By Callum Close
A week rivalled by no other in British racing begins in under four weeks, when the 2025 Cheltenham Festival comes under starters’ orders.
For four days in March, Britain and Ireland’s top yards will battle for glory in the West of England.
Starting on Tuesday, March 11, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is the first of 28 esteemed races at Prestbury Park.
The Festival’s four days of illustrious racing precedes the Gold Cup on the final day.
Won by legends such as five-time King George winner Kauto Star, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is Britain’s most valuable non-handicap chase – in 2023, the prize money totalled £625,000.
READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Dates, how to watch on TV, trainers and jockeys to watch
Third win in sights
It is the last of four feature races shown on each day of the Festival and this year’s renewal will see Galopin des Champs look to claim his third win in the race.
The Irish-trained gelding is the (8/15) ante-post favourite for 11-time Festival Champion trainer Willie Mullins.
His record at the Festival is three wins from four races after defeating the well-renowned Langer Dan in the 2021 Martin Pipe, and back-to-back wins in this race defeating 2022 King George VI winner Bravemansgame and trainer Gordon Ellitot’s Gerri Colombe.
Final-flight fall
However, punters will remember his final-flight fall in the 2022 Turners in which Bob Olinger was the benefactor and gained his second Cheltenham Festival win despite being 12L behind when Mullin’s horse came down at the last.
Galopin des Champs is looking to emulate the greats of yesteryear by winning three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups.
Mullins said: “To us here it’s unbelievable that we’ve got a horse that’s going for a third Gold Cup and could be in the Best Mate/Arkle category.
“To be associated with a horse like this who is so well known now is a huge honour. We’re all delighted to be involved and we just hope the dream stays alive.
“We had a go with Al Boum Photo, but he couldn’t win the third. I think we’ve got a bit more of a chance this year.”
Fancied trio
He heads a trio of fancied horses hailing from his stable, with last year’s Brown Advisory winner Fact To File (8/1) and Irish Grade One winner Grangeclare West (25/1) aiding Mullins’ chances should they all run.
Fact To File holds an entry into the Ryanair chase, for which he is currently the (7/4) ante-post favourite meaning that a rematch is unlikely – at least according to the betting.
The trio have clashed three times already this season, first in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown, then in the Irish Gold Cup and Savills Chase – both at Leopardstown.
Fact To File won the former for infamous owner JP McManus whilst Galopin des Champs won both subsequent contests.
The three horses completed a Mullins 1-2-3 in the latter race with Grangeclare West in second.
Elsewhere in the market dominated by Irish-trained horses is the Joseph O’Brien-trained and 2024 King George VI winner Banbridge.
Gold Cup plan
Whilst he also holds an entry into the Ryanair Chase, regular jockey JJ Slevin seemed hopeful of a run in Cheltenham’s showpiece event when he said: “The plan, as far as I know, is that Banbridge will now go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“I think it is the right thing to do and have a go at the Gold Cup. He has won a William Hill Champion Chase over two miles at Punchestown and a King George over three miles at Kempton, and not too many horses can do that in open company.
“He is an exciting horse to be hopefully going out and getting jocked up on in the Gold Cup. He has been a great horse for the yard, and it will be interesting to see what happens.”
Irish hope
Montys Star is another Irish hope for 2021 and 2022 winning trainer Henry de Bromhead.
The gelding is trading at 20/1 after placing second behind Fact To File at last year’s Festival and finishing fifth behind the Mullins 1-2-3 in early February.
Last year’s fourth L’homme Presse is the shortest-priced British trained horse (25/1) for trainer Venetia Williams, whilst last year’s Turners winner Grey Dawning is next at a huge 50/1 for trainer Dan Skelton.
A first British winner since Native River defeated Might Bite in an infamous duel for trainer Colin Tizzard, in 2018, seems unlikely – according to the betting.
The Irish have dominated this race by winning it ten times since 2012 and Mullins has won four of the last six
It will come under starter’s orders at 4pm on Friday, March 14.
READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Stayers’ Hurdle analysis and preview
