Cheltenham Festival 2025: @RoadCheltenham Returns With Recap Of The Past Week

It’s been a long, old summer but the winter jumps horses are back and we were treated to several impressive performances over the past seven days.

While I’m not entirely convinced we saw a Cheltenham Festival winner at Chepstow, it was great to see some of the big players back on a racecourse.

Just like last season, I’ll be here to give my own thoughts and analysis on the best of the action over the past week. So without further ado, let’s get straight into things – starting with a short, priced favourite being turned over at Galway...

THE ENABLER went off at 1/9f for his hurdles debut last Tuesday and it was quite clear to me that he struggled with the sharp circuit. He’s a massive horse and a real chaser in the making – we won’t see the best of him until he goes over fences. He’ll also improve for going the other way round and for a more galloping track.

I was glad to see BUDDY ONE make a winning start over fences on the same card, with Paul Gilligan’s horse overcoming inexperience compared to his rivals. He recorded a RPR of 134 and I’d say he’ll benefit from going left-handed and for competing against better rated rivals.

Colm Murphy could be in for a successful campaign and SAVANTE looks like a talented mare. I’m not sure she beat much at Tramore but I was impressed at the manner of the success and we’ll learn more in the Grade 3 Mares' Novice Hurdle at Down Royal next month.

PRENDS GARDE A TOI, a €155,000 purchase at the Goffs Punchestown Sale in 2023, got off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking at Downpatrick. The form doesn’t amount to much, with the second rated just 92 over hurdles, but he had a big reputation before his bumper season and is worth keeping an eye on.

I thought FLYING FORTUNE was brilliant in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices Hurdle at Chepstow, running out a decisive winner ahead of Irish raider Intense Approach. It was a real family affair with James Bowen in the saddle and Peter & Michael Bowen both on the training licence. They’ll likely aim high with her now.

A Kim Bailey horse won the 2m7f Limited Novices' Handicap Chase for the second year in a row as DESTROYTHEEVIDENCE followed in the footsteps of Chianti Classico. I’m not sure if he’ll end up in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham but, like so many horses at Thorndale Farm, he already looks much improved for a fence.

BLEU DE VASSY had some decent bumper form last season and he made a seamless transition to hurdling, bolting up by 25 lengths at Fairyhouse on Saturday. It was a pretty poor race but you’d have to be impressed by the winner’s hurdling technique – he looked a natural and appears destined for Graded company next time out.

Lucinda Russell has always held CHOOSE A COPPER in high esteem and it was great to see him get off the mark at Hexham. The front two pulled 20 lengths clear of the field and Derek Fox’s mount was always finding enough to keep his rival at bay. There’s a nice pot in him at some point down the line, most probably up in trip... 

I was a tad disappointed to see ADMIRAL STEWART get beat in the Hexham bumper on Saturday but the winner Lost Frequencies was simply too good on the day. Having said that, I think Jamie Snowden’s horse is the better long term prospect and I’d say he may just be a winner in waiting.

The race was marred by the fatal injury to Cuthbert Dibble but SPRINGWELL BAY stuck to the task stoutly to win the Listed novice chase at Chepstow. Trained by Jonjo and A J O’Neill, he came there tanking in the final straight and took full advantage of a mistake from Insurrection two out. Once in front, he was always holding his rival.

I like Doyen Quest as a prospect but could have no complaints as JOSH THE BOSS was much the best in the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle. Just a short while after losing the aforementioned Cuthbert Dibble, Nigel Twiston-Davies was in the winner’s enclosure to collect the trophy. Victory was his a long way out and a hefty rise in the weights looks likely.

MONEYGARROW is a full brother to the smart Minella Crooner and he outclassed his rivals in the Chepstow bumper under Harry Skelton. The market was bang on as he ran out a convincing winner, beating some smart prospects in the process. He could be a nice one for the Dan Skelton yard to go to war with.