The final fields are out for the five Grade 2 contests on Cheltenham Trials Day this Saturday, 25th January. However, the big repeat clash between Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth is off after Willie Mullins failed to declare the mare among the Unibet Hurdle runners.
There is still good news for racing fans as Constitution Hill will be seen once before his attempt to regain the Champion Hurdle in March. The eight-year-old returned to rapturous applause when defeating Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
He looks to face a penalty kick opportunity in a field of five which otherwise contains Harry Derham’s stable star Brentford Hope, Irish rider Fils d’Oudairies, Dan Skelton’s recent import Joyeux Machin and the 125-rated Spirits Bay. Nicky Henderson will be hoping the battle for second is much more keenly fought than that for first.
Number | Horse | Trainer |
1 | Constitution Hill | Nicky Henderson |
2 | Fils d’Oudairies | Gordon Elliott |
3 | Brentford Hope | Harry Derham |
4 | Joyeux Machin | Dan Skelton |
5 | Spirits Bay | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
Cotswold Chase Runners 2025
Slightly earlier on the card, the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase has seen six runners declared. They are headlined by two-time Cheltenham winner L’Homme Presse, who has built a consistent profile at the top table of late, finishing fourth in the 2024 Gold Cup and third in the King George VI Chase at Christmas. He was previously a winner of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in 2022.
His main challenge according to the market is likely to come from Mouse Morris’ Gentlemansgame. The grey has made a successful raid on British soil before when claiming the 223 Charlie Hall Chase and was recently a game third in the Savills Chase behind Galopin Des Champs. However, he will have to concede 6lb to Venetia Williams’ charge in this race.
Some familiar names to long-term racing fans have also been declared. Stage Star was a winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase two seasons ago, but has lost his way somewhat in recent times. Meanwhile, the 11-year-old Chantry House resumed winning ways by winning a staying handicap on New Year’s Day and is presented with a step back up in class, as is cross country specialist Delta Work. Last season’s Grand National runner-up is now aged 12, while Tommie Beau makes up the line-up just one week on from his run in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor.
Number | Horse | Trainer |
1 | Gentlemansgame | Mouse Morris |
2 | Stage Star | Paul Nicholls |
3 | Chantry House | Nicky Henderson |
4 | Delta Work | Gordon Elliott |
5 | L’Homme Presse | Venetia Williams |
6 | Tommie Beau | Seamus Mullins |
Cleeve Hurdle Runners 2025
The biggest field among the open Graded contests is in the 3m Cleeve Hurdle, a prep for the Stayers’ Hurdle on the Thursday of Cheltenham. Eight runners will make up that field, headlined by Grade 1 heroes Crambo and Strong Leader.
The first-named defended his Long Walk Hurdle title in pulsating fashion at Ascot last month, a race in which Strong Leader was a hugely disappointing favourite. Nevertheless, Olly Murphy’s charge was third in this race 12 months ago on his first start over three miles and could easily bounce back.
Further Graded winners Botox Has and Kerryhill have been declared for action, as has high class chaser Ga Law in a reversion to timber. 2024 Pertemps Final victor Monmiral, Relkeel Hurdle runner-up Gowel Road and promising staying chaser Transmission will complete the line-up.
Number | Horse | Trainer |
1 | Botox Has | Gary Moore |
2 | Crambo | Fergal O’Brien |
3 | Strong Leader | Olly Murphy |
4 | Monmiral | Paul Nicholls |
5 | Kerryhill | Ruth Jefferson |
6 | Ga Law | Jamie Snowden |
7 | Gowel Road | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
8 | Transmission | Neil Mulholland |
Other Trials Day Entries
Former Triumph Hurdle favourite East India Dock will look to cement his claims for the Friday opener at the Cheltenham Festival. He has been replaced at the top of the market by Nicky Henderson’s hugely exciting Lulamba, but James Owen’s charge has impressed in two victories so far, including one on the Old Course in November.
He meets the New Course for the first time here, which will also host the Triumph Hurdle. Appearing for the first time in this country is Paul Nicholls’ Sauvignon. He was twice a winner when trained in France, beating a fellow three-year-old who is now trained by Willie Mullins for the most recent of those, and could be an interesting horse to watch on stable debut. Dead-heaters from a similar ungraded trial in December, Quantock Hills and Teriferma, renew acquaintances here too.
The final race on the card, the Grade 2 AIS Novices’ Hurdle (or Classic Novices’ Hurdle) has seen seven declarations. Although not expected to be seen again in advance of the Festival, Potters Charm will seek to defend his unbeaten record. Nigel Twiston-Davies has reported his Aintree Grade 1 winner is in fine shape for this extra assignment.
Key rivals of his would appear to be Bill Joyce, third in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last time out, as well as the unbeaten Kdeux Saint Fray.