The anticipation had been building for weeks. The famous Cheltenham roar rang out as the tapes went up, and the 2025 Festival was underway. Day one wasted no time in delivering shocks, statements, and moments that will live long in the memory. From a Champion Hurdle like no other to an emotional victory in the renamed Supreme, it was a day that set the tone for the week ahead.
The Unibet Champion Hurdle was supposed to be a crowning moment for Constitution Hill. The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, the unbeaten superstar, was sent off at 8/13 to reclaim his crown. What followed was one of the most dramatic renewals in the race’s history.
Constitution Hill, so rarely asked a serious question in his career, made a mistake that stunned the grandstands. Down he went, his Festival return in tatters. Suddenly, it was State Man’s race to lose. Last year’s Champion Hurdle winner took over and looked to have things under control—but the drama wasn’t over. He met the final hurdle all wrong, clipped the top, and crashed out.
With the two market leaders gone, an unlikely contender emerged. Golden Ace, the Jeremy Scott-trained mare, had been patiently ridden by Lorcan Williams. Suddenly in front, she powered up the hill, holding off all challengers to claim an astonishing 25/1 victory.
“It wasn’t even the plan to come here,” Williams admitted after the race. “But she’s as tough as they come, and she’s shown what she’s made of.”
For Scott, it was the crowning moment of his career. “We’ve always thought she was special, but to do this—against these horses—it’s unbelievable.”
It was a race that will be talked about for years to come.
The Festival’s opening race, the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, carried an extra layer of significance. Renamed in memory of the young jockey who tragically passed away last month, it was an emotional occasion. The result could not have been more fitting.
Kopek Des Bordes, owned by Charlie McCarthy and trained by Willie Mullins, stormed up the hill to land the first Grade 1 of the week. It was a typically polished Paul Townend ride—patient, well-timed, and decisive when it mattered.
For McCarthy, the moment was deeply personal. Having undergone surgery just two weeks ago, he fought back tears in the aftermath, dedicating the win to the O’Sullivan family.
“We’re all from Cork, we grew up together,” he said. “It’s just heartbreaking. But I hope he was watching down on us.”
A race full of emotion, and a result that will have meant everything to those closest to O’Sullivan.
Majborough looked home and hosed in the My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase. He had travelled well, jumped smoothly, and turned for home in full control. But Cheltenham asks different questions of a horse, and when he met the second-last all wrong, the race changed in an instant.
Majborough stumbled, lost momentum, and suddenly Jango Baie—trained by Nicky Henderson—was surging forward. The French-bred raider had found another gear when it mattered, staying on powerfully up the hill to win in stunning fashion.
It was a performance that immediately sparked discussion about next year’s Festival targets. “He could be a Ryanair horse next year,” his trainer suggested. “But I wouldn’t rule out the Champion Chase.”
From looking beaten to storming home, Jango Baie showed exactly the kind of turn of foot needed to win at Cheltenham.
Coming into the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, the talk was of a competitive renewal. Lossiemouth made sure it wasn’t.
The 2023 Triumph Hurdle winner was simply too good for her rivals. She cruised into contention before Townend pushed the button after the last. From there, it was a formality. Back-to-back Festival wins, and talk of even bigger things next season.
“She’s different class,” Townend said. “You’d have to think about the Champion Hurdle.”
Given what happened in that race today, it’s not hard to see why.
The Ultima Handicap Chase is never easy to win. A tough, gruelling race, it requires a horse with toughness and stamina in equal measure. Myretown, trained by Lucinda Russell, proved he had both in spades.
Prominent throughout, he was there when the race got serious. The Real Whacker loomed alongside, but Myretown wasn’t for passing. He pulled out more when it mattered, fighting up the hill to give Russell yet another Festival winner.
After the race, Russell reflected on Myretown’s progress and his bright future: “I wasn’t keen on running him, but the owners said ‘come on, let’s have a go’ and he was well handicapped if he jumped round.” She continued, “I’ve just remembered I own half of him so it’s just got even better. He’s phenomenal and I always thought he might be another Ahoy Senor.”
A performance full of grit—the kind that wins Grand Nationals.
Day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival reminded us exactly why this meeting is like no other.
Constitution Hill beaten. A Champion Hurdle result no one saw coming. Emotional victories, punishing mistakes, and new stars emerging. If today showed us anything, it’s that Cheltenham never follows the script—and there are three more days of it to come.
Brace yourself.
(Cover Image Credit: ITV Racing)
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