Festival Trials Day Lucky 15: Best Bets from Cheltenham

As the headquarters of the National Hunt game, fixtures at Cheltenham invariably draw the eye of the racing world. Saturday afternoon sees the Prestbury Park venue stage one of its most anticipated pre-Cheltenham Festival fixtures.

Five Grade 2 contests feature on the cracking Festival Trials Day card, including informative events ahead of the Triumph Hurdle, Champion Hurdle, Stayers Hurdle, and Cheltenham Gold Cup. Throw in a pair of competitive handicap chases, and we have an excellent afternoon of equine entertainment.

Here, we pick out our four best bets on the card as we aim to bolster our Cheltenham Festival fund with a winning Lucky 15. 

12:40 Cheltenham – Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase

The opening handicap on the card tends to be won by a pretty smart performer, with the past two editions falling to the talented Paul Nicholls’ duo of Stage Star and Ginny’s Destiny. 

Nicholls doesn’t hold an entry this year, with the market headed by the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained Jagwar. Going in the colours of JP McManus, this six-year-old never quite delivered on his reputation over hurdles but has made a positive start to his chasing career. Kicking off with handicap wins at Wetherby and Bangor, he was slightly disappointing last time out at Uttoxeter when managing only a 9½l third. A terrible blunder at the final fence contributed to that margin, but the defeat suggested he may need to improve to defy a mark of 132.

Jagwar’s stablemate Billytherealbigred makes more appeal at the prices, having won four of five starts since relocating from the Evan Williams operation in March. He’s bang in form but can make the odd fencing error, which could prove costly around here.

Overall, we suspect the class act in this line-up may be the Walk In The Park gelding, Resplendent Grey. Hailing from the yard of Olly Murphy, this one has posted excellent displays behind Hyland and Handstands in his two most recent outings over 3m. Those efforts read well, and having scored by an effortless 5½l on his most recent 2m4f outing, the drop in trip is of no concern. This hold-up performer should get a good pace to aim at and can pick off the leaders in the straight.  

Recommended Bet: Resplendent Grey to win @ 10/3 with bet365

Cheltenham – Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase


13:15 Cheltenham– JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle

The first of the Grade 2 events has a decent record of producing the Triumph Hurdle winner, with Defi Du Seuil and Peace And Co following up in March over the past ten years.

Each of those runners carried the green and gold silks of JP McManus, and the powerful owner has another intriguing contender this year in the shape of Stencil. Sired by Epsom Derby winner Masar and based at the French yard of Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, the youngster boasts solid form in his homeland. On the downside, he was disappointing when last sighted in a Grade 3 at Compiegne in November.

Paul Nicholls French recruit Sauvignon is another for the shortlist, whilst Terriferma makes some each-way appeal at a big price. However, for win purposes, it’s hard to go against the James Owen-trained East India Dock.

Another son of a Derby winner, in his case Golden Horn, East India Dock reached a rating of 90 on the level and has taken to hurdles like a duck to water. 4l too good first time out at Wincanton, he then produced a sizzling display in a Grade 2 at this track in November. Cantering all over his rivals throughout, he rocketed clear once asked to go and win his race to score by an eased down 18 lengths. This looks like a better contest, but we will be surprised if he doesn’t confirm his place amongst the Triumph Hurdle favourites.

Recommended Bet: East India Dock to win @ 4/6 with bet365

14:25 Cheltenham– Betfair Cotswold Chase

The big staying chase of the day is often used as a prep for the Gold Cup. However, we would be surprised if the 2025 Gold Cup winner emerges from what looks like a weak renewal. 

Tommie Beau is out of his depth on ratings, Delta Work is now 12 years of age, Stage Star appears woefully out of form, and Chantry House was expected to go Hunter Chasing this season.

All of which leaves a choice between the Venetia Williams-trained L’Homme Presse and Irish raider Gentlemansgame. Of the two, we much prefer the former. Rated 3lbs higher than Gentlemansgame, he receives 6lbs from that rival under these conditions. He also boasts solid form at this track, having landed the 2022 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and finished fourth in the 2024 Gold Cup. In contrast, Gentlemansgame was pulled up on his only previous spin round here.

Recommended Bet: L’Homme Presse to win @ Evs with bet365

Cheltenham– Betfair Cotswold Chase


16:10 Cheltenham – Ais Novices’ Hurdle

Our final selection comes in the concluding event, which serves as a trial for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival.

There are no shortage of likeable sorts in the 2025 line-up, with even the rank outsider of the field, Kdeux Saint Fray, heading to Cheltenham seeking a four-timer.

Olly Murphy’s Wade Out seems likely to improve for this step up in trip and makes the most appeal of those at double-figure prices, whilst Bill Joyce finished a solid third behind the brilliant The New Lion last time. Both should go well, but we will stick with one of the most impressive novice chasers of the season to date.

It has been a while since Nigel Twiston-Davies has had a genuine star on his hands, but Potters Charm could be the horse to put his trainer's name up lights. Now a perfect four from four over hurdles, he’s two from two at Cheltenham, and showed versatility to go with his talent when dropping in distance to claim the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last time. He carries a 5lb penalty for those efforts here, but we suspect that won’t be enough to stop him.

Recommended Bet: Potters Charm to win @ 4/5 with bet365

A £1 Lucky 15 on the above selections at the recommended prices returns £91.54 with bet365 if all four horses win.