The greatest show on earth is on the horizon with the Cheltenham festival taking place next week, from Tuesday to Friday.
The prelims and the prep-runs have all taken place - the Leopardstowns and the Kemptons - and it's now all about the big day to see which horse, jockey and trainer combination can deliver on the biggest stage of all, in Prestbury Park.
The Irish raiders have dominated in recent years, led by the Closutton king Willie Mullins who has swept the boards.
Henry de Bromhead and Gordon Elliott have also enjoyed huge success as have the likes of Joseph O'Brien and Gavin Cromwell.
The 'banker accumulator' is always a good one to whet the appetite for the week ahead, where the festival's hotshots are all combined together for a flutter that, if it came to pass, would leave the bookies well behind the eight ball.
Memories of 2015 re-surface when Douvan, Faugheen and Un de Sceuax won for Willie Mullins on the opening day, leaving it all on Annie Power to finish the job in the Mares' hurdle.
But the horse famously fell at the last when destined for victory, sparing the bookies' blushes.
Here's this year's Cheltenham 'banker accumulator.'
Kopek Des Bordes 4/5
Willie Mullins has a brilliant record in the Supreme Novice's hurdle with the likes of Douvan, Klassical Dream, Champagne Fever, Appreciate It and Vautour all having won the race in the past.
Best novice performance of the weekend?
Imperious from Kopek Des Bordes! 😍#ITVRAcing pic.twitter.com/5u0TH9lDLD
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 3, 2025
Kopek Des Bordes is highly fancied having won in Leopardstown at Christmas and in February and is expected to go off odds-on.
Majborough 8/15
JP McManus' giant excelled in the Triumph Hurdle last year, beating Kargese at odds of 6/1 but he'll be tighter in the market in this year's Arkle.
🟢🟡 Inconsistent in the jumping department, but Majborough's got a massive engine & lands the G1 Irish Arkle @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/KjWTPgz5iT
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 1, 2025
Mullins and Mark Walsh are again tipped for success, with the horse having won in both of his attempts this year, in Fairyhouse in December and then in Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Constitution Hill 8/13
The champion hurdle is tipped to be the race of the week with Brighterdaysahead, Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill set to battle it out.
🏆 Constitution Hill absolutely storms home to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle!
A special performance
A special horse#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @NdeBoinville pic.twitter.com/8lhkES9PRd
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2023
But Nicky Henderson's horse will be the favourite to regain the crown he last won in 2023, having missed last year's renewal due to sickness in the yard.
But the stable star has been in great form, defeating Lossiemouth in Kempton on Stephen's day and is tipped to show his class again.
Ballyburn 5/4
Last year's Gallagher Novice's hurdle champ hasn't been flawless this year having been well beaten by Sir Gino in Kempton at Christmas.
2 February 2025; Paul Townend celebrates on Ballyburn after winning The Ladbrokes Novice Steeplechase during day two of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
But he got back on track to overcome Gordon Elliott's Croke Park by five lengths in Leopardstown in February. He is expected to go off around evens in the second race on Wednesday's card, the Brown Advisory Chase.
Galopin Des Champs 1/2
Galopin Des Champs is looking to write his name into racing history alongside the likes of Arkle, Cottage Rake, Best Mate as a three-time Gold Cup winner, having completed his Irish Gold Cup hat-trick back in February.
Paul Townend's mount was in ruthless form in Christmas and in February in Leopardstown, having been beaten by Fact To File in his seasonal re-appearance in Punchestown.
Joseph O'Brien's Banbridge will provide fresh opposition but can anyone stop Townend and Galopin Des Champs next Friday?
Only time will tell. The accumulator checks out at odds of 14/1 with Ladbrokes, with prices subject to change.
