Day 1 of Cheltenham Festival 2025 Delivers Drama and Upsets
Cheltenham, UK – Day one of the Cheltenham Festival 2025 was packed with unexpected outcomes, thrilling finishes, and a few shocks that reverberated through Prestbury Park. Under good-to-soft ground conditions, favorites faltered, and longshots surged to victory, setting the stage for an unpredictable week of racing.
Kopek Des Bordes Starts Strong for Mullins and Townend
The festival began with a win for kopek Des Bordes (4/6f), ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins, in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Despite pre-race concerns about the horse’s temperament, Kopek Des Bordes remained calm and collected, delivering a solid performance to secure the victory. william Munny (8/1) finished second,defying longer odds.
Jango Baie Shocks in Thrilling Arkle Finish
The Arkle Challenge Trophy witnessed a dramatic finish as Jango Baie (5/1), ridden by Nico de Boinville, surged ahead. Pre-race paddock reports indicated Jango Baie was unsettled, but the horse overcame the nerves to secure a memorable win. meanwhile, favorite Majborough (1/2f) made a costly mistake at the second-to-last hurdle. Only By Night (25/1) finished in second place,followed by Majborough in third.
Lucinda Russell Claims another Ultima Handicap Chase Victory
Lucinda Russell continued her dominant form in the Ultima Handicap Chase, with Myretown (13/2) securing the win. This victory marks Russell’s third win in this race over the last four years. The changing Man (7/1) finished second, and Malina Girl (14/1) placed third. Happygolucky (28/1) finished fourth to secure place money for each-way backers. Tuesday marked 19 years as an Irish-trained horse won the Ultima.
Lossiemouth Dominates the Mares Hurdle
Lossiemouth (4/6) lived up to expectations in the Mares Hurdle, winning by a significant margin. Trainer Willie Mullins secured his 100th Grade 1 victory with horses with this win. Jade De Grugy (5/1) finished second, and Take No Chances (22/1) secured third place. Paddock reports before the race suggested that while Lossiemouth appeared fine, others looked better; however, Lossiemouth proved to be the strongest contender on the track.
Champion Hurdle Sees Constitution Hill and State Man Crash Out in Stunning Upset
The Champion Hurdle provided the biggest shock of the day as Constitution Hill fell for the first time in his career, but was thankfully unharmed. State Man, who then looked set for victory, crashed out at the last hurdle. Golden Ace (25/1) capitalized on the chaos, winning by nine lengths in a stunning upset. Burdett Road (66/1) and Winter Fog (150/1) took second and third, respectively, completing a highly unexpected trifecta.
Haiti Couleurs Wins National Hunt Chase
Haiti Couleurs (7/2) closed out day one with a victory in the National Hunt Chase. Rock My Way (16/1) finished second, with Will Do (12/1) in third. Resplendent Gray completed the top four with a fourth-place finish.
Looking Ahead to Day Two
As day one concludes, anticipation builds for day two, with Jonbon headlining the Champion Chase. The Turners Novices’ Hurdle,featuring Final Demand vs The New Lion,promises to be another highlight of the week.
Willie Mullins’ 100th Grade 1 victory is a huge accomplishment.What other trainers or jockeys are expected to make a big impact on the rest of the Cheltenham Festival?
Day 1 of Cheltenham Festival 2025: Your Burning Questions Answered
Cheltenham Festival’s first day delivered a rollercoaster of emotions! Here’s a breakdown of the key events, including some surprising upsets, and what they mean for the rest of the week.
Q&A
- What is the Cheltenham Festival?
- The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day event (March 11-14, 2025 [[1](https://cheltenham.horseracing.guide/2025/cheltenham-festival-schedule/)]) that features elite National Hunt racing at Cheltenham Racecourse.
- What’s a “longshot” and why are they exciting?
- A “longshot” is a horse with very low odds of winning (e.g., 25/1 or 150/1). Their wins are unexpected, making them exciting for punters who bet on them, as they offer high payouts.
- What happened in the Champion Hurdle?
- The Champion Hurdle was the day’s biggest shock. Both Constitution Hill and State Man, two of the favorites, fell during the race. Golden Ace (25/1) capitalized on the chaos to win. This highlights how unpredictable racing can be!
- who is Willie Mullins?
- Willie Mullins is a highly accomplished Irish racehorse trainer, and he achieved his 100th Grade 1 victory during the Mares Hurdle at the festival.
- What are “paddock reports”?
- Paddock reports provide insights into a horse’s physical and mental state before a race. They can influence betting decisions. Observing a horse’s behavior can be crucial in determining its performance.
- What’s next at Cheltenham?
- Day two features the Champion Chase,with Jonbon headlining the race.The Turners Novices’ Hurdle will also be a race to watch.
Day one set a high bar for excitement. Keep following the Cheltenham Festival for more unforgettable moments!
