Cheltenham 2025: Thrilling John Durkan causes Gold Cup shake-up

Our man Owen McMahon returns with his thoughts on the National Hunt action over the past seven days as we continue down the long road to Cheltenham 2025.

My first takeaway from last week was the form boosts for Potters Charm. Minella Sixo, who was over two lengths behind Nigel Twiston-Davies' five-year-old at Cheltenham last month, won at Thurles on Thursday while First Confession, who was a further 12 lengths adrift, bolted up by 12 lengths in an Ascot maiden 24 hours later.

The argument for him being Britain's leading novice hurdler gets stronger - as does the case for backing him at 16/1 for the Turners Novices' Hurdle.

At Warwick on Thursday, Nicky Henderson unleashed four-year-old filly That's Nice. The daughter of Walk In The Park, sporting the famous green and gold of JP McManus, beat Listed bumper winner Honky Tonk Highway in some style on her rules debut.

I was very taken by this performance. She falls under the 'could be anything' bracket and for me has set an early marker in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle division. I can't wait to see her again.

Most of the action was saved for the weekend, but I must give mention to a few horses who appeared on Friday - starting with Celtic Dino at Ascot. He was very strong in the betting before landing a competitive "Introductory" Hurdle with a degree of ease, backing up a 14-length maiden victory at Wincanton the previous month.

He looks a nice type for the bang in-form Sam Thomas and has been installed at 33/1 for the Supreme. That's of no interest to me, I must admit, but I'm not sure I'd fancy opposing him in two-mile novices on these shores beforehand.

Across the Irish Sea, at Tipperary, I was rather impressed with Gavin Cromwell's Only By Night who pulled over six lengths clear of Willie Mullins' well-backed Mirazur West, who had some other useful rivals further adrift, in a beginners' chase over 2m½f.

This six-year-old mare has clearly improved a lot over the summer and for jumping fences, and I won't be taking her lightly in that Mares' Chase division.

On to an action-packed Saturday, starting with Lucky Place who won the Ascot Hurdle for Nicky Henderson. The five-year-old, who was set to go novice chasing, will surely stay over timber now and be aimed at the Stayers' Hurdle.

Word for Blueking D'Oroux and Golden Ace, too. The former, runner-up under a six-pound penalty, should come on plenty and he rates a likelier winner of the Stayers' in my book.

Similar comments apply to Jeremy Scott's Mares' Novices' Hurdle heroine - I couldn't put anyone off taking the 12/1 for the Mares' Hurdle.

The feature at Haydock that afternoon was the Betfair Chase - more on that in a moment - but beforehand we saw Jonjo O'Neill's Roadlesstravelled claim Grade 2 honours, extending his unbeaten record to 3-3 in the process.

He looks smart. It was far from the strongest Grade 2 you'll see this season, but Jonjo Jr. set very fair fractions out in front and his mount didn't miss a beat, finding generously along that punishing straight on soft ground.

If he ends up at Prestbury Park in March I'd imagine it will be for a handicap as opposed to a Supreme or Turners.

Shoot First won the stayers' handicap hurdle later on the card off a mark of 139 and the eight-year-old son of Westerner, who was off the track for two years prior to his run at Galway last month, appears to have retained all the ability he showed back in 2022.

He might pop up in a Pertemps Qualifier at some point, but I'm hoping connections aim higher as the Stayers' Hurdle division is very thin outside of the champ Teahupoo. He'd be of interest in that.

The Betfair Chase went to Haydock stalwart Royale Pagaille, who got the better of Grey Dawning in a gruelling affair. It's fair to say the winner is of no interest at Cheltenham, and the runner-up is one I'd much prefer to see in the Ryanair than the Gold Cup.

At Punchestown, Ballyburn - arguably the most impressive winner of this year's Cheltenham Festival - made his much-anticipated chasing debut over 2m3f. He had little to beat, but he proved his well-being and ability to jump after rumours about schooling not going to plan.

I thought he was good, without being spectacular, in that regard. He jumps like a three-miler to me, but Mullins seems intent on keeping him over the minimum trip for the time being and so he's now as short as 7/4 for the Arkle and 9/2 for the Brown Advisory.

The big race in County Kildare was the Morgiana Hurdle, which saw Brighterdaysahead become the first mare to win the race in 33 years, downing Champion Hurdler State Man.

It was a cracking spectacle and I thought both horses emerged with huge credit. The consensus is that State Man needed the run quite badly and will improve past her, but even so it was a fair effort from Gordon Elliott's five-year-old who made all the running and was far from fluent in the jumping department.

Although Elliott seemed to pour cold water on the idea of a Champion Hurdle bid, suggesting the Mares' Hurdle is still her likely target come March, I'd say both options are very much open and wouldn't like to call it at this stage.

Last but certainly not least, the John Durkan at Punchestown on Sunday. This was a superb renewal and an early contender for race of the year. It'll take plenty of beating, that's for sure.

Brown Advisory hero Fact To File did the business on his first start out of novice company and the seven-year-old looks a serious player for the Gold Cup this year. He's now as short as 5/2, with stablemate and defending champ Galopin Des Champs not far behind at 7/2.

As much as I love the former, I'd rather be with the latter at those prices. I thought he made a fantastic return over an inadequate trip following an interrupted preparation and until proven otherwise, he's the standard setter at three miles and further.

Spillane's Tower ran an absolute blinder for James Mangan, almost getting up under Jack Kennedy. He's just six years old and has to be part of the Gold Cup conversation now. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one end up in the Ryanair, though...

With the Gold Cup in mind, Fastorslow disappointed me in fourth. He wasn't beaten far, but Punchestown is his playground and it's hard to see him going to Cheltenham in March and turning the tables on any of the front three, to be honest.

I think the John Durkan brought another horse firmly into the Gold Cup picture, but I'm not going to spoil that here for he could very easily be my next antepost tip. Stay tuned...

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