(3.5 minutes read)
As the National Hunt season has now firmly kicked into gear, we take the opportunity to check out the best bets and competitive ante post odds for five horses we think will perform well at Cheltenham Festival 2025.
Best odds are provided by our partner firms Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
Better Days Ahead
Winner of last season’s Martin Pipe Conditional, this Gordon Elliott trained 6 year old has high expectations from the yard especially when one considers how many successful horses have come out of the Martin Pipe race.
Don Poli, Banbridge and of course dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Gallopin Des Champs come under this category and there is no reason to suggest Better Days Ahead is short of this kind of talent.
His one run this season in the Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Chase last month was efficient and despite clear cut victory, he will need to improve but the talent is clearly there.
He is a brother to a 3m 2f winner so staying chases could well be his path. Currently 16/1 for The Brown Advisory Novice Chase with Bet Victor.
Ile Atlantique
Trained by Willie Mullins, Ile Atlantique was a promising hurdler last season. However, being a hefty powerful horse who travels well with some degree of scope, an exciting career over the larger obstacles looks to be on the cards.
He has had one run this season, last weekend in a beginners chase at Navan, beating Waterford Whispers by some nine lengths and looking very cosy indeed over the 2m 4f trip.
His eventual destination at Cheltenham Festival 2025 is still open to scrutiny with possibilities for the Arkle and Brown Advisory. His next run will tell us more. Priced 14/1 best with Boylesports for The Brown Advisory.
Majborough
Another one from the Willie Mullins team, this highly progressive four-year-old has been promoted to chases straight away, despite being an impressive winner of the Triumph Hurdle.
He certainly looks the part based on the way he is, being a strong and strappy type. He has one run so far this season, winning a beginners chase comfortably at Fairyhouse last week, making the opposition look very ordinary.
The horse holds a number of entries for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival: he is currently on offer at 5/1 best with Bet365 for The Arkle on Day One. He is also on the market lists for The Brown Advisory where is a 10/1 shot at best odds from Bet365.
Strong Leader
This Olly Murphy trained seven-year-old looks to be the best hope for the British in the 3 mile hurdling division. He put in some good performances last season over the 2-mile trip but was more impressive when stepped up in distance, winning the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in good style.
He has had one run this season at Newbury winning the Long Distance Hurdle comfortably. He will no doubt be primed for the Long Walk Hurdle, Cleeve Hurdle and ultimately the Stayers Hurdle where he will certainly give reigning champion Teahupoo a run for his money.
He currently is best odds of 12/1 for The Stayers Hurdle with Bet365 and William Hill.
Inothewayurthinkin
This Gavin Cromwell trained six-year-old, owned by JP McManus is an interesting entry. His victory in The Kim Muir Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham Festival 2024 was something special, beating what is usually an incredibly competitive field by some seven lengths.
This was followed up by an impressive win at Aintree winning the Grade One novice chase over 3miles and 1 furlong. His seasonal return in the John Durkan can be ignored due to a major error, although he will have come on for that race.
His next run in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on 28th December will be an interesting watch. He is still very unexposed in group company and could work out to be a useful each way bet for The Cheltenham Gold Cup on Day 4 of Cheltenham Festival 2025.
He retains plenty of ability and stays effectively over the Cheltenham course and distance. Available at best odds of 22/1 with Betfred.
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (6pm 19th December 2024) and are subject to change.
Min deposit requirement. Registration Required. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply
Click to Claim
