Cheltenham Festival 2025: Another Seven Days Under The Microscope

The racing world was in mourning for one of its brightest young talents on Sunday after the tragic announcement that Michael O’Sullivan had died following a fall at Thurles on 6th February 2025. My thoughts are with the O’Sullivan family and all of Michael’s friends during this difficult period.

We’re now just three weeks away from the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, with the handicap entries closing on Tuesday afternoon. But before we get to those, I’ve had a look back at some of the standout performances over the past seven days...

We start at Wetherby on Wednesday and WENDIGO booked his ticket for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle with a facile success in the opener. The form amounts to very little if truth be told but he was second to The New Lion in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle in December and he can improve for a step up to three miles.

LIVE CONTI had a lofty reputation coming from France and he justified his short price in the juvenile hurdle on Wednesday afternoon. Harry Skelton hinted after the race that he may head to the Triumph Hurdle but Aintree remains a very plausible option. Wherever he goes, he’s one to keep an eye on.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see ADDRAGOOLE win a nice race at some point. As a fan of Funiculi Funicula, I was delighted to see Gavin Cromwell’s horse prevail and I’d say he could be considerably better than his mark of 123. He could be a dark horse for one of the Cheltenham Festival handicaps next month.

BALLYBOW got the better of BALLYGUNNER CASTLE in what turned out to be a bit of a sprint in the 3m Grade 3 novice hurdle. The winner has been touted as an Albert Bartlett contender and Gordon Elliott’s mount will go with an each way chance. He’s a proper out-and-out stayer and he’ll make some chaser going forward.

Jamie Snowden had another winner at Sandown on Thursday and HOLLYGROVE CHA CHA will surely line up at Cheltenham after victory in the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The yard won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle with You Wear It Well in 2023 so she could go close if her preparation goes well in the coming weeks.

MYRETOWN was regarded as a possible spring handicap horse by many at the start of the season and that result will give him a rating that will put him in the mix for one of the Cheltenham handicaps. He was excellent at Kelso on Friday, jumping tremendously and it’ll be interesting to see his revised mark on Tuesday morning.

Just thirty minutes later, we saw another Lucinda Russell handicap chaser in PRIMOZ and he bolted up by 54 lengths – giving the handicapper a real headache when it comes to trying to assess the performance. I thought he’d be one to go up in trip at some point but connections have been happy to stick at the minimum trip.

THE CHANGING MAN won something of a ‘non-event’ after Jingko Blue’s early fall in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot on Saturday. That success marked his first victory over fences and he was on my radar for a Festival handicap but I’m reluctant to get involved before seeing his revised mark on Tuesday.

We saw a thrilling battle between VICTTORINO and THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE and it was the former who came out on top in a photo finish. Venetia Williams is a brilliant trainer and I was delighted to see her with a big winner on a Saturday and this horse is now 4-5 at Ascot so I expect him to be campaigned heavily at the Berkshire track next year.

PIC D’ORHY put on a sublime display in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, winning the race for a second successive season. Paul Nicholls was under a bit of pressure heading into the weekend but the Ditcheat handler was delighted with the manner of Saturday’s victory and I’d expect him to line up at Aintree in April.

Did we see a Triumph Hurdle contender in BLUE LEMONS? I was rather taken by his display at Gowran Park and it was great to see Blue Point with a winner over obstacles this weekend. Paul Townend seemed happy enough after the race and he could take his chance at Cheltenham next month.

KITZBUHEL was mentioned as a potential Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle contender following his success in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle. He was much the best against Break My Soul and Sir Gerhard, pulling away from his rivals to record a simple victory. I’d be very interested in backing him if he lines up at Merseyside in the spring.

I thought CLASSIC GETAWAY put in a huge performance in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase and he could be another one for Aintree or Punchestown rather than Cheltenham. He’s not the most reliable type but he’s talented and can go close in a Grade 1 on a proper going day. 

GOLDEN ACE came out on top in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle, beating BURDETT ROAD in a competitive finish at Wincanton. The winner may head to the Champion Hurdle and could be joined by the runner up, though connections have suggested that he may end up in the County Hurdle instead.

We saw GIBBS ISLAND bolt up in the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle, producing a very strong performance to prevail at Haydock. He wouldn’t the sexiest profile around but he is two from two over hurdles and I’d say he may at least line up in the Triumph Hurdle albeit possibly as an ‘also ran’.

GWENNIE MAY BOY won the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle later on the card and he is a prime contender to go well in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. He qualified for that particular race back in December and you’d imagine he is being trained for it – and he won easily enough at Haydock and he’ll head to Cheltenham in fine form.