Day 2 of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is just as tough a betting proposition as Day 1, with tricky handicaps and top-class Grade 1s to keep backers entertained. As ever, our preview showcases our horse racing odds and betting online.
For the best second-day action, take a look at our in-depth guide.
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*All odds are correct at time of publication but subject to change, tipped horses may also become non-runners
1.20pm – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m5f
Some brilliant horses have come out on top in this race over the years, with the likes of Istabraq, Faugheen and Envoi Allen winning this prestigious event. Once again, a field of superstars go to post for this Day 2 opener and the Irish have an extremely strong pedigree in this contest. Willie Mullins has some live contenders here but we think Dan Skelton’s The New Lion can stave off the Irish to win this for the UK. He has been climbing the ranks in this sphere and is in tremendous form this campaign. He won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in style over Christmas and he can get Day 2 off with a bang. At larger odds, Potters Charm could run a blinder. He was beaten at odds-on at Cheltenham last time out but can bounce back with a good run on better ground.
Selection – THE NEW LION – 23/9
Each-way – Potters Charm– 14/1
2pm – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 3m
This contest is for those first-season chasers who are looking to climb the ranks and become Gold Cup horses a season or two after. Usually, a small but select field goes to post for this race and the 2025 renewal looks to be no different in what looks to be a tricky race to gauge. The Irish runners dominate the betting once again, led by Mullins’ Ballyburn. He has won three of his four races this season but hasn’t been as impressive as some observers believe. He is worth opposing, so Better Days Ahead can triumph. He is a battle-hardened competitor who won at the Festival last season and never knows when he is beaten. Each-way backers can jump on Mullins’ Lecky Watson. He is steadily improving, jumps very well and could be tailor-made for a race of this calibre.
Selection – BETTER DAYS AHEAD – 6/1
Each-way – Lecky Watson – 16/1
2.40pm – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – 2m5f
A handicap hurdle with a cacophony of runners with live chances – it doesn’t get any tougher than this! Mullins, Skelton and Elliott all have great opportunities to win again, but it an absolute head-scratcher of a contest to pick your way through. However, we think Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi is the horse to be on. He won a valuable handicap at Newbury last time out and is improving at a rate of knots. At huge odds, we think Beckett Rock could run well. He bounced back with a nice run at Fairyhouse last time and should go well in a big field.
Selection – IMPOSE TOI – 10/1
Each-way – Beckett Rock – 40/1
3.20pm – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase – 3m5f
This is the most unique race of the four days, with horses lining up in the middle of Prestbury Park and jumping over fir trees, banks, water jumps and standard fences. What you need for this contest is a horse that stays and can cope with the eccentricities of the course itself, whilst also having form over a similar type of track. That brings us nicely onto the favourite, Stumptown. He may not be an imaginative choice for our tip but is our banker of the week. He has been in sensational form, won round the course in December and looks unbeatable round here. For a horse with longer odds, it might be good to side with Roi Mage. He is a tough, genuine horse who ran well in the Grand National last season, so could run well at big odds.
Selection – STUMPTOWN – 11/4
Each-way – Roi Mage – 18/1
4pm – Queen Mother Champion Chase – 2m
The jewel in the two-mile crown, this race has coughed up some amazing winners, including Moscow Flyer, Master Minded, Sprinter Sacre and Viking Flagship. This is an interesting race this season, as a small field sees a number of horses not at their best, with the exception of Jonbon. However, we do believe he is worth opposing at odds-on, despite reeling off a hat-trick of wins this term. His jumping can be a chink in his armour and we believe Solness can come out on top. He has won his last two, including a defeat of Marine Nationale at Leopardstown last time out, and should be at home in these conditions.
Selection – SOLNESS – 15/2
4.40pm – Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase – 2m
Time for another one of those infamous Cheltenham Festival handicaps, with a bumper line-up expected to do battle once again. This race has moved to the Wednesday from the Friday and is seen as a tricky betting heat, but we think we have picked out a dynamic duo this time around and that Jazzy Matty can come out on top. He came a good second here earlier in the season and kept out of trouble by leading the field a merry dance. Those tactics could work again with such a big field and he can repel all challengers. At a big price, Dr T J Eckleburg could run well. He has been in good form all season, running consistently and winning a valuable prize at Chepstow in his previous race.
Selection – JAZZY MATTY – 12/1
Each-way – Dr T J Eckleburg – 18/1
5.20pm – Champion Bumper – 2m
The Irish have farmed this race over the years, dominating the winners’ enclosure thanks to the likes of Mullins, who has won this contest 13 times since it was first run in 1992. However, we think this prize could be staying in Britain this season thanks to Paul Nicholls’ No Drama This End. He won his only bumper very nicely indeed, setting him up perfectly for a tilt here. He could be hard to catch if given a lead and could send the Nicholls stable supporters home happy. At bigger odds, we think El Cairos might run well. He won his only start in eye-catching fashion and is worthy of his place in the line-up.
Selection – NO DRAMA THIS END – 14/1
Each-way – El Cairos – 40/1
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