Cheltenham International Meeting Preview

Excitement and anticipation is growing ahead of the 2025 Christmas Meeting getting underway at the historic Cheltenham Racecourse.

The 2025 Cheltenham International Meeting, also known as the Christmas Meeting, will be the final major race meeting of the calendar year. It will take place over two days at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse, with the horse racing action taking place from Friday 12th to Saturday 13th December 2025.

14 thrilling races will be taking place over the course of these two days, from the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Friday) to the BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Saturday). Both races will capture the attention of those watching on from the racecourse and at home, but some races stand out more than others.

Such races also include the Nyetimber December Gold Cup (also known as the December Gold Cup). It will be interesting to see who can write their name in the history books by winning these historic races or any of the other races set to take place at Cheltenham on Friday and Saturday.

Here, we will preview the 2025 renewal of the Cheltenham International Meeting, starting with the races set to take place on Friday.

British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle – 12:10

The race to open the 2025 Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham is the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle. The most recent winner, back in 2024 was Country Mile, ridden by jockey Harry Skelton.

The field for the 2024 renewal was as follows: Country Mile (Harry Skelton), Wingmen (Sam Ewing), Palacio (Dylan Johnston), and That’s Nice (Nico de Boinville).

SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Chase – 12:40

The SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Chase, is the race that is next up on the opening day. Last year (2024), Nico de Boinville rode Jango Baie to victory ahead of Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Springwell Bay in second place.

The horses who took part in 2024 were: Jango Baie (Nico de Boinville), Springwell Bay (Jonjo O’Neill Jr), Caldwell Potter (Harry Cobden), Deafening Silence (Harry Skelton), and finally Ballymackie (Richie McLernon).

Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle – 13:15

The third race on Friday (Day One) was the Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle. Last year’s race was enthralling, and it saw Mirabad (ridden by Luke Scott) fend off competition from Kielan Woods’ Wreckless Eric (2nd) and James Bowen’s Bo Zenith (3rd) for the victory.

The field for the 2024 race were as follows: Mirabad (Luke Scott), Wreckless Eric (Kielan Woods), Bo Zenith (James Bowen), To Chase a Dream (Harry Cobden), Spirits Bay (Jordan Nailor), Tintintin (Jonathan Burke), Cavern Club (Sean Bowen), Media Naranja (Carl Millar), Lively Citizen (Daire McConville), Valgrand (Harry Skelton), Joyeux Machin (Harry Atkins), Anyharminasking (Jonjo O’Neill Jr), Magic Seven (Richie McLernon), and Willmount (Nico de Boinville).

The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Steeple Chase – 13:50

The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Steeple Chase comes next, and in the most recent running of this race in 2024, it was won by Jack Tudor’s King Turgeon, who finished ahead of Dylan Johnston’s Our Power and Ciaran Gethings’ Chianti Classico in the top three.

The field was as follows: Jack Tudor’s King Turgeon, Dylan Johnston’s Our Power, Ciaran Gethings’ Chianti Classico, Jonathan Burke’s Java Point, Sam Twiston-Davies’ The Newest One, Harry Skelton’s Ballygrifincottage, Lucy Turner’s Chambard, and finally Alexandre Seigneul’s Izino d’Airy.

Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase – 14:25

The third to last race on day one was the Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase. Back in the most recent running of this race in 2024, the winner was Numitor who jockey James Bowen rode.

The field for the 2024 edition of this race was: James Bowen’s Numitor, Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Copperhead, Brendan Powell’s Eldorado Allen, Rex Dingle’s Dashel Drasher, Ben Harvey’s Seddon, Sam Twiston-Davies’ Torn And Frayed, Harry Skelton’s Shan Blue, Sean Bowen’s Paint The Dream, Ben Jones’ Shakem Up’arry, and Harry Cobden’s Raffle Ticket.

Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase – 15:00

The 2024 Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase is the penultimate race on Friday. Pre-race favourite Stumptown, ridden by Keith Donoghue, was the winner of the most recent renewal of this race back in 2024, beating some competition off the likes of Nico de Boinville’s Mister Coffey in 2nd place, and Gina Andrews’ Latenightpass in third place.

The field for this race in 2024 was: Keith Donoghue’s Stumptown, Nico de Boinville’s Mister Coffey, Gina Andrews’ Latenightpass, James Best’s Escaria Ten, Sam Twiston-Davies’ Three By Two, Richie McLernon’s Busselton, Danny Gilligan’s The Goffer, Ciaran Gethings’ Arizona Cardinal, Jonathan Burke’s Vanillier, Carl Millar’s Coko Beach, Rob James’ Delta Work, Sam Ewing’s Chemical Energy, Richard Deegan’s Fakir d’Oudairies, Sean Bowen’s Statuario, and finally Thomas Journiac’s Iceo Madrik.

Citipost Handicap Hurdle – 15:35

The final race on day one of the Cheltenham International Meeting is the 2025 Citipost Handicap Hurdle. In the 2024 edition of this race, Long Draw, ridden by jockey Sean Bowen, won the race ahead of Gowel Road (Sam Twiston-Davies) and Wonderful Eagle (Michael Nolan).

The field for the latest renewal of this race included: Long Draw (Sean Bowen), Gowel Road (Sam Twiston-Davies), Wonderful Eagle (Michael Nolan), Doyen Quest (Harry Skelton), High Game Royal (Ben Jones), Might I (Bryan Carver), An Tailliur (Jonjo O’Neill Jr), Zain Nights (Harry Cobden), and finally Bhaloo (Nico de Boinville).

Now that we have looked at the races from day one, we will look ahead at the seven on day two of the Cheltenham International Meeting.

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle – 12:10

The opening race of day two, the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle, takes place at 12:10 on Saturday. The field for the 2024 race was as follows: Teriferma (Sean Bowen), Quantock Hills (James Bowen), Total Look (Keith Donoghue), Lavender Hill Mob (Sam Twiston-Davies), Ambiente Amigo (Harry Cobden), Moutarde (Gavin Sheehan), and finally Ocean Conquest (Jordan Nailor).

The most recent winner of this race is Sean Bowen’s Teriferma, who was followed by runner-up Quantock Hills (James Bowen) and Total Look (Keith Donoghue) in third place.

John Wyke Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap – 12:40

The second race on Saturday will be the John Wyke Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. The field for the 2024 race was as follows: Sean Bowen’s Haiti Couleurs, James Bowen’s Transmission, Nico de Boinville’s Peaky Boy, Ben Harvey’s Moon D’Orange, Jonathan Burke’s Destroytheevidence, Michael Nolan’s Livin On Luco, Sam Twiston-Davies’ Hillcrest, Harry Cobden’s Isaac Des Obeaux, and finally Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Beachcomber.

Sean Bowen’s Haiti Couleurs was the winner of the most recent running of this race, followed by some stern competition from the likes of James Bowen’s Transmission (2nd Place) and Nico de Boinville’s Peaky Boy (3rd Place).

Quintessentially Handicap Chase – 13:15

Up next will be the Quintessentially Handicap Chase. The seven strong field for the 2024 running of this race contained the following: Harry Cobden’s Game On For Glory, Brendan Powell’s So Said I, Sean Bowen’s Getbazoutofhere, Sam Twiston-Davies’ Regal Renaissance, Keith Donoghue’s Theonewedreamof, Harry Skelton’s Coco Mademoiselle, Charlie Hammond’s Malaita, David Bass’ Realisation, Sean Quinlan’s Similar Story, Tristan Durrell’s Shakeyatailfeather, Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Trapista, Charlie Deutsch’s Eximia, and finally Gavin Sheehan’s Autumn Return.

In the end, it was Game On For Glory, ridden by jockey Harry Cobden, was the winner of this race back in 2024 with Brendan Powell’s So Said I coming in second place in the end. It was Sean Bowen’s Getbazoutofhere who came in third place.

December Gold Cup – 13:50

Race Four on Saturday will be the 13:50 December Gold Cup, the headline race of not just day two but possibly the meeting as a whole. The field for the latest chapter of this historic race was as follows: Charlie Deutsch’s Gemirande, Harry Skelton’s Madara, Sean Bowen’s Fugitif, Sam Twiston-Davies’ Guard Your Dreams, Brendan Powell’s Grandeur d’Ame, Olive Nicholls’ Il Ridoto, Harry Cobden’s Stage Star, Kevin Brogan’s Sure Touch, Gavin Sheehan’s Ga Law, Freddie Mitchell’s Le Patron, and finally Bryan Carver’s In Excelsis Deo.

The most recent winner of this highly prestigious race was Charlie Deutsch’s Gemirande, followed by Harry Skelton’s Madara in second place, whilst it was Sean Bowen’s Fugitif, who came in third overall.

BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Chase – 14:25

Next up on the second and final day of the 2024 Cheltenham International Meeting will be the 14:25 BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Chase. The nine horse field for the latest renewal of this race consisted of: Harry Cobden’s Libberty Hunter, Freddie Mitchell’s Issar d’Airy, Sam Twiston-Davies’ Master Chewy, Brendan Powell’s Triple Trade, Harry Skelton’s Etalon, and finally Jonathan Burke’s Third Time Lucki.

The winner was Harry Cobden’s Libberty Hunter, followed by Freddie Mitchell’s Issar d’Airy as the runner-up that day, with Sam Twiston-Davies and Master Chewy coming in third place.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – 15:00

The penultimate race of the 2024 Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse as a whole was the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. The star-studded field that took part in the latest renewal of this race was: James Reveley’s Jet Blue, Brendan Powell’s Western Night, Nick Slatter’s Yellow Car, Jonathan Burke’s Clondaw General, Sean Quinlan’s Skyjack Hijack, and finally Craig Nichol’s Aboutdamntime.

It was James Reveley and Jet Blue who came out on top in this race in the most recent running of it back in 2024, whilst it was Brendan Powell’s Western Night and Nick Slatter’s Yellow Car who had to settle for a second and third place finish respectively in the end.

BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle – 15:35

The BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle was be the final race of the 2024 Cheltenham International Meeting (Christmas Meeting). The field in the most recent running of this race back in 2024 was: Danny Gilligan’s Wodhooh, Nico de Boinville’s Joyeuse, Harry Skelton’s Take No Chances, Ben Poste’s Royale Margaux, Ben Jones’ Georgi Girl, Harry Cobden’s Sweet Fantasy, Lilly Pinchin’s Molto Bene, Gavin Sheehan’s Pretending, Charlie Deutsch’s Masked Dance, Harry Kimber’s Endless Escape, Charlotte Jones’ Lunar Discovery, and finally Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Holly.

The winner of the 2024 race was Danny Gilligan’s Wodhooh, followed by Nico de Boinville’s Joyeuse and Harry Skelton’s Take No Chances in second and third place respectively in the end.

Excitement and anticipation are growing ahead of the 2025 renewal of the Cheltenham International Meeting.

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