What looks, without question, the best of the four days of Cheltenham 2025 is upon us – and the Champion Hurdle is something to savour.
Twelve months ago, Constitution Hill's late defection rendered the race forgettable. Lossiemouth being rerouted to take on the Mares’ Hurdle is not what punters wanted. Still, we have last year's winner in State Man, the unbeaten superstar Constitution Hill and a mare in Brighterdaysahead who carries quite astounding confidence at home given what she is up against.
Let's start with the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.20), an event that now honours a young Irish rider taken so tragically from us last month.
William Munny, for the connections of Marine National – ridden by O'Sullivan to victory in this two years ago – looks worth an each-way wager. Hooded now, his form went to a new level at Punchestown.
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He has to reverse Leopardstown form with Workahead, while Romeo Coolio and Salvador Mundi are major contenders. And all have to beat Kopek Des Bordes, who also sports a hood. Not always fluent over hurdles so far, but his engine has been quite incredible.
Majborough should win the Old Pension Expert Arkle (2.00). Five runners is alarming, with Sir Gino suffering a setback last month, and last year's Triumph hero is really hard to oppose. He has a rare ability to find another gear. He can be spectacular at fences and likely will have a little too much raw ability for L'Eau du Sud.
Bookmakers will fight for your custom with at least one offering seven places in the Ultima Handicap Chase (2.40). Katate Dori could bring this prize to Wales and promising young trainer Sam Thomas, who rode Denman to Gold Cup success in 2008.
Lossiemouth skipped a clash last year with stablemate State Man thanks to the existence of the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (3.20) and it is no surprise racing fans have reacted negatively to her doing the same now, given connections have long stated she was bound for the big one.
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Susannah Ricci's charge won readily in this 12 months ago and likely will follow up but at much bigger odds consider an each-way bet on Dysart Enos, who is brittle but has more than enough class to at least reach the frame if she is anywhere near her best.
The Unibet Champion Hurdle (4.00) has fewer than eight runners for the third year straight but it is still a corker. Constitution Hill has never been beaten under Rules; given the progress made by Brighterdaysahead, this might just be his biggest test.
Gordon Elliott's confidence in the mare on the preview-night circuit has been remarkable. She has King Of Kingsfield to set up the race for her. Still, if the former champion is as good as ever, which is not certain, he remains really difficult to oppose.
The Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (4.40) again has a full field of runners. Perhaps Joseph O'Brien can win it for the second year running with the classy Puturhandstogether – one of a scatter of big contenders owned by JP McManus this week.
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The Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase (5.20), a new race, could go to Now Is The Hour, though the ground is a concern. His trainer, Gavin Cromwell, has quite a Cheltenham team this week.
Selections for day one:
1:20 William Munney
2:00 Marjborough
2:40 Katate Dori
3:20 Dysart Enos
4:00 Constitution Hill
4:40 Puturhandstogether
5:20 Now Is The Hour
Best accumulator bet:
Marjborough (2.00) and Constitution Hill (4.00) double
