(3.5 minutes read)
It is without doubt the race of the Cheltenham Festival 2025 week. The imperious Constitution Hill has been sitting comfortably at the top of the market in The Champion Hurdle for some time.
However, it is all change as the Gordon Elliott trained Brighterdaysahead has now opted for the senior hurdle championship race, thereby, giving us a race to savour.
The mare takes a 7ib weight advantage into this race, but will it make a significant difference? We assess the chances of these two market leaders along with checking out the best each way chances in this first major championship race of Cheltenham Festival 2025.
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Each Way Betting
At the time of writing, Bet365 and Boylesports are offering three places for Cheltenham each way bets.
The Big Players
Constitution Hill
The Nicky Henderson superstar is all set to go after an encouraging gallop over Kempton last week and with all his setbacks firmly in the past, Constitution Hill is a well deserved favourite.
An excellent run in The Christmas Hurdle beating Lossiemouth was far better than it looked considering it was his first run for some time whilst his efficient performance over course and distance in The Unibet Hurdle during Trials week reaffirmed his Cheltenham credentials effectively enough.
The best odds of 8/13 with Bet Victor may prove to be excellent value.
Brighterdaysahead
The Gordon Elliott trained mare has progressed in some manner since narrowly beating current Champion Hurdler State Man in the Morgiana Hurdle last autumn. Her subsequent distant defeat of State Man in the big Grade 1 last December got tongues wagging that she could be the one to topple Constitution Hill.
However, the Cheltenham course and distance could prove challenging for Brighterdaysahead. She looked fairly ordinary when beaten as warm favourite in last year’s Mares Novices Hurdle. True, she is a far improved horse, but the speed Constitution Hill can produce between the last couple of fences should put the mare out of her comfort zone.
The danger to Constitution Hill is the hurdles themselves as the Henderson trained horse is so quick and economical over them that he is left with no margin for error.
This is potentially the only way Brighterdaysahead could launch a realistic challenge. William Hill offers 9/4 best odds for the Gordon Elliott mare to oblige.
Lossiemouth
Last year’s Mares Hurdle winner is almost certainly going to return to that race for this year’s Cheltenham Festival, especially after her defeat to Constitution Hill and unfortunate fall in The Irish Champion Hurdle. Still available at 11/2 with William Hill.
State Man
The Willie Mullins current champion has had an indifferent season thus far, falling short in his two defeats to Brighterdaysahead but certainly restored some pride after victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle. However, this victory is a little hard to evaluate considering the fall of Lossiemouth in that same race.
Nevertheless, he is sure to be in the mix and could be excellent place value at 10/1 with William Hill, considering Lossiemouth is good as booked for the Mares Hurdle.
The Each Way Chances
This of course is highly dependant on the final destination of Lossiemouth. If we are reduced to eight runners, barring any further withdrawals, then there is some decent each way value potential.
Burdett Road
This James Owen trained five-year-old has been consistent this season, most noticeably winning The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle over course and distance last November.
He kept within 9 lengths of Constitution Hill in The Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day and did not disgrace himself in defeat to Golden Ace in the Kingwell at Wincanton last month.
He still has a lot on his plate to get competitive with Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead but offers superb each way value at 33/1 with Bet365.
Golden Ace
The Mares Novices Champion’s claim to fame is having defeated Brighterdaysahead in last year’s renewal of course. She has had a good season having landed the Kingwell Hurdle and after experimenting with longer distances with indifferent results, she looks set to make a particularly good each way option for The Champion Hurdle, although The Mares Hurdle is also a viable destination.
Excellent value at 50/1 with Bet Victor.
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