Big Stars of Jumps Racing Set to Feature at Cheltenham Festival

The entries have been made for the 28 races at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, and it includes some of the biggest names in the sport, including Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle), Jonbon (Champion Chase) and Galopin Des Champs (Cheltenham Gold Cup).

Ireland is expected to dominate many of the races across the week, just like they did in 2024 when winning the Prestbury Cup 19-8.

Constitution Hill Back in Premier Hurdles Race

The highest-rated hurdler in training is Constitution Hill, who has a mark of 177 following his latest success in the International Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s runner won the Champion Hurdle in 2023 but was forced to miss the meeting in 2024 due to an injury.

Constitution Hill is considered one of the greatest hurdlers of his generation, and his final legacy in the sport will be determined by how many Champion Hurdles he wins. At the age of just eight, he has many shots ahead of him.

Henderson’s hurdler could be set to take on two-star mares from Ireland this year. Brighter days ahead and Lossiemouth both have Champion Hurdle entries and due to their sex, they will receive a weight allocation in the day one feature. The pair will be bidding to become the first mare to win the Champion Hurdle since Honeysuckle in 2022.

Galopin Des Champs One Step Away from Greatness

A third straight Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph this year for Galopin Des Champs will elevate him alongside some of the greatest 3m chasers in history, including Arkle, Best Mate and Golden Miller.

Willie Mullins’ runner has had another dominant season in Ireland, winning the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup. Both of those Grade One victories came at Leopardstown. His only defeat in the campaign was in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.

Galopin Des Champs is a horse that is inspiring a lot of racing fans to get into ownership and buy race horse shares with syndicates like RaceShare. Before prospective owners purchase shares, they can read a horse’s profile which includes their breeding details and trainers. For those dreaming of a Gold Cup horse in the future, look for a horse’s sire and dam that has had success in the staying contests during their racing careers.

Jonbon On Course for First Shot at Champion Chase

Racing fans missed out on seeing Jonbon in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024 as he was withdrawn from the meeting just days before the race due to a setback. His supporters will be confident he can gain compensation this year by winning the day two highlight.

Jonbon has already won the Tingle Creek Chase and Clarence House Chase this season. In both races, he was far too strong for his rivals, including 2024 Champion Chase winner Energumene in the latter at Ascot.

The biggest challenger to Jonbon in the Champion Chase could be King George VI Chase runner-up Il Est Francais. The French-trained horse impressed at Kempton on Boxing Day, leading the race until the final fence. He is likely to appreciate the drop in distance at Cheltenham.

Tickets remain available for all four days of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, which is scheduled to take place between 11th and 15th March.