Racing

Cheltenham Festival 2025: Five Favourites – BANKER or BUST

I have compiled the five favourites for the Cheltenham Festival and decided whether they are BANKER or BUST.

Majborough (Arkle Novices’ Chase, 4/7f)

I fancied him even before Sir Gino was pulled out and nothing has changed my mind. His task has obviously been made easier with that one’s absence, and although the form of each of his four wins hasn’t worked out that great, he’s got the job done in the manner of a top-class horse.

I loved his attitude in last season’s Triumph Hurdle and the sky’s the limit for this stamp of a horse. I think his jumping will be even better in a strongly-run contest and this doesn’t look like the strongest of renewals, so there’s very little reason to oppose him. Definitely one for the multiples. BANKER!

Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle, 8/11f)

Even if he’s not at his best, will his class carry him to a second Champion Hurdle? I think so! He has looked good in both starts this season and aims to make it 11 wins from 11 starts.

He made State Man look ordinary in this race two years ago and is no doubt one of the best hurdles we have ever seen. I’m convinced Brighterdaysahead is better over further, while I see no reason why State Man can turn the form around with the former champion.

With everything taken into account, Nicky Henderson’s superstar looks a nailed-on BANKER to me.

Ballyburn (Brown Advisory Novices Chase, 6/4f)

Got back to winning ways at the Dublin Racing Festival last time out when outstaying Croke Park and is designed to be even better over this distance. He was too good for his rivals at this meeting last year and his handler has always had him down as a horse who would appreciate stepping up in trip.

Most of his opponents look a bit one-paced, whereas he has plenty of gears, and the best is yet to come from him. I’m struggling to see him beaten in all fairness, so he’s a confident BANKER.

Jonbon (Champion Chase, 10/11f)

Even though conditions were against Energumene last time out, I was blown away with how Nicky Henderson’s consistent chaser beat the dual champion in the Clarence House Chase. At the peak of his powers at the age of nine, he’s won all three starts this season and his preparation has gone perfectly as well.

His record at Cheltenham is very good, and he comes out clear of the field on official ratings. His two previous trips to the Cheltenham Festival have seen him find one too good, but he’s a better horse now, and this is the year he can finally put his festival hoodoo to bed. BANKER.

Teahupoo (Stayers Hurdle, 5/4f)

Won the race last year and has been popular among punters for a repeat bid for a while now. He reappeared with a fine second behind Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace over a trip short of his best, but conditions this year will be much quicker than last year, and that leaves him more vulnerable.

Nevertheless, his record when returning from an absence of three months or more reads 111112, and his opposition don’t possess the same class as him, but the big question is the forecast fast ground and that might catch him out. BUST.