(3 minutes read)
With just 2 months to go until the greatest show on turf, we take a second look at the Cheltenham Festival 2025 antepost betting markets.
In this preview, we focus on the remaining Grade One senior championship races: The Mares Hurdle, The Ryanair Chase, and The Stayers Hurdle. We check out best Cheltenham Festival 2025 antepost bets and top odds provided by our partner firms: bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
Non-Runner No Bet
William Hill was fast off the blocks last week. They are the first firm to offer Non-Runner No Bet on all Cheltenham Festival 2025 races.
bet365 have also now announced that the firm are offering NRNB on five of Cheltenham Festival 2025 races, namely, The Champion Hurdle, The Champion Chase, The Cheltenham Gold Cup, The Ryanair Chase and The Stayers Hurdle.
What is Non-Runner No Bet?
Antepost betting often offers lucrative odds but at an enormous risk as stakes are not returned if the horse does not participate in the race. Non Runner No Bet means that if a bet is placed on a particular race, stakes will be returned in the event that the horse is declared as a non-runner.
The Mares Hurdle
This race is clearly determined by the final destinations determined for reigning mares champion Lossiemouth and latest Gigginstown sensation Brighterdaysahead.
After her significant defeat to Constitution Hill in the Kempton Christmas Hurdle, one suspects the Willie Mullins trained Lossiemouth will be switched to try and regain her title in The Mares Hurdle.
Therefore, the 9/4 (Bet Victor) currently on offer looks decent value: this will be a far lower price on the day, she will almost certainly be odds on. 15/8 with William Hill on the NRNB option.
Connections of Brighterdaysahead will be confident of taking on Constitution Hill so this is her likely destination: she is currently race favourite in the Mares Hurdle at 6/4 with Bet Victor.
The Ryanair Chase
A very tricky market to analyse as a few of these horses have multiple entries for Cheltenham Festival 2025. The favourite Fact To File (7/2 Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports) will more than likely head to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The same can be said for Banbridge as connections will probably feel their entry can stay 3 miles 2 furlongs after his impressive run in the King George (5/1 Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports).
Gaelic Warrior could end up here or The Champion Chase. The convincing 2024 Arkle winner has been shaped for the 2-mile division this season. 7/1 best with Bet Victor.
However, our fancy is Il Est Francais. The French challenger was brilliant in The King George and although the Champion Chase is also on the cards, the Ryanair trip could be his optimum distance around Cheltenham: 9/1 best with Bet Victor.
If you’re looking for a safe Cheltenham Festival 2025 antepost bet however, connections of Spillane’s Tower have confirmed that The Cheltenham Gold Cup is “coming too soon” and that their entry will definitely head for The Ryanair Chase: 5/1 NRNB best odds with bet365.
The Stayers Hurdle
Last year’s winner Teahupoo holds current favouritism (6/5 Bet Victor) and this is a fair reflection of his one run this season, a respectable second behind Lossiemouth in the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
An improver this season worth noting is the Joseph O’Brien trained Home By The Lee who has notched up two graded wins so far this season, most significantly in the Savills Hurdle beating Bob Olinger by 6 lengths. He still has 6 lengths to make up on Teahupoo however but offers some each way value at 7/1 with William Hill NRNB.
The Relkeel Hurdle winner Lucky Place trained by Nicky Henderson is a new kid on the block and may have more to offer. He is consistent and has to be an each way consideration at 11/1 with bet365 NRNB.
One horse who definitely stays 3 miles is Crambo who bounced back to form with an encouraging win in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last autumn: another each way contender at 12/1 NRNB with bet365 or full antepost rules at 16/1 with Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (2pm 18th January 2025) and are subject to change.
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