CHELTENHAM 2025 DAY ONE - BEST OF LUCK ONE AND ALL

The plan was for a bit of chit chat ahead of my daily article but with seven top-class races every day to deal with there just aren’t enough hours for me to cope – so, straight to the racing it is….

1.20pm Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

As I write the Irish are responsible for the first eight in the betting, and 14 of the first 15, though that may all change by race day. It is not exactly unknown for Willie Mullins to win races with his supposed second or third string, but there will be some very long faces if Kopek Des Bordes fails to land the spoils. Last time out he won a Grade One at Leopardstown by a pretty effortless 13 lengths, and if he arrives at that level, then even the early price of Evens may look value after they fly past the post. For those looking for an each way alternative, stable companions Salvator Mundi and Funiculi Funicula both appeal, in a race where only two of the 12 declared aren’t trained in Ireland with Willie Mullins responsible for half the field.

2.00pm – Arkle Challenge Trophy

Majborough has done nothing wrong with wins at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown over fences following success here in the Triumph Hurdle last season, but once again, we are talking heavily odds-on – and where is the fun in that? Dan Skelton is naturally wary of the Mullins beast but he has plenty of confidence in L’Eau du Sud, the more experienced of the pair with victories at Stratford, here, Sandown and Warwick.  He looked as if he idled a bit when only winning by a length last time out, but that will have put him spot-on for this, and at 9/2 or thereabouts, I will be backing him each way for the first two home knowing I get my money back if he places, and plenty more if he comes home in front.

2.40pm – Ultima Handicap Chase

The books may already be on the ropes if the first two favourites win, but this looks a whole lot more competitive. The Changing Man has been well backed in recent days but 6/1 looks plenty skinny enough to me and I will take a chance to very small stakes that Stay Away Fay can bounce back to his very best. The Albert Bartlett winner over hurdles in 2023, he has won two of his five starts over fences but has looked a shadow of his former self lately, pulling up on his last three starts. This will be his second race back after wind surgery which may see some improvement, and at 33/1 or thereabouts (do shop around), he could surprise them all with a top four finish.

3.20pm – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle

If Lossiemouth does head here as expected then the Mullins mare is by far the most likely winner and she would be my confident selection this afternoon with an easy win expected barring a fall. This would be an awful lot easier than taking on Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle, but her entry there shows you just how good she is even if this is a lesser accomplishment. Should she decline the option (or for those looking for big priced options) then a little each way on Dysart Enos could reap rewards. Fergal O’Brien has not lost faith in the seven-year-old despite a pair of way below par efforts this season, and we can all be assured he will have her tuned to the minute for this important and valuable contest.

4.00pm – Unibet Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle got a whole lot more interesting when Gordon Elliott decided to send Brighterdaysahead here as opposed to other targets, and she will undoubtedly attempt to serve it up to Constitution Hill in receipt of her 7lb mares’ allowance. She is hard to know after wins at Down Royal, Punchestown, and Leopardstown (by 30 lengths) this season, but she has 5lb to find on official ratings even allowing for her concession. The general consensus is that she will try to make this a test of stamina as she has already proven she stays further, but when I spoke to Nicky Henderson, trainer of the favourite, he didn’t seem particularly bothered by that prospect. His eight year old remains unbeaten under rules with a 10 out of 10 record over hurdles including this race in 2023 and although he missed the race last year, he ought to make amends in 2025.

4.40pm Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle

This looks as competitive as any race we will see all week, on paper at least, and to suggest I am confident I have found the winner would be pure BS with plenty of these open to further improvement. One I do like on the form we have seen is Liam Swagger, and at 20/1 he will be my each way pick with a recent win on the Flat to freshen him up a bonus. He will need to brush up on his hurdling skills after a couple of errors saw him come home second at Newbury over obstacles in December, but he already has a Listed win to his name and in theory, he should go well back in handicap company with Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle.  

5.20pm – National Hunt Challenge Cup

The Irish have won the last five renewals of this contest and eight of the last 10, and look all set to do so again if the betting is to be believed, with Now Is The Hour heading the early betting for Gavin Cromwell in its new format as a handicap. Three and three-quarter miles will take some getting, yet not one of these has ever won at the trip so we really are second guessing. Haiti Coulueurs is my “stab in the dark” for this for Rebecca Curtis with his 100% record at the track (one start one win so don’t get too excited), and a staying on third over hurdles last time out, possibly to protect his handicap mark for this. Quietly supported in recent days down to 9/2 he does at least look as if he will get home over the trip, though this may yet be a race to watch and not to bet in.