The ones to watch at Cheltenham Festival 2025

As the National Hunt season reaches its epic four-day centrepiece at Cheltenham, we take a look at the main horses, jockeys and trainers to keep an eye on at the Cheltenham Festival.

Four action-packed days of the highest class of racing is on offer, as the UK and Ireland go head-to-head in an effort to prove who has the best horses. 

In the run-up to Cheltenham, we take a look at look at some of the names worth keeping an eye on. 

Cheltenham Festival Jockeys to follow

Paul Townend

Paul Townend has one of the best jobs in racing as the main rider for Willie Mullins, so it is no surprise that he has been the Top Jockey at the Festival four times in the last five seasons, and he is hot favourite to take the title again this year. 

The jockey from County Cork already has 34 winners to his name at the Cotswolds spectacle and he looks certain to add to that total this year. 

With such a good book of rides, it is hard to pick where Townend will have his best chance. One of his most anticipated though, is sure to be with dual Gold Cup champion Galopin Des Champs. 

Nico De Boinville 

As the main rider for trainer Nicky Henderson, Nico De Boinville is no stranger to the winner's enclosure, and is the only british jockey to have won Cheltenham Festival's leading jockey award in the last decade.

He has ridden some of the greats over the years, including the likes of Altior and Sprinter Sacre.

Constitution Hill, however, could top the lot. 

He has taken the world of National Hunt racing by storm since he burst onto the scene in December of 2021 – and de Boinville has been the man doing the steering for each run of his unbeaten career. 

Harry Cobden

As the main jockey for the powerhouse yard of Paul Nicholls, Harry Cobden and his trainer have enjoyed a prolific partnership in the past few years. 

In 2023, Cobden broke his four-year Cheltenham Festival drought on Stage Star, who won the Turners Novices' Chase, before he also guided Stay Away Fay to win the Albert Bartlett on the final day.

He and his Ditcheat boss will be relishing the chance to add to their Festival tallies come March. 

Rachael Blackmore

Rachael Blackmore is a pioneering Irish jockey that became the first female to be leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021 and returned 12 months later to win the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard.

She is also the only female jockey to win the Grand National.

The retained rider for top trainer Henry de Bromhead, Blackmore is amongst the best in the business. 

Cheltenham Festival Trainers to follow

Paul Nicholls

Paul Nicholls is the most successful British trainer of his generation, winning the Champion Trainer title 14 times in his career – including an incredible run of seven in a row between 2005 and 2012. 

He has also had his fair share of Cheltenham stars, including two legends of the game in Kauto Star and Denman who won the Ditcheat trainer three successive Gold Cups from 2007. 

However, since then, Nicholls has hardly been synonymous with the Cotswolds festival. He hasn't managed to win one of the Championship races since 2012 and hasn't secured the title of top trainer of the festival since 2009.

Take a look at Paul Nicholls' Cheltenham runners and winners.

Nicky Henderson

It is hard to imagine a Cheltenham Festival without Nicky Henderson, the legendary trainer has been getting winners on the board since way back in 1985 and he has shown no signs of slowing down, still racking up multiple winners every year.

Whilst he may not be as successful as his biggest rival at the top of table in Willie Mullins these days, Henderson still has his fair share of prospects, most notably Constitution Hill.

Henderson may just have the best horse in training in Constitution Hill and it looks likely that the superstar hurdler will be adding an incredible 11th Champion Hurdle crown for his trainer in 2025.

Take a look at Nicky Henderson's Cheltenham runners and winners.

Henry De Bromhead 

Henry De Bromhead has developed quite the knack for training big winners at the Cheltenham Festival. 

The Irishman has won two Champion Hurdles in recent times, as well as training not just the winner of the Gold Cups in 2021 and 2022, but also the second horse home, with Minella Indo and A Plus Tard trading places. 

History dictates that it would be foolish to write off any of de Bromhead's runners and if anybody can prepare them for Cheltenham, it's him. 

Take a look at Henry De Bromhead's Cheltenham runners and winners.

Willie Mullins 

For many trainers, a winner at the Cheltenham Festival is no easy feat, although that is not the case for Willie Mullins.

The Irish trainer is the most successful trainer in Cheltenham history, with 103 winners since his first win with Tourist Attraction in 1995.

With Mullins yet again having a stable full of top-class performers, it will surely be another Cheltenham Festival to remember.

Take a look at Willie Mullins' Cheltenham runners and winners.

Dan Skelton

For someone who has only been operating solo since 2013, Dan Skelton has done exceptionally well to establish himself as one of Britain's finest National Hunt trainers.

The former assistant to Paul Nicholls already has 10 Cheltenham Festival winners under his belt.

So often teaming up with brother and leading rider Harry, Team Skelton will be keen for more Cotswolds glory this spring. 

Take a look at Dan Skelton's Cheltenham runners and winners.

Cheltenham Festival Horses to follow

Majborough

After Sir Gino was ruled out of the Festival, Majborough became the favourite for the Arkle on the opening day of the Festival.

Last year's Triumph Hurdle winner has been in scintillating form this season and he looks like the one to beat.

Brighterdaysahead

If anyone can stop Constitution Hill, then it is surely Brighterdaysahead.

Gordon Elliott's superstar will run in the Champion Hurdle and she has already beaten last year's winner State Man twice this season.

Kopek Des Bordes

Kopek Des Bordes was in sublime form at the Dublin Racing Festival and he is one of the favourites to win the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

The latest Mullins superstar is unbeaten from three starts and will race in the UK for the first time.

Ballyburn

Brown Advisory favourite Ballyburn is looking to make it two from two in the Cotswolds.

A timely victory at Leopardstown in February gave a stark warning to potential challengers on the second day of the Festival.

East India Dock

Three successive victories has seen East India Dock become one of the favourites for the Triumph Hurdle.

The move to James Owen's stable has seen the four-year-old become a force to be reckoned with.

Fact To File

Fact To File is highly fancied to win the Ryanair Chase at this year's Festival.

He couldn't live with Galopin Des Champs this season but the Ryanair is a much more realistic target.

Jonbon

Nicky Henderson will be hoping that Jonbon can make up for lost time after missing the 2024 Festival.

The Champion Chase favourite is in spectacular form and it will take something special to beat him.

Galopin Des Champs

Can anyone stop Galopin Des Champs winning three Gold Cups in a row?

It seems unlikely and we are witnessing one of the all-time greats at the peak of his powers.

Constitution Hill

The great Constitution Hill is back to reclaim his Champion Hurdle crown.

With the injury concerns seemingly behind him, Henderson's stable star is the main attraction on day one.

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