Cheltenham Festival 2025 Preview

The Cheltenham Festival 2025 Preview is your ultimate guide to the most exciting four days in National Hunt racing. With world-class horses, legendary jockeys, and iconic races like the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and the Gold Cup, Cheltenham Festival 2025 promises unmissable action. From expert insights to key contenders and betting tips, this preview covers everything you need to know. Stay ahead of the game with race schedules, Cheltenham form guides, and predictions for the biggest event in jump racing.

The Cheltenham Festival: A Premier Event in National Hunt Racing

The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of National Hunt racing, attracting the best horses, jockeys, and trainers from the UK and Ireland. Held annually in March at Cheltenham Racecourse, this four-day spectacle offers some of the biggest sports betting wagers, legendary victories, and unmatched excitement. With prize money second only to the Grand National, Cheltenham is a must-watch event for horse racing enthusiasts. The festival’s blend of elite Grade 1 races, roaring crowds, and wild betting action cements its status as one of the most prestigious meetings in the racing calendar.

The Prestigious Races of the Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival is home to some of the most prestigious races in National Hunt racing, each carrying history, prestige, and immense prize money. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the crown jewel, testing the stamina and skill of the best steeplechasers. Other standout events include the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and the Stayers’ Hurdle, each determining the season’s top performers. With 28 races across four thrilling days, Cheltenham delivers world-class competition and unforgettable sporting drama.

The Evolution of the Cheltenham Festival: From Three to Four Days

The Cheltenham Festival has undergone significant changes since its early years, growing from a small, two-day event to a four-day extravaganza. This expansion was officially introduced in 2005, giving racegoers more thrilling opportunities to watch world-class racing. The change not only added an extra day of racing, but also brought in additional races to maintain a packed schedule.

Key Milestones in Cheltenham Festival Evolution:

• Early Years: Initially a two-day event, the festival was held at various locations, including Market Harborough and Warwick.
• 1904: Cheltenham Racecourse becomes the permanent home of the festival.
• 2005: The introduction of a fourth day and additional Grade 1 races, including the Arkle Challenge Trophy and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
• Current Format: 28 races spread across four days, including prestigious events such as the Champion Hurdle, Gold Cup, and Queen Mother Champion Chase.

This expansion not only increased the festival’s appeal but also solidified Cheltenham’s position as a key player in the international racing calendar, attracting fans from all over the world. With more races to enjoy, the Cheltenham Festival continues to grow in both scale and prestige.

The Cheltenham Roar: Atmosphere Like No Other

The atmosphere at the Cheltenham Festival is truly one of a kind. The moment the starter raises the tape for the first race, the crowd erupts in what is known as the “Cheltenham Roar.” This deafening cheer signals the start of the four-day festival, creating an electric environment filled with excitement, anticipation, and sheer passion. It’s a sound that fans, trainers, and jockeys all associate with the thrill of jump racing.

• The Cheltenham Roar: The crowd’s massive cheer when the first race of the festival begins.

• Unmatched Excitement: Fans from all over the world gather to watch top-class racing.
• A Unique Tradition: The roar has become a defining symbol of the festival’s energy and enthusiasm.

As the festival continues, the energy never wanes. Every race, especially the Grade 1 events, sees passionate fans cheering on their favorites, creating an atmosphere that’s second to none in the world of horse racing. This excitement, combined with the stunning backdrop of Prestbury Park, is what makes Cheltenham so special.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Preview Courses

When it comes to betting, understanding the nuances of the Cheltenham courses is crucial. The Festival utilizes three distinct courses:

Course	Features
Old Course	Sharper track, with tighter turns and a steeper downhill section. Speed and balance are key, especially for shorter races.
New Course	A more stamina-heavy circuit with tricky jumps, requiring horses to be both strong and good jumpers.
Cross Country Course	Unique mix of flat racing and bespoke obstacles like banks, ditches, and cheese wedges. It’s an exciting challenge for the horses.

Record-Breaking Bets and Prize Money at Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Festival is not only known for its world-class racing, but also for the staggering amounts of money wagered throughout the event. Each year, hundreds of millions of pounds are bet on the festival’s 28 races, making it one of the most significant betting events in the UK.

Key Cheltenham Betting Facts:

• Over £250 million was wagered during the 2020 festival.
• The Gold Cup, being the highlight, sees the highest betting volume.
• Cheltenham attracts a mix of casual punters and seasoned professionals, all eager to place their bets on the leading contenders.

The prize money at Cheltenham is also immense, with the total pot for the entire festival often surpassing £4 million. This makes it one of the richest meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar, second only to the Grand National in terms of overall prize money. With these big stakes, it’s no wonder that Cheltenham draws huge crowds of punters hoping to make their fortune. The blend of intense competition and high-stakes betting only adds to the thrill of the festival.

Most Winning Jockeys at the Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival has seen some of the most accomplished jockeys in the world. Their successes at the festival are etched in history, with many jockeys having won multiple times across various years. Below is a table showcasing the most successful jockeys at the festival since 1980.

Jockey	Wins (Since 1980)
Paul Townend	20
Ruby Walsh	59
Rachael Blackmore	8
Davy Russell	19
Barry Geraghty	43
Mick Fitzgerald	10

These jockeys have shown consistency and excellence in the most prestigious races, and their victories have become part of Cheltenham’s legendary history.

Most Winning Trainers at the Cheltenham Festival

Along with the top jockeys, the Cheltenham Festival has been dominated by several highly successful trainers who have led their horses to victory time and time again. Below is a table of the most successful trainers since 1997.

Trainer	Wins (Since 1997)
Willie Mullins	94
Gordon Elliott	41
Nicky Henderson	72
Paul Nicholls	48
Martin Pipe	34
Jonjo O’Neill	24

These trainers have shaped the success of the festival, with their horses regularly competing at the highest level and dominating Cheltenham’s prestigious Grade 1 races.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Preview Nights Calendar

The Cheltenham Festival 2025 Preview Nights will offer racing enthusiasts a chance to hear expert insights and predictions from some of the best in the industry. Here is the calendar of events across the UK and Ireland:

Date	Location	Time	Participants
February 25	Dragonbet at Village Hotel, Cardiff	7.30pm	Martin Higgs, Sam Thomas, Johnny Dineen, Alan Johns, Sean & James Bowen (subject to riding commitments)
February 27	Woodlands House Hotel, Limerick, Co Limerick	7.00pm	David Jennings, Ted Walsh, Darragh O’Keefe, Johnny Dineen, Eric McNamara, Davy Russell, Cathal Byrnes
February 27	Rody Bolands, Rathmines, Dublin	7.30pm	Bryan Cooper, Kevin Blake, Tony Keenan
February 28	Lavery’s, Belfast, Northern Ireland	7.30pm	Bryan Cooper, Kevin Blake, Tony Keenan, Pamela Ballentine
February 28	The Farmers Kitchen, Drinagh	8.00pm	Liam Spratt, JJ Slevin, Sean O’Keeffe, Keith Donoghue, Conor Stone-Walsh, Jamie Codd
March 4	The Durell Arms, Fulham, London	6.30pm	Luke Harvey, Paddy Brennan, Charlie St Quinton, Liam Harrison, Gary Wiltshire
March 5	Let’s Talk Racing at The Tiger Inn, Easington	7.00pm	Andrew Blair White, Joshua Stacey, Bob Champion, Adam Nichol
March 5	The Greig Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire	7.30pm	Gordy Clarkson, Dan Skelton, Harry Skelton, Olly Murphy
March 5	Clavell & Hind, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire	7.00pm	Jamie Snowden, Alan Johns, Fergal O’Brien, Tom Drinkwater, Andrew Staines, James Lovell
March 5	Tynedale Farmer Function Suite, Hexham	7.00pm	Andrew Thornton, Gordon Brown, Rebecca Menzies, Ian Hamilton, Craig Nichol
March 5	Rawdon Cricket Club, Rawdon, Leeds	7.30pm	Jonathan Doidge, Daryl Jacob, David Carr, Michael Shinners
March 6	West Berkshire Racing Club at Newbury Racecourse	7.30pm	Toby Lawes, Seamus Mullins, Harry Bannister, Liam Headd
March 6	Micky Quinn’s preview night at Mister Shenanigans, Coventry	7.45pm	Micky Quinn, Derek Thompson, Tom Ellis
March 6	Let’s Talk Racing at Regency Hotel, Solihull	7.00pm	Andrew Blair White, Joshua Stacey, Chris Pitt, Charlie Poste
March 6	The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse	6.30pm	TBC
March 7	Club 100, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire	6.30pm	Gordon Brown, Paul Carberry, Ian Robinson, Paul Ferguson, James Griffin, Paul Costello
March 7	Tynemouth Cricket Club, North Shields, Tyne and Wear	7.00pm	Dave Armstrong, Rebecca Menzies, Matt Rennie, Will Smith
March 7	East Garston Village Hall, West Berkshire	7.30pm	Jamie Snowden, Stan Moore, Pat Murphy, Colin Brown, Marcus Armytage, Ed James
March 7	Races Now at The Globe Inn, Standish, Wigan	7.30pm for 8.00pm start	Adam Smith, Paul Garritty, Stephen Darbyshire, Lee Jones
March 7	Baildon Cricket Club, Baildon, Shipley	7.30pm	Derek Thompson, David Carr, Richard Johnson, Tom Scudamore
March 11	Cheltenham Cricket Club, Gloucestershire	7.00pm	Ciaran Gethings, Rupert Bell, Lizzie Kelly, James Stevens
February 28	The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire	6.30pm	TBC
March 6	Ratoath GAA Clubhouse, County Meath	8.00pm	Tom Gannon, Paul Callaghan, John McConnell, Nina Carberry, Keith Donoghue, Gavin Lynch
March 6	Monroes Live, Galway	8.00pm	AP McCoy, Kevin O’Ryan, David Casey, Gary O’Brien, Busty Amond, Johnny Dineen, Joseph O’Brien, Ross O’Sullivan
March 7	Crookstown Inn, Crookstown, County Kildare	8.00pm	John McConnell, Johnny Dineen, Shark Hanlon, Gavin Lynch, Darragh Fitzpatrick
March 7	Arkle Bar, Navan Racecourse	8.00pm	David Jennings, Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott, Nina Carberry, Noel Moran

This calendar is packed with informative events featuring key figures from the world of horse racing. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a casual fan, these nights offer expert insights into the upcoming festival and provide the perfect opportunity to meet some of the top names in the sport.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Preview Betting Strategy

The Cheltenham Festival is a place where history is made, and while many of the favourites seem like certainties, it’s essential to remember that not all of them will win. Horses like Facile Vega, Constitution Hill, Energumene, and Lossiemouth may look unstoppable, but the reality is that the short-priced favourites often disappoint. In fact, there have been 58 odds-on shots at the Festival since 2004, and only 30 of them emerged victorious. This means there’s a good chance that at least two of the top contenders will fall short, and figuring out which ones will be the key to success.

When it comes to betting at Cheltenham, timing is everything. There are three distinct phases to consider: securing long-range bets on horses that seem to have strong chances, taking advantage of the non-runner, no-bet option when bookmakers offer it, and finally, placing bets on the day of the race when competition among bookmakers brings out the best value. The hype surrounding the Festival can sometimes lead to irrational betting decisions, making it easy to get swept up in the frenzy. To succeed, focus on finding horses that have a better chance than their odds suggest, and remember that Cheltenham is just one part of the racing calendar—don’t bet just for the sake of it.

It’s also important not to dismiss the second or third-string horses from top trainers. While it’s common to think the first-string runners are the best, history has shown that stablemates often outperform expectations. A prime example is Eglantine Du Seuil’s 50-1 victory in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, where trainer Willie Mullins had multiple horses entered in the race. Rather than relying solely on a horse’s stable status, take the time to assess each contender on its individual merits, as surprises often occur in these highly competitive races.

Cheltenham is notorious for its unpredictable outcomes, and the best horses don’t always maintain their dominance. Even seemingly unbeatable champions like Shishkin have faltered in the past, showing that the unique pressures of the Festival can affect any horse. While it’s tempting to place bets on the favourites, it’s important to expect the unexpected and understand that upsets are part of the magic of Cheltenham. Alongside this, never underestimate the importance of Cheltenham form—horses that have performed well at the Festival in previous years often carry that form into future races. So when choosing between potential winners, always give extra weight to those who have proven themselves in this unique environment.

Key Takeaways for Cheltenham 2025 Betting Success

The Cheltenham Festival is a thrilling spectacle where both the horses and the bettors face immense pressure. By considering the unpredictable nature of the event, timing your bets, and following key trends, you can maximize your chances of success. Remember, the unexpected is always around the corner.

The Cheltenham Festival FAQs