‘It’s never too early to start’ – Huge ante-post 2025 Cheltenham Festival Lucky 15

The Cheltenham Festival is over for another year but that only means the focus shifts to the 2025 Festival. It’s never too early to make a start so we’ve selected four horses to consider putting into an ante-post Lucky 15 for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. All four put in excellent performances this year and have every chance in their respective races next time around. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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Champion Hurdle

Ballyburn (7/1, Paddy Power) exceeded his lofty expectations with an awesome performance in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle. Trainer Willie Mullins is keen to make an audacious bid for the Dawn Run double, by winning both the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup with him. Connections are unlikely to forbid him for doing so and it would surely be the Champion Hurdle on the agenda for 2025, if it’s to be attempted.

Ryanair Chase

Grey Dawning (10/1, Paddy Power) was a good winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase over the same course and distance. Owner Robert Kirkland mentioned the Gold Cup as a target but they picked the Turners to avoid Fact To File and the Ryanair Chase would mean sensibly doing so again. When push comes to shove, Dan Skelton will surely push for the easier option of this race.

Stayers’ Hurdle

Irish Point (12/1, Paddy Power) ran a screamer when second in the Champion Hurdle but that bid was somewhat opportunistic. The potential line-up for the 2025 Champion Hurdle is scary and connections are likely to opt for the Stayers’. This is where Gordon Elliott’s very talented horse belongs and he can dominate the division for years to come.

Gold Cup

Fact To File (7/2, Paddy Power) put any doubts to bed when dominating the Brown Advisory last week. Galopin Des Champs has put in some monstrous performances to win two Gold Cups but history tells us that’s impossible to maintain. The fresher legs of Fact To File pose the biggest threat in 2025 and the younger horse can come out on top.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.

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