Cheltenham 2025: Owen’s top 10 performances over Christmas

I'll be here all morning, afternoon and evening if commenting on everything of note from the festive period, so instead I've decided to rank the top 10 performances.

Of course, this is done with Cheltenham 2025 very much in mind as it's fair to say there's been a shake up in many an antepost market over the last few days.

1 - Galopin Des Champs

It had to be, didn't it?

Willie Mullins' two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs confirmed he's still very much king of the staying chasers with an emphatic seven-and-a-half-length triumph in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown at the weekend.

It was yet another breath-taking performance from the soon-to-be nine-year-old, who put to bed any ideas that stablemate and new kid on the block Fact To File was ready to steal his crown.

Galopin, who's likely to earn a mark of 180+ for the third time in his career, is now being touted as the best since Kauto Star - and if he wins a third Gold Cup on the bounce in just over two months' time, who's to say he can't take the mantle?

2 - Sir Gino

It gave me great pleasure, as a backer at 9/1 for the Arkle, to watch Sir Gino dominate Ballyburn in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton on Friday.

This was one of the greatest chasing debuts of all time. Sure, Ballyburn probably isn't at his best over the minimum trip and he was conceding six pounds, but Sir Gino was so, so superior.

The sky's the limit for Nicky Henderson's newest superstar, who's only had six runs to date and turns five in a couple of days, and it would take a brave individual to oppose him for the Arkle at this moment in time.

3 - Brighterdaysahead

It's telling of the quality that's been on show this Christmas that Brighterdaysahead won the former Matheson Hurdle by 30 lengths - yes, thirty lengths - and is only third on this list.

As devastating as Gordon Elliott's mare was, the form isn't to be taken too literally as far as I'm concerned. Elliott's pair were gifted a huge lead and the chasing pack, led by State Man who Paul Townend reckoned wasn't at the races from the word go, always had far too much ground to make up.

That being said, she clocked a very impressive time and it goes without saying she lies firmly under the 'could be anything' bracket.

Champion Hurdle or the Mares' Hurdle for Cheltenham 2025 is now the question on everyone's lips. Everyone is longing for the former, but I wouldn't bet on it...

4 - Constitution Hill

One of the reasons Brighterdaysahead may swerve the Champion Hurdle is because of the return of Constitution Hill, who beat Lossiemouth by a couple of lengths in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Was it the best version of Constitution Hill? No, but it wasn't a million miles off as far as I'm concerned, especially as it was his first run in 366 days following well-documented issues. He was more than entitled to need it.

It was the first time Nico De Boinville had to ask him a question or two, but he responded well and won cosily in the end. There should be lots more to come now.

I still expect him to be very hard to beat in March.

5 - Banbridge

Il Est Francais, a superb jumper and front-runner, was for some reason allowed an easy lead in the King George and the French raider very nearly made all, but he tired late in the show and Banbridge stayed on past him under the Paul Townend drive.

It was a fantastic performance from both horse and jockey. The nearest finisher to Il Est Francais was 10 lengths adrift, which makes Joseph O'Brien's eight-year-old's achievement all the better in my eyes.

The Ryanair is his likely Cheltenham Festival target, but caution is always advised where this horse is concerned for he is completely ground dependent.

6 - Romeo Coolio

I think Romeo Coolio's performance in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Friday has gone a little under the radar.

I'd all but written off Gordon Elliott's five-year-old, who I previously tipped for the Supreme at 10/1, after an inexcusable defeat in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse earlier this month, but he's right back in my calculations now.

Mullins' runners probably didn't turn up, but he still put nine widening lengths between himself and useful stablemate Bleu De Vassy, who was fresh off a Grade 3 triumph. The time he recorded was really good too. It was just shy of three seconds quicker than the handicap hurdle won by Enniskerry (rated 134) who was carrying seven pounds more and 10 seconds quicker than the three-year-old maiden.

How he's still a bigger price than Salvator Mundi, who has missed the entire first half of the season, I'll never know.

7 - The New Lion

My guess is that some of you would have The New Lion's striking success in the Challow Novices' Hurdle higher in this list, so hear me out...

Of course, Dan Skelton's five-year-old was very easy on the eye. Stylish, as Skelton winners often can be. But what did he beat?

With all due respect, the runner-up Wendigo was beaten at Hexham just two starts ago. Bill Joyce still had something to prove. Regent's Stroll was beaten at the start according to jockey Harry Cobden.

He's a definite contender for the Turners after that, but 3/1? We still have the Lawlor's Of Naas, Moscow Flyer and two Grade 1s at the Dublin Racing Festival to come...

8 - The Jukebox Man

The Jukebox Man is another I suspect would be higher up for many.

Ben Pauling's stable star jumped brilliantly in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and was well on top at the line, but it was a weak renewal and I feel he was given an easy enough time of it.

He's clearly the standout staying novice chaser on these shores, but will be found out again when the Irish are in town? I certainly wouldn't back him against Ballyburn or Impaire Et Passe, for example.

9 - Kopek Des Bordes

I believe Kopek Des Bordes was the big takeaway from the non-Graded novice hurdles over Christmas - and not only because I've tipped him for Cheltenham 2025!

He won a two-mile maiden hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day by nearly three lengths despite doing lots wrong - taking a keen hold and jumping poorly, reportedly as a result of getting lit up at the start. Willie Mullins said afterwards "he's a way better jumper than that" and that he reckons there's lots of improvement to come in that department.

I especially enjoyed how he kept up with the race-fit Whinney Hill in front and eased past him in the home straight, finishing nearly seven lengths clear at the line.

His time was almost identical to the six-year-old Workahead, having his second run over hurdles, who beat the highly-regarded William Munny by seven lengths in the following race, and two seconds quicker than the G2 Juvenile Hurdle won by Gavin Cromwell's Hello Neighbour an hour later.

He's clearly a very talented individual and hopefully a force to be reckoned with in March, whether it's the Supreme or my preferred Turners.

10 - Final Demand

The final spot goes to Final Demand, who absolutely bolted up by 15 lengths in a maiden hurdle at Limerick on Saturday.

I doubt the form will amount to much, but at the same time he wasn't beating total trees. The five-year-old son of Walk In The Park cost a pretty penny and has a fair reputation, and he went some way to justifying it over Christmas.

Whether he's a 2m4 or 3m horse, I don't know at this stage, but he's one to keep onside wherever he goes.