17:20 Cheltenham Tips: 25/1 shot appeals in National Hunt Chase

The concluding event on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase. 

This race has changed significantly in recent times, reduced from four miles and, from this year, no longer the domain of amateur riders only. A field of 18 are set to battle and my guide to the runners is below along with two selections for consideration. Check out Enda's National Hunt Chase Tips along with his Runners Guide below...

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Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Runners Guide

Duffle Coat (Gordon Elliott/Carl Miller) @ 40/1 

Experienced performer has won at this course over hurdles and won a Listed Handicap Chase at Ballinrobe (2m7½f) last year. Not particularly well handicapped but rider takes off 5lb. 

Resplendent Grey (Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen) @ 17/2 

He represents a stable in red-hot form and after a winning start over fences at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in October, he twice went well in better races at 3m here and at Sandown. The drop in trip here last time was unsuitable and he should go well. 

Stuzzikini (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) @ 25/1 

Winner of the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November over 3m and his Thyestes run on heavy ground since can be forgiven. Player if this trip suits him well. 

Captain Cody (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) @ 15/2 

0-3 in beginners' chase company in Ireland this season but has been competitive in those events and a suspicion lingers that this stamina-test may suit on handicap bow. 

Now Is The Hour (Gavin Cromwell/Keith Donoghue) @ 5/1 

Like Captain Cody, he has competed in some good beginners' contests in Ireland this season and shaped positively over 3m at Navan in January. Comes from a respected source but the handicapper hasn't missed that. 

Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis/Ben Jones) @ 4/1 

Second on chasing bow at Chepstow in October but followed up with wins at Aintree and here (3m1½f) before Christmas, impressing with his jumping. Tuned up with a solid Newbury run over hurdles last month and looks to be on a good mark. 

In d'Or (Venetia Williams/David Maxwell) @ 33/1 

Has built on his hurdles form with wins at Taunton and Ascot this season for owner/rider David Maxwell and ran well in defeat since at Sandown (3m) on testing ground. Could be more to come. 

Hasthing (Jonjo & AJ O'Neill/Jonjo O'Neill Jr) @ 11/1 

Two wins this season at Windsor (2m4f/2m6f) since going chasing, rallying after getting outpaced latterly. Didn't do a lot wrong in a valuable Ascot handicap (3m) last month and entitled to be in the mix now upped in trip once more. 

Transmission (Neil Mulholland/Patrick Mullins) @ 5/1 

Form figures of 212 in three chase starts here this season all at around 3m, closely matched with Haiti Couleurs based on their December clash. Warmed up with hurdles run here on Trials Day and Patrick Mullins has won on him already this term. 

No Time To Wait (John McConnell/Darragh O'Keefe) @ 20/1 

Left Gordon Elliott to join this yard last year and produced his best effort (in three) since when just edged out in a 3m Musselburgh handicap last month. He'll have to build on that but may well do. 

Will Do (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) @ 10/1 

Appears the pick of Gordon Elliott's contenders, despite being 0-6 over fences. Has run some good races in defeat, notably when second in a Grand National Trial at Punchestown (3m3f) behind Fortunedefortunata last month. 

Rock My Way (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) @ 50/1 

Fairly consistent sort over fences despite being much-travelled. Second-best in a minor event at Doncaster over 3m in January starting out for latest trainer and will have to improve for the step up in trip/first-time blinkers here. 

Gericault Roque (David Pipe/Jack Tudor) @ 8/1 

Remains a maiden over fences but not out of the first three in six attempts. He was behind Herakles Westwood when third at Windsor over 3m in January but has been eased a further 2lb and is on a fair mark. 

Herakles Westwood (Warren Greatrex/Harry Cobden) @ 20/1 

Won at Windsor (3m) in January to follow up December's Newbury score and has since run well in third at the Berkshire venue. Needs to raise his game again now however. 

Klarc Kent (Willie Mullins/Sean O'Keefe) @ 40/1 

Hasn't built on the promise shown early last season over shorter and his runs in the Thyestes and Punchestown's Grand National Trial weren't exactly hints he will excel at this marathon trip. Cheekpieces fitted. 

Kyntara (Mel Rowley/Charlie Deutsch) @ 20/1 

Smart stayer over hurdles, including chasing home Monmiral in the Pertemps Final here last March. He has twice finished fourth in races won by Herakles Westwood at Newbury and Windsor since going chasing. 

Caesar Rock (Mouse Morris/Gavin Brouder) @ 66/1 

Much more exposed than a lot of these rivals, with his record over fences now showing 0-19. Often runs his races, but would be a massive shock should he be good enough to prevail over a trip that is an unknown factor. 

Jupiter Allen (Jane Williams/David Noonan) @ 50/1 

He made it 2-4 this season when scoring at Taunton (2m7f) on soft ground early last month but he was all out to hold on and he's in amongst much tougher opposition now tackling an increased trip. 

Verdict 

Lots of strong contenders from powerful yards here, with professional jockeys now part of the changing picture too. 

Transmission and Haiti Couleurs are worthy market leaders, either could be good enough, but a chance is taken on Troytown winner STUZZIKINI for Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing. His Thyestes run was poor but it was really testing ground and didn't appear to suit. These conditions will, and he's always been one for a stamina test, so this trip may unlock more progress. 

HASTHING is another interesting one upped in trip for the Jonjo O'Neill team. If his rider can hunt around in the pack, the overdrive could kick in late.