Cheltenham festival 2025: Gold Cup countdown and more
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Official going news from the Jockey Club.
Friday 14th March
The going for day four of The Cheltenham Festival 2025 today, Gold Cup Day, is:
Good to Soft
Action takes place on the New Course today, which was also in use yesterday (St Patrick's Thursday). The first two days of The Festival, Champion Day and Style Wednesday, took place on the Old Course.
Jon Pullin, Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham Racecourse, said this morning: 'We have had three fantastic days of racing so far. We are very much looking forward to another good one today and hoping to see Galopin Des Champs join greats of the past in winning three Cheltenham Gold Cups.
'There are seven races again today, with the first off at 1.20pm and the first six races live on ITV.
'The going for today is Good to Soft. Temperatures dipped down to -3.5C overnight, but we had covered yesterday's racing lines, so it's all systems go for the day ahead.' Share Greg Wood
And unlike Mullins's Al Boum Photo, who came up short as a 9-4 shot when attempting a third straight win in 2021, it is very hard to see Galopin Des Champs being beaten.
With the sole exception of his stumble three years ago, Galopin Des Champs has scarcely made a mistake in any of his previous starts at the festival, but the real secret to his dominance, the special power that sets him apart not only from the current crop of chasers but all but a handful of the greats of the past, is the raw finishing power that kicks in as he closes out a race. Share Greg Wood
Cheltenham 1.20 James Owen's East India Dock has already posted two outstanding performances for a juvenile at this track when successful at both the November and December meetings. Both wins were recorded in notably fast times and a repeat of either performance would probably be enough here, although further progress from this hugely promising four-year-old would be no great surprise either. Share Greg Wood
Good morning from Cheltenham on one of the most eagerly-awaited days of the racing year: Gold Cup day at Cheltenham, the pinnacle of the National Hunt season and this year a very rare opportunity to see a two-time winner of the race attempt to join the tiny band of immortals – Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate – with three Gold Cup victories to their name.
We have been here once before quite recently, as another Willie Mullins-trained chaser, Al Boum Photo, went for the three-timer just four years ago. But even with the benefit of hindsight – he finished third as the 9-4 favourite – his tilt at racing history lacked conviction. Galopin Des Champs, by contrast, will be long odds-on to get the job done this afternoon, even with the Grand National favourite, Inothewayurthinkin, in the field as a late supplementary.
He is also a festival stalwart, making his fifth visit to the meeting and looking for his fourth success (the only blip being a bizarre stumble after the last when victory seemed assured in a novice chase here three years ago).
Banbridge, the King George VI Chase winner, is another live rival, but his stamina at this extended three-and-a-quarter miles is far from assured, and Galopin Des Champs will set off at around 4-7 to secure his membership of a very elite club.
The going remains good-to-soft, the covers on the track did their job after temperatures dipped to -3.5C overnight, and the gates have opened to welcome what is certain to be the biggest crowd of a week when attendance has been a concern. When Cheltenham is packed, the customer experience is not always what it should be, but for many National Hunt fans, the chance to be here on one of those festival days that no-one will ever forget is simply too much of a draw.
You can follow all the action live as the final day of the meeting unfolds here on our live blog, and we are underway at 1.20 with the juvenile hurdling championship, the Triumph Hurdle. Share
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Why are England playing Andorra in Barcelona?
THE Thomas Tuchel era marches on as the Three Lions take on Andorra in a World Cup qualifier. 3 3 3 With the Premier League season now over, attention briefly turns to the national team, ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup. The German has already promised a second star for England, and hopes to get one step closer with a victory over Andorra - that will not take place in Andorra. The side have already landed in Spain, heading to the Spanish Grand Prix to see Oscar Piastri pick up victory in Barcelona. SunSport can reveal why England are taking on Andorra in Barcelona. Why is England vs Andorra taking place in Barcelona? England are taking on Andorra in Spain to accommodate for the travelling England fans. The last time the sides met in October 2021, the game was played at the Estadi Nacional in Andorra la Vella, but the ground only has a capacity of 3,000. The game will instead take place at Espanyol's 40,000-capacity RCDE Stadium, meaning more England fans can make the trip. This also means there will be a greater financial benefit for Andorra. This is not the first time the sides have met in Spain, with clashes in 2007 and 2008 both taking place at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. How to watch England vs Andorra for FREE and is there a live stream? England take on Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, June 7, with kick-off at 5pm BST. The game will come LIVE on ITV1 in the UK. Action will also be available to stream on ITVX. Alternatively, SunSport will blog all the action as it happens.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Templegate's Derby tip: ‘He's extremely impressive and has way more to come' – My NAP on a huge day at Epsom
TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive Saturday of racing confident of smashing the bookies. The big race of the day - the year, even - is the Derby and 19 runners go to post for the 3.30 live on ITV1 - although one huge name could be pulled at the last minute amid a dire weather warning. Our man goes through every single runner and reveals his 1-2-3-4 Derby prediction in his brilliant runner-by-runner guide. You'll find all his picks below, so grab yourself a free bet offer and back a horse simply by clicking their odds. PRIDE OF ARRAS (3.30 Epsom, nap) He was extremely impressive when winning the Dante at York last time on just his second outing. That was his first start for nine months and he burst through the line to suggest this longer trip will be fine. His high draw could be tricky but not impossible and he has more to come. DOCKLANDS (1.35 Epsom, nb) He has some fancy Group 1 form including his second in the Queen Anne at last year's Royal Ascot. He was sent all over the globe after that with solid results and ran a solid comeback at Ascot last time. He'll be fitter for that and has won on quick and slow ground. He showed lots of promise last season and returned with a solid fourth at Goodwood last time. He should improve for that fitness wise and he handles any ground. Templegate's TV verdicts EPSOM 1.00 IF it comes up properly soft by racetime, Sparks Fly would be a cracking bet given her superb record in testing conditions. But assuming it's good to soft or quicker, ROYAL DRESS is the one to be on. She was an unlucky third in this last year before striking in this grade at The Curragh. She has since held her own in better races including when third at York last time. William Buick is an eyecatching booking too. Bermuda Longtail looked promising when beaten half a length in a York Listed contest last month and has much more to come. She gets plenty of weight for age too. Skellet progressed last season and is another who should be capable of better for Ralph Beckett. 1.35 DOCKLANDS has some fancy Group 1 form including his second in the Queen Anne at last year's Royal Ascot. He was sent all over the globe after that with solid results and ran a solid comeback at Ascot last time. He'll be fitter for that and has won on quick and slow ground. Persica didn't fire in the Lockinge last time but took a Newmarket Group 3 easily enough on comeback and has won here before. Ryan Moore's a good booking and he's a big threat. Royal Playwright gets the best part of a stone from his older rivals and didn't get the run of the race in the Dante last time. He could take a major step forward here. Royal Dubai wasn't disgraced at Ascot last time and looks the pick of the bigger prices. 2.10 AGAINST THE WIND could be the answer to this tricky puzzle. He has plenty of weight but has been running well with a Thirsk win followed by a fine York third last time. He gets away quickly so should be suited by this track. Naana's Sparkle ran a nice race at Goodwood last time when third and showed lots of pace. He looks on a fair mark. Ruby's Profit got the better of Mademoiselle in that race and they should both be right at home here too after showing a lot of boot. Tees Aggregates saves his best for Catterick so should love Epsom which is another tricky track. He may not be quite good enough to win but could be an each-way bet if you can get extra places. Blinky won a couple on the all-weather before a decent third at Chester last time. A repeat of that would put him in the place picture from what should be an ideal draw. 2.45 JER BATT always faced a tough task from a wide draw at Chester last time yet still ran a good race. He has some fine handicap form over this trip yet is still on a fair weight and the booking of Oisin Murphy is a plus. He'll be right there. Clarendon House is quirky but has enough quality to figure if he fancies it. He went well in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket last time. Last year's winner Dream Composer was also badly drawn at Chester latest but looked much better when second at Pontefract on comeback. He can figure again. Jm Jungle has been placed in hot York handicaps on his past two outings. He likes this trip and is a quick starter so has every chance. Vintage Clarets showed positive signs on the Knavesmire latest and is in the each-way picture too. 3.30 PRIDE OF ARRAS was a brilliant Dante winner at York and has more to come. French raider Midak looks overpriced, while Lambourn would have a say if the rain comes. And you never rule out Ryan Moore on Delacroix, especially as the jockey was simply brilliant on Minnie Hauk in the Oaks. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
STV News
12 hours ago
- STV News
Sam Thompson embraces sister as he ends 260-mile run and cycle for Soccer Aid
Reality TV star Sam Thompson appeared to break down in tears as he finished a five-day Soccer Aid challenge that saw him run and cycle a total of 260 miles. The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, embraced his sister, Louise Thompson, as well as her partner Ryan Libbey, and nephew Leo as he hopped over the finish line in Manchester on Friday morning. TV presenter Will Best spoke to Thompson live on ITV's This Morning and revealed that his Match Ball Mission has so far raised £1,516,433.22 for humanitarian aid organisation Unicef. Thompson said: 'I'm so grateful for everyone being here, I didn't think anyone was going to turn up. 'Thank you so much to everyone being here, everyone who has donated as well, I'll say it a million times, I'm made of glass, it's all the heroes who donate and stuff, you are so heroic.' The I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! winner faced a calf injury during the challenge and could be seen limping as he crossed the finish line. The TV star had travelled from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, the location of last year's Soccer Aid match in aid of Unicef, to Manchester United's Old Trafford home, which is hosting the 2025 game that Thompson is due to play in. Thompson's challenge saw him make pit stops at several football stadiums including MK Dons' Stadium MK, Aston Villa's Villa Park, and Everton's Goodison Park. His final day saw him travel through Huyton, Warrington, Sale, Stretford and the Coronation Street cobbles with friends, family and fans cheering him across the finish line. His experience is documented in a one-off programme titled Sam Thompson's Match Ball Mission that will air on Friday June 13 at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. The money raised from the challenge will support Unicef's work, including providing clean water and nutrition, for children around the world. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
