Naas 10 11 24 Quilixios and Darragh O Keeffe win for trainer Henry de Bromhead © Photo Healy Racing
The exciting racing action at this time of year brings the perfect antidote to the seemingly endless dull and grey November days.
The wealth of Graded action and a number of big betting races offer up the perfect opportunity to get decent prices at Cheltenham and Navan this weekend.
As the jumps season is now in full flow we take a look at the Cheltenham Festival 2025 ante-post movers.
Quilixios 25/1 from 100/1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase
Marine Nationale 16/1 from 8/1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase
Quilixios made all for a convincing victory over the odds-on Marine Nationale in the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas on Sunday and is now 25-1 with BoyleSports for the Champion Chase at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Quilixios was well backed in the Arkle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival before disappointing and finishing last but trainer Henry de Bromhead was delighted with his seasonal comeback:
“It's lovely to see him back to form again, he's got a lot of class.
“He loves jumping and Darragh said at the first one down the back he couldn't see anything so he just squeezed up and he took off, he winged it. I love that with those two milers, it's always good to watch.”
Marine Nationale has been pushed out to 16-1 from 8-1, however trainer Barry Connell was ‘very happy’ with his comeback following nine months off the track with a minor injury. His next target will be Leopardstown at Christmas.
Fairyhouse - Tuesday
Fairyhouse hosts a seven-race card on Tuesday and racegoers will be looking forward to seeing Stellar Story make his debut over fences in the 2m4f Beginners’ Chase at 1.42. Those astute punters who backed him at 33-1 to win the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival will no doubt be cheering him on for trainer Gordon Elliott.
Cheltenham - Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Cheltenham’s November meeting serves up a wealth of big betting races, including the feature Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday. Lets Go Champ, Janidil, Seddon and H’Artur d’arc are among entries for Ireland.
Old favourite Galvin is entered over the cross country fences on Friday at 2.55 along with stablemate Delta Work, Coko Beach and Conflated, while Stumptown and Fakir D’Oudaries are also among market leaders.
Navan - Saturday and Sunday
The Troytown Handicap Chase is the main event at Navan this weekend which is headed by American Mike. The classy chaser will be spearheading a big team for Gordon Elliott over the two days.
The Lismullen Hurdle and the Fortia Chase are also highlights on the card.
