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Cheltenham Ante-Post Tips 2025
Cheltenham 15 March 2024 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup A delighted Willie Mullins after Galopin Des Champs won their second Gold Cup
Photo Healy RacingWith one of the biggest National Hunt events almost upon us, what we all need is reliable Cheltenham ante-post tips. The 2025 Cheltenham Festival takes place between Tuesday 11th and Friday 14th of March and serves up four days of exhilarating action.
We have all the best Cheltenham ante-post selections you need to help you identify winners and you can find a host of high-value Cheltenham free bets and betting offers Ireland here along with UK betting offers which can be found here.
Cheltenham Festival Preview 2025
Watch our 2025 Cheltenham Festival preview with Emma Nagle, Johnny Ward, JJ Slevin, Lisa O'Neill and Paddy Flood.
JJ Slevin's Stayers' Hurdle hope is 'flying'
Jockey JJ Slevin is particularly looking forward to his ride aboard Home By The Lee in the Stayers' Hurdle. Hailing from the Joseph O’Brien yard, Home By The Lee second favourite for the race behind hot favourite and last year's winner Teahupoo. Slevin said:
“He came back in the Autumn, like a different horse this year.
“For some reason, I don't know why, he's got a lot faster, more tuned in. And he's been flying at home, he's been flying all autumn into the winter. He's flying at the minute."
Lisa O'Neill sweet on Brighterdaysahead
Lisa O’Neill, assistant trainer to Gordon Ellliott, believes that their star mare, Brighterdaysahead has a fine chance in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
“There are a few of them in there, including Constitution Hill, State Man as well as Lossiemouth. They all come there with question marks.
“I think for me, obviously, she [Brighterdaysahead] has been on the upgrade all season. She's proved herself the last time we've seen her.”
See our Cheltenham race cards which display in-depth previews and tips for each race closer to the event.
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Cheltenham Day 1 Ante-post Tips and Trends, Tuesday 11th March 2025
Day one is highlighted by the two-mile Champion Hurdle when the fastest and most talented hurdlers are put to the test. Last year State Man was got his deserved victory in the big race.
Constitution Hill is odds-on favourite to land the 2025 renewal and should he return in the form we saw him in when winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, he will be difficult to beat. State Man will take him on for the Willie Mullins powerhouse, while Brighterdaysahead could be a big danger for Gordon Elliott.
We take a look at some stats and trends for the Champion Hurdle to help you with your Cheltenham day 1 ante-post tips:
- The most successful trainer in the race is Nicky Henderson, who has saddled the winner on nine occasions.
- Willie Mullins has landed the prize five times and has had runners placed in five of the last six renewals.
- Irish trainers have a good record in the Champion Hurdle, having won thirteen of the past twenty one runnings.
- Eleven of the last twelve winners had won a Grade 1 going into the race.
- The last eleven winners of the Champion Hurdle had last run between 26 and 78 days ago.
- The last eleven winners were rated 161 or above.
Stephen Harris' Day 1 Cheltenham Tip - Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle
ROMEO COOLIO 6/1 Gordon Elliott has a typically strong hand in the novice division, and his battle-hardened performer has impressed in winning two of his three starts over hurdles so far. He is a sound jumper with a good attitude under pressure, and the increased emphasis on stamina up the Cheltenham hill should play to his strengths when the chips are down (with a positive ride on the cards). The short priced favourite Kopek Des Bordes really impressed at the DRF, but he is a freegoing sort and all speed, and this will be a very different test.
See more day 1 Cheltenham tips here
Cheltenham Day 2 Ante-Post Tips and Trends, Wednesday 12th March 2025
The two-mile specialists go head to head once more on day two, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase taking centre stage. The ultimate test of speed and agility, the feature race is a fine spectacle as the best two-mile chasers battle it out over thirteen fences.
Below you can find some trends to help you with your Cheltenham day 2 picks:
- The last eleven winners of the Champion Chase appeared at least 32 days ago.
- Trainer Willie Mullins has won the Champion Case twice during his illustrious training career.
- Nicky Henderson has won this contest five times in the last twelve years.
- Nine of the last eleven winners had won last time out.
- Twelve of the last fourteen winners were aged between 7 and 9.
See more day 2 Cheltenham tips here
Stephen Harris' Day 2 Cheltenham Tip - Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
DANCING CITY 4/1 Willie Mullins has enjoyed a typically prolific season with some fantastic young horses in the yard, and his exciting young chaser has really impressed with his jumping in winning both starts over fences so far. He seems sure to get a positive ride to utilise his cruising speed, and encouragingly showed he handled these undulating conditions when finishing a cracking third in the 2024 Albert Bartlett at the festival. Both of his two wins over fences this winter have come on pretty deep ground (landing the odds with ease at Punchestown and Naas), but he cruised round on good ground at the Punchestown festival last May, and these conditions should suit given how smoothly he travels.
Cheltenham Day 3 Ante-Post Tips and Trends, Thursday 13th March 2025
Things get ratcheted up here on day three. The feature race is the three-mile Stayers‘ Hurdle, while the richest race on the card is the Ryanair Chase.
The Stayers‘ Hurdle is race four on the card and Teahupoo heads the market with most bookmakers, while Home By The Lee and Vauban are also prominent in the betting.
Take a look at the stats and trends below:
- Gavin Cromwell and Willie Mullins have won this race twice in the last eleven years.
- The last eleven winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle appeared at least 46 days ago.
- Four of the last twelve winners had run in the Cleeve Hurdle on Cheltenham Trials day.
- Nine of the last eleven winners were aged 6 or 7.
- Three favourites have won in the last eleven years.
Stephen Harris' Day 3 Cheltenham Tip - Stayers' Hurdle
THE WALLPARK 12/1 Gordon Elliott’s "second string" is a very interesting runner, and looks decent value each-way at around the 12/1 mark with Pricedupbet. The 7-y-o has now won 6 from 12 over hurdles so far, improving run to run as his stamina has been drawn out, and caught the eye stepping up in class when fourth behind Crambo in the Long Walk at Ascot (first run in the JP McManus colours). He was poorly placed and finished with running left in the tank there, and is likely to enjoy the strong gallop likely in this Grade 1 prize. There is no doubt he is a bigger price than he should be because most judges have him pegged as a progressive handicapper, but this division is hardly the strongest and he represents different formlines altogether to the principals.
See more day 3 Cheltenham tips here
Cheltenham Day 4 Ante-Post Tips and Trends, Friday 14th March 2025
This is the point at which the Festival reaches a crescendo - Gold Cup day. Betting tips for Cheltenham are most sought after on this day and we‘ve got you covered. We also have Cheltenham ante-post tips on the Jump To It videos displayed on our homepage of this site.
The majority of Cheltenham betting tips centre on the Gold Cup. The feature race of this meeting and of the entire National Hunt season, this phenomenal Grade 1 event is as competitive as ever. Galopin De Champs is most fancied to take the coveted prize for the third year running and he faces some experienced rivals, including Fact To File and Gerri Colombe.
At bigger odds, you will find Grey Dawning and L'Homme Presse
Below we looks at the stats and trends to help you unearth the best Cheltenham Gold Cup tips:
- Henry De Bromhead has won the last two of the last four renewals.
- Only five of the last eleven winners were sent off favourite.
- Irish trainers have won nine of the last twelve renewals of the Gold Cup.
- Eleven of the last twelve had won over three miles or further.
- The last eleven winners were aged 7-9.
- Paul Townend is the most-winning jockey in the last eleven years, having won the prize twice aboard Al Boum Photo and twice aboard Galopin Des Champs.
Stephen Harris' Day 4 Cheltenham Tip - Mares' Chase
ALLEGORIE DE VASSY 5/1 Willie Mullins classy mare has won 5 of her 13 career starts over fences so far, and comes into the festival on the back of a cracking effort from the front at Naas in February (just denied on the nod by Dinoblue). She got a poor ride from off the pace when only fourth behind Limerick Lace in the 2024 renewal of this race, and much more positive tactics on better ground should see her go very close.
See more day 4 Cheltenham tips here
Five interesting Cheltenham Festival trends
1. Supreme Novices' an outlier
Festival trends are always worth considering, but the opening gambit might be worth isolating. The Supreme Novices' Hurdle, this year to be run in Michael O'Sullivan's name, doesn't tend to follow the mantra of requiring 'Cheltenham experience' like so many other races across the four days.
In fact, just four of the last 12 winners have made prior starts at the course, with just two over the same period winning at the home of jumps racing.
Those hoping to get off to a flyer with favourite Kopek Des Bordes should also be noting that only one outright favourite has won the Supreme since 2016, though 11 of the last 12 winners came from the first three in the betting.
2. Beware the Brits in the Ultima
The last decade has witnessed a period of unprecedented Irish domination at the Cheltenham Festival, though one race stands out as a beacon of British dominance.
The Ultima Handicap Chase hasn't been won by an Irish-trained horse since Dun Doire stormed up the Cheltenham hill in 2006. Indeed, Irish trainers have only won the race twice since the turn of the century and Irish-trained runners are 0-37 in the last 12 years.
A key trait to look out for is headgear. Nine of the past 13 runnings of the Ultima have been won by a horse wearing some form of headgear, with cheekpieces or blinkers the ones to pay attention to. Stamina is key, with 15 of the past 17 winners having previously won over 3m or further.
3. Challow form hard to have faith in
Lots of talk has centred on The New Lion for Dan and Harry Skelton this season, with the Turners Novices' Hurdle the preferred target.
He was last spotted making it 4-4 under Rules by winning the Challow at Newbury in December, but the previous 20 winners of that race, who subsequently ran at Cheltenham as novices, have all been beaten.
A better option might be to look at the previous years' Champion Bumper, from which recent winners Envoi Allen and Sir Gerhard have graduated to win this race. Indeed, the last 15 winners of the Turners had all won at least one bumper, while 13 of the previous 17 winners were trained in Ireland.
4. Ryanair the place for frequent flyers
Assessing the contenders in the Ryanair Chase, it will be vital to look for course form, as 16 of the last 20 winners have boasted at least one win at Cheltenham beforehand.
Min (2020) and Allaho (2021) are examples of Ryanair winners that had not won at Cheltenham before, but even they had Cotswolds experience, having placed in Grade 1 races at the Festival.
Repeat performances are a key trait in the Ryanair, with the likes of Cue Card, Albertas Run and Vautour all bagging this race, having won before at the meeting.
5. Triumph often awaits for the favourite
The Triumph Hurdle is the Festival's Grade 1 for juveniles and has recently forged a bias for the market leaders, owing in some part to the creation of the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle in 2005.
In the last 10 renewals, the favourite has obliged five times, as the likes of Peace And Co, Defi Du Seuil, Vauban and Lossiemouth left punters delighted. Goshen would have been another in 2020, but for his final flight fall.
Willie Mullins has scooped four of the past five runnings and had the 1-2 last year, making it nine of the previous 12 for Irish-trained runners.
How to Bet on the Cheltenham Festival 2025
Cheltenham ante-post tips are about more than going for the horse with the biggest reputation, there‘s no doubt about that. There are so many factors to keep in mind when trying to stay ahead. Check out our Cheltenham tips on how to pick the right horse at the Festival.
Find a Horse with Class
Horses winning en route to the Festival is one thing, but are they good enough? While stamina and toughness come into things here, only the classiest horses in their division prove good enough at Cheltenham. Make sure your horse has won against the best and/or has comfortably beaten those in the next grade down.
Look for Course Form
This is not a prerequisite, however Cheltenham is unique and many with good form simply don‘t perform there. Should you get two horses very close together on form and one is proven around Cheltenham, it would be wise to make that your tie-breaker.
Look for the Right Attributes for the Right Course
Cheltenham is split between the New Course and the Old Course. Make sure your horse has the right attributes for the one it‘s racing on. The New Course puts the emphasis on stamina and staying ability, while speed is more prevalent on the Old Course which you should keep in mind.
Look for Race Fitness
More and more trainers are wrapping their horses in cotton wool before the Festival. Some do not see the track again after running at Christmas time, however there is an argument that rather than keeping them fresh, it‘s giving them a disadvantage. Horses which have run at the Dublin Racing Festival in early February have done very well of late, as will others which have run just a few weeks before Cheltenham.
Get Good Value
It‘s one thing finding a horse you believe has a great chance, but you need to get value for money. Ensure your horse is a reasonable price and that you are betting with the best bookmakers. Also keep an eye on the bookmakers‘ offers as some will enhance the odds on certain runners or offer money-back concessions if your horse finishes second to the favourite.
Cheltenham 2025 Ante-post Favourites
Here you can find all the ante-post favourites for every race at the Cheltenham Festival 2025. Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Tuesday 11 March 2025
| Race | 2025 Ante-post Favourite | 2024 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Kopek Des Bordes 10-11 | Slade Steel |
| Arkle Chase | Majborough 4-7 | Gaelic Warrior |
| Ultima Handicap Chase | The Changing Man 6-1 | Chianti Classico |
| Mares’ Hurdle | Brighterdaysahead 4-7 | Lossiemouth |
| Champion Hurdle | Constitution Hill 4-5 | State Man |
| Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Stencil 11-2 | Lark In The Mornin |
| National Hunt Chase | Now Is The Hour 4-1 | Corbetts Cross |
Wednesday 13 March 2025
| Race | 2025 Ante-post Favourite | 2024 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Turners' Novices’ Hurdle | Final Demand 15-8 | Ballyburn |
| Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | Ballyburn 13-8 | Fact To File |
| Coral Cup | Kopek De Mee 5-1 | Langer Dan |
| Cross Country Chase | Stumptown 5-2 | Abandoned |
| Champion Chase | Jonbon 10-11 | Captain Guinness |
| Grand Annual Handicap Chase | Firefox 8-1 | Unexpected Party |
| Champion Bumper | Gameofinches 7-2 | Jasmin De Vaux |
Thursday 14 March 2025
| Race | 2025 Ante-post Favourite | 2024 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle | Sixandahalf 3-1 | Golden Ace |
| Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase | Jagwar 5-1 | New Race |
| Pertemps Network Final | The Wallpark 6-1 | Monmiral |
| Ryanair Chase | Fact To File 15-8 | Protektorat |
| Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle | Teahupoo 6-5 | Teahupoo |
| Trustatrader Plate | Jagwar 8-1 | Shakem Up’arry |
| Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Sa Majeste 7-1 | Inothewayurthinkin |
Friday 15 March 2025
| Race | 2025 Ante-post Favourite | 2024 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Triumph Hurdle | East India Dock 21-10 | Majborough |
| County Hurdle | Kopek De Mee 5-1 | Absurde |
| Mares’ Chase | Dinoblue 13-8 | Limerick Lace |
| Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle | Final Demand 2-1 | Stellar Story |
| Gold Cup | Galopin Des Champs 8-13 | Galopin Des Champs |
| Hunters’ Chase | Angels Dawn 7-2 | Sine Nomine |
| Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle | Kopek De Mee 10-3 | Better Days Ahead |
Cheltenham Festival Odds
Getting the best Cheltenham tips is just half the battle. Once you know who you want to back, you‘ll need to check out these bookmakers to find the best odds and the best Cheltenham free bets.
See below Cheltenham Gold Cup ante-post odds with a range of leading bookmakers.
4.003m. 2f. 70yds. 9 Declared.
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £646,880.00 5-y-o plus
- Formscan
- Race Info
1st - €363,999.00 2nd - €137,139.00 3rd - €68,634.00 4th - €34,285.00 5th - €17,207.00 6th - €8,603.00 7th - €4,269.00 8th - €2,199.00 Going - Good to soft.
Formscan - GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is almost impossible to oppose in his bid to join a select band of equine legends as a three-time Gold Cup winner. The imperious nine-year-old is as tough and consistent as he is classy and has looked better than ever this season in landing a second Savills Chase and a third Irish Gold Cup. He is seemingly bombproof. Connections of Fact To File admitted defeat after his clashes with Willie Mullins' superstar at Leopardstown and diverted to the Ryanair, with owner JP McManus represented instead by the supplemented Inothewayurthinkin, who was so good in the Kim Muir last year but only fourth in the Irish Gold Cup. Corbetts Cross, another 2024 Festival hero, also carries the famous green and gold silks, although he has plenty of ground to make up on Banbridge from their Kempton meeting. Providing he stays the trip, the Joseph O'Brien-trained King George hero looks the one for the forecast.
Odds Shortening 
Odds Lengthening| Form |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 2311 | Galopin Des Champs | 8/15 | 4/7 | 8/15 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 4/7 | 8/15 | 4/7 | 8/15 | 4/7 | 4/7 | 8/15 | 8/15 | 4/7 | 4/7 | 4/7 | |
2 | 14U1 | Banbridge | 4/1 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 4/1 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 9/2 | 11/2 | 9/2 | 6/1 | |
6 | -754 | Inothewayurthinkin | 6/1 | 13/2 | 7/1 | 7/1 | 13/2 | 13/2 | 13/2 | 6/1 | 13/2 | 6/1 | 7/1 | 13/2 | 13/2 | 8/1 | 13/2 | 9/1 | |
7 | -225 | Monty's Star | 12/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 11/1 | 12/1 | 11/1 | 14/1 | 12/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 | 16/1 | 11/1 | 18/1 | |
| 3 | -262 | Corbetts Cross | 18/1 | 20/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 | 14/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 | 20/1 | 20/1 | 20/1 | 22/1 | 18/1 | 24/1 | |
9 | -U14 | The Real Whacker | 33/1 | 33/1 | 40/1 | 28/1 | 33/1 | 28/1 | 33/1 | 25/1 | 33/1 | 33/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 | 33/1 | 28/1 | 41/1 | |
1 | -3PP | Ahoy Senor | 40/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 49/1 | 40/1 | 64/1 | |
5 | -433 | Gentlemansgame | 50/1 | 66/1 | 66/1 | 66/1 | 50/1 | 66/1 | 50/1 | 66/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 66/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 | 54/1 | 66/1 | 139/1 | |
8 | -1P6 | Royale Pagaille | 66/1 | 80/1 | 66/1 | 66/1 | 80/1 | 80/1 | 80/1 | 80/1 | 66/1 | 66/1 | 80/1 | 66/1 | 66/1 | 94/1 | 80/1 | 129/1 | |
| Betting Percentage | 114% | 115% | 120% | 117% | 118% | 120% | 117% | 120% | 113% | 116% | 116% | 117% | |||||||
| Each-Way Terms | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | 3 1/5 | |||||
8/15
4/7
8/15
1/2
1/2
4/7
8/15
4/7
8/15
4/7
4/7
8/15
8/15
4/7
4/7
4/7
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Cheltenham Gold Cup Result 2024
| Position | Horse | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galopin Des Champs | 10-11F |
| 2 | Gerri Colombe | 13-2 |
| 3 | Corach Rambler | 14-1 |
| 4 | L'Homme Presse | 16/1 |
| 5 | Bravemansgame | 14-1 |
FAQs: Cheltenham ante-post tips
What is Cheltenham ante-post betting?
Ante-post betting is placing a bet prior to the declarations of a race. Keen racing bettors will seek out better value by placing a bet in advance when the odds are, in most cases. bigger than the day of the race. The Cheltenham Festival is a popular festival for ante-post betting as punters can back their selections at big prices up to 365 days before the Festival kicks off.
Where can I find the best Cheltenham ante-post tips?
Our resident tipsters, irishracing.com editor Vincent Finegan, Betting Expert's Stephen Harris and Emma Nagle will look ahead to the Cheltenham Festival and offer up their top ante-post tips in the feature races of the week on our weekly tipping show Jump To It.
Who is the ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Galopin Des Champs is favourite to land this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup for the third time after impressing to win last year for Willie Mullins.
Who is the ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle?
The Champion Hurdle favourite is Constitution Hill for trainer Nicky Henderson and is odds-on to take the crown, the superstar has looked back to his best when winning the Christmas Hurdle in style.
