Cheltenham Festival 2025: Gold Cup Day Preview & Betting Tips

The grand finale of the Cheltenham Festival is here- Gold Cup Day. After three thrilling days of racing, Friday delivers the ultimate spectacle, headlined by the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup. With champions crowned, history made, and plenty of drama guaranteed, the final day promises fireworks.

From elite novice hurdlers to seasoned chasers, this is where legends are written. Let’s dive into the race card and highlight the standout contenders for each race.

🏇 Cheltenham Gold Cup Day Racecard

📅 Friday, March 14, 2025
🏆 Feature Race: Cheltenham Gold Cup – 4:00 PM

Time	Race	Distance	Grade
1:20 PM	Triumph Hurdle	2m	Grade 1
2:00 PM	County Hurdle	2m	Grade 3 Handicap
2:40 PM	Mares’ Chase	2m 4f	Grade 2
3:20 PM	Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle	3m	Grade 1
4:00 PM	Cheltenham Gold Cup	3m 2f	Grade 1
4:40 PM	St James’s Place Hunter Chase	3m 2f	Class 2
5:20 PM	Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle	2m 4f	Class 2 Handicap

1:20 PM – Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)

The opening race on Gold Cup Day is a battle of the best juvenile hurdlers. Traditionally dominated by Irish raiders, this year’s renewal sees a strong British contender trying to break the trend.

🏇 Runners to Watch:

✅ Lulamba – Unbeaten since arriving in Britain and possesses a strong turn of foot.
✅ East India Dock – The best of the Irish contingent but has something to prove.

💡 Betting Tip: Lulamba has all the tools to dominate and should be the one to beat.

2:00 PM – County Hurdle (Grade 3 Handicap, 2m)

One of the Festival’s most chaotic and fast-run handicaps, the County Hurdle demands speed, stamina, and a well-timed ride.

🏇 Key Players:

✅ Lark In The Mornin – Last year’s Fred Winter winner and still well-handicapped.
✅ Valgrand – Skelton excels in this race, and this horse is peaking at the right time.

💡 Betting Tip: Lark In The Mornin is perfectly positioned to strike in a race where past Festival form is crucial.

2:40 PM – Mares’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m 4f)

A relatively new addition to the Festival, this race has seen some surprise winners in recent years.

🏇 Leading Contenders:

✅ Dinoblue – Talented but vulnerable over this trip.
✅ Brides Hill – Conditions suit, and Cromwell’s stable is in fantastic form.

💡 Betting Tip: Brides Hill has been primed for this race and looks a strong contender.

3:20 PM – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)

The toughest test for staying novice hurdlers, this race is notorious for producing shock winners.

🏇 Worth Watching:

✅ Flicker Of Hope – Stamina is his weapon, and he’s been progressing well.
✅ Ma Shantou – Unexposed over this trip and could cause an upset.

💡 Betting Tip: Flicker Of Hope has the right profile for this race and could go close.

4:00 PM – Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3m 2f)

The big one. The race that defines legacies. Nine of the best staying chasers clash for the ultimate prize in jumps racing.

🏇 Top Contenders:

✅ Galopin Des Champs – The reigning champion bids for an historic third victory.
✅ Banbridge – A King George winner looking to prove he stays the distance.
✅ Corbetts Cross – Strong stayer who could sneak into contention.

💡 Betting Tip: Galopin Des Champs is in a league of his own. Corbetts Cross could be a value each-way option.

4:40 PM – St James’s Place Hunter Chase (Class 2, 3m 2f)

A race for amateur jockeys and horses with strong point-to-point form, this is always an unpredictable contest.

🏇 One to Consider:

✅ What A Glance – Has shown stamina and consistency in this sphere.

💡 Betting Tip: What A Glance is a solid each-way play.

5:20 PM – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (Class 2 Handicap, 2m 4f)

The final race of the Festival is a fiercely contested handicap where unexposed novices often shine.

🏇 Key Runners:

✅ Wodhooh – Unbeaten and well-handicapped.
✅ No Questions Asked – Progressive and could outrun his price.

💡 Betting Tip: Wodhooh looks like a future star and should take plenty of stopping.

🏆 Final Thoughts – Best Bets for Day 4

✅ Lulamba – Triumph Hurdle
✅ Lark In The Mornin – County Hurdle
✅ Brides Hill – Mares’ Chase
✅ Galopin Des Champs – Gold Cup
✅ Wodhooh – Martin Pipe Handicap

The final day of the Festival always delivers drama, and this year’s Gold Cup showdown will be the highlight of the week. Will Galopin Des Champs etch his name into the history books, or will we see a new champion emerge?

Get ready for an unforgettable Gold Cup Day! 🏇🔥