Cheltenham Festival 2025: Complete Betting Preview and Expert Tips

The greatest show in jump racing returns in March. Declan Murphy delivers his comprehensive ante-post analysis and value selections.

Cheltenham Festival 2025: The Ultimate Betting Preview

The roar of the Cheltenham crowd. The thunder of hooves up that famous hill. The agony and ecstasy that only jump racing can deliver. The Cheltenham Festival isn't just a sporting event—it's a pilgrimage for Irish racing fans, and 2025 promises to be exceptional.

The Festival Format

Four days, 28 races, over £6 million in prize money:

Tuesday (Champion Day): Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Arkle Challenge Trophy, Champion Hurdle, Mares' Hurdle

Wednesday (Ladies Day): Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, Champion Chase, Cross Country Chase

Thursday (St Patrick's Day): Turners Novices' Chase, Pertemps Final, Ryanair Chase, Stayers' Hurdle

Friday (Gold Cup Day): Triumph Hurdle, County Hurdle, Albert Bartlett, Gold Cup

Championship Races Analysis

Champion Hurdle (Tuesday)

The two-mile hurdle championship sees Constitution Hill seeking back-to-back titles after his devastating 2024 victory. At 4/5, he's prohibitively short, but his dominance is undeniable—9 lengths average winning margin in his last five starts.

Value Alternative: State Man (5/1) impressed when winning the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown. Willie Mullins has worked wonders with this eight-year-old, and if Constitution Hill shows any vulnerability, he's ready to pounce.

Champion Chase (Wednesday)

El Fabiolo (11/10) is the horse everyone's talking about. His Leopardstown demolition job over Christmas was breathtaking—18 lengths clear with ears pricked. But the Cheltenham hill is unforgiving, and he's yet to prove himself there.

Value Alternative: Jonbon (3/1) has the Arkle victory on his CV and stays well. Nicky Henderson's charge could give El Fabiolo more to think about than current odds suggest.

Stayers' Hurdle (Thursday)

Teahupoo (2/1) is a remarkable horse—Grade 1 victories over hurdles and fences. His versatility and stamina make him the class horse in this division.

Value Alternative: Blazing Khal (6/1) at a track where he's twice won at the Festival. Course form matters enormously in this staying test.

Gold Cup (Friday)

Galopin Des Champs (6/4) goes for a historic third consecutive Gold Cup. Only Best Mate and Arkle have achieved this—illustrious company. His return to form in the Savills Chase suggests the fire still burns.

Value Alternative: Shishkin (8/1) intrigues me. If returning to peak form, his raw ability matches anyone. The question is whether that form returns—but at these prices, he's worth a small each-way stake.

Irish-Trained Horses to Follow

Willie Mullins dominates numerically, but specific entries stand out:

Facile Vega (Supreme or Champion Hurdle): A fascinating horse with top-class ability. If tackling the Supreme as a second-season novice, his experience could prove decisive.

Gaelic Warrior (Arkle): Unbeaten over fences. If he runs, he likely wins.

Corbetts Cross (NH Chase or Albert Bartlett): Gordon Elliott's staying star could announce himself on the biggest stage.

Sir Gino (Champion Hurdle or Supreme): Nicky Henderson's ace if Constitution Hill falters.

Betting Strategy for Cheltenham

Ante-Post Now: Prices are at their most generous now. Key selections should be placed before December trials compress odds.

Each-Way Value: In big fields (handicaps, novice hurdles), each-way bets offer insurance. 25/1 each-way in a 20-runner handicap hurdle can return profit from a 4th place finish.

Multiples with Caution: The temptation of big-priced accumulators is real, but remember: one loser kills the bet. If doing multiples, keep them small (doubles/trebles) with genuinely confident selections.

Non-Runner Rules: Check each bookmaker's policy. Some offer "Non-Runner No Bet" on ante-post wagers—valuable insurance if your selection doesn't make the race.

My Headline Ante-Post Selections

1. State Man (Champion Hurdle) - 5/1 each-way
2. Shishkin (Gold Cup) - 8/1 each-way
3. Corbetts Cross (Albert Bartlett) - 10/1 each-way
4. Blazing Khal (Stayers' Hurdle) - 6/1 each-way

The Irish Challenge

Ireland has dominated Cheltenham in recent years, winning over 60% of races annually. Mullins, Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead raid in numbers, and their string quality has never been higher.

This year's Cheltenham clash has extra spice. Irish-trained horses may exceed 180 entries—unprecedented depth. British yards are fighting back, but Ireland remains the punters' homeland.

Final Thoughts

Cheltenham is unique. The atmosphere, the quality, the drama—nothing compares. But it's also a betting minefield where favourites fall and longshots prevail.

Approach it with discipline. Set a festival budget and stick to it. Don't chase losses on day one by over-betting day two. Savour the spectacle—and if your horses win, savour that too.

See you at Prestbury Park.