Cheltenham Festival – Day One: Preview, card and how to watch

The long-awaited first day of the Cheltenham Festival is nearly here and by this time tomorrow we will have heard the roar and the racing will be under way.

As you’d expect, it’s a stacked line-up to open four days that showcase the best in British and Irish horse racing.

The feature race is the Champion Hurdle at 4pm with Constitution Hill in action.

Nicky Henderson’s charge won the race in 2023 but missed the meeting last year due to a bug that swept through his owner’s stable.

He won’t find it easy though with last year’s winner State Man and the well-fancied Brighterdaysahead also expected to challenge.

Card

1.20 – Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Kopek des Bordes is the overwhelming favourite and may even go off as an odds-on chance.
Trainer Willie Mullins, who has dominated the festival in recent years, says he is one of the best he has. If that’s the case, he should win at a canter.

2.00 – Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

Majborough is the bookies’ favourite but a lot of tipsters are going for L’Eau du Sud.
If Majborough jumps well he wins, if not…

2.40 – Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Broadway Boy leads the market but the race looks fairly open.
Katate Dori could be one to watch having impressed at Kempton last time out.

3.20 – Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Mullins has the favourite here in Lossiemouth.
Fell on her last outing but that has been dismissed as a blip and it would be a major surprise if she does not bounce back strongly.

4.00 – Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Tough to see State Man repeating his success of 12 months ago, which leads us to a two-horse race between Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead.
Brighterdaysahead is our tip but it should be a fantastic battle.

Reigning @unibet Champion Hurdle winner State Man enjoying a roll around! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/aWX7zS819j

— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 10, 2025

4.40 – Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Stencil is well fancied but Total Look will challenge him, as could Beyond Your Dreams.

5.20 – National Hunt Chase

The day’s final race is led, at least in the market, by Haiti Couleurs.
Keep an eye on Hasthing for a good each-way bet.

Best UK Bookmakers for Day One

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Weather

Chilly but dry is the latest forecast.
The going is likely to be good to soft if the expected drizzle comes later today.

How to watch the Cheltenham Festival on television and via a stream

In the UK, you can watch all the races on ITV Racing and Racing TV. Racing TV is available through Sky and Virgin Media.
If you’re not near a TV set, you can stream the event via ITV Racing and Racing TV.