Cheltenham Festival 2025: Antepost Reaction To Grade 1 Hurdle Entries

The waiting was finally over come noon on Tuesday 14th January 2025, as the entries for the three principle Grade One hurdle races at the Cheltenham Festival were announced.

With a combined total of 76 entries (many dual by the way) over the three championship events, the antepost markets went into overdrive to form new “actual” books, rather than those based on speculation.

It’s pretty much what you see is what you get from now on in when it comes to having an early Cheltenham Festival bet, and also a great time to take advantage of NRNB on our Cheltenham betting markets.

Champion Hurdle Antepost Reaction

Constitution Hill is now a 4/7 shot with us here at William Hill to regain his title as the best hurdler in the land.

Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten eight-year-old could face up to a maximum of nine Irish challengers on the opening day of the Festival.

At this stage dual Festival winner Lossiemouth – the horse Constitution Hill beat on his return in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton – is a fairly static 7/2 shot in the betting with many punters still holding onto the small glimmer of hope that the classy mare can turn the tables on the Henderson hotpot.

The market support for Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead (4/1) has been gathering steam in recent weeks and it is easy to see why. She has announced herself as a real star this term with two thrilling victories over State Man, the second of which being a 30 length drubbing at Leopardstown.

If any horse can down an under par Constitution Hill on the day, then it’s likely to be her. Apart from the leading triumvirate of Constitution Hill, Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead, there is very little betting interest in any of the other entries.

Stayers Hurdle Antepost Reaction

The Stayers’ Hurdle has attracted 36 entries, led by defending champion Teahupoo, with over half of those engaged hailing from Ireland.

Teahupoo may have run a little flat in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, but he is still very popular with the betting public who expect him to bounce right back, and his price is a solid 11/10 in our Cheltenham odds.

After a strong staying performance to gain a second victory in the Savills Hurdle, Home By The Lee (7/1) is a popular pick once more for the Stayers.

Although he was beaten six lengths in the race last season when finishing third behind Teahupoo, Home By The Lee looks an altogether different horse this term and jockey JJ Slevin is hoping he can draw upon his previous experience in the contest to get him home in front this time.

Support for Henry de Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake (12/1) is also gaining traction  after impressive efforts in both the Liverpool Hurdle and the Long Walk.

Mares Hurdle Antepost Reaction

A total of 24 entries were received for the Mares’ Hurdle but how many of them actually turn up remains to be seen. Will some of these equine ladies simply run against their own sex or will their trainers be brave enough to tackle the Champion Hurdle?

If Brighterdaysahead arrives at the Mares’ Hurdle after getting the better of last season’s Champion Hurdler on two occasions this term, then we rank her a 7/4 chance if you like having a bet on horse racing.

After failing to land a glove on Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle, many punters are beginning to snap up the 3/1 odds available on Lossiemouth here, should Willie Mullins believe the task is unassailable in the Champion Hurdle.