Position | Going |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leopardstown (IRE) Irish Gold Cup Chase | 28 Dec 2024 | 3m1/2f | 3/10 | Y |
| Leopardstown (IRE) Savills Chase | 28 Dec 2024 | 3m7 1/2f | 2/9 | Gd/Y |
| Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase | 24 Nov 2024 | 2m3 1/2f | 1/8 | Sft |
| Cheltenham - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase | 13 Mar 2024 | 3m1/2f | 1/6 | Sft |
| Leopardstown (IRE) - Ladbrokes Novice Chase | 4 Feb 2024 | 2m5 1/2f | 1/2 | Y/Sft |
| Leopardstown (IRE) - Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase | 28 Dec 2023 | 2m5 1/2f | 1/5 | Sft |
Constitution Hill
A world-class hurdler and fierce competitor, Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill is the favourite to bring home the Unibet Champion Hurdle for the second consecutive year. A current RPR of 162 and a Timeform Rating of 177 cements Constitution Hill as a solid pick. Expect to see his name in countless accumulators in this year’s festival.
Check out the recent performance of Constitution Hill from the last five races in the table below:
| Event | Date | Distance | Position | Going |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham - Unibet Hurdle | 25 Jan 2025 | 2m1f | 1/5 | Sft |
| Kempton - Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle | 26 Dec 2024 | 2m | 1/4 | Gd |
| Kempton - Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle | 26 Dec 2023 | 2m | 1/5 | Gd |
| Aintree - William Hill Aintree Hurdle | 13 Apr 2023 | 2m4f | 1/6 | GS |
| Cheltenham - Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy | 14 Mar 2023 | 2m1/2f | 1/7 | Sft |
| Kempton - Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle | 26 Dec 2022 | 2m | 1/5 | Sft |
FAQs
Which are the key races in the 2025 Cheltenham Festival?
The key races for each day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival are listed below:
Day 1: Champion Day - Tuesday, 11th March 2025
- 13:20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices' (Grade 1) - 2m - Hurdle
- 14:00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices' Chase (Grade 1) - 2m - Chase
- 15:20: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m abt 4f - Hurdle
- 16:00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m - Hurdle
Day 2: Style Wednesday - Wednesday, 12th March 2025
- 13:20: Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m abt 5f - Hurdle
- 14:00: Brown Advisory Novices' Chase - 3m Chase
- 16:00: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) - Abt 2m - Chase
Day 3: St. Patrick's Thursday - Thursday, 13th March 2025
- 13:20: Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) - 2m 1f - Hurdle
- 15:20: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) - 2m 4f Chase
- 16:00: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) - 3m Hurdle
Day 4: Gold Cup Day - Friday, 14th March 2025
- 13:20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m - Hurdle
- 15:20: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) - 3m - Hurdle
- 16:00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) - 3m 2f - Chase
Who is the heaviest favourite at Cheltenham?
The heaviest favourite among all races at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is Galopin Des Champs. He is the current favourite to win the Gold Cup with odds of 11/10.
How many entries are there for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025?
There are currently just 19 entries to the 2025 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup - a historic low for the event.
Are there any key withdrawals from the 2025 Festival?
Yes, some key horses are already set to miss their events. Willie Mullins’ Il Etait Temps was omitted from the festival entry list. Mullins’ Dinoblue was also withdrawn from the Champion and now aims to compete in the Mares' Chase instead.
