Three horses that could get Britain off to a flyer on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival

Ireland, and Willie Mullins in particular, has dominated the Cheltenham Festival in recent years. Whilst it’s difficult to see that changing in 2025, it’s not an impossibility. Team Britain has several decent chances on Day 1 so we’ve picked out three that could give them a fighting chance. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing and our ante-post Cheltenham selections are live now.

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Arkle Challenge Trophy

L’Eau du Sud (5/1, bet365) is Britain’s big Arkle hope now that Sir Gino misses the race. The Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old ran a fine race to finish second behind Absurde in the County Hurdle and has made a fine start to his chasing career. Unbeaten in four starts over fences, he’s a Grade 1 winner in this sphere and it would be unwise to rule him out here.

L'Eau du Sud

Analysis

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Champion Hurdle

Constitution Hill (8/13, betfair) remains unbeaten in 10 starts under rules and the 175-rated eight-year-old will be hard to beat if at the top of his game. He returned at Kempton for the Christmas Hurdle after a year off and comfortably put Lossiemouth in her place, before winning in workmanlike fashion against a weak field at Cheltenham in January. A brilliant Champion Hurdle winner in 2023, the crown could be heading back to Seven Barrows this year.

Constitution Hill

Analysis

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National Hunt Challenge Cup

Haiti Couleurs (7/1, bet365) won twice over hurdles but is flourishing since being sent chasing. Rebecca Curtis’ gelding was an impressive winner of a novice handicap at Aintree in November and followed up over an extended 3m1f here a month later. There should be more to come and he shapes as if the marathon trip will suit.

Haiti Couleurs

Analysis

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