Best Tips for Cheltenham Festival 2025

The Cheltenham Festival 2025 is just around the corner, promising four exciting days of National Hunt racing from March 11 to 14. To help you make the most of this prestigious event, we’ve gathered daily betting tips from our experts, giving you the knowledge to make informed wagers.

Highbet will provide expert tips and race picks for each day of the festival, covering major events like the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, and Gold Cup. Stay tuned for race predictions and strategies to guide your betting decisions throughout the festival.

Cheltenham Day 1 Tips

Here’s an overview of the main events on Day 1, along with insights into the leading contenders, potential surprises, and current market dynamics.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

The festival traditionally opens with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, a race that often showcases emerging talent. These are the horses to watch:

• Kopek Des Bordes: trained by Willie Mullins, this five-year-old delivered a commanding performance at the Dublin Racing Festival, winning by 13 lengths. His dominant display has positioned him as the favorite for this race.
• Romeo Coolio: a Grade One winner, Romeo Coolio presents a formidable challenge and is expected to be among the primary competitors.
• William Munny: after a recent impressive victory at Punchestown, William Munny has garnered attention as a potential contender.

Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

This race is a highlight for novice chasers, attracting considerable attention from enthusiasts. Majborough has emerged as the leading contender in the absence of Sir Gino, due to injury. His flawless record over fences, including a recent Grade One victory in the Irish Arkle, highlights his strong form.

Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle is the highlight of the day and promises to be an exciting contest. These are the key contenders to watch for in this prestigious race:

• Constitution Hill: Nicky Henderson’s star hurdler, Constitution Hill, boasts an unblemished record under rules. His recent victories, including the Christmas Hurdle and International Hurdle, have solidified his status as the favorite.
• Brighterdaysahead: trained by Gordon Elliott, this mare has made significant strides, notably defeating State Man by 30 lengths at Leopardstown. Her rapid ascent makes her a noteworthy challenger.
• State Man: as the defending champion, his recent performances have been underwhelming, but his past achievements cannot be overlooked.

Cheltenham Day 2 Tips

Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival 2025, scheduled for March 12, features several high-profile races, notably the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Here’s an analysis of the key races, evaluating the favorites and potential value outsiders, along with insights into recent performances.

Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1, 2m)

This premier event showcases elite two-mile chasers:

• Jonbon: trained by Nicky Henderson, Jonbon has demonstrated exceptional form this season, securing victories in both the Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Clarence House at Ascot, where he defeated dual Champion Chase winner Energumene. However, his Cheltenham record is less impressive, with only two wins from five appearances, raising concerns about his performance at this venue.
• El Fabiolo: despite not being the most natural jumper, El Fabiolo has maintained an unbeaten record over fences, winning all his chases with authority. His class and consistency make him a formidable contender in this race.
• Gaelic Warrior: representing Willie Mullins, Gaelic Warrior is noted for his potential, especially if the race’s pace aligns with his strengths. His performance could be influenced by the ground conditions and race dynamics.

• Energumene: a previous Champion Chase winner, Energumene’s chances improve on softer ground. If such conditions prevail, he could present value, especially considering his past successes in this race.

Other Notable Races on Day 2:

• Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 4f): Willie Mullins’ Final Demand leads the entries after an impressive 12-length Grade 1 victory at the Dublin Racing Festival. Britain’s primary challenger is Dan Skelton’s The New Lion, a Grade 1 winner at Newbury.
• Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1, 3m): the ante-post favorite, Ballyburn, trained by Willie Mullins, boasts strong form credentials, including a Grade 1 win over 2m5½f at the Dublin Racing Festival. Gordon Elliott’s Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story, both previous festival winners, are also key contenders.
• Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (3m 5f): Henry de Bromhead’s Minella Indo has shown aptitude for this unique race style, finishing fourth off a significant weight in December. Former top-class chasers Galvin and Delta Work are also noteworthy participants.

Cheltenham Day 3 Tips

Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival 2025, scheduled for March 13, features prominent races such as the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase. Understanding how ground conditions affect race outcomes and leveraging historical trends can enhance betting strategies.

Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)

This premier long-distance hurdle race demands exceptional stamina.

Historically, only 3 of the last 12 Stayers’ Hurdle winners were favorites, indicating that backing the favorite may not always be the most profitable strategy.

Successful horses often have prior experience in long-distance hurdle races and demonstrate strong late-race performances.

Ryanair Chase (Grade 1, 2m 5f)

This race caters to horses excelling at intermediate distances. Notably, 10 of the last 12 Ryanair Chase winners were among the top three in the betting markets, suggesting that focusing on leading contenders can be advantageous.

Winners typically have at least one graded race victory and multiple chase wins in their career.

Cheltenham Day 4 Tips

The final day of the Cheltenham Festival 2025, scheduled for March 14, culminates with the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup. Here’s an analysis of the main contenders, their recent performances, current odds, and alternative betting strategies to consider.

Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3m 2½f)

The Gold Cup is the pinnacle of National Hunt racing, attracting the finest staying chasers.

Main contenders:

• Galopin Des Champs: trained by Willie Mullins, Galopin Des Champs is aiming for a historic third consecutive Gold Cup victory, a feat last achieved by Best Mate between 2002 and 2004. His dominance in the previous two editions underscores his exceptional class and stamina.
• Fact To File: also under Willie Mullins’ tutelage, Fact To File emerged victorious in the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, showcasing significant potential. His progression positions him as a formidable challenger to his stablemate.
• Il Est Francais: this French import has impressed with an unblemished record over fences, including a dominant 11-length victory at Kempton in December 2023. His adaptability and raw talent make him a noteworthy contender.

What to Consider Before Betting on the Cheltenham Festival

Before placing your bets on the Cheltenham Festival, it’s essential to consider several key factors that can influence race outcomes. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• The Favourite Doesn’t Always Win

While favourites often attract the most attention, Cheltenham is known for its unpredictability. Historical trends show that many high-profile races, including the Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle, have seen surprise winners. Exploring value bets on strong contenders beyond the favourite can often yield better returns.

• Alternative Markets

Instead of focusing solely on outright winners, consider alternative betting options such as:

• Each-way bets: a safer option where your selection can place (typically in the top three or four) and still return a profit.
• Forecast/tricast bets: predicting the exact order of the top two or three finishers can lead to significant payouts.
• Match bets: wagering on one horse to finish ahead of another, regardless of their final positions.

• Analyse the Form of the Horses

A horse’s recent performances, track record at Cheltenham, and ability to handle different race conditions are crucial indicators. Strong results in Grade 1 and Grade 2 races can signal a horse in top form, while the trainer and jockey’s performance leading up to the festival also play a key role. Additionally, course experience matters—some horses thrive on Cheltenham’s undulating track, while others may struggle to adapt.

• Elements that Can Create Surprises

Several external factors can lead to unexpected results:

• 🌱Ground conditions: heavy or soft ground can benefit stamina horses, while firmer ground suits speedier contenders.
• 🐎 Pace of the race: if the race is run too fast or too slow, it can disrupt the favourite’s rhythm and give outsiders a better chance.
• 🌤️ Weather conditions: sudden weather changes can impact the track, affecting certain horses’ performances.
• 🏟️ Cheltenham’s unique atmosphere: some horses perform exceptionally well under the festival’s high-energy setting, while others may underperform due to the noise and large crowds.

Responsible Gambling: Enjoy the Cheltenham Festival Safely

Betting on the Cheltenham Festival should be a fun and exciting experience, but it’s essential to gamble responsibly. Here are some key tips to ensure you stay in control and enjoy the event safely.

1. Before placing any bets, decide how much you can afford to lose without it affecting your daily life. Set a clear betting limit and avoid chasing losses if things don’t go your way.
2. Many bookmakers offer tools to help you control your spending. Use deposit limits, time reminders, and self-exclusion options to manage your betting activity.
3. Avoid gambling when under the influence of alcohol or emotions. Impulsive decisions can lead to unnecessary losses. Stay focused and make informed choices.
4. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Treat it like any other leisure activity—once your budget is spent, walk away and enjoy the rest of the festival.

If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, there are plenty of support services available. Organisations like BeGambleAware and GamCare offer confidential advice and assistance.

For more information and support, visit BeGambleAware or call the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133.

Enjoy Cheltenham responsibly and bet within your means!