The first week in March represents the calm before the biggest betting storm of the jumps racing year. We are, of course, referring to the incomparable Cheltenham Festival, which kicks off on Tuesday, the 11th of March.
With the meeting that tops all others now so close, you could forgive racing fans for focussing on their festival punts next week. However, to do so would be to overlook a smattering of pre-Cheltenham highlights, which are well worth tuning in to.
Spring Cup Lights Up Wednesday Afternoon
All-weather fans are in for a high-quality midweek treat as Lingfield Park hosts the Listed Spring Cup on Wednesday afternoon.
Held over the 7f trip and offering £55,000 in prize money, the standout name on the roll of honour in this one is the 2008 hero Paco Boy, who subsequently won three times in Group 1 company.
Newmarket handler William Haggas is the most successful trainer in Spring Cup history and looks set to be represented by the Kodiac filly Raneenn in 2025.
Imperial Cup Tops the Bill on Saturday
On Saturday afternoon, most leading handicap hurdlers will take it easy ahead of their Cheltenham Festival target. Not all, however, with a big field expected at Sandown Park for the valuable Imperial Cup.
First run in 1904, there was a time when this event was the most prestigious 2m affair on the racing calendar. That was an honour which ended with the inception of the Champion Hurdle in 1927.
These days, the event is “only” a Class 2 affair. However, despite taking place only a few days before the March madness begins, don’t be surprised to see the winner make a rapid reappearance in one of the Cheltenham Festival handicaps.
This year’s bonus will be £100,000
Will somebody win the Betfair Imperial Cup and then any race at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival? pic.twitter.com/BWUsLvkcGJ
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) February 27, 2025
It is a tall order to win this race and score at Cheltenham in the space of a week, but any horse that does so will receive a very tidy £100,000 bonus. It is a tough task for sure, but not an impossible one, as demonstrated by bonus winners Olympian (1993), Blowing Wind (1998), and Gaspara (2007).
Wolverhampton Whets the Appetite for Flat Season
With the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals striding into view, the jumps game quite righty dominates the headlines. However, the turf flat campaign will soon be upon us, with the season-opening Lincoln Handicap going under starter’s orders at Doncaster on Saturday, the 29th of March.
Early pointers for that event are on offer in the opening Lincoln Handicap Trial from Wolves on Saturday. The seven-race card also includes the Listed class Lady Wulfruna Stakes.
Leinster National Tees up Cheltenham Week
By the time we reach Sunday afternoon, the Cheltenham Festival will be only two sleeps away. Those looking to get in the mood early are advised to tune into a quality afternoon of jumps entertainment from the County Kildare course of Naas.
The Grade 3 Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle tops the bill from a class perspective, with the past two editions falling to the talented duo of Fun Fun Fun and Irish Point. However, it is the staying chasers who take centre stage in the huge betting heat of the Leinster National Handicap Steeplechase, which regularly attracts contenders with an eye on Irish Grand National glory.
