Ahead of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, we have a selection of familiar names atop the market in several key events. Returning 2023 champ Constitution Hill leads the way in the Champion Hurdle, two-time winner Galopin Des Champs is out on his own at the head of the Gold Cup market, and defending champ Teahupoo is expected to be tough to beat in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
So far, so unsurprising. However, a glance through the other races reveals a favourite who, at first glance, is altogether more difficult to explain. The horse in question goes by the name of Kopeck De Mee.
Despite never appearing at the Cheltenham Festival or even racing on British soil, this five-year-old son of Masterstroke is trading as favourite for not one, not two, but three Cheltenham Festival handicaps. Let’s take a closer look at a horse who is rapidly becoming one of the most significant gambles ahead of those magical four days in March.
Maximum Respect for Owner/Trainer Combo
There are certain owners and trainers who automatically merit a second look at the Cheltenham Festival. Starting with those who own the horses, the eye is inevitably drawn to those sporting the green and gold silks of JP McManus – the renowned businessman and punter is, after all, the most successful owner in Cheltenham Festival history.
Happy birthday to the most successful owner in #CheltenhamFestival history, JP McManus pic.twitter.com/TtsDddFWWh
— The Jockey Club (@TheJockeyClub) March 10, 2021
For many punters, the only name worth noting in the training ranks is that of Irish powerhouse Willie Mullins. Picking up at least four winners at every Cheltenham Festival since 2014, including ten in 2022 and nine in 2024, the master of Closutton has surged past 100 Cheltenham Festival winners. That tally places him atop the all-time trainer’s table at the biggest jumps meeting of the year and with room to spare.
Unmatched.
Willie Mullins makes it 100 Cheltenham Festival wins pic.twitter.com/oFWvj53CXs
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 13, 2024
Bearing the above in mind, any horse sporting the green and gold AND hailing from the Willie Mullins operation will set the ante-post pulse racing. Kopek De Mee now ticks both boxes.
Solid Form in France
JP McManus regularly turns to the French jumping scene when seeking out his latest recruits, with Kopeck De Mee just the latest in a long line of runners to make the trip across the English Channel. When looking back at his French form, it’s easy to see why the shrewd owner zeroed in on this good-looking chestnut.
| Date | Race | Course | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14/05/23 | Prix des Ventes Osarus | Le Pin au Haras | Second |
| 22/06/23 | Prix Super U Pouance | Senonnes-Pouance | First |
| 05/07/23 | Prix du GPMT des Artisans | Senonnes-Pouance | Third |
| 07/10/23 | Prix des Chenes de Clenay | Cholet | Second |
| 23/03/24 | Prix du Genet | Senonnes-Pouance | First |
| 06/04/24 | Prix de Luciniere | Nantes | First |
| 08/05/24 | Prix Miror | Auteuil | First |
Formerly based at the yard of Joel Boisnard, Kopeck De Mee picked up a win over 1m3½f on the flat before switching to the jumping game. Having shown promise on his sole hurdles outing in 2023, he returned as a much-improved performer in 2024. Kicking off with a win at Senonnes-Pouance, he followed up at Nantes before storming home to land the Listed Prix Miror at Auteuil by an easy 4½l.
Kopeck De Mee hasn’t been seen since that Auteuil win in May, but the form already looks solid; the third-place finisher Zephyr De Beaumont has since claimed a four-length Listed win of his own and finished second in the Grade 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier.
Representing connections who specialise in Cheltenham Festival success and with excellent form on the track, Kopeck De Mee has attracted a flood of money as the days count down to Cheltenham 2025. The only question is, “Which race will he run in?”.
County Hurdle, Coral Cup, or Martin Pipe?
With Kopeck De Mee picking up his three wins in France over trips ranging from 2m1½f to 2m2f, the County Hurdle over 2m1f on the final day would appear to be the most obvious target. Prices at 16/1 on Sunday, he is now as short as 5/1 for a race Mullins has won seven times since 2010.
However, the Kopeck De Mee punt doesn’t end there, with bookmakers reporting strong support for the horse in the Coral Cup (2m5f) and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f). By the close of play on Thursday, the plunge horse was as short as 5/1 for each of those events, leaving fans with a decision of where to place their cash.
Of course, with many firms offering non-runner money back on all Cheltenham Festival races, many punters will simply back this relative unknown in all three races. That could prove a wise move if any of the gambles pay off.
