The 2025 Cheltenham Festival has officially wrapped up, leaving racing fans buzzing with excitement, surprise performances, and a sense of anticipation for future events. Among the highlights, Golden Ace delivered a stunning victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, propelling both the horse and her trainer Jeremy Scott into the limelight.
Sky Sports Racing’s Alex Hammond, reflecting on the festival, noted, "Imagine my surprise when she took advantage of the unfortunate falls of first Constitution Hill, and then State Man, to give trainer Jeremy Scott his most high profile career success." This win was not just significant for Scott, who is no stranger to Grade 1 victories, but also a testament to Golden Ace's tenacity in the face of fierce competition.
The thrill of the festival continued with impressive runs from other horses. In particular, Fact To File secured victory in the Ryanair, confirming his status as a standout performer. Hammond highlighted, "We all know the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, but you couldn’t fail to be impressed with Fact To File in the Ryanair." His successful season, marked by a second-place finish in the 2023 Champion Bumper and a win in the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, positions him as a horse to watch closely in the coming years.
The podcast discussing the festival, featuring hosts Ed Chamberlin, Graham Cunningham, Billy Nash, David Johnson, and Ben Linfoot, delved into the overall experience, providing a rich tapestry of insights into the atmosphere, the schedule, and the pivotal moments that defined the week. They highlighted a list of stars including Inothewayurthinkin, Marine Nationale, Bob Olinger, The New Lion, and Kopek Des Bordes, celebrating their contributions to an action-packed week.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing at Cheltenham. The festival also saw its share of shocks and disappointments. Notable mentions included Ballyburn and Jonbon, who failed to live up to expectations, a sentiment echoed during the podcast where they discussed the chaos surrounding the Champion Hurdle. The false starts were a point of contention, with racing purists frustrated by how they compromised the chances of some runners. It was a reminder that even in the thrill of victory, the unpredictability of racing remains ever-present.
Looking ahead, the excitement doesn’t end with Cheltenham. The podcast pointed toward upcoming events at Aintree and Punchestown, urging fans to keep an eye on horses poised to make a return to Cheltenham in 2026. Fans are eager to see how this year’s performances will shape future training and racing strategies.
For those following the action into the spring, there’s plenty to keep an eye on. Jasmine Bliss is currently favored at 4/1 for Saturday’s NH Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, while Hartington is tipped at 7/1 in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Newbury around the same date. These performances are set to gauge the capability of emerging horses as trainers aim for continued success through the spring and into the summer racing calendar.
Hammond’s insights into potential future stars were accompanied by enthusiastic anticipation for new entries like Imagine, a recent acquisition for €320,000, now looking to prove himself further on the track. After joining the new handler and with limited experience, he remains priced at 9/1, with fans hoping that the initial investment translates into impressive performances on raceday.
Amid the highs and lows, the Cheltenham Festival remains a highlight on the horse racing calendar, with the atmosphere resonating with cheers and the rumbles of the crowd echoing long after the last horse has crossed the finish line. As fans reflect on the unforgettable moments from 2025, they share collective hopes for what the next festival will bring. In the racing world, unpredictability remains par for the course, yet the thrill of the chase keeps everyone coming back for more.
