While Prestbury Park is nestled beautifully in the picturesque English Cotswolds, it’s fair to say that the Irish have become its rightful owners in years gone by. The visitors have come across and raided the Cheltenham Festival of its silverware, becoming regular favourites to win the Prestbury Cup on horse racing betting sites.
After a behind-closed-doors thrashing in 2021, when the British picked up a diabolical five victories as Ireland romped to glory, there were serious concerns for National Hunt racing. However, the hosts have been by no means disgraced in recent back-to-back 18-10 defeats.
Last year was excusable as well. Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows, one of the leading stables in Britain, was hit by an untimely bout of illness, which forced the 73-year-old to withdraw many of his and the host’s leading chances — including Constitution Hill, Jonbon, and Sir Gino.
With Henderson back to full power, Dan Skelton rising up the ranks, and the ever-present danger of Paul Nicholls, Britain could bring the fight to the Irish at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. That said, let’s examine some of the host’s top chances for glory next March.
Constitution Hill – Champion Hurdle
When Constitution Hill contracted colic and was forced into a veterinary hospital earlier this year, racing pundits and enthusiasts alike expressed genuine fears that one of the greatest horses of this generation could have his glittering career cut short.
However, the star hurdler is set to return after all, with his sights set on the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November before ultimately heading back to Prestbury Park next year in a bid to reclaim his Champion Hurdle crown.
Constitution Hill is currently priced at 2/1 to win the Festival’s day one feature race, which could be a generous offering as if he romps home at Newcastle in a couple of months, that price will almost certainly be slashed.
Jonbon – Champion Chase
Fan favourite Jonbon was another of Henderson’s elite horses to miss last season’s Cheltenham Festival, withdrawn from the Champion Chase at the 12th hour after all but one of Seven Barrows’ runners were pulled up on the first day.
The absence of the JP McManus horse on the second day was a hammer blow for the Champion Chase, as punters were looking forward to another renewal of Jonbon vs El Fabiolo in the day two feature race.
Unlike his stablemate, however, Jonbon returned to full fitness in no time and racked up back-to-back wins at Aintree and Sandown — beating El Fabiolo in the latter — to round off the season. The Champion Chase is back on the agenda for the Henderson-trained horse this season.
Langer Dan – Premier Handicap Hurdle
Langer Dan’s shock return to form at Prestbury Park was almost miraculous last season. The Skelton-trained horse had been by no means in tip-top shape in his first four outings, finishing toward the back of fields and pulling up at Sandown.
However, something just seemed to click back at Cheltenham on the defence of his Premier Handicap National Hunt Hurdle in the third race of the second day, as he stormed home to beat Ballyadam by over three lengths and retain his title.
The eight-year-old made two very good accounts of himself in Graded company at Aintree and Sandown to end the season, and all roads could head back to the Festival for the hat-trick in his beloved Premier Handicap Hurdle.