Cheltenham Day 1 Tips - Tuesday's Tips for the 2025 Festival
Check out our expert tips for day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Craig Jones
The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival is known as ‘Champion Day’ with four Grade 1 races, and we have all the action covered with our Cheltenham Day 1 tips.
We being with a bang, the Supreme kicks us off in style, the Arkle is always a race with drama, and of course, the Champion Hurdle this year looks to be a top quality renewal as the winners from the last two years take each other on!
Looking for expert betting tips? Read on for our free Cheltenham Day 1 tips, plus the best Cheltenham betting offers on the market ahead of the Festival.
| Race | Tip |
| Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Tips | Alan Kelly - Kopek Des Bordes (Nap) Charlie McCann - Romeo Coolio (w/o Kopek Des Bordes) Paddy Brennan - Irancy (Each-Way) |
| Arkle Chase Tips | Alan Kelly - Jango Baie Charlie McCann - L’Eau de Sud (w/o Majborough) (Nap) Paddy Brennan - L’Eau de Sud |
| Ultima Handicap Chase Tips | Alan Kelly - Crebilly (Each-Way) Charlie McCann - The Changing Man (Each-Way) & Whistle Stop Tour (Each-Way) Paddy Brennan - Crebilly (Each-Way) |
| Mares’ Hurdle Tips | Alan Kelly - Joyeuse (Each-Way) Paddy Brennan - Dysart Enos (Each-Way) |
| Champion Hurdle Tips | Alan Kelly - State Man (w/o Constitution Hill) Charlie McCann - Golden Ace (w/o Constitution Hill & Brighterdaysahead) Paddy Brennan - Brighterdaysahead (Nap) |
| Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips | Charlie McCann - Stencil & Puturhandstogether Paddy Brennan - Stencil & Hot Fuss (Each-Way) |
| National Hunt Novices' Chase Tips | Charlie McCann - Transmission (Each-Way) (Antepost) & Gericault Roque (Each-Way) Paddy Brennan - Hasthing (Each-Way) & Transmission (Each-Way) |
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Cheltenham Day 1 Tips
On the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, our tips for Cheltenham Day 1 will have you covered - we've got two expert tipsters, plus the insights of former Cheltenham-winning jockey Paddy Brennan.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Tips
- Alan Kelly's Tip - Kopek Des Bordes (Nap)
- Charlie McCann's Tip - Romeo Coolio (w/o Kopek Des Bordes)
- Paddy Brennan's Tip - Irancy (Each-Way)
Alan Kelly - Kopek Des Bordes (Nap)
In an effort to get the festival off to a profitable start, bookmakers have now pushed the Willie Mullins-trained KOPEK DES BORDES (Nap) out to Evens for the opening Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, a decision they may come to regret by about 1:30pm on Tuesday afternoon, especially if odds-against are available at some point.
There have been many impressive victories put up by novices this season, but few in the manner of Kopek Des Bordes’ at the Dublin Racing Festival, and that in a Grade 1 contest against some very talented rivals. Despite failing to jump with any fluency on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, Paul Townsend’s mount still won comfortably before trouncing his rivals by 13 lengths on that course five weeks later.
I remember the ill-fated Golden Cygnet winning this race back in 1978, described by the great Vincent O’Brien as “the best horse I’ve ever seen, “ before his fatal fall when about to beat Sea Pigeon receiving only 1lb in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. Kopek Des Bordes has a long way to go before being compared to one of the best winners of this race, but, despite the quality of the opposition, I expect this exciting prospect to prove up to the task. At odds of around 25/1, Fergal O’Brien’s Tripoli Flyer would be the each-way alternative to the hot favourite.
Recommendation: Kopek Des Bordes (Nap) - Evens with Coral
Check out our Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Betting Odds.
Arkle Chase Tips
- Alan Kelly's Tip - Jango Baie
- Charlie McCann's Tip - L’Eau de Sud (w/o Majborough) (Nap)
- Paddy Brennan's Tip - L’Eau de Sud
Charlie McCann - L’Eau de Sud (w/o Majborough) (Nap)
I backed L’EAU DU SUD for the Arkle after winning over course and distance back in November and am kicking myself for not recommending him at 12/1 each way, but, on the eve of the race, do I think he can beat Majborough? No! Of the four short-priced favourites on the opening day, I believe this is the most likely to win.
This is another race where I recommend a bet in the market without the odds-on favourite.
Since that Cheltenham success in the autumn, L’Eau de Sud has scored in Grade 1 company at Sandown and in a four-runner race at Warwick, both on soft/heavy ground. This better ground – I hope – will suit the Dan Skelton-trained grey, and I will be disappointed if he does not give the Mullins-trained five-year-old a race, although I was blown away with Majborough’s DRF success and do believe the other four runners are playing for places only.
Jango Baie was impressive here at the December meeting on chase debut and lost nothing in defeat when second to Handstands in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles last time. Both races were over an additional half mile, and Aintree’s two-and-a-half mile Novice Chase is/was perhaps his best opportunity for Grade 1 glory this spring.
Recommendation: L’Eau de Sud (w/o Majborough) (Nap) - 6/4 with BetVictor
Check out our Arkle Chase Betting Odds.
Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
- Alan Kelly's Tip - Crebilly (Each-Way)
- Charlie McCann's Tips - The Changing Man (Each-Way) & Whistle Stop Tour (Each-Way)
- Paddy Brennan's Tip - Crebilly (Each-Way)
Alan Kelly - Crebilly (Each-Way)
One of the first stables I look out for in the handicaps at the festival is that of Jonjo & A J O’Neill, successful in this Ultima (Premier Handicap) with Wichita Lineman in 2009, Alfie Sherrin in 2012 and Holywell two years later. I think this has been a long-term plan for the J P McManus-owned CREBILLY (Each-Way), despite three less than inspiring efforts this season, the first over hurdles.
Now running off a mark 2lb lower than when second in last season’s Plate at the festival, looking as if he would appreciate today’s step-up in trip, I expect the Soldier Of Fortune gelding to leave his recent form well behind. With a maximum field of 24, and most bookmakers going 6 or even 7 places, I would not put anyone off the Venetia Williams-trained Frero Banbou at a massive price, the mount of 3lb claimer Ned Fox meets favourite The Changing Man on 3lb better terms than when beating Joe Tizzard’s runner in Newcastle’s Rehearsal Chase back in November.
Recommendation: Crebilly (Each-Way) - 9/1 with bet365 (6 places)
Check out our Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Odds.
Mares’ Hurdle Tips
- Alan Kelly's Tip - Joyeuse (Each-Way)
- Paddy Brennan's Tip - Dysart Enos (Each-Way)
Paddy Brennan - Dysart Enos (Each-Way)
I think Lossiemouth is a league above this field - she'll need to run almost a stone below her rating not to win this, but we've seen it before - not all these short-priced favourites are going to win.
You look at horses like Joyeuse - they wouldn't have come into the race if they thought Lossiemouth was going to run. So suddenly, horses like that are nearly two stone wrong in the weights.
Lossiemouth will be hard to beat for me, but DYSART ENOS (Each-Way) could outrun her odds at the bigger prices.
She's a bit of a forgotten horse this year – she's only had two runs, and similar to Be Aware, she ran behind Burdett Road in the Greatwood Hurdle before disappointing next time out.
She'll head into Cheltenham fresh and well - this has been the plan for the season, and if you arrive here with a plan, you can run very well.
Recommendation: Dysart Enos (Each-Way) - 33/1 with bet365 (3 places)
Check out our Mares’ Hurdle Betting Odds.
Champion Hurdle Tips
- Alan Kelly's Tip - State Man (w/o Constitution Hill)
- Charlie McCann's Tip - Golden Ace (w/o Constitution Hill & Brighterdaysahead)
- Paddy Brennan's Tip - Brighterdaysahead (Nap)
Paddy Brennan - Brighterdaysahead (Nap)
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD (Nap) has got a massive chance.
Obviously, it's Constitution Hill - he's a machine, probably one we've never seen the likes of, but I've seen weaknesses in him all year.
I haven't been proven right yet, but if Brightersdaysahead runs to her Leopardstown form plus the 7lb allowance she receives, she could serve it up to him.
It'll be a straightforward race for everyone because King Of Kingsfield will go off fast.
Brighterdaysahead will follow him, and Nico will follow her, and it's just when Brighterdaysahead takes it up - Will Nico be beside her or behind her?
But it's from the second last to the line where if push comes to shove, I think Brighterdaysahead will come out on top.
As for State Man, he's a solid horse, and he handles the occasion. If one or if one of the top two bombs out, he'll be picking up the pieces, but he's an each-way chance at best.
Recommendation: Brighterdaysahead (Nap) - 9/4 with bet365
Check out our Champion Hurdle Betting Odds.
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips
- Charlie McCann's Tips - Stencil & Puturhandstogether
- Paddy Brennan's Tips - Stencil & Hot Fuss (Each-Way)
Charlie McCann - Stencil & Puturhandstogether
Having backed East India Dock for the Triumph Hurdle on Friday, I am hoping for a big run from STENCIL in the Fred Winter, even though he was no match for the James Owen juvenile here on Trials Day.
The French raider was keen over the first flight but settled well for James Reveley thereafter, and he jumped and travelled like a smart horse. A winner of his first couple of starts at Compiegne, he has plenty of weight, but he looks potentially smart, and he is one of two JP McManus-owned four-year-olds I have backed.
The other is the Joseph O’Brien-trained PUTURHANDSTOGETHER, who will appreciate the drying ground, having finished a good second to the year older Collaborative at Fairyhouse last time on heavy ground.
An 80+ ten-furlong horse on the flat, he has taken well to hurdles, having shown a good attitude to score at Cork on his penultimate start back in December. O’Brien won the corresponding race twelve months ago - and in 2019 – and also saddles Beyondyourdeams – also in the famous green and gold silks – who is a shorter price than Mark Walsh’s mount. Still, I feel Puturhandstogether will relish the better ground, although this is being written before the forecast rain was due to hit the track on Monday.
Recommendations: Stencil - 11/2 with SpreadEx & Puturhandstogether - 15/2 with Unibet
Check out our Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Betting Odds.
National Hunt Novices' Chase Tips
- Charlie McCann's Tips - Transmission (Each-Way) (Antepost) & Gericault Roque (Each-Way)
- Paddy Brennan's Tip - Hasthing (Each-Way) & Transmission (Each-Way)
Charlie McCann - Transmission (Each-Way) (Antepost) & Gericault Roque (Each-Way)
I have recommended TRANSMISSION (Each-Way) (5 places) in the NH Chase at 9/1 last month, so we are on good terms with ourselves given he is a top price of 11/2 at the time of writing.
In an ideal world, I would prefer a right-hand track as the selection does jump slightly out to his right, but he has been campaigned exclusively at Cheltenham this season with this race as the sole objective. The bet365 Gold Cup looks like an ideal end-of-season target.
Patrick Mullins was in the saddle when they combined to score in an amateur riders’ race back in the autumn, and the crack amateur is back in the plate with James Bowen, who would have taken the ride, sadly suspended.
The selection was a never nearer second to Haiti Couleurs here in December, but he looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip and is 4lbs better off with the selection. I am a fully paid-up member of the Haiti Couleurs fan club, but I think Transmission is the guaranteed stayer, although we won’t know until about half-five!
I am also going to back GERICAULT ROQUE (Each-Way), who I thought ran a terrific race at Windsor, returning from a 738-day absence at Windsor back in January when he jumped and travelled like a class act before lack of race fitness took its toll.
The British have not saddled the winner of the race since 2019.
The David Pipe-trained nine-year-old, who remains a maiden over fences after seven chase starts – four 2nd places and three 3rd places – finished second to Corach Rambler in the Ultima on the corresponding day in 2022, and he is 7lbs lower in the weights this afternoon.
Recommendations: Transmission (Each-Way) - 9/1 (5 places) & Gericault Roque (Each-Way) - 9/1 with Unibet (5 places)
Check out our National Hunt Novices' Chase Betting Odds.
Cheltenham Day 1 Schedule
Below, is the full schedule for day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, with the opening race at 1:20pm.
| Time | Cheltenham Day 1 Races |
|---|---|
| 1:20pm | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle |
| 2:00pm | Arkle Chase |
| 2:40pm | Ultima Handicap Chase |
| 3:20pm | Mares’ Hurdle |
| 4:00pm | Champion Hurdle |
| 4:40pm | Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle |
| 5:20pm | National Hunt Novices' Chase |
Cheltenham Festival 2025 Hub
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Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Overview
The day's horse racing action starts with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle - the tapes will rise to the customary 'Cheltenham roar' at 1:20pm.
Douvan, Altior, and Constituion Hill are recent winners of the Supreme, and they came back to the Festival to win races, including the Arkle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and the Ryanair Chase.
The feature race on the opening day is the Champion Hurdle, won by legendary horse racing names, including See You Then, Istabraq, and Hurricane Fly - will Constitution Hill again land the race this year?
On Day 1 of the Festival, other races include the Arkle Chase, the Mares' Hurdle, and the National Hunt Chase, which closes proceedings at 5:20pm.
Get set for the Day 1 horse racing action with the best Cheltenham free bets from the top UK bookmakers.
What Happened Last Year?
Relive all the excitement and drama from the opening day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Day 1 FAQs
Who won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The 2024 Champion Hurdle was won by State Man, trained by Willie Mullins.
What day is the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the opening day of the four-day Cheltenham Festival. In 2025, it will be on Tuesday, March 11th.
When is the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The Champion Hurdle is the fourth race on the Cheltenham Festival Day 1 card with a scheduled off-time of 4:00pm.
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