(3 minutes read)
Everyone knows the big players for Cheltenham Festival 2025 whether it is Galopin Des Champs aiming for a third consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup, Jonbon bidding for another Henderson Champion Chase triumph or his stable mate Constitution Hill hoping to regain his Champion Hurdle crown. But what about those horses who have slipped under the radar and stand a decent chance of Cheltenham Festival glory?
We check out the dark horses of Cheltenham Festival 2025 and offers some hot Cheltenham tips and best odds from our partner firms Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
Non Runner No Bet
Bet365, Betfred and William Hill are offering Non-Runner No Bet on all Cheltenham Festival 2025 races. Boylesports are offering NRNB on The Champion Hurdle, The Champion Chase, The Stayer’s Hurdle, The Ryanair Chase, and The Cheltenham Gold Cup.
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.
Kiss Will, The Supreme Novices Hurdle, Tuesday 11th March
This Willie Mullins trained entry won his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse comfortably despite a scare at the last. Paul Townend rode him that day and when asked about the performance he said: “He lengthened well up the straight and showed a little bit more of a turn of foot than I thought he would. He could definitely be an exciting horse going forward." He could be anything in the Supreme and looks good each way value at 20/1 with Bet Victor. 16/1 with Betfred for NRNB.
Burdett Road, The Champion Hurdle, Tuesday March 11th
Clearly all the attention is on the revival of the sublime Constitution Hill along with the Mullins challengers State Man and Lossiemouth. However, the battle for places is still very much on: Lossiemouth could possibly edge towards the Mares, Brighterdaysahead, despite trainer Gordon Elliott’s high regard for the mare, could also end up the same way.
This brings in the unexposed Burdett Road who won the Greatwood over course and distance and was not disgraced behind Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle. 20/1 NRNB with Bet365, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
Croke Park, The Brown Advisory Chase, Wednesday March 12th
Ballyburn is grabbing all the attention for this novice stayers’ championship, however, the appeal of Croke Park from the Gordon Elliott yard is significant. The Gigginstown owned horse has notched up three Grade One victories already this season.
He had five lengths to make up on Ballyburn on their 2nd February meeting in the Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown there. Splendid each way value at 10/1 NRNB with Bet365, William Hill and Betfred.
Sainte Lucie, The Triumph Hurdle, Friday 14th March
Interesting contender for the Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci partnership. The juvenile hurdler ran an excellent race to win a maiden hurdle at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve.
However, she was too keen in her first attempt in Grade One company at Punchestown earlier this month and was practically pulled up two hurdles out. If Willie Mullins can get the horse to settle earlier, Sainte Lucie could be an each way surprise for The Triumph Hurdle at 20/1 with Bet365 NRNB.
The Big Westerner, The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, Friday 14th March
This mare from the Henry De Bromhead yard demonstrated a good degree of stamina to win a 2m 7 furlong novice hurdle on Boxing Day at Limerick. The Albert Bartlett headlines are all about The Yellow Clay and Final Demand, however, The Big Westerner is possibly the forgotten horse. 7/1 best odds with Bet365 NRNB.
Spindleberry, The Mares Chase, Friday March 14th
Willie Mullins is sending a formidable team for the Mares Chase, led by Dinoblue who an unlucky runner-up last year. However, the dark horse looks to be Spindleberry who did not jump great on her Thurles debut, but jockey Paul Townend was happy with her performance, stating that she will come on for that run.
These unexposed types often do well for the Mullins team in the big races. Great each way value with Bet365 at 16/1.
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (1pm 14th February 2025) and are subject to change.
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