It’s Cheltenham Gold Cup day on Friday 14th March, 2025 and the ITV7 Jackpot will be a gargantuan £500,000, so make sure you enter the competition, which is free to enter! Not only will the Gold Cup take place, but the Triumph Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle will be two other fascinating races and our in-house tipster tries to pick out all seven winners from the selected races here…
Race 1 – 1.20pm Cheltenham – Triumph Hurdle
It’s the Battle of Britain in the Triumph Hurdle at 1:20pm as Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba and James Owen’s East India Dock do battle. Both should come to the fore in this contest, but it’s LULAMBA that could prove to be the best of the juvenile crop this term, as he was imperious when beating Mondo Man at Ascot on British debut. Sure to improve from that display, the Seven Barrows can simply outclass his market rival here and claim victory.
Race 2 – 2.00pm Cheltenham – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
A devilishly difficult betting conundrum comes up at 2:00pm with the County Hurdle and it could prove to be a strong race for the Irish. Willie Mullins has a red-hot team taking their chance and while all eyes will be on Kargese, who is the mount of Paul Townend, it could be last year’s winner ABSURDE that reigns supreme once again. The seven-year-old is 8lbs higher in this year’s contest, so will have more to do, but he’s proven to be a top class performer in these sort of races and he could well pounce late on to land the prize.
Race 3 – 2.40pm Cheltenham – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Limerick Lace and DINOBLUE fought out the finish in this race 12 months ago, with the former coming out on top, but it’s Dinoblue that can finally get her victory in this race at the third time of asking. The Willie Mullins-trained starlet also finished runner-up in this race back in 2023, but she showed when winning at Naas on her last start that she remains in excellent form and she can get the better of her rivals here.
Race 4 – 3.20pm Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Always a tough race to decipher with a whole host of potentially progressive stayers lining up, but FLICKER OF HOPE has shown real improvement this season when winning a few handicap contests and Mark Fahey’s charge can cause an upset here. He takes on a whole load of exciting novices that have oozed potential, but in Flicker Of Hope you have a battle-hardened contender that looks to show no sign of stopping and he could well outbattle his adversaries in the closing stages here.
Race 5 – 3.40pm Doncaster – LiveScore Bet Handicap Hurdle
A pretty pricey purchase, I AIN’T YOUR MATE has failed to get his head in front for Christian Williams, but he will make his handicap debut on Friday in the 3:40pm at Doncaster and looks to be on a very likeable mark of 101. The five-year-old put in a career best at Wincanton last time out when finishing fourth and he can build on that run with victory here.
Race 6 – 4.00pm Cheltenham – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
A dual winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is looking to join an elite group of horses that has won the marquee race of the week three times on the bounce. Imperious all season when dominating the division, Galopin Des Champs is the proven star of his generation and whilst some short-priced favourites have fluffed their lines this week he can show why he is the best and can duly cruise to a memorable hat-trick.
Race 7 – 4.40 Cheltenham – St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
ITS ON THE LINE is still only eight years old, but has twice finished runner-up in this contest, but was a fine winner of the Aintree Foxhunters’ Chase last season and has twice reigned supreme in the hunter chase at the Punchestown Festival. Yet to break his duck in this contest, the Emmet Mullins-trained raider has run two fine races in defeat in this contest and likely to be scything his way through the field in the closing stages he can get the better of Angels Dawn, who looks the one to beat.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.