Cheltenham 2025: everything you need to know and the favorites for the race

An event rich in history and tradition, the Cheltenham festival is anxiously awaited by horse racing professionals and lovers. Held annually in Gloucestershire, it attracts people from all over the UK, Europe and the entire world. dating back to 1860, it is one of the most ancient and beloved events in the National Hunt circuit not only for the thrill of the races, but also for a great atmosphere which includes live music, great food and the possibility to make new friends who share the same passion for sport and betting.

Where to spot the contenders for the 2025 edition

If you intend to participate in the Cheltenham festival, both in person or watching the races from afar, you should probably know who are the top contenders. These are the horses to watch and bet on. To bet on the races, spread over four days, it is of course not necessary to physically go to Cheltenham, but it can be done conveniently online from home as well, thanks to the many operators offering their odds on this historic event. To get a complete overview, you can consult the page https://www.oddschecker.com/cheltenham-festival where you can find the best odds on the market. Analyzed and compared by one of the best comparators on the market, this overview is great if you want to get a feel of the probable winners or simply be up to date with interesting news around horse races. 

The favourites for each race

Being spread over a four-day period (March 11th to March 14th), the Cheltenham festival is rich in different races for every kind of horse lover. You will find horses competing in several races with different temperament or health conditions, jockeys’ attitudes and specialties. Here are the favourites for each of the main races:

• Champion Hurdle. This race is most probable to go to Constitution Hill, a fan favourite and recent winner at Kempton. Despite some health and injury concerns in the past, this horse is a clear favourite for the first day. 
• Queen Mother Champion Chase. Based on elegance and style, this is a completely different race where Jonbon is the predictable winner. His jumping ability is still questionable, but he is the favourite in this category all the same.
• Ryanair Chase. This non-sponsored (despite of the name) race is probable to go to Fact to File or Gaelic Warrior, two formidable horses which have garnered sympathy in the last months. The only concern is if they will be able to compete or not.
• Stayers’ Hurdle. This competition is said to go to Teahupoo, last year’s winner who will compete to maintain the title.
• Gold Cup. This is the most coveted award and event of the entire festival. Bookmakers place Galopins Des Champs as the most probable winner but, as is the case with the most important races, everything can change.

What to know if you want to go to Cheltenham in person

Enjoying the festival online and betting with your friends is a great option, but to see the event with your own eyes is a whole other thing. If you want to participate at least once in your life, here is some crucial information to plan your trip. The racecourse is located just two miles out of the city center, so accommodation there is surely convenient. You can then reach the racecourse via car or train. Remember that these kinds of events are accessible to a vast array of budgets. The premium access, with the best view of the races, is listed for a minimum of £100.80. There are also mid and low price tickets, with the most affordable option starting at £51.30.