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Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Day 1 Preview

◢ 1:20 - Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles, ½ furlong

Obstacles: 8 hurdles

Prize Money: £150,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: This opening race features novice hurdlers over a sharp two mile trip. Historically, 8 of the last 10 winners ranked in the top three of the betting market, indicating a trend toward favourites performing well.

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◢ 2:00 - My Pension Expert Arkle Novices Chase (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles

Obstacles: 13 fences

Prize Money: £200,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: A test for novice chasers, this race often sees winners with official ratings of 155 or higher. It’s a fast paced event where jumping accuracy is critical.

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◢ 2:40 - Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Distance: 3 miles, 1 furlong

Obstacles: 20 fences

Prize Money: £150,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: This handicap chase has seen a mixture of outcomes, with lower weights traditionally favoured, though topweight horses have succeeded in recent years. Stamina is key over this longer distance.

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◢ 3:20 - Close Brothers Mares Hurdle (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles, 4 furlongs

Obstacles: 10 hurdles

Prize Money: £120,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: Restricted to mares, this race covers an intermediate distance. Past winners often include top class performers stepping up from shorter trips or dropping back from longer ones.

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◢ 4:00 - Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles, ½ furlong

Obstacles: 8 hurdles

Prize Money: £450,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: The feature race of Day 1, this is the championship event for 2m hurdlers. Short priced fav's, like 2023 winner Constitution Hill, frequently dominate due to the high quality of competition.

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◢ 4:40 - Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Distance: 2 miles, ½ furlong

Obstacles: 8 hurdles

Prize Money: £80,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: A juvenile handicap for 4yo's, this race often produces surprises. In the last decade, 6 winners started at 25/1 or higher, making it a tough one for punters.

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◢ 5:20 - National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders Novices Chase)

Distance: 3 miles, 6 furlongs

Obstacles: 25 fences

Prize Money: £200,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: Ridden by amateur jockeys, this is the longest race of the day. It tests endurance and jumping ability, often favuoring horses with proven staying power over fences.

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Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Day 2 Preview

◢ 1:20 - Turners Novices Hurdle (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles, 5 furlongs

Obstacles: 10 hurdles

Prize Money: £150,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: This intermediate distance hurdle race for novices has replaced the Golden Miller. Seven of the last 10 winners were aged five or six, showing youth often prevails here.

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◢ 2:00 - Brown Advisory Novices Chase (Grade 1)

Distance: 3 miles, ½ furlong

Obstacles: 20 fences

Prize Money: £200,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: A stamina test for novice chasers, this race often produces future Gold Cup contenders. Favourites have won 6 of the last 10 renewals, indicating strong form holds up.

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◢ 2:40 - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Distance: 2 miles, 5 furlongs

Obstacles: 10 hurdles

Prize Money: £100,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: Known for big fields, this handicap has seen only one favourite win in the last decade. Horses with Graded race experience often feature among the top finishers.

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◢ 3:20 - Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Listed)

Distance: 3 miles, 6 furlongs

Obstacles: 32 obstacles

Prize Money: £75,000

Course: Cross Country Course

◢ Race Basics: A unique test over varied obstacles, this race favours experienced campaigners. Eight of the last 10 winners were aged nine or older, highlighting the value of maturity.

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◢ 4:00 - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles

Obstacles: 13 fences

Prize Money: £400,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: The Day 2 feature, this is the top 2mile chase. Favourites have a strong record, winning 7 of the last 10, with top class speed and jumping ability essential.

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◢ 4:40 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Distance: 2 miles, ½ furlong

Obstacles: 14 fences

Prize Money: £150,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: This fast paced handicap chase often sees upsets. Five of the last 10 winners were priced at 10/1 or higher, rewarding those who spot value outside the favourites.

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◢ 5:20 - Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles, ½ furlong

Obstacles: None (Flat race)

Prize Money: £80,000

Course: Old Course

◢ Race Basics: A flat race for young horses, this often showcases future stars. Irish trained runners have dominated, winning 9 of the last 10 editions.

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Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Day 3 Preview

◢ 1:20 - Ryanair Mares Novices Hurdle (Grade 2)

Distance: 2 miles, 1 furlong

Obstacles: 8 hurdles

Prize Money: £105,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: Restricted to novice mares, this race has been dominated by favourites, with 6 of the last 10 winners starting at odds/on, reflecting high predictability.

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◢ 2:00 - Jack Richards Novices Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

Distance: 2 miles, 4 furlongs

Obstacles: 17 fences

Prize Money: £125,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: A new addition for 2025, this handicap chase for novices replaces the Turners. Limited data suggests single figure odds horses may perform well based on similar races.

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◢ 2:40 - Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Distance: 3 miles

Obstacles: 12 hurdles

Prize Money: £100,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: A qualifier based handicap, this race favours younger horses ~ 8 of the last 9 winners were eight or under. Tongue~ties have been worn by most recent victors.

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◢ 3:20 - Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles, 4½ furlongs

Obstacles: 17 fences

Prize Money: £375,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: One of two Day 3 features, this intermediate chase sees favourites win half the time. Horses aged 7yrs to 9yrs old have taken 9 of the last 10 renewals.

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◢ 4:00 - Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)

Distance: 3 miles

Obstacles: 12 hurdles

Prize Money: £325,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: The second Day 3 feature, this is the top staying hurdle race. Veterans excel here ~ 7 of the last 10 winners were aged eight or older.

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◢ 4:40 - TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Distance: 2 miles, 4½ furlongs

Obstacles: 17 fences

Prize Money: £100,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: A competitive handicap chase, this race often sees surprises. Six of the last 10 winners started at double digit odds, favouring the big price punters.

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◢ 5:20 - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Amateur Handicap Chase)

Distance: 3 miles, 2 furlongs

Obstacles: 21 fences

Prize Money: £75,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: Ridden by amateurs, this long ~ distance handicap rewards stamina. Half of the last 10 winners carried 11st or less, suggesting lighter weights can succeed.

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Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Day 4 Preview

◢ 1:20 - JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)

Distance: 2 miles, 1 furlong

Obstacles: 8 hurdles

Prize Money: £150,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: For 4yo novices, this race favours statistically Irish runners ~ 7 of the last 10 winners were trained across the Irish Sea, often with strong Flat form.

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◢ 2:00 - William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Distance: 2 miles, 1 furlong

Obstacles: 8 hurdles

Prize Money: £100,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: A tricky to fathom handicap hurdle, this race has seen five winners at 12/1 or higher in the last decade, making it a punter’s challenge despite the occasional jolly winning.

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◢ 2:40 - Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase (Grade 2)

Distance: 2 miles, 4½ furlongs

Obstacles: 17 fences

Prize Money: £120,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: For mares only, this chase has limited history but shows favourites dominate early runnings. Jumping fluency over this trip is critical.

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◢ 3:20 - Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (Grade 1)

Distance: 3 miles

Obstacles: 12 hurdles

Prize Money: £150,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: A gruelling test for novice hurdlers, this race often sees upsets ~ 6 of the last 10 winners started at 14/1 or higher, rewarding stamina over market hype.

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◢ 4:00 - Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Distance: 3 miles, 2½ furlongs

Obstacles: 22 fences

Prize Money: £625,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: The festival’s pinnacle, the 3m+ Gold Cup favours horses aged seven to nine, with stamina + pace who can jump the big fences well. Willie Mullins has a strong recent record, with favourites winning 6 of the last 10.

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◢ 4:40 - St James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase (Listed)

Distance: 3 miles, 2½ furlongs

Obstacles: 22 fences

Prize Money: £50,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: For amateur riders, this hunter chase over the Gold Cup course favours older horses ~ only one winner under 10yrs old in the last decade has prevailed.

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◢ 5:20 - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle

Distance: 2 miles, 4½ furlongs

Obstacles: 10 hurdles

Prize Money: £75,000

Course: New Course

◢ Race Basics: Ridden by conditional jockeys, this handicap closes the festival. Five of the last 10 winners were priced at 10/1 or higher, offering a last chance, get out of trouble with a big priced winner opportunity.

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