Cheltenham 2025 was loaded with bankers, good things and short-odds favourites that punters just couldn't see beaten.
Some bounded up the famous hill to the rapturous ovation of those who truly admire the epitome of equine, or those collecting cash. Some returned to the soul-emptying groans and self-pitying disbelief of their faithful.
This year, there are far less 'good things’, with their names all but inscribed on the trophies, and far more wide-open contests. It's all to play for.
The Animals once sang that 'the only thing a gambler needs is his suitcase and a trunk'.
Not much effort may have gone in to tweed-filled suitcases, but many Cheltenham pilgrims have been loading the trunk for some time, ready to let loose.
Kopek Des Bordes was short odds for the opening Supreme Novices Hurdle last March. Wonderful if wild, he got the hoards into stride.
This would have also settled the nerves for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, and the monopolous duo once again have a loaded deck to play with.
The depth of the Mullins squad is possibly bigger than ever. Townend will have plenty of tough riding arrangements to choose from over the four days.
He will be like the punters, calculating form while listening to his gut, trying to make sure he is on the right one. Patrick Mullins, Danny Mullins, Brian Hayes and Sean O’Keefe on the others, all hoping he gets it wrong.
Kopek Des Bordes goes to post again on day one, this time in the Arkle.
A thrilling race any year when the burgeoning novice chasers are really put to their limits for the first time. Jumping inexperience and the bottle of jockeys come to the fore.
This year looks special, two with the potential for greatness set the tone.
We have only seen Kopek once over fences, not pushed anywhere close to his limits when putting in a perfect performance at Navan. His jumping bold and aggressive yet measured, focusing on his jumps.
Still a hint of that wildness but maybe that’s needed to be a top class two-miler chaser, you hesitate you lose in this division; Kopek is made for it.
Mullins has a glint in his eye about this horse, has said this is the one he most looks forward to for the week, adding that they have had some serious track schooling to compensate for his lack of experience racing over fences.
The big rival is Lulamba, only a five-year-old, chinned in the Triumph last year before winning the Irish equivalent at Punchestown.
He is three from three for Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville since going over the big ones. A fabulous horse who looks far more versatile type, could have had a chance in the Champion Hurdle and it wouldn’t shock if he ended up in a Gold Cup someday.
Stamina will not be a question, he needs to lie up and jump sharp early to stay within in range, he cannot give an inch away. Don’t blink, this will be hard and fast.
No banker for the Supreme Novice Hurdle this year.
A race full of talent, Henderson and Mullins to the fore again but won’t have it to themselves.
Henderson and DeBoinville are again three from three this season with Old Park Star. Consummate on each outing, easy on the eye, but easy is over now.
Mullins, again, has only produced his main contender once this season.
Mighty Park, this one the mount of Mark Walsh, destroyed the field in his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse as he moved further clear to win by 38 lengths. It was the type of performance that leaves you thinking what poor level of a race it must have been.
Those out with the washing were not rags, not champions either, but he made them look poor. I, for one, was taken by it.
It took Gordon Elliott until the final race of the week last year to nab a winner, Jack Kennedy didn’t get on the board. El Cairos is their hope of getting a winner in this.
A faller with the race at his mercy on a well-touted seasonal debut at Leopardstown, no such error when impressive at Thurles.
Another last hurdle faller when on his way to winner’s enclosure was Talk The Talk, that in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown. He gained compensation when coming out the right side of a photo finish at the Dublin Racing Festival.
The talk was that he would subsequently be sold. After rumours of enormous figures on the table, all folded. He remains in the double green silks of Isaac Souede and Simon Munir.
Predominantly flat trainer Joseph O’Brien continues to produce the goods over jumps. The quality in this field is such that the mentioned quartet may not have it to themselves.
The first day feature is the Champion Hurdle. Let’s start by acknowledging the absent. I relish having been there when Constitution Hill was the most impressive winner ever of the Supreme Novice, he followed that with a sensational champion. Greatness awaited but was not to be.
Sickness ruled him out in ’24 and a fall down the back in ’25 has scuppered him since. After two more falls, connections re-routed him to the flat, greatness might still be on the cards in that sphere.
Lossiemouth got the closest anyone did to an on-song Constitution Hill, two and a half lengths in a Christmas Hurdle. She has won a Triumph and two Mares Hurdles at Cheltenham.
There was much talk that she should have gone for the Champion last year instead of taking the easier option. With stablemate State Man also absent, she has little to prove in winning another Mares Hurdle.
Townend hoping for a second win in the race, Mullins a seventh, closing in on Henderson’s record of nine. She could have her biggest challenge from another brace of fillies.
Brighterdaysahead had Lossiemouth’s measure in the Irish Champion six weeks ago. She was the better on the day, fair and square, comprehensive.
However she has been turned over on both trips to Cheltenham, touched off behind Golden Ace when odds-on in the Mares Novice event.
A disappointing fourth of five finishers, again behind Golden Ace, in last year’s Champion. No one can deny Golden Ace was a very lucky winner last year, but that’s two festival wins to her name and she has been running well again this term, including victory in the Fighting Fifth. She’ll not be far away.
Representing the boys, A New Lion could be the first real star for the emerging Skelton powerhouse. Dan looks set to fend off Willie Mullins to be UK Champion Trainer for the first time.
He hasn’t had a ‘proper one’ but thinks The New Lion is. He might be, but I haven’t been convinced just yet, let’s see.
