Just a day to go, how are we here already? Anyway hold that thought as I look through the acceptors for the second half of the Cheltenham Festival 2025.
Cheltenham Festival 2025: Cathryn Fry’s Huge Value Tips
Thursday opens with the Mares Novice. It’s Galileo Dame that interests me here. Bred to win an Oaks and now running over timber. She’s not the first and won’t be the last. The form with Hello Neighbour at the Dublin Racing Festival, is what seals it for me. I’m looking for a quick-fire Joseph O’Brien double as we get onto the Jack Richards Novices Chase (The Golden Miller). Hopefully Nurburgring takes the honours here.
Cheltenham Festival 2025: Nurburgring
Nurburgring delivered a standout performance last summer when dominating the highly competitive Galway Hurdle, comfortably defeating Ndaawi off a mark of 139. That victory highlighted his class, and given how effortlessly he won, a 4lb rise in the weights seems more than fair. While he has yet to replicate that level of form over fences, he has adapted well to chasing, showing steady improvement with experience and still having untapped potential in this sphere.
Cheltenham Festival 2025: Thursday Fancies
His preparation also looks ideal. Kept fresh since Christmas after a busy summer campaign, he has previously shown he can perform well following a break. His third-place finish in a Grade Two chase at Punchestown—behind Touch Me Not and Farren Glory—demonstrates his ability at a high level, and his strong-finishing style suggests this step up in trip could unlock further improvement. Given his proven ability, and ongoing progress as a chaser, Nurburgring looks well-handicapped and poised for big performance. At the time of writing, Karl Des Tourelles in the Pertemps is looking like a bet. Especially if Tiernan Power-Roche takes the ride.
In the Stayers Hurdle, I’m having an each way on my old favourite – Bob Olinger. I absolutely love this mad man! He’s three from three at the course and has two Festival wins under his belt. I can’t see him being out of the placings and at 20/1, I feel he’s a bet. Yes, the same owners have the favourite, last years winner Teahupoo but I can’t ignore these odds on Bob!
Cheltenham Festival 2025: Friday Fancies
On to Friday, the whole world knows that I have been with Hello Neighbour for the Triumph for a long time. I still am and will be on the day. One of our season eye-catchers is my bet in the County – McLaurey. His win at the DRF got him in here and this looks like a masterplan by Emmet Mullins. The danger comes from his Uncle Willie with last years winner – Absurde, the high class dual purpose performer who will this year, get his ground.
Cheltenham Festival 2025: Win on Wodhooh
In the last race of the entire Festival, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Hurdle, I’m sticking with the mare Wodhooh. Beat Joyeuse at Cheltenham in December, under Danny Gillian; who is expected to take the ride again here. Good luck to everyone having a bet this week and may all human and equine athletes come home safe and sound.
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By Cathryn Fry
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