The 2025 Cheltenham Festival began with a bang and now Style Wednesday promises more drama as the UK’s biggest week of racing continues.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase headlines the action at 4pm, where Jonbon is much fancied with Nico De Boinville aboard, while the Coral Cup Hurdle (2.40pm) and Cross Country Steeple Chase (3.20pm) are among the other fascinating races on Day 2.
How the weather impacts today’s racing could be a fascinating subplot, after a snow flurry landed on the course this morning. The New Lion claimed the first victory of the day in the Novices’ Hurdle.
The opening day of racing delivered a huge shock as the showpiece Champion Hurdle was won by 25/1 shot Golden Ace, with horse racing superstar and heavy favourite Constitution Hill stunningly falling halfway through, as did last year’s winner State Man. It allowed Golden Ace to come from nowhere to triumph.
The “greatest show on turf” will also include Friday’s Gold Cup, where Galopin Des Champs, who is the favourite on betting sites, hopes to land a famous hat-trick this. The full race card and Festival schedule is here, and we’ll be bringing you all the action as Day 2 unfolds.
Follow all the news, including previews, expert tips, free bet offers and the latest Cheltenham odds from Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival with our live blog below:
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Better Days Ahead, another well known and well backed horse, positions himself in second with Lecky Watson to his right in third place.
Ballyburn is holding back and racing within himself at the minute.
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:02
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
The second race of the day begins with the pack driving towards the first fence where Dancing City comes out with a slim lead.
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:00
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
There’ll be an Irish trainer winning this race as all seven runners are trained across the water.
Willie Mullins’ Ballyburn is well favoured after his success at the festivalin the Turners’ Novices last year.
Mike Jones12 March 2025 13:59
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Latest odds for the second race of the day:
Mike Jones12 March 2025 13:56
‘I knew he’d win’
The New Lion trainer Dan Skelton gave his post match reaction to ITV.
He said: “I just trusted him the whole way around, I knew he’d win. It takes a horse I’ve never had before to get past. I’m so, so proud of the team. It was almost like it was meant to be. It was a phenomenal race.
“I think so [The New Lion being the best horse he’s trained’. It’s unchartered territory. We’ve had superstars, but we’ve not had one like this.
“If you watch what The New Lion does, he leaves one leg down. State Man left both legs down. I’m so, so proud of him.”
Mike Jones12 March 2025 13:50
Style Wednesday – full list of winners
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m5f | 10 hurdles | Old Course
Winner: The New Lion (3/1); 2) The Yellow Clay (5/2); 3) Final Demand (6/4F)
Mike Jones12 March 2025 13:43
Harry Skelton on The New Lion’s victory
Cheltenham day two is off the mark and here’s what winning jockey, Harry Skelton had to say.
He told ITV: “He’s got it all. You hope one day in your life and your career you come across a good one, he’s a good one.
“I’m just delighted I got to ride him today. I rode him as a three-year-old, you knew then there was something different. I’m the man who gets to sit on top and work this out.
“This place is magic. When you get a winner here, it’s that special.”
Mike Jones12 March 2025 13:42
Harry Skelton reflects on Turner Novices’ Hurdle victory
A 10th Cheltenham Festival success for Harry Skelton as he steers The New Lion to glory in a battle of the big three in the Turner Novices’.
He has talked to ITV Racing about the victory
Luke Baker12 March 2025 13:35
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle result
So, the top three in the betting were the first three over the line but not in price order. Dan Skelton-trained, Harry Skelton-ridden The New Lion gets a rare Cheltenham win for the Brits.
Winner: The New Lion (3/1), 2) The Yellow Clay (5/2), 3) Final Demand (6/4f)
Luke Baker12 March 2025 13:30
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle result
The big three move to the front after the penultimate hurdle. The Yellow Clay narrowly leads over the last, as Final Demand falls back a bit but here comes The New Lion!
Charges past The Yellow Clay down the final straight and The New Lion wins the Turners Novices’ Hurdle – too much pace in the end and a perfectly timed run. Harry Skelton and his black eye will be in the photos!
The Yellow Clay comes second and a disappointing third for Final Demand.
Luke Baker12 March 2025 13:27
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