16:00 Cheltenham Tips: Brighterdaysahead over Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle

It's day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and the Champion Hurdle headlines a superb Tuesday card.  One of jump racing’s most prestigious hurdles, the Champion has been landed by some of the sport’s biggest names and that list includes Constitution Hill, who bids to regain his 2023 prize having missed the race last season.   

Here's Clive's guide to the contenders and a selection against the favourite as he takes us through his Champion Hurdle Tips and Runners Guide...

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Champion Hurdle Runners

Burdett Road (James Owen/Sam Twiston-Davies) @ 40/1 

Ran away with a Flat Listed race by eight lengths last October and much improved over hurdles this campaign. Should find the surface more to his liking after losing at short odds at Wincanton last time. Too much to find in this company, though.  

Constitution Hill (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) @ 8/13 

Outstanding hurdler who was at the peak of his powers in 2023. Yet to scale those heights in two runs this campaign after a year off, but hopes are high he can return to those levels. Still only eight and has yet to taste defeat. Goes with a favourite’s chance.  

King Of Kingsfield (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) @ 150/1 

High-class handicapper who was deployed as a pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead at the Dublin Racing Festival. Set a strong pace to bring his esteemed stablemate’s stamina over the trip into play and expected to adopt a similar role. Won’t be good enough.  

State Man (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) @ 10/1 

Last season’s Champion Hurdle hero and an 11-time Grade 1 winner. Put in his place by Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion and wheels have come off to a degree on past two starts. Arguably superior at Leopardstown/Punchestown and first-time cheekpieces need to make a difference.  

Winter Fog (Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes) @ 100/1 

Picked up the pieces to earn place money in three two-mile Grade 1s in Ireland this season but this 11-year-old lacks the class to get involved. Easy to oppose.  

Brighterdaysahead (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) @ 2/1 

Different mare this season and bolted up by 30 lengths at the highest level on her previous outing over Christmas. Only blemish on her CV came at the Festival last season, but wasn’t seen to best effect in a slowly run affair that day. A huge danger to Constitution Hill.  

Golden Ace (Jeremy Scott/Lorcan Williams) @ 33/1 

Lowered the colours of Brighterdaysahead at this meeting last season, but wasn’t best at the weights and was arguably running in the wrong race. Would have held stronger claims in the Mares’ Hurdle.  

Verdict 

Brighterdaysahead @ 2/1 

There is a sense that Constitution Hill isn’t the force of old. His Racing Post Ratings have been indicative of a regressive hurdler and a new rival in Brighterdaysahead can become the fifth mare to win the Champion Hurdle in the past decade.

It is two years since the favourite produced a proper championship performance. For Brighterdaysahead, it is only 72 days. Take the up-and-comer to dethrone the Nicky Henderson runner in receipt of a handy 7lb allowance. She will be tough to catch.