18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Gordon Elliott’s five best chances at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival

irishracing.com news

irishracing.com news


© Photo Healy Racing

It has been a bit of a mixed season for Gordon Elliott so far as he’s had some very nice winners, but he probably would have been hoping for a few more.

Elliott always takes a strong riding party over for the Cheltenham Festival and this year will be no different.

Here we look at his five best chances at the Festival this year and they include his superstar mare, who beat the Champion Hurdle winner by a whopping 30 lengths last time out.

5. Wingmen

This horse was highlighted by his trainer at the start of the season as a dark horse to follow and he has produced some rock-solid form thus far. He doesn’t quite look ready to compete in the Grade 1 novice hurdles, but the handicap route could suit him perfectly.

Wingmen’s profile is very similar to Better Days Ahead, who represents the same connections, and that horse was a good winner of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle in 2024.

There are no guarantees that he’s going to go for a handicap, but his profile looks ideal.

4. The Yellow Clay

The Yellow Clay has been Elliott’s best novice hurdler so far this season and has done absolutely nothing wrong in four starts. He has proven himself capable of winning in every way, whether that be scoring impressively or scrapping his way to victory.

Those traits will certainly serve him well and he looks like a serious candidate for both the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett. Perhaps not the flashiest, his hardiness and consistency put him bang in the mix at Cheltenham.

3. Kalypso'chance

Currently heading the mark for the Champion Bumper, we’re yet to see a Willie Mullins horse that looks capable of toppling Kalypso'chance in March. He could hardly have been more impressive when taking a bumper at Punchestown in November and he left a very good impression.

A Listed bumper at Navan was next up for the son of Masked Marvel and he pulled nicely clear to score by just shy of five lengths. We could see him at the Dublin Racing Festival and, if victorious again, it’s hard to see him being usurped as favourite at Cheltenham.

2. Brighterdaysahead

This mare has long been the apple of Elliott’s eye and, although she suffered a shock defeat at Cheltenham last year, she was impressive at Aintree and has taken her form to a new level this season.

Many thought her defeat of State Man in the Morgiana was a fluke, but she backed it up with a 30-length demolition of that same rival at Leopardstown over Christmas.

It’s unclear if she runs in the Champion Hurdle or the Mares’, but she’ll be at the top of many people’s lists for both.

1. Teahupoo

The staying hurdle division needs a true champion to take charge and 2024 Stayers’ Hurdle winner Teahupoo will be looking to establish himself as the dominant force by winning the race once again.

There aren’t any interesting contenders this year who look capable of beating Elliott’s gelding, save for his injured stablemate Irish Point who is out for the season.

Stayers’ Hurdle number two appears to be on the cards this year and defeat would be something of a shock.

BetVictor sign up offer Ireland

Market Movers