Cheltenham festival 2025: Champion Hurdle tops the action on day one
Greg Wood
Good morning from Cheltenham racecourse, where all feels as it should do on the first day of the festival meeting despite the track's admission over the weekend that the crowds are not (yet) flooding back to the meeting as many would have hoped. This is the first year of a new-look festival, with more handicaps to boost competitiveness and field sizes, and also several new measures to improve the 'customer experience', and it will presumably not be until this time next year that we get much of an idea of how it all worked out.
One of the key indicators of customer experience, of course, is whether they emerge from the most concentrated four days of betting all year with their noses in front, and Tuesday's opening card will be a potentially crucial first engagement between punters and bookies as all four of the Grade One events have a short-priced favourite.
Bookies' PRs have been falling over themselves for the last few days, trying to come up with increasingly eye-catching estimates of how much the industry will lose if all four favourites oblige. As ever, their numbers should not be taken at face value as a. no-one will be checking the books and b. they get paid for mentions, not historical accuracy, but it would certainly put the punting fraternity on good terms with themselves if the four-timer– which currently pays around 7-1 – were to come up on day one.
That, of course, also suggests that it is around 1-7 that at least one of the supposed good things will be beaten, but if Constitution Hill can justify his odds-on price in the Champion Hurdle at 4.00, then any pain felt as the result of a defeat of a favourite or two earlier in the day will be largely erased. He is already rightly hailed as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time, but a second Champion Hurdle, after he was forced to surrender his crown without a battle 12 months ago, would be one of those festival moments that no-one who is there to see it will ever forget.
It's possible to think that Constitution Hill is the likeliest winner this afternoon while also believing that Brighterdaysahead, his main market rival, should be a fair bit closer to Nicky Henderson's gelding in the betting. A magnificent race is in prospect, in the midst of a card that has something for everyone with three ultra-competitive handicaps also in the mix.
There was, a little surprisingly, around 3.5mm of rain at the track overnight but Jon Pullin, the clerk of the course, reports that the turf has 'taken it really well'. As a result, the meeting will open – as it generally does – on good-to-soft, and while daytime temperatures are unlikely to get back to the double-figures we all enjoyed last week, there is little or no rain in the forecast.
Some thoughts and picks for the first day card are here, the wonderful Don McRae's recent interview with Harry Skelton, the clear leader in the race for the new £500,000 David Power Jockeys' Cup is here, and we're set fair for another thrilling week of action in the Cotswolds. As always, you can follow all the action and reaction as it happens here on the blog, with race previews, links to video form, news, live commentary and more. The famous Cheltenham roar is now just a few hours away! Share
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North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Former trainer Peter Easterby dies aged 95
A member of one of the most famous racing families in Yorkshire, he trained with great success on the Flat and over jumps before retiring in 1996. He was succeeded by his son, Tim, while his brother Mick still shares a licence today with his own son, David, with many other members of the family involved in racing. Tim Easterby announced on X: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. Everyone at Great British Racing is saddened to learn of the passing of legendary trainer, Peter Easterby, at the age of 95. The pioneer of one of British Racing's great dynasties, his pursuit of excellence will no doubt be continued by the generations to follow. Our thoughts… — Great British Racing (@GBRacing) June 9, 2025 'He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. 'A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather.' Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse were both dual Champion Hurdle winners, while Easterby also won two Gold Cups with Alverton in 1979 and Little Owl in 1981. Proving his versatility, Easterby sent out Sea Pigeon to win the Ebor off top weight and the Chester Cup twice, while Night Nurse finished second to Little Owl in the Gold Cup, narrowly failing to become the first horse to win the two biggest prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. Saucy Kit was another Champion Hurdle winner in 1967 for Easterby and for a time his five wins in the race were a record. His notable Flat triumphs included the Kings's Stand Stakes with Goldhill, the Gimcrack with Sonnen Gold, two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. Easterby sent out over 2,500 winners during his lengthy career and Tim Easterby is still based at Habton Grange. Jonjo O'Neill was crowned champion jockey twice in 1977-78 and 1978-79 with the help of Easterby and he was aboard Alverton for his Gold Cup success and Sea Pigeon for his 1980 Champion Hurdle win. 'We had some great times together, he was great man to ride for and we were very lucky together – you could say we were a good partnership,' said O'Neill. 'He was a great man and a great trainer, what he did with the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse – their longevity was incredible. And to win a Gold Cup with Alverton, he didn't have great legs. 'It's hard to pick out one particular race. I think the best thing you could say was that he could train a horse to win over five furlongs or 25 miles. He was just a genius and a great man to ride for. 'He just understood the game and understood horses, he had a great eye for them and made it easy for everyone. He was brilliant, there was always another day in his eyes.' O'Neill missed the 1981 Cheltenham Festival through injury and John Francome was called up to replace him on the then 11-year-old Sea Pigeon when he produced an ice-cool ride that went down in history. Francome said: 'I saw Tim (Easterby) last Thursday up at Malton at Jack Berry's do and he said he wasn't very well then, but he was an amazing guy. 'It's amazing to train 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumping, you never saw him when he wasn't smiling, he was as sharp as a tack and lovely with it – he was a charming man.' Reflecting on Sea Pigeon's 1981 Champion Hurdle triumph, Francome added: 'Jonjo broke his leg really badly in a fall at Bangor, so I got the call. 'Peter was always relaxed. I remember going in the paddock at Cheltenham and saying 'how is he?' because I'd never ridden him out or anything, and Peter just said 'he's better than he was last year' and he was absolutely right. 'I never sat down and discussed it with him. He trained him, he was the best horse and that was it. 'He was an easy horse to ride and the best horse in the race by some way.' Mick Easterby hailed the many training accomplishments of his brother via his website and concluded by saying: 'Peter touched the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by the family and the many friends he made both in the racing and farming communities.'
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Five star performers for trainer Peter Easterby
Alverton A typical Easterby type in that he was precocious enough to be good on the Flat, finishing second in the 1976 Ebor, and hardy enough to be even better over jumps. Winner of the Arkle Trophy in 1978, he successfully stepped up in distance to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following year. It was close between him and Tied Cottage at the final fence where the Irish horse fell, leaving Alverton to coast home in the snow and mud. He started favourite for the Grand National in the same year and was going easily when suffering a fatal fall Becher's Brook on the second circuit. Goldhill Easterby may be better known for training stayers and jumpers, but it was the sprinter Goldhill that first put him on the map. After winning the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1963, Goldhill would have gone there for the King's Stand Stakes in 1964 but the meeting was abandoned due to waterlogging. However, he put the record straight when taking the five-furlong feature in 1965. Coincidentally, Goldhill retired to stud and became a successful stallion, most notably siring dual Champion Hurdle winner Comedy Of Errors. Little Owl Little Owl led home a one-two for Easterby in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1981 when denying his stablemate Night Nurse. The trainer picked up Little Owl for 2,300 guineas and the sky appeared to be the limit when he captured the big prize at the tender age of seven on only his fifth start over fences. It was not to be, though, as he was badly hit by a virus and was never anywhere near his best form again. Night Nurse A good Flat career was expected from this son of Falcon, but though he won a Ripon maiden at the age of three, it was over jumps that he made his name, winning 32 of his 64 races over obstacles. He was 'all heart', according to Easterby, and was one of the star turns in a golden era. He won the Champion Hurdle in 1976 and 1977 and in the latter year dead-heated with Monksfield, giving him 6lb, at Aintree. He also gave his all over fences and recovered from a bad injury to go down by only a length and a half to Little Owl in the Gold Cup in 1981. Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon had been a good horse on the Flat for Jeremy Tree and over hurdles when with Gordon Richards, but became a great one under Easterby's guidance from early 1977. His exploits under both codes are legendary and it was his burst of speed that stood him out from the rest. A dual Chester Cup hero and memorable winner of the Ebor, it was his four consecutive appearances in the Champion Hurdle that are perhaps most fondly remembered. Second in 1978 and 1979, he finally lifted the prize in 1980 and repeated the trick the following year at the age of 11 under a vintage John Francome ride.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Peter Easterby – a giant of the Yorkshire racing scene
In a training career spanning 46 years, Easterby won major races at all the premier meetings under both codes – Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot, York and Doncaster. When he handed the reins to his son, Tim, in 1996, the only real change was the name on the licence as it was basically business as usual. It was a move typical of him that with a younger man at the helm, it would give Habton Grange stables in North Yorkshire the impetus, if any was needed, as the millennium approached. The transition was not only seamless, but barely noticeable with the winners being churned out as they always had been. Easterby, christened Miles Henry, had the rare achievement of sending out more than 1,000 winners under both codes, having taken up training in 1950 following the completion of his National Service. His career ran parallel for decades with his brother Mick, two years his junior. The pair have been giants of the racing scene in Yorkshire – and reputed to own a lot of it between them. Peter Easterby was champion jumps trainer for three consecutive seasons from 1978 to 1981 and had a total of 13 Cheltenham Festival winners in just 10 years. Five Champion Hurdles and two Cheltenham Gold Cups were his best achievements over jumps, while handicaps were his territory on the Flat with the Lincoln, Chester Cup, Ebor and Ayr Gold Cup among the many he farmed. Born on August 5, 1929, he learnt his trade assisting his uncle Walter and honed his skills during a three-year stint with Irishman Frank Hartigan at Weyhill in Hampshire. He first held a licence in 1950 and showed his intent when in 1951 he cycled five miles to get a lift in a horse box to the Newmarket sales. He got back home via a furniture van, bus and bike. He spent £380 on three yearlings and had sold them all within 24 hours. His first winner came over jumps in 1953 and his first on the level in 1955. His breakthrough year was 1965 when he won the Lincoln at Doncaster with Old Tom and the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot with Goldhill. Two years later, he won the Champion Hurdle for the first time with Saucy Kit, a horse he bought at the sales for 700 guineas as a three-year-old. Easterby paid 1,100 guineas for Night Nurse, who was his favourite horse, winning the Champion Hurdle in 1976 and 1977. He was not afraid to have a good bet and admitted backing Night Nurse three times before the 1977 renewal after his price drifted as it was felt he would not handle the heavy ground. Easterby knew different. Sea Pigeon, who joined his team during the winter of 1976-77 from Gordon Richards, took the crown in 1980 and 1981 after finishing second in the two previous years. He was also a classy Flat performer, winning the Chester Cup in 1977 and 1978 plus three Vaux Gold Tankards and the Ebor under top weight of 10st in 1979, albeit after a heart-stopping photo finish. Easterby had a permanent reminder of his two superstars as they were buried side by side less than 50 yards from his office window. Night Nurse went close to completing the Champion/Gold Cup double when runner-up to stablemate Little Owl in 1981. Alverton had won chasing's blue riband prize for Easterby in 1979. Other famous names in an enormous list of his big-race winners and popular performers included Bronze Hill, Sonnen Gold, Clayside and Ryeman. His legacy lives on with the highly-successful Tim, grandson William and the rest of the Easterby dynasty that will continue to grace Yorkshire and the racing world beyond.
