Cheltenham Day 1 Tips: Race rundown and predictions for 2025

Champion Hurdle tips

We have seen some great scenes at the Cheltenham Festival down the years but if CONSTITUTION HILL was to take back his Champion Hurdle crown on Tuesday I think that would be right up there. It has been well documented what the horse has gone through and his trainer Nicky Henderson has had to put up with a media barrage throughout. The facts are he has won both starts this season and they seem happy they have got him back to his best. He looked electric in a racecourse gallop at Kempton just last week and seems to be peaking at just the right time.

After much deliberation Gordon Elliott has decided to take a shot at glory with the mare Brighterdaysahead and she is expected to make a race of it. She has only tasted defeat herself once and looked something out of the ordinary winning by 30 lengths at Leopardstown when last seen. She is clearly very talented and does get the mares allowance but even so I think she’ll lose ground at her flights in comparison to Constitution Hill and might always be coming off second best.

With Constitution Hill absent last year State Man won the race and found himself back in the winners enclosure at the Dublin Racing Festival last month taking advantage of a fall from Lossiemouth. He doesn’t look the force of old though and will likely struggle to keep tabs on them. King Of Kingsfield is likely to be used as a pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead so that could leave something at a bigger price to pick up the pieces for third which could be Golden Ace who comes here instead of the Mares route.

2 CONSTITUTION HILL

• Trainer: Nicky Henderson
• Jockey: Nico de Boinville
• Form: 111-1111-1-11
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 11-10

🏇 Constitution Hill to win the Champion Hurdle at 8/13 with Betfred 🏇

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle tips

Before we get stuck into the first race of the Cheltenham Festival I just want to mention what a nice gesture it is from the Jockey Club and SkyBet to rename the race the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Michael won the race 2 years ago on Marine Nationale and it will likely be quite an emotional watch this year as the talented jockey is remembered. Barry Connell does actually have his colours represented in this year’s race with William Munny who was very impressive at Punchestown. He probably needs softer ground to be seen to best effect but even so he is in there with a chance.

All eyes will be on KOPEK DES BORDES and how he goes down to the start. As long as he doesn’t boil over in the prelims I can see him being really difficult to beat. He was so impressive at the Dublin Racing Festival and looks a horse with the world at his feet. He is a free goer but the engine was there for all to see last time and he can only improve again as he learns how to race. Due to his price I have had an each way saver on WORKAHEAD at a nice price. Henry de Bromhead won the race last year and this horse impressed beating William Munny so the form has worked out well.

Salvator Mundi has been a drifter in the betting but he is already a Grade 2 winner and if he jumps better here which I envisage him doing so he could definitely get competitive. Irancy impressed beating Will The Wise at Punchestown and despite lacking a recent run is another one you could see improving so don’t completely rule him out either in what looks like it could be quite a good renewal with strength in depth this year.

5 KOPEK DES BORDES

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Jockey: Paul Townend
• Form: 1-11
• Age: 5yo
• Weight: 11-7

🏇 Kopek Des Bordes to win the Supreme Novices’ at 10/11 with bet365 🏇

12 WORKAHEAD

• Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
• Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
• Form: 31
• Age: 7yo
• Weight: 11-7

🏇 Workahead to win the Supreme Novices’ at 8/1 with bet365 🏇

Arkle Chase tips

The last time the Arkle only had 5 runners it was won by the favourite Shishkin back in 2021. It is a shame we only have a handful of runners this year but Willie Mullins won’t mind that as MAJBOROUGH looks to have plenty going for him. He always promised to make a better chaser and he is living up to expectations having won both starts over fences this season. He can jump better than he did at the Dublin Racing Festival but that didn’t stop him winning by 9 lengths and he is only going to improve as he gains more experience.

L’eau du Sud takes his chance for Dan and Harry Skelton but he looked to have a harder race than needed when winning at Warwick and could help set it up for the favourite. He is 4-4 over fences himself but I’m not sold about him off the bridle and think he could be up against it. Tactically it will be fascinating to see who goes to the front but whatever happens I don’t expect Mark Walsh to be far behind.

Only By Night has opted to come here instead of the Mares and she could run well without threatening. Jango Baie was impressive beating Springwell Bay on debut over fences before bumping into Handstands at Sandown. He is a nice horse but this requires another step up. The better ground should suit though and I’d actually see him as a greater danger than L’eau du Sud although I’d be very confident in the favourite taking this one.

3 MAJBOROUGH

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Jockey: Mark Walsh
• Form: 31-11
• Age: 5yo
• Weight: 11-7

🏇 Majborough to win the Arkle Chase at 4/7 with talkSPORT BET 🏇

Ultima Handicap Chase tips

I always like to look at the trends ahead of the Ultima and a horse that fits plenty this year is BROADWAY BOY for the Twiston-Davies team. This 7yo took really well to fences winning 3 of his first 4 starts including twice at this track. Things haven’t gone to plan as such this season but he shaped well in defeat here on return and then bumped into Kandoo Kid at Newbury which was another good run in defeat. His jumping let him down last time but he has had an operation on his knees since and has reportedly schooled really well at home. He still has a lot of potential and I think he deserves to be favourite.

The Changing Man is favourite at the time of writing and he had been a ’nearly’ horse before being presented with the race at Ascot. He is on an upward curve now though so is respected. Katate Dori was mega impressive winning by 15 lengths at Kempton but this comes soon enough so that would be a bit concerning. Whistle Stop Tour had excuses behind Jagwar when only fifth here last time and if bouncing back could be one of the lively dangers.

Looking at the bigger prices in the race Trelawne is still lightly raced for his age and was actually sent off favourite for this race before falling at just the second fence. He has gone under the radar somewhat but carries top-weight so it would take a big performance. I do think he’ll stay this far but he needs to prove he can handle this faster ground.

3 BROADWAY BOY

• Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
• Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
• Form: 2214U11-121135-324
• Age: 7yo
• Weight: 11-12

🏇 Broadway Boy to win the Ultima Handicap at 8.4/1 with SBK 🏇

Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle tips

I can’t have been the only one surprised at LOSSIEMOUTH opting for this race instead of the Champion Hurdle. The reasoning does make sense as she took a heavy fall at Leopardstown when last seen and was also held by Constitution Hill at Kempton. There is only one Champion Hurdle though and I thought Rich Ricci would give it a shot especially as they have said all along that they had a ’two year plan’ with her. The facts are she will take an awful lot of beating in this as quite simply she is a cut above. I never usually like backing horses off the back of a fall but she has never fallen before and I’m willing to make an exception as she is still a very exciting mare.

I wonder if her age had a lot to do with the decision as she remains just a 6yo so plenty of time to have a go at the big one in years to come. She obviously won this by 3 lengths last year and I’m struggling to see any different outcome. She seems better suited by this trip nowadays and is deservedly a short price to defend her crown.

Stablemate Jade De Grugy won by 6 lengths at Punchestown last month and is trading as the second favourite. I’ve not been convinced by her though and was willing to take her on before Lossiemouth switched. July Flower would probably be my idea of the danger as she beat Kala Conti by 4 lengths at Leopardstown and has been put away with this as the target. Henry de Bromhead was interviewed a couple of days ago and seemed pretty bullish that she would put up a big performance.

9 LOSSIEMOUTH

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Jockey: Paul Townend
• Form: 11211-111-12F
• Age: 6yo
• Weight: 11-5

🏇 Lossiemouth to win the Mares’ Hurdle at 8/13 with Paddy Power 🏇

Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle tips

I can see this big field scenario really suiting STENCIL and he is a confident bet to go close in this. It is fiercely competitive but he was a big eye-catcher chasing home East India Dock on Trials Day here when last seen and this has likely been the plan all along. An opening mark of 135 looks lenient and if he settles better and jumps well then that is half the battle. He won 2 from 3 in France before coming over to these shores and brings a lot of potential to the table.

The Irish are mob handed in this and have some strong opposition probably headed by Total Look for Gavin Cromwell. This 4yo beat Beyond Your Dreams at Navan and then was beaten here and at Punchestown. He has plenty of experience and his trainer can certainly ready one so watch the market on him. Beyond Your Dreams obviously ties in with the Cromwell horse and sports first-time cheekpieces so is another lively danger.

There are plenty at bigger prices capable of getting involved too. Hot Fuss was beaten 4 lengths by East India Dock at Wincanton so would certainly have claims on that run and won on the Flat just last month to put him spot on for this. Murcia is also interesting with Rachael Blackmore booked.

4 STENCIL

• Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
• Jockey: James Reveley
• Form: 1-162
• Age: 4yo
• Weight: 11-11

🏇 Stencil to win the Juvenile Handicap at 5.4/1 with SBK 🏇

National Hunt Chase tips

A wide open renewal and in truth any of 4 or 5 are capable of getting involved here. HAITI COULEURS is unexposed though and looks all about stamina so should run a big race for Rebecca Curtis. Back over hurdles he ran well to finish third at Newbury last month and this has likely been the plan for a while. That form beating Transmission here looks decent and he should have plenty more improvement to come over fences especially over a marathon trip like this.

Now Is The Hour is favourite for Gavin Cromwell and he must be respected as this trip looks sure to suit him on the evidence we’ve seen. He goes handicapping for the first time and looks a big danger. Transmission has been running well and if you forgive him that last run behind Gowel Road and co he definitely comes into the reckoning.

At a much bigger price I thought Hasthing could run well. He won twice at Windsor and then caught the eye staying on well behind Victtorino at Ascot. This better ground should suit and if he stays the trip I wouldn’t have him as big as 16/1. Captain Cody looks all about stamina and is unlikely to be far away but possibly just lacks a gear change when needed as he showed when third to Three Card Brag at Navan.

6 HAITI COLEURS

• Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
• Jockey: Ben Jones
• Form: 22411-2113
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 11-4

🏇 Haiti Coleurs to win the National Hunt Chase at 4/1 with Paddy Power 🏇

Cheltenham Day 1 Race Schedule

Cheltenham 2025 Hub

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.