The 2025 Cheltenham Festival began with a bang on Tuesday’s Champion Day and now Style Wednesday promises more drama as the UK’s biggest week of racing continues.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase headlines the action at 4pm, where Jonbon is much fancied with Nico De Boinville aboard, while the Coral Cup Hurdle (2.40pm) and Cross Country Steeple Chase (3.20pm) are among the other fascinating races on Day 2. How the weather impacts today’s racing could be a fascinating subplot, after a snow flurry landed on the course this morning.
The opening day of racing delivered a huge shock as the showpiece Champion Hurdle was won by 25/1 shot Golden Ace, with horse racing superstar and heavy favourite Constitution Hill stunningly falling halfway through, as did last year’s winner State Man. It allowed Golden Ace to come from nowhere to triumph, with Burdett Road (66/1) taking second and 150/1 shot Winter Fog in third for an all-time Cheltenham shock.
The “greatest show on turf” will also include Friday’s Gold Cup, where Galopin Des Champs, who is the favourite on betting sites, hopes to land a famous hat-trick this. The full race card and Festival schedule is here, and we’ll be bringing you all the action as Day 2 unfolds.
Follow all the news, including previews, expert tips, free bet offers and the latest Cheltenham odds from Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival with our live blog below:
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Cheltenham Festival latest updates
- The Cheltenham Festival reaches Day 2: Full schedule and list of winners
- Best bets and horses to watch for Day 2
- Snow flurry hits Cheltenham on Style Wednesday
- Day 1 saw Golden Ace shockingly win Champion Hurdle after Constitution Hill and State Man fell
Expert tips: 1.20pm - Turners Novices’ Hurdle
11:24
,
Mike Jones
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Final Demand 6/4
Final Demand is a very good horse. He jumped brilliantly at Limerick and brought that to a whole new level at the Dublin Racing Festival. He travelled really well and his jumping was rock solid. His form overall is more solid than The New Lion’s. If Paul Townend is positive on him then he’ll be hard to beat. The Yellow Clay is a bigger danger than The New Lion.
Ed Chamberlin’s tip: The New Lion 15/8
It’s The New Lion – big head-to-head against Final Demand – who I think is going to be a Gold Cup horse, against The New Lion, who I think could be a champion hurdle horse, hopefully he’ll have too much speed.
'I couldn't even dream it'
11:18
,
Mike Jones
Golden Ace trainer, Jeremy Scott, spoke after winning the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday saying:
“I couldn’t even dream it - for God’s sake thump me, because I must be fast asleep at the moment!
“We looked certainly booked for second or third before Stateman came down, so it’s marred by that, really, but I’m just delighted that the gods have favoured us.
“My owner and I were not at loggerheads, because ultimately he pays the bills, but he was very keen to have a runner here today. We thought we could nick a little bit of prize-money, and we didn’t feel we could possibly beat Lossiemouth, so it’s extraordinary how things work out.
“That’s her unbeaten here, so she obviously likes the track. It’s interesting that Willie doesn’t tend to run his mares until after Christmas, so maybe we get it all wrong by trying to run them before Christmas.
“Maybe next year we’ll hang fire a bit. It’s brilliant for the whole team - just amazing.”
Richard Johnson backs Jonbon in Queen Mother Champion Chase
11:07
,
Mike Jones
22-time Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Richard Johnson believes Jonbon is the one to beat in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Speaking to Betfred he said: “It’s boring because he’s a very short price, but on ratings and form, he’s the one they all have to beat.
“Joseph O’Brien’s Solness horse can go forward and there could be a strong hard gallop early so at least we’ll see a true run race which will be good to see.”
What is a handicap? A brief guide to horseracing jargon for Cheltenham Festival
11:00
,
Mike Jones
The Cheltenham Festival is a rare occasion when the world of horseracing breaks into the collective consciousness of the general public.
It starts with Champion Day on March 11 before Style Wednesday, St Patrick’s Thursday, and Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday 14.
Along with the Grand National in April, Cheltenham attracts the eyes of many people who would otherwise be disengaged by the regular horseracing meetings up and down the country. It is a festival that all can enjoy but the terminology can be a bit confusing for those who only tune in once or twice a year.
Cheltenham Festival weather: Latest forecast as shock snow flurry hits on Day 2
10:47
,
Mike Jones
The Cheltenham Festival is back as hundreds of thousands of fans descend on the iconic Gloucestershire racecourse for one of the sport’s biggest weeks of the year but a shock flurry of snow on Wednesday morning could disrupt plans.
Snow is obviously far from ideal for horses, trainers or racegoers but, according to forecasts, the snow is expected to ease at around 10am and today’s racing shouldn’t be disrupted.
What is a bumper race?
10:41
,
Mike Jones
The first type is called a bumper, which is a flat race run under the rules of jump racing. It is for horses who have not previously run on the flat to get experience of racing. Despite being run on the flat (meaning no jumps), bumpers do not use starting stalls.
The Champion Bumper (Wednesday 12 at 5.20pm) at the Cheltenham Festival is the most prestigious bumper in jump racing.
What is jump racing?
10:35
,
Mike Jones
The first thing you should know is that the Cheltenham Festival is the culmination of the National Hunt jump racing season. Jump races are races that include obstacles for the horse and jockey to jump over.
These obstacles are known as hurdles or fences and the season usually takes place across autumn, winter and spring.
Jump races test stamina and jumping ability and horses that take part tend to be older than those who run flat races (races without jumps). The courses are a variety of distances from 2 to 4½ miles.
Within jump racing there are different designations of races and Cheltenham will showcase most, if not all, types of them.
Sir Alex Ferguson is a winner – can his horses follow suit at Cheltenham?
10:30
,
Mike Jones
Sir Alex Ferguson spent a sporting career picking up trophies and it remains a trait he has maintained throughout his retirement.
The most decorated manager British football has ever seen has also enjoyed a successful link with horse racing stretching back decades, although unlike his management career, it hasn’t always been plain sailing.
A much-publicised 2003 dispute with Coolmore supremo John Magnier over unpaid stud fees regarding 2,000 Guineas winner Rock Of Gibraltar, ended in an ugly public row with matters complicated still further by Magnier and business partner JP McManus holding a near quarter share in Manchester United at the time.
BHA provides Constitution Hill update after scary fall at Cheltenham Festival
10:24
,
Mike Jones
Constitution Hill walked away from a scary fall in a shocking Champion Hurdle on day one at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
The previously unbeaten hurdler, who was the odds-on favourite for the race of the day, looked poised to win, only to suffer a hard fall under jockey Nico de Boinville.
The dramatic race then looked set for a repeat of 2024 when State Man claimed the win, but Paul Townend was unable to successfully negotiate the last hurdle and also crashed out, leaving Golden Ace to pick up the shock win.
Can I still get a ticket and how much do they cost?
10:18
,
Mike Jones
You can secure access for days two and three of the festival through a daily Club Enclosure ticket at £100.80, while Friday is more expensive at £117.90.
Tattersalls tickets will cost you £71.10 on each of the first three days, but Gold Cup day is up at £84.60.
The cheapest way to experience the festival is through the Best Mate enclosure with a day ticket priced at £51.30, while Friday will set you back £67.50.
All details can be found with tickets available to purchase through the Jockey Club here.
Sign up to The Independent's Betting Newsletter
10:17
,
Mike Jones
Follow this link to sign up to The Independent’s betting newsletter and receive our daily coverage of the Cheltenham Festival plus more each week.
How can I watch the Cheltenham Festival on TV and is there a live stream?
10:11
,
Mike Jones
You can watch the first six races of each day at the Cheltenham Festival with the ITV1 broadcast, while full coverage of the meet, including the final race of each day is only available through a Racing TV subscription.
Both ITV and Racing TV provide live streams for the coverage through their apps and websites, while fans can of course tune on via the traditional television broadcast.
Several online betting sites will also be streaming the event, but in most cases a funded betting account is required.
When is 2025 Cheltenham Festival and what races are included?
10:04
,
Mike Jones
The Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday, 11 March and concludes on Friday, 14 March. Fans will be glued to 28 races over four days, with seven races per day, including 13 races run over fences across the week, 13 over hurdles plus a bumper (flat race) and a cross-country chase.
The shortest run is a little under two miles, while the longest races almost reach four miles. Fans will look out for 13 of the races run at Grade 1 standard, while five are run as Grade 2s, six Grade 3s and the other four being Listed.
The first race is scheduled for 1:20pm GMT each day, with the final race starting at 5:20pm.
Jeremy Scott on Golden Ace's win
09:59
,
Mike Jones
Golden Ace’s trainer Jeremy Scott said: “I think my team at home will be as flabbergasted as I am - they’ll definitely be reaching for the drinks cabinet. It's amazing, absolutely amazing. I hope both Constitution Hill and poor old State Man are alright [both horses were fine].
“We’re lucky, we can give our horses time; my wife and family are all involved. Camilla does a lot of the work at home and she has the patience of a saint and she’s the genius, rather than me.
“Lorcan (Williams, jockey) is part of the team and we work really well together. He’s not had an easy season, as we haven’t really, and he’s just such a good horseman and he’s a good mate, so it’s really nice to do this. Give me a pinch and make sure this isn’t a dream!”
Full list of winners from Day One at Cheltenham
09:53
,
Mike Jones
1.20: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1 )
Winner: Kopek Des Bordes (4/6F); 2) William Munny (8/1); 3) Romeo Coolio (9/2)
2.00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Winner: Jango Baie (5/1); 2) Only By Night (25/1); 3) Majborough (1/2F)
2.40: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Winner: Myretown (13/2); 2) The Changing Man (7/1F); 3) Malina Girl (14/1)
3.20: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Winner: Lossiemouth (4/6F); 2) Jade De Grugy (5/1); 3) Take No Chances (22/1)
4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Winner: Golden Ace (25/1); 2) Burdett Road (66/1); 3) Winter Fog (150/1)
4.40: Boodles Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Winner: Puturhandstogether (17/2); 2) Robbies Rock 50/1; 3) Liam Swagger (12/1 )
5.20: National Hunt Chase
Winner: Haiti Couleurs (7/2F), Rock My Way (16/1), Will Do (12/1)
Lorcan Williams on winning Champion Hurdle
09:47
,
Mike Jones
The winner of yesterday’s champion race was Golden Ace after Constitution Hill and State Man both feel.
Jockey Lorcan Williams, who claimed his first ever Grade 1 win in the race yesterday, said: “I cannot believe it. She wasn’t travelling as well as I wanted in the latter part of the race; all I was thinking was that we could do with a bit further, then I thought, ‘We’re staying on well for second’, and things happened started to happen.
“I’m absolutely thrilled for the Jeremy Scott [Golden Ace’s trainer] team; it’s a massive team effort to come here and I’m lost for words as to what a pleasure it is to get it done.
“Getting to the line, I was just thinking, ‘I hope it comes pretty soon!’ I promise you, I did not know what to expect and nothing compares to how I am feeling now.
“I hope this day will never end. I’m shell shocked - every time I have come here and got a winner, it’s been a dream come true for me. To be a part of it is one thing - to end up winning here is another. I’m just grateful to be a part of it.”
Improvements made for racegoers
09:41
,
Mike Jones
The Jockey Club and course management team at Cheltenham have made some changes to the festival this year to improve the experience for spectators heading to the racecourse this week.
To aid the smooth arrival and departure of racegoers, the largest deployment of hard ‘trackway’ ever in Europe has been laid in the grass car parks with 18,000 aluminium trackway panels covering an area of 129,600 square metres.
Those will come in handy today with the snow wetting the ground and making it muddy.
A new park and ride system has also been launched with around 1,000 spaces available and the Jockey Club has partnered with National Express to offer coach travel direct to Cheltenham Racecourse from more than 20 pick-up locations, doubling the number of coaches running to the venue.
How the Cheltenham Festival reveals the underlying reasons behind the dominance of Irish trainers
09:34
,
Mike Jones
In March every year jockeys, trainers, owners and fans flock to Prestbury Park for the ultimate horseracing show as the Cheltenham Festival brings the National Hunt jump racing season to a thrilling conclusion.
It’s a four-day showcase of the best horses and jockeys jostling alongside one another for pride, prestige and the adulation of the watching crowd.
Each day there’s a champion race, with Tuesday hosting the Champion Hurdle, Wednesday the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Thursday the Stayers’ Hurdle and Friday culminating with the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Ranking Rachael Blackmore's chances of winning today
09:27
,
Mike Jones
Below we’ve ranked which of Rachael Blackmore’s rides have the best chance of winning a race on day two of the festival:
3. Dancing On My Own - Beaten into third place when last running at Cheltenham in October of last year and a stronger field reflects the 18/1 price. Would be a surprising winner
2. Ballyadam - Victorious at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve, Ballyadam will bring some confidence into this race but the field is of a higher standard and odds of 14/1 don’t show massive confidence in Rachael Blackmore’s charge.
1. Captain Guinness - Winner of the Champions Chase in 2024 and back to defend his title. A popular horse at last year’s festival but triumphed in a field without Jonbon who will be his closest rival.
Is Rachael Blackmore racing at Cheltenham this year?
09:21
,
Mike Jones
We’ve listed all the horses Rachael Blackmore is riding on Wednesday of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival:
Wednesday 12 March
2.40pm: Coral Cup Hurdle
Ballyadam - Age: 10, Weight: 11-12, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4pm: Champion Chase
Captain Guinness - Age: 10, Weight 11-10, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4.40pm: Grand Annual Chase
Dancing On My Own - Age: 11, Weight 11-10, Trainer Henry de Bromhead
Snow at Cheltenham
09:15
,
Luke Baker
The early pictures emerging of the snow on the ground at Prestbury Park are pretty spectacular
Weather update from Cheltenham
09:12
,
Mike Jones
The snow has almost stopped after a heavy burst earlier this morning.
The course itself looks clear and much of the concourse should clear by the time racing begins this afternoon.
That is providing the snow stays away.
Cheltenham Festival weather: Latest forecast as shock snow flurry hits on Day 2
09:04
,
Luke Baker
We’ve had snow in Cheltenham, which probably wasn’t among many people’s tips this week.
But how will it affect racing today?
Preview of Style Wednesday
08:52
,
Luke Baker
And Sam Turner has also previewed today’s action on Style Wednesday, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase as the headline act
Review of Day 1 at Cheltenham
08:39
,
Luke Baker
Fair to say it was a drama-filled opening day at Cheltenham and The Independent’s racing correspondent Sam Turner has reviewed all the action
Cheltenham Festival: Full list of winners, results, timings and runners for Day 2
08:28
,
Luke Baker
Cheltenham Festival is back as the horse racing season gathers pace with the four-day spectacle one of the highlights of the sport’s calendar.
The Festival began with Champion Day before Style Wednesday and then St Patrick’s Thursday, with Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday.
Here is the full list of winners and scheduled race card:
Queen Mother Champion Chase tips
08:20
,
Luke Baker
It’s a clean sweep in the expert tips for today’s big race - the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm
Ruby Walsh’s tip (for Paddy Power): Jonbon 4/5
Jonbon, all day, every day. He comes here on an upward curve and I hope he wins. He’s a brilliant horse and I hope he gets the credit he deserves. He’s an absolute good thing.
Sam Turner’s tip: Jonbon 4/5
Jonbon’s critics will point to the fact he has been beaten three times at Cheltenham, while handicappers will point to his best six career efforts taking place away from Prestbury Park. However, the nine-year-old has won all eight of his starts with Nico de Boinville on board and he looks sure to have a good pace to aim at here with the front-running Solness in opposition. Of his rivals, Marine Nationale should relish the drying ground and strong pace and looks the best placed to cause Jonbon most problems.
Ed Chamberlin’s tip (for Sky Bet): Jonbon 5/6
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the big race of the day, and one of the big horses of the week. I can’t wait to see Jonbon – I love him. Sir Anthony McCoy would come back and ride him if he could. He's unbeatable, I think, under Nico de Boinville – and how pleased am I that Sky Bet are going to super boost Jonbon – fantastic!
Cheltenham Festival 2025 tips: Experts’ best bets and 13 horses to watch on day two
08:11
,
Luke Baker
A cool, dry day two – known as Style Wednesday – at Cheltenham promises more thrills with the Coral Cup and the Queen Mother Champion Chase among the highlights of a packed schedule.
Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon is back for glory in the Champion Chase, having withdrawn at the 11th hour last year. Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness triumphed in Jonbon’s absence but the form book suggests defending his crown will be tough and betting sites make him a big outsider.
Check out tips from the experts from this race and others on Day 2:
‘The best atmosphere’: Cheltenham festivalgoers undeterred by £7.80 Guinness pints give opening day lift off
07:59
,
Luke Baker
Fashions change, betting stakes increase and the weather in late winter fluctuates - but at Cheltenham Festival, many things remain largely unchanged.
Amid the sea of flat caps and tweed jackets in the Grand Stand, racing on Tuesday got off to the famous Cheltenham roar, sounding as exuberant and impassioned as ever.
More than 55,000 racegoers piled into the terraces that line the course to excitedly cheer as the favourite Kopek Des Bordes came first amid the heavy thud of hoofs on the soft turf.
Read a full report from Alex Ross at Cheltenham:
Dramatic Champion Hurdle provides thrilling twist on opening day at Cheltenham
07:58
,
Luke Baker
The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival provided thrills and excitement aplenty with the biggest twist coming in the headline Champion Hurdle race.
Golden Ace took the trophy for jockey Lorcan Williams and trainer Jeremy Scott after the pre-race favourite, Constitution Hill, and last year’s champion, State Man, both fell.
Williams held his charge in the middle of the field, kept up the pace, and took advantage of great fortune to shock bookmakers and punters alike.
