Cheltenham Weights 2025: Five eyecatchers for the Festival handicaps

As if the excitement levels weren't high enough ahead of the Cheltenham Festival in exactly two weeks' time, the weights for the 12 handicaps were released earlier today.

I've had a thorough look through the Cheltenham Weights 2025 and have picked out five horses I believe the British handicapper has treated generously.

Kopeck De Mee

He had to get first mention, didn't he?

Willie Mullins' Kopeck De Mee has proved extremely popular with punters in recent weeks following his entries for the Coral Cup, County Hurdle and Martin Pipe.

The JP McManus-owned five-year-old, who showed a high level of form in five runs over in France, has been allocated a mark of 136 ahead of the Cheltenham Festival which looks rather generous on what he achieved on the other side of The Channel.

Like stablemate Gaelic Warrior before the Fred Winter back in 2022, he's yet to race on these shores, but it's impossible to deny he could also be well ahead of the handicapper.

After today, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the Martin Pipe, but carrying lower weights in the County or Coral must appeal too.

Where he'll end up is a bit of a lottery at present, but he's dangerous whatever route his powerful connections opt to go down.

The Short Go

I've had Henry de Bromhead's The Short Go firmly on my radar ever since his second to stablemate Senior Chief in a red-hot handicap at Cheltenham's October meeting - and after getting a mark of 132 on Tuesday morning, I'm even more interested.

The eight-year-old son of Fame And Glory has been raised just six pounds for just over a length defeat to the aforementioned Senior Chief, who was hiked nine pounds earlier in the season. It's just four pounds higher than his Irish mark (128) also.

The lack of a recent run is a concern, but if he goes to post in the Ultima off a featherweight then I can see him running a huge race.

Beyond Your Dreams

The British handicapper has taken no prisoners with the majority of the Irish juveniles in the Fred Winter. Willy de Houelle (140), Naturally Nimble (138) and Wendrock (136 - answers on a postcard please) in particular.

However, one that I feel has got off very lightly with a rating of just 123 is Joseph O'Brien's Beyond Your Dreams.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock was four lengths ahead of the aforementioned Wendrock, rated 13lbs higher, at Navan back in November and just half-a-length behind Total Look (130), closing with every stride. Her beating of Slurricane (126) off level weights last time out also suggests her rating is very fair.

The problem is, O'Brien and JP McManus also have Puturhandstogether and Out For A Stroll for the race. There's no doubt in my mind who's treated best, though.

Galvin

I appreciate he's getting no better at 11 years old, but I think the handicapper has been very fair in awarding Gordon Elliott's Galvin a mark of 154.

The Grade 1-winning chaser was fourth, just eight-and-a-half lengths behind the winner I Am Maximus, in the Grand National at Aintree last April off a pound higher and all he's done since is finish a fine second in the American version over the smaller obstacles in October. Generous, by my calculations.

If conditions are reasonable in a fortnight's time, I think he's got an excellent chance in the Cross Country.

Jazzy Matty

Finally, I expected to see a number higher than 135 next to Jazzy Matty's name on Tuesday morning.

The six-year-old son of Doctor Dino, now under the care of Cian Collins having won the Fred Winter for Gordon Elliott at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, was just touched off by the 144-rated Path d'Oroux, who was in receipt of eight pounds, in a novice chase at Cheltenham's October meeting.

Jazzy Matty has been raised just two pounds, from 133 to 135, which feels very fair.

He's enjoyed a spin over hurdles in the meantime, presumably to protect his mark while staying on the go, and looks likely for the Grand Annual - though he does have entries for the Novices' Handicap, Plate and Martin Pipe too.

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