The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, spanning March 11-14 across 28 races, looms as a battleground where Gordon Elliott’s Irish raiders could unravel British dreams or falter under Prestbury Park’s glare. With a duo of titans – Teahupoo (Stayers’ Hurdle) and Brighterdaysahead (Champion Hurdle) – Elliott’s enigma lies in his knack for peaking horses when it counts.
In the Racing Post’s Unibet-sponsored preview, the panel – Tom Segal, Paul Kealy, David Jennings, Nicky Henderson, and Ed Nicholson – debated his firepower against a British wall led by Henderson’s stars.
Can Elliott’s raiders upset the home front, or will the enigma fade?
Teahupoo’s Thursday Thunder: Stayers’ Hurdle Dominance
Elliott’s Thursday spearhead, Teahupoo, storms the Stayers’ Hurdle (16:00, March 13) at 1/10, a mud-loving monarch defending his crown.
“He’s unbeatable on soft – 2024 was a clinic,”
Kealy declared, recalling his 10-length romp over Flooring Porter last year, a 3-mile masterclass across 12 hurdles.
“He’s a tank – stamina’s unreal,”
Jennings added, his Hatton’s Grace win last month, a three-length grind over Impaire Et Passe, sharpening his edge.
“Thursday’s his turf – he rules it,”
Nicholson said, Elliott’s six-win 2024 haul a shadow looming large.
Against Henderson’s Lucky Place (14/1), Teahupoo’s the enigma’s thunder – British hopes hinge on drying ground.
Brighterdaysahead’s Tuesday Twist: Champion Hurdle Curveball
Tuesday’s Unibet Champion Hurdle (16:00, March 11) unleashes Brighterdaysahead at 85/40, Elliott’s curveball that stunned the panel with his late surge into the betting.
Nicky Henderson, wasn’t shocked by Elliott’s decision to aim his star mare at and the Champion Hurdle however:
“I’ve got to say I always expected her to, I think Gordon was pretty positive about this even from the first time she ran this year when she didn’t exactly look like a Champion Hurdle horse but he aid that’s what we’re going to do”
Paul Kealy concedes that at is best Constitution Hill would be almost unbeatable but after his absence last year, Elliott’s runner could take advantage if he doesn’t return to his previous level.
“I want to see him (Constitution Hill) win beacuse like Tom (Segal) said, we haven’t seen better than what he did a couple if years ago. He is only eight and let’s hope so but we are going to find out because Brighterdaysahead is some mare”
Against Henderson’s Constitution Hill (8/13), Brighterdaysahead is the enigma’s wildcard – British swagger faces Irish potential over eight hurdles.
The Ground Factor: Elliott’s Turf Edge
Weather could tilt Elliott’s raid, softish early, drying by Friday, per clerk Jon Pullin’s good-to-soft base as of March 6.
“Teahupoo’s a mud king – soft keeps him golden,”
Henderson hedged, a rival’s nod to British hopes. Constitution Hill’s 2023 romp, nine lengths clear, looms as a counterpoint; watch his flair:
“Soft early’s Elliott’s edge – dry late’s the twist,”
Jennings said, ground could crown or crack his raiders.
The British Bastion: Henderson’s Home Stand
Elliott’s enigma slams into Henderson’s wall, Constitution Hill and Jonbon (Queen Mother, 11/10) form a British bastion.
“Connie’s back – Tuesday’s his,”
Nico de Boinville vowed, his Kempton swagger a British riposte.
Jonbon “silences doubters Wednesday,” Henderson snapped, his Shloer Chase win here a rebuttal.
Explore cheltenham odds – Unibet’s non-runner no bet boosts (11/10 and 9/4) fortify the home front.
“Henderson’s got stars – Elliott needs miracles,”
Segal said, the market humming, Teahupoo’s 11/10 tight.
“British depth’s the wall – Gordon’s got cracks to find,”
Nicholson warned, a transatlantic tussle brewing.
The Panel’s Pulse: Raiders or Repelled?
The panel’s split fuels the enigma, raiders or repelled, Ireland or Britain? Kealy is Team Elliott:
“Teahupoo’s king, soft keeps him”
Henderson is defiant:
“They’ll do us proud – Gordon’s good, not unbeatable.”
Nicholson was buzzed:
“Money’s split – Elliott’s raiders trend, British hold.”
Jennings grinned:
“It’s a war – Gordon’s enigma versus Nico’s steel.”
Upset or Underwhelm: Elliott’s Cheltenham Verdict
Can Gordon’s raiders upset the British from March 11-14?
“Connie’s too good – Sir Gino’s a future star; Teahupoo’s ground-reliant.”
Henderson’s steady:
“We’re set – Elliott’s strong, but we’ve got more.”
“He’s an enigma – peaks them when it counts,”
Nicholson said, Elliott’s six-win 2024 a benchmark, eight could seal it.
“Gordon’s raiders strike – or stumble,”
Jennings predicted, the stakes towering, Champion Hurdle’s pace, Stayers’ slog, Triumph’s flair. With Unibet’s boosts – 11/10 (Teahupoo), 9/4 (Brighterdaysahead) – back the upset.
“It’s Elliott’s riddle – British or bust,”
Kealy mused, Ireland’s raiders poised to raid or fade. Will the enigma unravel Cheltenham’s British wall, or will Henderson’s bastion stand tall?
