Christmas and New Year marks one of the most hectic times of the year in jumps racing. With major meetings across the United Kingdom and Ireland, including the standout Christmas Festivals at Kempton and Leopardstown, itβs a telling period for those looking ahead to the Cheltenham Festival in the horse race betting online.
There was an abundance of clues for Marchβs highlight Festival, with several experienced thoroughbreds cementing their status as the top horses in their respective divisions while an array of exciting youngsters threw their hats in the ring for the high-profile novicesβ contests.
That said, letβs assess some of the biggest market movers ahead of the much-anticipated 2025 Cheltenham Festival in the spring.
Constitution Hill β Champion Hurdle
There were major changes to the Champion Hurdle market, as the 2023 winner, Constitution Hill, solidified his hopes of winning the day one feature for a second time with a convincing victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
There was some doubt surrounding the Nicky Henderson-trained horse on his return to the racecourse since winning the same race 12 months earlier after suffering from illness, but he left those who questioned his ability with egg on their face as he romped home from Lossiemouth.
As a result, Constitution Hill is now as short as 4/7 to regain his Champion Hurdle crown in March. Meanwhile, Lossiemouthβs flat performance at Kempton and Brighterdaysaheadβs convincing 30-length win at Leopardstown caused further major changes to the market.
Sir Gino β Arkle
From one Henderson stable star to another, Sir Gino made an incredible start to his career over fences with a convincing victory in the Wayward Lad Novicesβ Chase at Kempton on December 27.
The Grade 2 contest was a mouthwatering clash between two of last seasonβs best novice hurdlersβBallyburn and Sir Ginoβin a bid to be just as impressive over the larger obstacles.
However, it was practically a non-contest, as Hendersonβs mount won his chase debut at a canter from his Willie Mullins-trained rival to close into 10/11 for the Arkle.
The New Lion β Turnersβ Novicesβ Hurdle
Over at Newbury, the Grade 1 Challow Novicesβ Hurdle saw racing pundits and fans split between Paul Nichollsβ Regentβs Stroll and Dan Skeltonβs The New Lion.
The former made a promising start over obstacles at this course in November, winning by almost 10 lengths, while Skeltonβs runner was unscathed after two attempts.
Expectations were high, especially with Harry Cobden claiming that Regentβs Stroll was Nichollsβ only horse with star potential, but The New Lion was a different animal to the restβwinning comfortably and is now 3/1 for the Turnersβ Novicesβ Hurdle.
Galopin Des Champs β Gold Cup
A historic bid to land a third consecutive Gold Cup is on the cards for Galopin Des Champs, and the nine-year-old made a bold statement when scoring a second straight Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
The dual Gold Cup winner was faced with a rematch against his stablemate Fact To File after finishing runner-up to his younger rival at Punchestown in November.
However, he reversed the form and then some with a commanding seven-and-a-half-length victory over the JP McManus-owned horse and is now 6/4 for the three-peat in the Cheltenham highlight.












































































