Cheltenham Festival 2025 LIVE: Race-by-race updates, results and latest news as snow falls ahead of Day 2

Live Blog

Updated: 9:29, 12 Mar 2025talkSPORT.com brings you all the latest news, analysis and reaction from the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Day one provided a shocking moment as clear favourite Constitution Hill fell in the Champion Hurdle, while State Man also hit the deck.

Day two began with snow falling on the course ahead of seven more entertaining races.

Racing from Tuesday to Friday starts at 1:20pm – full race schedule can be found heretalkSPORT will have live coverage of all the action from Cheltenham – tune in hereHead over to talkSPORT BET today for all the latest race odds and boostsCheck out all the best Cheltenham Free Bets and Offers including enhancements on Constitution HillCheltenham Day 2

13:20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle 14:00: Brown Advisory Novices’14:40: Coral Cup15:20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase16:00: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase16:40: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase17:20: Weatherbys Champion BumperFollow our live blog below for race-by-race updates…

‘No concerns’The clerk of the Cheltenham course has given a positive update on the snowy conditions this morning.

Jon Pulllin has said snow covers are being taken off and that the snow should disappear over the next few hours.

“We were forecast wintery showers, I guess you can say this is a wintery shower,” he told ITV Racing.

“It’s already sort of cleared Worcester to it’s on it’s way down to us, so it should, in the next hour, turn more sleety and then disappear.

“So, if the forecast is correct, there’s no concerns that it should clear fairly quickly in the next 2-3 hours.”

He added: “They’re in the process of taking them [snow covers] off now, it was very precautionary last night.

“We were forecast a slight frost, temperatures did dip down slightly, so we took precaution of putting them on take-offs and landings.

“That did it’s job, they’re taking them off now.”

FLUTTERSnow has fallen in Cheltenham ahead of Day 2 of the Festival.

On day one, punters had their sunglasses out, but the surprise change in weather has taken many by surprise.

Photos and videos of snow at Prestbury Park were shared online, with snow expected to fall on the racecourse until 10am, which means it will clear by the time of the first race at 1.20pm, with the ground is good to soft.

The Met Office have said: “Don’t be surprised if you see some wet snow in some of the showers today.

“A temporary slight covering is possible on the grass and cars, as seen recently here in Cheltenham.”

You can catch the action on the Hawksbee and Baker show on talkSPORT, including the feature race – the Queen Mother Champion Chase – at 4pm.

Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase results1st: Haiti Couleurs 7/2JF
2nd: Rock My Way 16/1
3rd: Will Do 12/1

A fantastic front-running ride from Ben Jones for trainer Rebecca Curtis as the short-priced Haiti Couleurs justifies the odds for many faovurite backers.

Rock My Way and Will Do couldn’t get close to the winner and battled it out for the minor places.

A fantastic way to cap off an enthralling day’s action of high octance racing!

Where next for Constitution Hill?

Nicky Henderson has confirmed his plans for where Constitution Hill will go next.

He told Rishi Persad on ITV: “They’re all okay, that’s the main thing!

“So now, what do we do? I don’t know…

“Well I know what we’ll do! Well I mean surely we’ll have a rather fun day in Punchestown I hope. Well I’m sure that’s where they [State Man and connections] want to go, it’s where I’d like to go!”

2nd May 2025 is the aim for Constitution Hill then, as Nicky Henderson is setting his sights for the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown!

Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase oddsWe’re at the lucky last now! The final race of Day 1 at Cheltenham Festival 2025 is set for the off at 5.20pm after a very dramatic six races.

This 3m6f contest is a big task for the 18 runners though with big prices available if you fancy an each-way play.

And you can find the odds on talkSPORT BET, which are as follows:

Transmission – 16/5Haiti Couleurs – 7/2Now Is The Hour – 7/1Resplendent Grey – 8/1Gericault Roque – 10/1Captain Cody – 12/1Hasthing – 12/1BAR 16/1Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle result1st: Puturhandstogether 17/2
2nd: Robbies Rock 50/1
3rd: Liam Swagger 12/1

A comfortable winner for Mark Walsh on board the JP McManus-owned Puturhandstogether, a nice distance ahead of the running on Robbies Rock.

For those backing extra places, Hot Fuss came in 4th and Slurricane held on for 5th.

Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle oddsThe penultimate race of Day 1 at Cheltenham Festival 2025 is set for the off at 4.40pm, the 2m contest sees as many as 22 runners line up.

And you can find the odds on talkSPORT BET, which are as follows:

Stencil 11/4Beyond Your Dreams 6/1Sony Bill 7/1Puturhandstogether 15/2Hot Fuss 17/2Total Look 12/1Liam Swagger 12/1BAR 16/1Nicky Henderson was all of us when Constitution Hill fell

Many punters and racegoers kept the faith in Constitution Hill.

But the odds-on favourite, having been heavily backed just before the race, fell a few out from the finish.

The gelding has rarely put a foot wrong in his career so it was even more of a shock to see the super star fall.

Henderson was seen shouting “Oh no” as his star fell, mostly in disbelief, which was much the same reaction from most watching at the course and at home.

Constitution Hill & State Man are up okay

The pair fell in the Champion Hurdle at different stages but the great news is they are both up and okay walking back in after the race.

Constitution Hill’s trainer Nicky Henderson said after the race: “He’s okay. Nobody’s hurt. Two jockeys and two horses that have had proper old falls, but they’re okay.”

Golden Ace shock winnerOwner Ian Gosden, didn’t even back the winner of the Champion Hurdle, after a dramatic feature race at Cheltenham Festival.

Gosden really gambled on the mare, going for the race instead of the Mares’ Hurdle, after buying the horse for just £12k, but joked on ITV that he didn’t even bet on her today.

Gosden explained to ITV: “It’s amazing what happened. I mean I hope the horses are okay. But it’s jump racing isn’t it? You’ve got to jump and you’ve got to be there at the end.”

He added that he ended up picking the horse as he was insistent on doing his ‘own homework’.

And is turns out he’s just scooped a whopping £250k prize!

Champion Hurdle results1st: Golden Ace 25/12nd: Burdett Road 66/1 3rd: Winter Fog 150/1What has just happened?! All drama in the Champion Hurdle!

The superstar Constitution Hill fell a few from the finish. State Man took it up but also falls at the last.

Brighterdaysahead was hampered giving Golden Ace, the mare who bypassed the Mares’ Hurdle, scooping the big prize!

Champion Hurdle oddsThe feature race of Day 1 at Cheltenham Festival 2025 is set for the off at 4.00pm, the Grade 1 2m Champion Hurdle with seven runners lining up.

And you can find the odds on talkSPORT BET, which are as follows:

Constitution Hill 4/6Brighterdaysahead 7/4State Man 9/1Golden Ace 40/1Burdett Road 100/1King Of Kingsfield 200/1Winter Fog 250/1All eyes on the feature race Champion HurdleNow it’s time for the Champion Hurdle, the ultimate battle between Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead.

It’s Britain vs Ireland, Nicky Henderson vs Gordon Elliott, favourite backers vs hopefuls.

Constitution Hill won this in 2023 and could reclaim his title having won ten in a row over hurdles.

He’s not really been bothered by an rival he’s faced, but some setbacks this season have seen many swayed to back the mare Brighterdaysahead instead.

The feature and highlight of the day will not disappoint.

Mares’ Hurdle result1st: Lossiemouth 4/6f2nd: Jade De Grugy 5/13rd: Take No Chances 22/1Beautiful stuff from the wonderful grey Lossiemouth who wins so, so comfortably for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

Mares’ Hurdle oddsThe fourth race of Cheltenham Festival 2025 on Tuesday goes off at 3.20pm, for the Grade 1 2m4f hurdle with ten mares set to line up.

Willie Mullins sends out the top two in the market as he bids for a double on Day 1.

And you can find the odds on talkSPORT BET, which are as follows:

Lossiemouth 4/6Jade De Grugy 9/2July Flower 15/2Joyeuse 11/1Kala Conti 12/1Dysart Enos 25/1Take No Chances 25/1Jetara 33/1Gala Marceau 50/1Queens Gamble 50/1Ultima Handicap Chase result1st: Myretown 13/2F2nd: The Changing Man 7/13rd: Malina Girl 14/14th: Happygolucky 28/15th: The Short Go 11/1Myretown was a big price this morning and was smashed into favouritism before the off.

He made virtually all in incredible style, which takes some doing over 3m1f, giving jockey Patrick Wadge his first ever Cheltenham Festival winner.

Ultima Handicap Chase oddsThe third race of Cheltenham Festival 2025 on Tuesday goes off at 2.40pm with a huge 24 runners set to take on the 3m1f contest.

And you can find the odds on talkSPORT BET, which are as follows:

The Changing Man – 13/2Katate Dori – 7/1Myretown – 15/2Crebilly – 8/1Broadway Boy – 10/1Whistle Stop Tour – 11/1Henry’s Friend – 12/1The Short Go – 12/1Sequestered – 16/1Malina Girl – 16/1BAR 18/1″That’s as fast as he’s ever been in his life!”

Former champion trainer Nicky Henderson had probably the most difficult Cheltenham Festival in 2024, with something amiss in his yard causing most of his stars and runners to be ruled out.

Sir Gino, also trained by Henderson, was the big favourite for the Arkle before a lengthy injury setback seemed to hint at another tough year at Cheltenham.

But Jango Baie winning the Arkle in place of stablemate and in such a style, is great to see as the Seven Barrows yard is BACK!

Henderson explained on ITV post-race: “He’s never been as fast as he came up the hill. That’s as fast as he’s ever been in his life!”

Henderson added: “He was very brave to suddenly take off like that. Flew the last. I didn’t think he would have got anywhere near them!”

Arkle Novices’ Chase results1st: Jango Baie 5/12nd: Only By Night 25/13rd: Majborough 1/2HUGE SHOCK! Incredible finish with a four-way go for the win but it’s Jango Baie who claims it from absolutely nowhere to win in style!

Trainer Nicky Henderson knows how to win an Arkle, with his EIGHTH victory.

It looked to be all Majborough until the odds-on favourite clipped the second last fence, stopping all momentum.

Only By Night emerged as a proper contender with L’Eau Du Sud challenging, willing for the line as Majborough was also plugging on.

But from the clouds Jango Baie emerged closing powerfully to win comfortably!

Arkle Novices’ Chase oddsThe second race of Cheltenham Festival 2025 on Tuesday goes off at 2.00pm.

And you can find the odds on talkSPORT BET, which are as follows:

Majborough – 1/2L’Eau Du Sud – 5/1Jango Baie – 5/1Touch Me Not – 16/1Only By night – 22/1Emotional winner

Kopek Des Bordes wins the opener of the Cheltenham Festival, the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

The winning owner, Charlie McCarthy underwent surgery just a couple of weeks ago to treat his cancer.

McCarthy said after the race that it’s “a dream come true and the dream isn’t finished yet.”

Prior to the race McCarthy explained to ITV: “He’s a superb horse, he’s something special. Something that I’ve dreamt about all my life and my boys did. He’s a decent horse win, lose or draw: we’ll celebrate.”

Rishi Persad pointed out that it’s incredible Charlie was able to get to the races to cheer Kopek Des Bordes on as it was just a couple of weeks since his surgery.

McCarthy was visibly moved after explaining he had his “right kidney removed” before being unable to speak briefly, explaining that the horse “kept him going”.

William Munny placed in second, in the colours of owner-trainer Barry Connell, who won this race in 2023 with none other than Michael O’Sullivan on board. Poetic and poignant.

Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle results1st: Kopek Des Bordes2nd: William Munny3rd: Romeo CoolioKOPEK DES BORDES! That’s one for the punters, that’s one for owner Charlie McCarthy, what a start to the Cheltenham Festival!

Cheltenham Festival 2025 sets off!The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle kicks the week off!

With 11 runners taking on the 2m contest on the old course.

Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle oddsThe opener for Cheltenham Festival 2025 sets off at 1.20pm.

And you can find the odds on talkSPORT BET, which are as follows:

Kopek Des Bordes – 5/6Romeo Coolio – 5/1Workahead – 15/2William Munny – 15/2Irancy – 14/1Salvator Mundi – 14/1Karinquet – 33/1Karbau – 40/1Sky Lord – 50/1Funiculi Funicula – 80/1Tutti Quanti – 150/1Are we ready for the Cheltenham Roar?

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has been renamed the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle this year, as a fitting memorial for the late jockey who won this race on Marine Nationale in 2023.

As a result, this year’s roar is set to be more poignant as we remember a top jockey, who had a very promising career ahead.

William Munny wears the same colours as Marine Nationale, of owner-trainer Barry Connell who could be an emotional winner on Cheltenham Festivals curtain raiser.