Cheltenham Tuesday Tips: Latest Selections As @RoadCheltenham Goes Through The Day One Card

It's been another brilliant build up to the Festival here at HorseRacing.Net with our star columnist @RoadCheltenham, and once again he is on hand to provide us his tips for the Greatest Show On Turf! Check out his through the card Cheltenham Day One Tips below...

The wait is over and the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is here, with four days of exhilarating action for National Hunt fans to savour. I’ll be going through the cards for all four days of this year’s meeting, with a selection in every race at Prestbury Park.

For transparency, I’ll be advising a total of eight points per day – 1pt for six selections and 2pts on my NAP of the Day. Let’s get straight down to business and get stuck into Cheltenham 2025, starting with the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle...

13:20 - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

I’m struggling to look past KOPEK DES BORDES here. Willie Mullins has had six beaten favourites in the last 10 renewals but I think we are looking at an absolute superstar in this fella – he took my breath away at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The only way he gets beat – in my opinion – is if he boils over and does too much early on but even then, it mightn’t matter. This horse has a massive engine, a wicked turn of foot and he jumped much better the last day. He’s one of the bankers of the week.

1PT Win - Kopek Des Bordes

14:00 - Arkle Challenge Trophy

MAJBOROUGH (NAP) can take the Arkle to become a dual Cheltenham Festival winner and I’d be very surprised to see him beat. He’s a short price but he boasts the best form and the small field will give him the opportunity to get a sighter at his fences.

He can dictate proceedings and he’s shown the necessary blend of speed and stamina that are required to win an Arkle. I wouldn’t be looking anywhere else in this race and hopefully we’ll see a huge performance from one of jumps racing’s brightest talents.

2PTS Win - Majborough

14:40 - Ultima Handicap Chase

I’ve liked HENRY’S FRIEND for this race for some time and I’m going to stick with him in this column. Good ground won’t bother him and Ben Pauling has been relatively warm on his chances in recent weeks – I’m expecting him to be there or thereabouts.

The form of November’s Coral Gold Cup has worked out well and I’m hoping Ben Jones – who is having an excellent season in the saddle – can galvanise Henry’s Friend to yet another Ultima success for the home team on Tuesday afternoon.

0.5PTS EW - Henry's Friend

15:20 - Mares' Hurdle

Lossiemouth will be very difficult to beat if she brings her best foot forward but she’s not had the most straightforward of campaigns and I’ll be looking to take her on. I’ve landed on JETARA as an each way play at a nice price – I can see her running a big race if there is a strong pace to aim at.

Jessica Harrington has revealed that Jetara is her best chance of a winner at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and she’s certainly no back number in my opinion. With a bit of luck, she can be on the premises and she’s a big price to finish in the places.

0.5PTS EW - Jetara

16:00 - Champion Hurdle

The stage is set for a thrilling Champion Hurdle and I was thrilled to see connections opt to send BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD to the race. Mares have an excellent record in the race and the 7lbs allowance gives her a fantastic opportunity to give trainer Gordon Elliott a first success in Tuesday’s feature race.

With regards to Constitution Hill, you have to respect him and his record but he hasn’t blown me away this year and I’m happy to oppose with a mare that is rapidly improving with every run. Fingers crossed we get one hell of a race.

1PT Win - Brighterdaysahead

16:40 - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Beyond Your Dreams was the first horse included in my each way Lucky 15 tips article but she’s a bit short in the market now. Instead, I’m going with market rival TOTAL LOOK to give the Gavin Cromwell yard a winner on Day 1.

Reports claim that he’s been working with Hello Neighbour – and he’s been working well with him for some time. Given that his stablemate is a Grade 1 winner and is rated in the 140s, you’d imagine that Total Look could be well handicapped off 132. That’s the logic, anyway... 

1PT Win - Total Look

17:20 - National Hunt Chase

I like Now Is The Hour but he’s no longer a betting proposition and I’m going to side with GERICAULT ROQUE – I think he can run a big race and hopefully he’ll be in contention at the end of the race. He has course form and the extended trip won’t be a problem.

He’s had his injury troubles over the past couple of years but I was very encouraged by his return at Windsor and he can go well off a mark of 131. He is 7lbs lower than when second to Corach Rambler in the 2022 Ultima Handicap Chase and I like his profile for this race.

0.5PTS EW - Gericault Roque

Related Cheltenham Festival Pages

• Cheltenham Free Bets
• Cheltenham Tips
• Cheltenham Day 1
• Cheltenham Day 2
• Cheltenham Day 3
• Cheltenham Day 4
• Cheltenham Gold Cup