Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Latest news and tips as Willie Mullins explains Lossiemouth decision
The ‘greatest show of turf’ begins on Tuesday as Galopin Des Champs targets a third consecutive Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Festival is back. It’s that time of year again when the sporting world turns its eyes on horse racing as the best jockeys, trainers and horses prepare for four days of intense and gruelling competition.
The festival starts with Champion Day on Tuesday 11 before Style Wednesday, St Patrick’s Thursday, and Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday this week.
Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs took the honours last year and, with jockey Paul Townend, won the Gold Cup for a second consecutive year. He’s the overwhelming favourite on betting sites to do so again this week but the late addition of Inothewayurthinkin, the favourite for the Grand National, could resist the huge momentum built up by Galopin Des Champs.
Elsewhere, the battle between the Irish and British trainers will be renewed as near 250,000 spectators descend on the racecourse for a festival of skill, class and showmanship.
Follow all the news, including previews, expert tips, free bet offers and the latest Cheltenham Festival odds with our live blog below:
Horses make final preparations for Cheltenham Festival
Out For A Stroll blinkered for first time at Cheltenham Festival
The following horses are blinkered for the first time tomorrow:
- Cheltenham 4.40 Out For A Stroll; 4.40 Hot Fuss; 5.20 Rock My Way
Mondo Man set for new jockey in JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday
Former champion Brian Hughes could displace Caoilin Quinn on Mondo Man in the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday.
The talent has struggled at times in hurdles, after a fourth place in the Kind Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer.
The change could see Gary and Josh Moore turn things around after two losses on hurdles since joining the duo, with Gary stating: "He galloped very well this morning and the plan at the moment is to run. He's settling beautifully at home."
Lossiemouth makes late switch at Cheltenham Festival 2025
In the early news surrounding the confirmed runners and riders, Lossiemouth will avoid a mouthwatering showdown with Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead in Tuesday's Unibet Champion Hurdle by racing the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on the same day instead.
Lossiemouth has made the late switch despite appearing to target the Champion Hurdle trail, after banking wins last year in the Mares' Hurdle and the Triumph Hurdle in 2023.
Willie Mullins’ decision appears to have been influenced by the preparation, which saw a heavy fall in the Irish Champion Hurdle in February, with the move to defend the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle title.
Gordon Elliott excited for chances beyond Constitution Hill and State Man
Gordon Elliott: "We know Constitution Hill is a superstar and State Man is the reigning champion but our mare is in very good form and we couldn't be happier with her."
“I think we're probably stronger in the graded races this year than we have been for the last couple of years. I'm looking forward to Romeo Coolio tomorrow."
Nicky Henderson walks the course at Cheltenham Racecourse
Henry de Bromhead provides insight into Workahead's Cheltenham Festival chances
Henry de Bromhead said: "He certainly looked really exciting at Christmas, we were delighted with him.
"He ran nicely at Navan when he hadn't run for a long time, but he looked different gravy at Leopardstown and you'd have to be very excited about him. Obviously, it looks a very good Supreme again, but I think we're bang there.
"We've Sky Lord in that as well. He was good the first day in Cork and he didn't really act around that inside track at Punchestown the last day, but he was beaten less than four lengths by Salvator Mundi, so he's not far off it as well."
Barry Connell on emotions of Cheltenham Festival after Michael O'Sullivan's passing
There will not be a dry eye in the house if William Munny were to prevail in the colours of owner-trainer Barry Connell carried to victory by Michael O'Sullivan and Marine Nationale two years ago.
This seven-year-old had to settle for second best behind Workahead at Leopardstown and then Kawaboomga at Fairyhouse, but made it third time lucky over timber in fine style at Punchestown last month.
Connell commented: "It wasn't much of a race, but he won easily last time and it might be luck that we didn't win the first two times over hurdles and we managed to get a third run into him - a lot of the horses who go for the Supreme are usually going on the back of two runs, so he has that added experience.
"Some of the time experts were talking to me after he finished second to Kawaboomga at Fairyhouse and they were saying the sectionals were really good and the times from that race from the first two would have been good enough to win eight out of the last 10 Supremes.
"That was him doing things completely upside down and you can imagine in Cheltenham and in a Grade One Supreme, they are going to go a reasonable gallop and I think it will suit him. I think he has the ability to be right there at the last and in contention - and after that, the best horse will win."
Gordon Elliott on Romeo Coolio justifying price tag at Cheltenham Festival
Gordon Elliott's Romeo Coolio was a £420,000 purchase two years ago but has gone some way towards justifying that price tag, finishing second in last season's Champion Bumper and this term landing a Grade Two novice hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas by nine lengths.
Elliott said: "He was very good at Christmas; obviously Willie's horse was very good at the Dublin Racing Festival and you'd have to be impressed with him, but our lad has been to Cheltenham and run a good race.
"I think we learnt a lot from him getting beat in Fairyhouse (at the start of December). We were riding him for speed and a bit like Brighterdaysahead, he's got a good cruising speed, so we rode a no nonsense race with him in Leopardstown and it really suited him.
"I think that will suit in the Supreme as well, as if you can get out handy and they can jump and travel, it can suit.
"We've been placed with horses that hadn't as high a profile as him going into the Supreme, so I think he's got a good chance, but I was very impressed with Willie's horse."
Nicky Henderson on Constitution Hill's chances at Cheltenham Festival
Henderson said: "He got a great reception after the Unibet Hurdle, which shows National Hunt racing in a great light and to be fair, the crowd at Kempton was fantastic as well. I think they were pleased to see him back, weren't we all?
"At Cheltenham, the last time I saw that sort of crowd was in Sprinter Sacre's day and that is a very, very special thing.
"It's great for National Hunt racing, people do love these horses, and it just shows that while a five-runner race with a 1-12 shot for some people is a tragedy, for most people it was something fantastic."
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