Cheltenham Tips: @RoadCheltenham's Best Bets For The October Showcase Meeting 2025

Racing returns to Cheltenham this weekend and we should be in for a cracking couple of days, with 175 runners declared over the course of the two days. Many view the Showcase Meeting as the ‘true’ start of the National Hunt season and it will be great to be back at Prestbury Park. It’s been a long, old summer!

There is something for everyone this weekend – with several informative novice races, a few lucrative handicaps and a fascinating Pertemps qualifier. Without further ado, here are my leading fancies for the next few days. Fingers crossed there is a winner or two on this list, and there might even be a Cheltenham Festival winner in waiting!

15:35 Friday - squareintheair.com Handicap Chase

The Henry de Bromhead yard are in fine form and I can see punters latching onto JASKO DES DAMES ahead of Friday’s race, especially with the Knockeen handler having a facile winner at Clonmel on Thursday.

The selection ran well at Listowel and he appeared to get tired late on, You’d imagine he’ll come on plenty for that effort as he showed significant improvement after his first start last season when winning back-to-back races at Wexford and Punchestown.

Dancing On My Own won this race for the yard in 2023 and I’m expecting Jasko Des Dames to go close. He ran a huge race behind Jazzy Matty in the Grand Annual in March and runs here off a 5lbs higher mark but that shouldn’t inconvenience him too much.

13:45 Saturday - Play William Hill's Final One Standing Novices' Hurdle

I was thrilled to see Sean Bowen booked on INISHCORKER and couldn’t quite believe that he was available at such a big price following declarations on Thursday. He’s yet to run under rules but I’m expecting a huge run based on his reputation at home.

Rebecca Curtis has only had positive things to say about this horse in recent weeks and she could’ve opted for an easier assignment for his racecourse debut but that speaks volumes about the regard that she holds this horse in. 

There are several Irish raiders in the race and favourite Pour Les Filles brings a solid level of form to the table. However, Curtis has mentioned the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle as a potential spring target for Inishcorker and I’m willing to take a chance.

14:55 Saturday - Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Running in a handicap for the first time at Roscommon the last day, QUANTUM QUEST is my selection in the Pertemps qualifier. He has improved since stepping up in trip while his form over shorter distances suggests that he has scope off his current mark.

There are plenty in the race who will be looking to qualify but won’t want to win but the Henry de Bromhead runner may need to win to make the cut in March. The Old Course should play to his strengths, especially if he builds a head of steam turning for home.

Darragh O’Keeffe has had a brilliant start to the season and, with JJ Slevin riding back in Ireland, I’d argue that this jockey booking enhances his chance of winning. Unexposed over staying trips, Quantum Quest is worth a punt at a nice each way price.

16:40 Saturday - Oddschecker Open National Hunt Flat Race

While his pedigree wouldn’t necessarily scream out ‘bumper horse’, I’m expecting LE BEAU MADRIK to win on the level at the second time of asking. He showed greenness at Plumpton in April but should improve for the experience.

He doesn’t have much to find on figures with Fergal O’Brien’s horse and he receives 4lbs from that runner. The pair are well matched on numbers but Dan Skelton has had three winners from 13 bumper runners this season and the selection should go close.

John McConnell’s runner ticks plenty of boxes and he is an obvious danger – he has the fitness edge and the experience angle so I’d expect him to be on the premises. Fortune De Mer was second in the race for Skelton last year so hopefully Le Beau Madrik can go one better than his stablemate.