Cheltenham 2025: Clues continue as Festival nears

Cheltenham 2025 is fast approaching and naturally the standard of racing at this time of year is lowered, but the last week provided plenty in the way of Festival clues. Here's my take on it all.

The Cross Country division got a little more interesting on Monday courtesy of Gavin Cromwell's Vanillier bolting up by 18 lengths in the opener at Punchestown. He's now 8/1 at Betfred for the big one and although he'll have to lug a fair weight around Prestbury Park, he must be of interest.

An hour later, Ethical Diamond got off the mark over hurdles at the fifth attempt, beating a modest field by 10 lengths. Importantly, he now qualifies for a Cheltenham handicap and the County Hurdle (10/1) looks the one for Willie Mullins' five-year-old.

The card's penultimate contest - a maiden hurdle over just shy of three miles - was won by another Closutton inmate in Argento Boy. Thought useful enough to run in the Champion Bumper after just one outing last season, the six-year-old has been running to a decent standard over obstacles and looks a fair price for the Albert Bartlett to my eye.

I went into Wednesday thinking Viyanni could be one for the Fred Winter and I came out none the wiser. Harry Derham's four-year-old obliged short odds to make it two from three over hurdles, having been beaten by Triumph favourite Lulamba and Mondo Man at Ascot earlier this year, but looked a bit workmanlike in doing so. All eyes on the handicapper on Tuesday, when I'll decide if 16/1 is worth taking.

Across the Irish Sea, at Fairyhouse, Willie Mullins and JP McManus enjoyed a fruitful afternoon. Zenta did the business in the opener to earn a quote of 25/1 for the Mares' Chase, while Sa Majeste's victory in the Rated Chase later on the card boosted his claims for a handicap - National Hunt Chase (10/1) or the Kim Muir (8/1) looking most likely - which he now qualifies for.

I was most impressed with Karoline Banbou in the mares' maiden hurdle over the minimum trip. She gave stacks of weight and a beating to a nice-looking stablemate who had the rest of the field a fair way behind. She improved plenty from her disappointing defeat first time out and is very much on my radar for Cheltenham now.

Two to discuss from Thursday, starting with Nicky Henderson's Califet En Vol who won the Listed Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle in the final strides. This was a nice performance from a decent horse, but he is of no interest to me at the spring festivals.

I wouldn't disregard Telepathique, who beat odds-on shot Brides Hill in the Listed Mares' Chase later on the card in Cambridgeshire, as easily. Lucy Wadham's seven-year-old has won four of five starts over fences this season and 16/1 for the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham 2025 is fair. It's shaping up to be a highly-competitive renewal, though.

Bacchanalian won a Rated Hurdle at Naas on Saturday that's been a major trial for the Fred Winter over the years. He's fairly priced at 12/1, but the arguably unlucky runner-up Murcia is a touch shorter. I like her chances after that.

Willie Mullins' Dinoblue edged out stablemate Allegorie De Vassy in the Opera Hat to advertise her Mares' Chase (11/4) claims following a disappointing start to the season. The runner-up can't be ruled out at 6/1, although she has come up short in the race twice now.

Over at Newbury, Djelo won the Denman Chase on his first attempt over three miles. It was a clear career-best and I have no qualms with 12/1 for the Ryanair. Venetia Williams' seven-year-old would have to be given every chance in that.

Master Chewy won the Game Spirit in the absence of Sir Gino, who's sadly been ruled out for the rest of the season. This was a nice performance from Nigel Twiston-Davies' horse, but he's of no interest to me even at 33/1 for the Champion Chase. Runner-up Libberty Hunter, on the other hand, appeals plenty for the Grand Annual (10/1).

I was quite keen on Joyeuse for the big handicap hurdle in Berkshire and she obliged in no uncertain terms. However, Cheltenham is off the agenda for her unless she finds another run in the meantime.

L'Eau du Sud won as entitled to in the Kingmaker at Warwick and his chances in the Arkle have been helped by Sir Gino's setback, but he still has plenty to do to beat Majborough in my book.

Sunday saw Only By Night enhance her Mares' Chase (6/1) claims by claiming Listed honours at Exeter. To an extent, anyway, as I thought she made hard-enough work of it and will need to keep improving if she's to trouble the market leaders.

At Navan, Better Days Ahead made tough work of beating Stellar Story in the Ten Up Novice Chase and as far as I'm concerned failed to show he can put it up to Mullins' Ballyburn and Dancing City in the Brown Advisory. His odds of 8/1 are fair, but I can't say I'm tempted.

Last but certainly not least, Copacabana put his name firmly into the mix for the Champion Bumper after a stylish success in the finale. He might just be the one the Mullins camp have been waiting for.