CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2025
The Cheltenham Festival is an experience like no other, where every moment pulses with energy and excitement.
From the energy and thrill of Champion Day, to the stylish elegance of Style Wednesday, every day at Cheltenham is charged with an electric atmosphere. St Patrick's Thursday brings the joy and spirit of the Emerald Isle to life while Gold Cup Day bring the festival to a close with unforgettable drama and glory.
From the anticipation, the roar of the crowd, the thunder of hooves, and the rush of emotion as the world’s finest horses and jockeys battle for supremacy — there truly is nothing that feels like Cheltenham.
From the energy and thrill of Champion Day, to the stylish elegance of Style Wednesday, every day at Cheltenham is charged with an electric atmosphere. St Patrick's Thursday brings the joy and spirit of the Emerald Isle to life while Gold Cup Day bring the festival to a close with unforgettable drama and glory.
From the anticipation, the roar of the crowd, the thunder of hooves, and the rush of emotion as the world’s finest horses and jockeys battle for supremacy — there truly is nothing that feels like Cheltenham.
THE BEST CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEWS
Official Cheltenham Preview Evening
|
Cheltenham Festival Preview Dinner
|
ON THE TRACK
There's no better place to start than the big race itself. To many, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the biggest prize of the all and the incredible Galopin Des Champs has won the last two years and bids to emulate Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate and win it three times. His performance at the 2025 Dublin Racing Festival was nothing short of spectacular and it's hard to see him getting beaten of all goes to plan.
After missing last year's festival, all eyes will be on Constitution Hill to see if he can regain his Champion Hurdle Crown from State Man. Bar the last obstacle, Constitution Hill put in a blistering performance on Festival Trials Day but will face a stiffer test in March, although the Irish Champion Hurdle didn't tell us too much about his Irish competition, with Lossiemouth falling and State Man cruising to an unopposed victory.
Wednesday will see Jonbon’s date with destiny in the BetMGM Gueen Mother Champion Chase. He hasn't put a foot wrong all season, but as we know, the Cheltenham Festival is a different challenge altogether.
After missing last year's festival, all eyes will be on Constitution Hill to see if he can regain his Champion Hurdle Crown from State Man. Bar the last obstacle, Constitution Hill put in a blistering performance on Festival Trials Day but will face a stiffer test in March, although the Irish Champion Hurdle didn't tell us too much about his Irish competition, with Lossiemouth falling and State Man cruising to an unopposed victory.
Wednesday will see Jonbon’s date with destiny in the BetMGM Gueen Mother Champion Chase. He hasn't put a foot wrong all season, but as we know, the Cheltenham Festival is a different challenge altogether.
LOCAL HORSES TO FOLLOW AT THE FESTIVAL
Four out of the Top 10 trainers in the UK are from the Cotswolds. However, that means very little when it comes to the Cheltenham Festival and the Irish descend on the Home of Jump Racing.
Ben Pauling announced the sad news that The Jukebox Man would miss the rest of the season when a possible favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.
Perhaps his best chances throughout the week will be Diva Luna in the Mares' Novices Hurdle, Henry's Friend in the Ultima and Fiercely Proud if he runs in the Coral Cup or County Hurdle.
Potters Charm disappointed on Festival Trials, but the Twiston-Davies team are still very positive about his ability and he holds entries in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Tuesday and the Turners Novices' Hurdle on the Wednesday, with the latter being the most likely target.
After four seconds, Gowel Road finally got his head in front at Cheltenham in January and holds an entry for the Stayers' Hurdle on the Thursday and Matata is a contender in the Grand Annual Chase, unless they decide to take on Jonbon in the Champion Chase.
The O'Neill team have had a very strong season and might just be the best chance of a local winner with the likes of Springwell Bay who won in emphatic style at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, Johnnywho, Bill Joyce, Crebilly, Hasthing and their recent purchase Peaky Boy.
With the sad news that Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls' stable star Chianti Classico suffered a career-ending injury, Trelawne and Moon Rocket will probably be the yards' best chances of a winner during the Festival.
For Fergal O'Brien, Sixmilebridge impressed at Cheltenham in January when beating Potters Charm and holds and entry in both the Supreme and Turners Novices' Hurdle, with the latter his probable target. We expect to see both Crambo (Stayers) and Dysart Enos (Mares' Hurdle), but it will be a tough ask for both of them facing stiff competition from across the Irish Sea.
Ben Pauling announced the sad news that The Jukebox Man would miss the rest of the season when a possible favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.
Perhaps his best chances throughout the week will be Diva Luna in the Mares' Novices Hurdle, Henry's Friend in the Ultima and Fiercely Proud if he runs in the Coral Cup or County Hurdle.
Potters Charm disappointed on Festival Trials, but the Twiston-Davies team are still very positive about his ability and he holds entries in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Tuesday and the Turners Novices' Hurdle on the Wednesday, with the latter being the most likely target.
After four seconds, Gowel Road finally got his head in front at Cheltenham in January and holds an entry for the Stayers' Hurdle on the Thursday and Matata is a contender in the Grand Annual Chase, unless they decide to take on Jonbon in the Champion Chase.
The O'Neill team have had a very strong season and might just be the best chance of a local winner with the likes of Springwell Bay who won in emphatic style at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, Johnnywho, Bill Joyce, Crebilly, Hasthing and their recent purchase Peaky Boy.
With the sad news that Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls' stable star Chianti Classico suffered a career-ending injury, Trelawne and Moon Rocket will probably be the yards' best chances of a winner during the Festival.
For Fergal O'Brien, Sixmilebridge impressed at Cheltenham in January when beating Potters Charm and holds and entry in both the Supreme and Turners Novices' Hurdle, with the latter his probable target. We expect to see both Crambo (Stayers) and Dysart Enos (Mares' Hurdle), but it will be a tough ask for both of them facing stiff competition from across the Irish Sea.
THE AFTER PARTY
There is more entertainment than ever before with multiple stages around Cheltenham Racecourse, both during and post racing.
Step into the heart of the action at The Guinness Village, to feel the infectious energy of Irish favourites – from traditional ballads to foot-stomping anthems. As a fantastic day of racing draws to a close, a greatest hits post-racing set promises the perfect way to round off the day.
If singing along to feel good favourites sounds like your cup of tea, head to Quevega's Bar to soak up the good times.
For those looking to indulge in something a little more refined, The Champagne Bar offers the perfect backdrop of smooth jazz throughout the day and into the evening. Similarly, The Centaur offers laidback acoustic melodies, perfect for a more relaxed post-racing experience.
Step into the heart of the action at The Guinness Village, to feel the infectious energy of Irish favourites – from traditional ballads to foot-stomping anthems. As a fantastic day of racing draws to a close, a greatest hits post-racing set promises the perfect way to round off the day.
If singing along to feel good favourites sounds like your cup of tea, head to Quevega's Bar to soak up the good times.
For those looking to indulge in something a little more refined, The Champagne Bar offers the perfect backdrop of smooth jazz throughout the day and into the evening. Similarly, The Centaur offers laidback acoustic melodies, perfect for a more relaxed post-racing experience.
AWAY FROM THE COURSE
Just outside Cheltenham, Dunkertons Park is a brilliant place to carry on the party, with live music, DJs and an abundance of street-food to fuel you evening after racing.
Back in town for post race drinks, head to Sandford Park Alehouse, Gin & Juice and The Retreat, or perhaps head to Bath Road where there are a number of bars and pubs to explore.
If clubbing is you thing, then there is a lot of choice, We could go through them, but you will probably just end up in Popworld anyway!
Back in town for post race drinks, head to Sandford Park Alehouse, Gin & Juice and The Retreat, or perhaps head to Bath Road where there are a number of bars and pubs to explore.
If clubbing is you thing, then there is a lot of choice, We could go through them, but you will probably just end up in Popworld anyway!