Leon Blackman talks Festival chances and expectations with trainer and Bet Victor ambassador Jamie Snowden.
With the 2025 Cheltenham Festival underway tomorrow, oddschecker’s Leon Blackman caught up with trainer and Bet Victor ambassador Jamie Snowden, discussing his preparations, insights on key runners, and festival hopes.
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Festival Preparation and Expectations
Jamie Snowden’s team at Folly House Stables are heading into Cheltenham week full of optimism and confidence. Snowden explained:
“All good our end. Horses are in good order, thankfully holding their form through the winter. We go there with a good team next week, so let’s hope for a bit of luck.”
Reflecting on previous successes at Cheltenham, Snowden said the thrill of a festival winner only heightens his ambition:
“The more you have, the more you want. It's a drug and we all want more of it. You see trainers like Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Willie Mullins—they've been at it so many years; it makes you hungrier to keep winning.”
Wendigo: Albert Bartlett Hopeful (Current Odds: 12/1)
Snowden’s leading contender, Wendigo, heads to the Albert Bartlett after impressing throughout the season, including a second-place finish behind The New Lion in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
On Wendigo’s preparation, Snowden shared:
“He’s been great. A very good bumper horse last year who’s progressed nicely over hurdles. He had a hard race in the Challow Hurdle but bounced back at Wetherby, winning easily. We’re very happy and we go there full of hope.”
Addressing the Challow Hurdle form, Snowden added:
“You’ve got to be a good horse to be in the first three. You Wear It Well proved that before winning at Cheltenham, so hopefully Wendigo can too.”
Ga Law: An Interesting Choice Ahead (Current Odds: Stayers’ 40/1)
The talented Ga Law presents Snowden with an intriguing dilemma, holding entries in the Ryanair, Ultima Handicap Chase, and Stayers’ Hurdle. Snowden revealed that the Stayers’ could be an intriguing possibility:
“Ga Law has run well in the Ryanair, but his handicap mark (152) leaves us slightly in between. The Ultima looks logical, but the Stayers’ Hurdle might lack depth behind the favourite. He loves better ground, which he hasn’t had over hurdles yet. It could be an interesting angle.”
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Git Maker: Weather Watching for Kim Muir or Midlands National
Snowden’s decision for Git Maker hinges on ground conditions. He explained:
“Git Maker loves soft ground. Last year, he was second in the Kim Muir behind a horse that later won a Grade 1. If we don’t get rain, we’ll head to Uttoxeter for the Midlands National, worth double the Kim Muir prize money.”
Hollygrove Cha Cha & Super Survivor: Outsiders with Big Chances
Snowden pinpointed two of his runners flying under the radar, notably Hollygrove Cha Cha (33/1, Ryanair Mares' Novice Hurdle) and Super Survivor (33/1, Pertemps).
“Hollygrove Cha Cha has won five from six starts and won a Grade Two last time. The only time she was beaten was on quick ground at Taunton behind Jubilee Alpha. She’ll be much closer at Cheltenham.”
On Super Survivor, he added confidently:
“Super Survivor is in the form of his life. There’s definitely scope off his handicap mark, and we’re delighted with him. He should have an each-way chance in the Pertemps.”
Lucky Socks & Festival Rituals
Snowden shared a charming personal anecdote about a unique family superstition linked to Festival success:
“Personally, I don’t have rituals, but my youngest son Arthur does. When You Wear It Well won at the Festival, Arthur had on these revolting orange ankle socks, and now they’ve become our lucky mascot. So, we’ll make sure those orange socks are out again next week!”
Defining a Successful Festival for Snowden
When asked what success would look like at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, Snowden didn’t hesitate:
“Four winners—nothing less.”
With his strong, versatile team heading to Prestbury Park, you wouldn’t rule it out.
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