Cheltenham Festival 2025 - LIVE!
It was another eventful day at the Cheltenham Festival, one that brought two very poignant winners in memory of Michael O’Sullivan, who died last month after a fall.
The premier two-mile chasers took centre stage in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. It was an incredible emotional win for Marine Nationale, two years on from winning at the Festival when the late O’Sullivan was onboard. Jonbon had been the odds-on favourite for the feature race, with Nicky Henderson’s star looking to emulate former stable greats Altior and Sprinter Sacre in winning the race under Nico De Boinville, but he had a poor jump at the halfway stage and could not recover. In the very next race, Jazzy Matty, who also won at Cheltenham in 2023 with O’Sullivan, took victory in the Grand Annual.
Dan Skelton’s The New Lion delivered British success in the opener, the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, while Ballyburn was the odds-on favourite for Willie Mullins in the Brown Advisory Novices’s Chase but struggled throughout, as Lecky Watson took a surprise win. In the Coral Cup, Jimmy Du Seuil proved too strong on the run up the hill, powering away from Impose Toi and Ballyadam. In the Cross Country Chase, Strumpton finished well to victory, giving Keith Donoghue yet another win in the race. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Cheltenham Festival - Day 2 latest news
- Marine Nationale beat Jonbon in Champion Chase
- Stumptown finishes well to win Cross Country Chase
- Jimmy Du Seuil too strong in Coral Cup
- Ballyburn well beaten in Brown Advisory
- The New Lions wins thrilling opening race
Thanks for following!
17:49 , Matt VerriThat concludes our coverage of today’s Cheltenham Festival card - it’s been another special day.
We’ll be back tomorrow morning to do it all over again... see you then!
Full result
17:29 , Matt Verri1 Bambino Fever 4-1
2 Heads Up 33-1
3 Shuttle Diplomacy 66-1
4 Caballero Cliff 150-1
14 G1 Champion Bumper victories for Willie Mullins
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 12, 2025
Bambino Fever wins the finale 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9nAVvCd73l
Bambino Fever wins the Champion Bumper!
17:25 , Matt VerriHeads Up has made all the running, but Bambino Fever is finishing really strongly...
It’s between the two of them on the run up the hill, and Bambino Fever pulls away!
Willie Mullins does it again.
They're off!
17:21 , Matt VerriAway at the first time of asking. Makes a nice change.
Field up at the start, circling as we wait to get underway.
Kalypso'chance now the favourite for Gordon Elliott.
One to go....
17:08 , Matt VerriIt’s the Champion Bumper to bring an end to today’s action, just over ten minutes to go.
Willie Mullins has four of the top five in the betting, including the favourite Bambino Fever.
Reaction from Danny Gilligan
16:57 , Matt VerriThe winning jockey is the latest man to pay tribute to Michael O’Sullivan.
"We all know someone very special is looking down on us today" ♥️#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @DannyGilligan8 | @AlicePlunkett pic.twitter.com/uV7D1izCgg
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Full result
16:50 , Matt Verri1 Jazzy Matty 15-2
2 Unexpected Party 11-2
3 Midnight It Is 25-1
4 My Mate Mozzie 13-2
5 Jasko Des Dames 22-1
Jazzy Matty with a fine performance to win the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase 🏆#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/LWtNESAHRX
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
That is incredible.
Michael O’Sullivan won twice on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in 2023, with Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty.
Those two horses have just secured back-to-back victories this afternoon.
Jazzy Matty wins the Grand Annual!
16:47 , Matt VerriUnexpected Party looks really good taking the lead as they turn for home, two to jump.
Jazzy Matty moves up alongside, it will be the two of them side-by-side at the last.
Better jump from Jazzy Matty, has a slight lead... Unexpected Party hanging tough...
But it’s victory for Jazzy Matty!
More than ten of them with a real chance as they take the fourth-last.
Jazzy Matty travelling well, Unexpected Party one of those at the front on the outside.
They're off!
16:43 , Matt VerriBit of a delay here.
False start, couple of horses taking a long time to get back.
Primoz in no rush - he’s barely back as they do now get away!
Two races to go...
16:38 , Matt VerriTime for the penultimate action of the day.
Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup next up.
20 runners, nobody shorter than 4-1... best of luck!
Nico de Boinville not happy as he reflects on Jonbon’s performance.
Said he was put off at the start, with Jonbon not likely the tape underneath his nose.
Almost miraculous that he came back from where he was to finish second.
Special moment in the winners' enclosure
16:23 , Matt VerriMichael O’Sullivan’s girlfriend among those welcoming Marine Nationale and Sean Flanagan back.
A truly beautiful moment
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Marine Nationale ♥️#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/eeUpccmAlV
Full result
16:10 , Matt Verri1 Marine Nationale 5-1
2 Jonbon 5-6
3 Captain Guinness 25-1
The most poignant of winners!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Marine Nationale wins the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase 🏆#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @swflanagan7 pic.twitter.com/dn2KQlSjj5
Hugely poignant moment.
Marine Nationale was ridden to victory here two years ago by Michael O’Sullivan, who tragically died after a fall last month.
Sean Flanagan the man to lead Marine Nationale to another special win here.
Marine Nationale wins the Queen Mother Champion Chase!
16:08 , Matt VerriLibberty Hunter down at the third last.
Jonbon still trying to get back in touch, but it’s not going to happen.
Marine Nationale and Quilixios side by side at the last... Quilixios falls!
It will be a cruise to the finish for Marine Nationale, nobody in the same camera shot!
Somehow Jonbon has come from nowhere to finish a very distant second.
TERRIBLE JUMP FROM JONBON!
And he’s dropped right to the back of the field, nearly stopped still.
Solness into the lead, Jonbon has so much ground to make up.
As promised, Libberty Hunter is a couple of lengths off the back.
Quilixios and Solness the two at the front, in front of Energumene.
Jonbon on the outside in fourth.
They're off!
16:04 , Matt VerriUp and running in the Champion Chase!
Bit of swearing from Nico de Boinville onboard Jonbon at the start, as Solness clatters into the railings as he looks at the face.
And it’s a false start - they were all far too keen.
Jonbon and Marine Nationale both look like they’ve had enough of this parade.
Been a quiet week for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead - can Captain Guinness change that?
Few nervous faces in the paddock as Jonbon gets a big agitated.
Evan Williams, the trainer of Libberty Hunter, says the plan for them is to stay at the back of the field and go from there.
Danny Gilligan now riding Found A Fifty, with Jack Kennedy stood down after aggravating a previous injury.
Johnny Ward's tip for Queen Mother Champion Chase
15:51 , Matt VerriOf all the hot Cheltenham favourites to confuse the masses this week, Jonbon could be the most divisive of them all – which may seem surprising given his consistency and excellent win record.
The brother to the brilliant Douvan has proven far more robust than his much-adored sibling. JP McManus forked out a relative fortune for Jonbon but he has been a cash machine and he deserves his big day in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (4.00).
I am in the camp of those who argue he is not at his best at Cheltenham, though, and it might be worth chancing Found A Fifty. Last year's Arkle runner-up had a genuine excuse for his Leopardstown flop last time and he won his previous three, showing a fine attitude.
Cheltenham is many things to many people and if Marine Nationale were to prevail mere weeks after the death of his former jockey, Michael O'Sullivan, emotions will be running up to the sky. It is a race to savour.
Latest odds: (16:00) Queen Mother Champion Chase
15:44Next up... the big one!
Stumptown aside, it’s not been a good day for the favourites so far. All eyes on Jonbon.
Jonbon - 5/6
Marine Nationale - 5/1
Energumene - 6/1
Solness - 10/1
Found A Fifty - 11/1
Captain Guinness - 25/1
Libberty Hunter - 33/1
Quilixios - 33/1
Full result
15:35 , Matt Verri1 Stumptown 5-2
2 Latenightpass 11-1
3 Vanillier 15-2
4 The Goffer 6-1
What a ride that is 👏
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Stumptown runs in late to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @donoghue_keith | @gavincromwell1 pic.twitter.com/5gFHC5FTfj
Stumptown wins the Cross Country Chase!
15:31 , Matt VerriLatenightpass moves up into second behind Escaria Ten.
Here comes Chemical Energy on the outside on the run to the last.
But Stumptown joins the leaders, takes the last with them and is far too strong up the hill, nobody catching him. Brilliant run.
The Goffer has a fair bit of ground to make up, dropping off the back.
Mister Coffey towards the front, Vanillier has done well to make up for the earlier mistake.
Escaria Ten setting the pace, couple of lengths clear with five to jump.
Bit of chaos early on - Vanillier almost went the wrong way and took a couple with him.
All back on track now.
They're off!
15:23 , Matt VerriIt’s third time lucky!
False start!
15:21 , Matt VerriGalvin getting very hot as they wait to start this race, sweating a lot.
We are now up and running... or not.
They were approaching the first jump but the flags are waved to bring them back.
Horses on their way up to the start of the cross-country course.
16 runners - impressive if they can all find the right way around.
Johnny Ward's tip for Cross Country Chase
15:09 , Matt VerriThe Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (3.20) becomes a handicap this year and that will not help top weight Stumptown.
The Nicky Henderson-handled Mister Coffey is reportedly working very nicely but the caveat is that he finds winning exceptionally difficult.
Latest odds: (15:20) Cross Country Chase
15:02It’s always a lot of fun!
The Cross Country Chase is next up and it looks to be a really competitive race this year.
Gordon Elliott will be hoping Galvin can kick his week into gear.
Stumptown - 11/4
Galvin - 4/1
Mister Coffey - 11/2
Busselton - 6/1
Vanillier - 7/1
The Goffer - 15/2
Latenightpass - 14/1
Iwilldoit - 18/1
20-1 bar
Irish level it up
14:56Second winner of the day for Willie Mullins, even if they haven’t been the two many expected.
Means it’s now 5-5 in the Prestbury Cup and Mullins, despite a fairly up-and-down Festival so far, has four of them.
Full result
14:50 , Matt Verri1 Jimmy Du Seuil 16/1
2 Impose Toi 13/2
3 Ballyadam 16/1
4 Beat The Bat 11/2
5 Colonel Mustard 25/1
Yet another big priced winner
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Jimmy Du Seuil wins the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle! 🏆#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @dan2231 | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/xwHRI7uqjV
Jimmy Du Seuil wins the Coral Cup!
14:47 , Matt VerriImpose Toi has the lead on the run to the last.
Jimmy Du Seuil on the outside and he gets past, Ballyadam also right there.
It’s Jimmy Du Seuil powering away from the field, it’s a comfortable win in the end!
Impose Toi in second, Ballyadam third.
Bunting to the front with three to jump, Be Aware starting to move through the field.
Near enough all of them still in with a chance though, it’s anyone’s race.
Ballyadam and Be Aware continue to make progress.
Al Gasparo out really quickly and stretching out the field.
Bunting travelling just behind in third - pace has slowed slightly and they bunch with six to jump heading into the final circuit.
They're off!
14:41 , Matt VerriAway at the first time of asking in the Coral Cup!
We’ve got 26 runners in the Coral Cup, all making their way out now.
King Alexander getting very excited, moving near enough sideways on his way out to the track.
Latest odds: (14:40) Coral Cup
14:29 , Matt VerriBig field as ever in the Coral Cup.
Be Aware well-fancied to give the Skelton brothers a second win of the day, but there’s plenty with chances in this.
Be Aware - 4/1
Impose Toi - 6/1
Beat The Bat - 7/1
Comfort Zone - 7/1
Bunting - 8/1
Jipcot - 11/1
Jimmy Du Seuill - 14/1
Ballyadam - 16/1
Sa Fureur - 20/1
Sandor Clegane - 20/1
Bar 22-1
Reaction from Townend
14:24 , Matt VerriPaul Townend unsurprisingly not looking thrilled with life as he reflects on that ride on Ballyburn.
He says: “Not very enjoyable from the very start. I don’t know... he’s done nothing right. We’ll have to have a look and maybe change tactics.”
He’s then asked about that poor jump at the ditch, but says there were problems before that.
"Michael O'Sullivan said he'd be great"
14:18Special moment, as the winning jockey Sean O'Keeffe pays tribute to Michael O’Sullivan, who tragically died after a fall last month.
"Michael O'Sullivan was a big fan of this horse" ♥️
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Sean O'Keeffe dedicates his Cheltenham victory to his late friend, Michael O'Sullivan#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @AlicePlunkett pic.twitter.com/nNiV89Cpk0
Disaster for Ballyburn
14:10 , Matt Verri1 Lecky Watson 20/1
2 Stellar Story 22/1
3 Better Days Ahead 13/2
Who saw that coming?!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Ballyburn was never able to recover from an early mistake and Lecky Watson
was on hand to win Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 😳#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/3njrLr787A
Lecky Watson wins the Brown Advisory Novice Chase!
14:08 , Matt VerriLecky Watson three lengths clear approaching the last and it’s a great jump!
Powering away up the hill, not going to be caught and it’s a real shock in the Brown Advisory!
Ballyburn nowhere.
Three to jump... Dancing City with a first poor jump. That’s allowed Lecky Watson to cruise to the front, looking really strong.
Ballyburn being pushed at the back but he’s a long, long way back.
Another average jump from Ballyburn, opens up a couple of lengths to the rest of the field again. Townend having to work really hard.
Four to jump and somehow the favourite is still just about in the hunt.
Last ditch... Quai De Bourbon goes down!
And hampers Ballyburn, now five lengths behind the rest.
Nine fences to jump, Ballyburn is back in touch but the jumping has not been convincing at all.
Dancing City and Better Days Ahead at the front, all very bunched.
Dancing City at the front but it’s a fairly easy pace being set.
Ballyburn travelling well enough, not issues with the jumping yet. Quai De Bourbon with a really poor jump, just about keeps things going.
And Ballyburn nearly falls! Awful jump, Townend did well to stay on. Favourite has dropped off at the back, but still just about in it. Few lengths off the field.
They're off!
14:01 , Matt VerriAway in the Brown Advisory!
Ballyburn with his head really low on the trot up to the start. Nearly tripping up over it.
There are some questions over his jumping - we’re about to see what the answers are.
Prestbury Cup update
13:54 , Matt VerriSo it’s now 5-3 to Great Britain in the Prestbury Cup. Fair to say it’s going much, much better for the British trainers than it has for pretty much the last decade.
Not particularly brave, though, to say it will be 5-4 in about 15 minutes.
Willie Mullins and Paul Townend expected to bring up their third winner of the week with Ballyburn.
Latest odds: (14:00) Brown Advisory Novice Chase
13:47 , Matt VerriNext up, it’s the Brown Advisory.
Can expect a big roar from the crowd if Ballyburn delivers on expectation. If not, there will be a lot of unhappy punters...
Ballyburn - 4/7
Dancing City - 15/2
Better Days Ahead - 17/2
Gorgeous Tom - 10/1
Quai De Bourbon - 14/1
Stellar Story - 20/1
Lecky Watson - 28/1
Odds via Grosvenor Sport
Reaction from Dan Skelton
13:34 , Matt VerriDan Skelton unsurprisingly a very happy trainer!
He’s suggested The New Lion is the best horse he’s had - “I’m new to these horses,”
🗣️ "I just think he can do so much."@DSkeltonRacing on The New Lion who ends the Challow hoodoo with Turners glory pic.twitter.com/kPLmLJFDsl
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 12, 2025
Full result: Turner Novices' Hurdle
13:291 The New Lion 3/1
2 The Yellow Clay 5/2
3 Final Demand 6/4
The Big Three raced all the way!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
But it's The New Lion who reigns supreme in the Turners Novices' Hurdle 🟡🟢#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/TF6Fs2A88M
The New Lion wins the Turner Novices' Hurdle!
13:27 , Matt VerriThe Yellow Clay moves to the front on the inside, but Final Demand is right alongside on the climb up the hill.
They approach the last and The New Lion is right there too... they take the last together!
Final Demand is beaten, it’s a race to the finish between The Yellow Clay and The New Lion.
And it’s The New Lion who hangs tough and gets up to take the opener!
Two to jump, Sixmilebridge and Potters Charm continue to set the pace.
Supersundae starting to move up on the outside, Final Demand up to third...
Sixmilesbridge leading in the early stages, with Potters Charm and The Yellow Clay sitting just behind.
Final Demand cruising around a bit further back, but it’s all fairly bunched.
They're off!
13:21 , Matt VerriBit of a delay, false start to start.
At the second time of asking, they’re away in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle!
Here we go!
13:17 , Matt VerriSun is now shining over Prestbury Park, this morning’s snow now long gone.
Fair bit of support for The New Lion, 3-1 into 5-2 as they make their way up to the start.
Really intriguing race to kick things off on the second day.
Big day for the Skeltons?
13:10 , Matt VerriThe New Lion looks to have a real chance for the Skelton yard in today’s opener.
Harry Skelton still sporting that very strong black eye...
"You prepare for everything and can expect nothing"
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Harry Skelton reflects on a dramatic first day of the Cheltenham Festival 🗣️#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @olibellracing | @harryskelton89 pic.twitter.com/Dk4VjYUhEj
Johnny Ward tip for Turners Novices' Hurdle
12:59 , Matt VerriThe lock of the day goes in the opening Turners Novices' Hurdle (1.20). Final Demand reminds this writer a little of Denman – who was beaten as a novice hurdler at the Festival – and he was breathtaking at Leopardstown.
He is readily preferred to The New Lion, now running in the McManus colours, for all he is a major threat.
Latest odds: (13:20) Turners Novices' Hurdle
12:48Around 30 minutes to go until the action gets underway on Day 2.
Here’s a look at the odds for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle - plenty of support for Willie Mullins’ Final Demand.
Chief threat is The New Lion for the Skelton brothers.
Final Demand - 6/4
The New Lion - 5/2
The Yellow Clay - 10/3
Potters Charm - 12/1
Sixmilebridge - 22/1
Kiss Will - 33/1
Kel Histoire - 40/1
Kaid D’authie - 50/1
Supersundae - 50/1
Forty Coats - 100/1
Kappa Jy Pyke - 100/1
Update on conditions
12:36 , Matt VerriSnow has cleared up on the course at Cheltenham.
Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin has provided the latest update on conditions, while also confirming that all those horses who fell yesterday are ok and returning home safely.
🗣️ "I think with this morning's moisture it will put us back to where we started yesterday."
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 12, 2025
Second day on the Old Course awaits. Ths morning's snow equates to two millimetres of rain according to Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/zz0TgWMmCf
Johnny Ward's tip - Queen Mother Champion Chase
12:26 , Matt VerriOf all the hot Cheltenham favourites to confuse the masses this week, Jonbon could be the most divisive of them all – which may seem surprising given his consistency and excellent win record.
The brother to the brilliant Douvan has proven far more robust than his much-adored sibling. JP McManus forked out a relative fortune for Jonbon but he has been a cash machine and he deserves his big day in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (4.00).
I am in the camp of those who argue he is not at his best at Cheltenham, though, and it might be worth chancing Found A Fifty. Last year's Arkle runner-up had a genuine excuse for his Leopardstown flop last time and he won his previous three, showing a fine attitude.
Read our best bets for day two in full here!
Ballyburn expected to shine
12:11 , Matt VerriBallyburn currently around the 8-13 mark in the betting for the Brown Advisory Novice Chase.
It was a mixed day yesterday for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, but they will be confident of a strong display here, with Ballyburn shining at Leopardstown earlier this year.
Mullins also has Dancing City and the Quai De Bourbon running - well-stocked!
📸 Posing for the cameras!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 12, 2025
Ballyburn taking it all in ahead of his Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase assignment today.#CheltenhamFestival | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/w9qK81azQS
Gold Cup field confirmed
11:57 , Matt VerriIt will be a nine-strong field for the Gold Cup on Friday.
Galopin Des Champs, of course, going for a third straight victory in the race.
Galopin Des Champs 1/2
Banbridge 9/2
Inothewayurthinkin 7/1
Monty's Star 11/1
Corbetts Cross 16/1
The Real Whacker 40/1
Gentlemansgame 50/1
Ahoy Senor 66/1
Royal Pagaille 66/1
Brits on top!
11:46 , Matt VerriNot often you’ve seen this kind of scoreline...
The Irish, led by Willie Mullins, have dominated the Prestbury Cup in recent years, winning 18-9 in 2024.
Last British win came in 2015 - could that be replicated a decade on?
For the first time in a long time, the home team lead the Prestbury Cup standings... 👀
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 11, 2025
Will it stay that way for Day 2? pic.twitter.com/uZ4h4Jg14r
Golden Ace upsets the odds on Day 1
11:33 , Matt VerriGolden Ace was a surprise winner of the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, taking full advantage of the chaos at the front of the field.
2023 champion Constitution Hill returned to attempt to regain his crown and was an odds-on favourite heading into his race, with Brighterdaysahead expected to be the chief challenger.
However, the script went out of the window when Constitution Hill clattered into the fifth hurdle and went down. Brighterdaysahead then moved to the front and Gordon Elliott appeared to be firmly on course for victory in the biggest race of the day.
But Brighterdaysahead had no answer as State Man, winner of this race 12 months ago, cruised into the lead and was all of five lengths in front approaching the last.
The drama continued, though, as State Man went down in heavy fashion, and that left the coast clear for Golden Ace to cruise up the hill and take a remarkable win, ahead of 66-1 outsider Burdett Road and Winter Fog, who went off at 150-1.
State Man falls at the LAST!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2025
Golden Ace wins a RIDICULOUS Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 😳#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @williams_lorcan pic.twitter.com/OqeggDUgSm
Our tips for Day 2 at Cheltenham Festival
11:19 , Matt Verri1:20 Final Demand (nap)
2:00 Ballyburn
2:40 Comfort Zone
3:20 Mister Coffey
4:00 Found A Fifty
4:40 Jazzy Matty
5:20 Kalypso'chance
Snowy Cheltenham!
11:08 , Matt VerriNot quite what we expected to see this morning.
There was some snow earlier in the day, which then turned to sleet.
Going for today remains good to soft on the Old Course.
Cheltenham Festival - Style Wednesday 💃
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 12, 2025
Going update from Jon Pullin, Clerk of the Course pic.twitter.com/YC8nqpIKKp
Big race preview: Queen Mother Champion Chase
10:53 , Matt VerriTwenty career starts, 17 wins, nine of them in Grade 1s and more than £1million accrued in prize money. Never outside the top two in his life, Jonbon has shed the tag of his quirky early days to become just about the most consistent horse in training. And yet…
The lack of a Cheltenham Festival victory remains a gaping hole on the nine-year-old’s CV and, indeed, has been the subject of much preview night debate. There was little shame in finishing second to Constitution Hill as a novice hurdler, nor an on-song El Fabiolo in the Arkle, but throw in a shock defeat on Trials Day in 2024 and it remains an inarguable fact that Jonbon’s only three defeats ever have come at this track.
That is just about the only stick with which to beat the odds-on favourites, aside from the quirk that short-priced runners have a bizarrely poor record in the Champion Chase.
Beyond the favourite, this does not look a deep renewal. Willie Mullins’s Energumene has won the race twice before but is surely past his peak and would like softer ground.
Marine Nationale, the winner of the Supreme Novices’s Hurdle two years ago, is perhaps the challenger with most untapped potential and would be a hugely popular winner given his association with Michael O’Sullivan, the young jockey tragically killed in a racecourse fall at Thurles last month.
Solness must prove that back-to-back Grade 1 triumphs when allowed to front-run at Leopardstown can translate across the Irish Sea, while Found A Fifty will need to rediscover his early season form to trouble the places.
How to watch Cheltenham Festival
10:44 , Matt VerriTV channel: ITV1 will broadcast the first six races for FREE, with coverage beginning at 12.45pm every day and running until 5pm.
Preview show 'The Opening Show' will be broadcast on ITV4 from 9am to 10am every morning of the meet.
The only place to watch the Festival in its entirety is on Racing TV, which will broadcast all seven races on each day of the meeting. Racing TV is a subscription-based channel available through Sky and Virgin Media and online via its website and app. Build-up coverage starts at 12.45pm GMT every day and coverage concludes after the final race.
Live stream: Racing TV subscribers can stream the action live via the website or app, or cast to their TV, while ITV viewers can do likewise via the ITVX website and app for FREE.
Live coverage: You can also follow all the action right here with us!
Day 2 card
10:35 , Matt Verri13.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle
14.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
14.40: Coral Cup Hurdle
15.20: Cross Country Steeple Chase
16.00: Champion Chase
16.40: Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
17.20: Champion Bumper
Good morning!
10:24 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the second day of the Cheltenham Festival!
It’s got off to a very cold start, with snow falling at Prestbury Park this morning.
That’s expected to clear up by later ahead of another seven races, headlined by the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
We’ll have all the latest updates, previews and tips right here, before full coverage of the card.
