Results: Yesterday was a grim business, nothing placed never mind won… what a difference a day makes, hey. ❌’s all round, tough sledding out there. However, the Michael O’Sullivan story with Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty winning, trumps all.
13:20 – Ryanair Mares Novice Hurdle
Sixandahalf has been backed in over night (5/2 at time of writing) and in a race where I am not keen to have too much of a play, I will look at including the fav in multiples. A horse I do like at a big price, is Hollygrove Cha Cha for Jamie Snowden. A versatile horse, having won on multiple surfaces and showing plenty of pace at Sandown last time out. The price is simply too big, a small each way will keep things interesting.
Hollygrove Cha Cha 40/1 0.5pt ew
14:00 – Golden Miller Handicap
Nurburgring 6/1 1.5pt ew
Firefox has been backed in and much like the first race, will be on for multiples such is the strength cash that has come in over night.
14:40 – Pertemps Hurdle
Confirmed Runners and Jockeys (2025)
A full field of 24 runners has been declared for the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle. Notable entries include:
• Thomas Mor – Sean Houlihan
• Karl Des Tourelles – B. Hayes
• Bugise Seagull – David Bass
• Win Some Lose Some – M.P. Walsh
• Harbour Lake – Tom Cannon
• Supreme Gift – Stan Sheppard
• D Art D Art – Tiernan Power Roche
• Feet Of A Dancer – S.F. O’Keeffe
• Lucky Lyreen – Sam Ewing
• Jeriko Du Reponet – Nico de Boinville
Key Trends and Statistics
• Age: Horses aged six to eight have dominated this race, with 11 of the last 12 winners falling within this bracket.
• Weight: Eight of the last 12 winners carried 11st 4lbs or less, indicating a trend favoring lower-weighted contenders.
• Betting: The race has seen upsets, with seven winners in the past 12 years starting at odds of 10/1 or higher.
• Recent Form: While only three of the last 12 winners won their previous race, 11 had raced within the past 61 days, highlighting the importance of recent
As to our selections, a few in this race:
One Big Bang 20/1 1pt ew
Henri the Second 20/1 1pt ew
15:20 – Ryanair Chase
Introduction
The Ryanair Chase, officially registered as the Festival Trophy, is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase open to horses aged five years or older. Established in 2005, it is run over approximately 2 miles and 4½ furlongs on Cheltenham’s New Course, featuring seventeen fences. The race has become a key fixture at the Cheltenham Festival, offering top-class horses a prestigious intermediate distance challenge.
Confirmed Runners and Jockeys (2025)
Nine horses have been declared for the 2025 Ryanair Chase:
• Djelo – Charlie Deutsch
• Envoi Allen – Rachael Blackmore
• Fact To File – Mark Walsh
• Hang In There – Harry Cobden
• Heart Wood – Darragh O’Keeffe
• Il Est Francais – James Reveley
• Jungle Boogie – Danny Mullins
• Master Chewy – Sam Twiston-Davies
• Protektorat – Harry Skelton
Notably, Protektorat returns to defend his title after winning the 2024 edition, while Envoi Allen, the 2023 winner, also lines up, aiming to reclaim the crown.
Recent Winners (Last 10 Years)
| Year | Winner | Starting Price (SP) |
| 2024 | Protektorat | 17/2 |
| 2023 | Envoi Allen | 13/2 |
| 2022 | Allaho | 4/7 F |
| 2021 | Allaho | 3/1 F |
| 2020 | Min | 2/1 |
| 2019 | Frodon | 9/2 |
| 2018 | Balko Des Flos | 8/1 |
| 2017 | Un De Sceaux | 7/4 F |
| 2016 | Vautour | 7/4 F |
| 2015 | Uxizandre | 16/1 |
SP = Starting Price; F = Favourite.
This table illustrates that favourites have a strong record in the Ryanair Chase, winning five of the last ten renewals. However, there have been upsets, notably Uxizandre at 16/1 in 2015.
Key Trends and Statistics
• Age: All winners in the past decade were aged between seven and nine years.
• Trainer Success: Willie Mullins leads with five victories, including recent wins with Allaho (2021, 2022) and Min (2020).
• Course Form: Sixteen of the past twenty winners had at least one previous victory at Cheltenham, emphasizing the importance of course experience.
• Betting Insights: Favourites have a commendable record, with five of the last twelve winners starting as the favourite or joint-favourite. Additionally, ten of the last twelve winners were among the top three in the betting market.
We will back Fact to File at 13/8 4 points win.
1600- Stayers Hurdle
The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is a prestigious Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race held annually at the Cheltenham Festival. Run over a distance of approximately 3 miles (2m 7f 213y) on the New Course, it features twelve hurdles and is open to horses aged four years and older. Renowned for testing the stamina and jumping prowess of its contenders, the race has a rich history, with notable multiple winners like Big Buck’s and Inglis Drever.
Teahupoo returns to defend its crown, this year but in a week for fancied horses, failing to do the business, is he a banker or bust?
Recent Winners (Last 10 Years)
| Year | Winner | Starting Price (SP) |
| 2024 | Teahupoo | 5/4 F |
| 2023 | Sire Du Berlais | 33/1 |
| 2022 | Flooring Porter | 4/1 |
| 2021 | Flooring Porter | 12/1 |
| 2020 | Lisnagar Oscar | 50/1 |
| 2019 | Paisley Park | 11/8 F |
| 2018 | Penhill | 12/1 |
| 2017 | Nichols Canyon | 10/1 |
| 2016 | Thistlecrack | 1/1 F |
| 2015 | Cole Harden | 14/1 |
SP = Starting Price; F = Favourite.
Key Trends and Statistics
• Age: 10 of the last 12 winners were aged between six and eight, indicating a strong trend towards horses in this age bracket.
• Betting: Only 3 of the last 12 winners were favourites, with 5 winners priced at 10/1 or higher, highlighting the potential for upsets in this race.
• Recent Form: 6 of the last 12 winners won their previous race, and 9 had their last run within 80 days, emphasizing the importance of recent activity.
• Course Experience: 21 of the last 25 winners finished first or second in their previous outing, underscoring the value of strong recent form.
Leading Contenders for 2025
• Teahupoo: The defending champion, Teahupoo, is aiming for back-to-back victories in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Trained by Gordon Elliott, he has shown consistent top-level form and is the current favourite at 6/4.
• Home By The Lee: A seasoned campaigner with multiple appearances in this race, Home By The Lee comes into the 2025 edition with strong form, having secured a notable win at Leopardstown over Christmas.
• The Wallpark: Emerging as a promising contender, The Wallpark has demonstrated solid stamina and recent form.
We will go against the favourite and back two in this race:
Nemean Lion 22/1 0.5pt ew
Lucky Place 11/2 1pt win
16:40 -No bet in this Handicap Chase.
17:20 – Kim Muir
The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup is a prominent handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival, exclusively for amateur riders. Spanning approximately 3 miles and 2 furlongs, this race has been a platform for showcasing emerging talent and seasoned chasers alike.
Key Trends and Statistics:
• Age: A significant majority of recent winners have been aged between 7 and 9 years.
• Experience: Successful horses often have no more than 10 runs over fences, with many finishing in the top three in one or both of their last two starts.
• Official Ratings: Winners typically possess an official rating between 137 and 143, indicating a specific quality bracket for contenders.
• Weight: All winners in the past decade have carried at least 11st, underscoring the importance of weight considerations in this handicap event.
• Betting Insights: While only two of the last twelve favorites have won, 13 of the last 16 winners emerged from the top six in the betting market, suggesting that while favorites may not always prevail, market sentiment remains a valuable indicator.
• Headgear: Notably, 8 of the last 14 winners wore headgear, such as blinkers or cheekpieces, highlighting the potential positive impact of such equipment on performance.
• Trainer and Jockey Success: Gordon Elliott has secured two victories in the last ten renewals, while amateur jockey Jamie Codd boasts four wins, emphasizing the significance of experienced trainers and riders in this race.
In summary, contenders aged between 7 and 9 years, carrying at least 11st, with a rating between 137 and 143, and positioned within the top six in the betting market, have historically fared well in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.
We win back 2 in this race:
Walking on Air 4/1 2pt ew
Git Maker 12/1 1pt ew
Multiples
13:20 – Six and a Half, 14:00 Firefox & 15:20 Fact to File 40/1 1pt ew
Good luck.
Horse Racing Selections 