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Megan Nicholls 2025 Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Racing Tips

CHAMPION DAY TIPS – TUE 11TH MARCH

3.20 – Mares’ Hurdle

I quite like the look of one at a massive price here in the shape of Queens Gamble (25/1).

She ran last time at Leopardstown and, while she finished a way back in sixth, it was a great run as she got no luck for the majority of the contest.

Queens Gamble a really talented mare on her day and, while she might struggle to beat the fancied runners, she’s much better than her price suggests.

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Interestingly, Nicky Henderson has supplemented Joyeuse (5/1) for this. She’s quite headstrong but, if she can settle over this 2m 4f trip, she’s got a lethal turn of foot and might just have a bit too much speed for some of these.

Connections could have taken up easier options elsewhere, so it’s probably a tip in itself that they’ve decided to come here.

Megan’s Tip: Joyeuse WIN; Queens Gamble EW

4.00 – Champion Hurdle

He just wins, doesn’t he?

I know there’s been a lot of talk about Brighterdaysahead (2/1) but, for me, the more the Irish back her the better price we’ll get on Constitution Hill (4/6 fav) and I’m fine with that!

I saw him in the flesh at Kempton and he looked massive so to win like he did was very impressive. Bar that slight mishap at Cheltenham last time – an error Nico de Boinville admitted was his fault – he was pretty much foot-perfect.

He’s a freak and the best in this division comfortably. If he’s at his best, there isn’t anything that can get close to him.

If you can get close to even money, I think that’s a brilliant price.

Megan’s Tip: Constitution Hill WIN

STYLE WEDNESDAY TIPS – WED 12TH MARCH

1.20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle

I really like The New Lion (7/4) here.

The Challow Hurdle has historically not been a good trial for races at the festival but this season’s wasn’t a typical renewal as it wasn’t run on really bad ground.

I was blown away by what The New Lion did there – had Harry Skelton really pushed the button he could have won by way further than he did. The form has been boosted too.

If he’d done what he did at the Dublin Racing Festival, he would be odds-on and so the fact we’re getting a price of around 2/1 makes him very appealing.

Final Demand (13/8 fav) was superb at Leopardstown but I think he’ll end up in the Albert Bartlett as he looks like a stayer to me.

The English need a top novice hurdler and I’m hoping The New Lion is just that.

Megan’s Tip: The New Lion WIN

2.00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

Ballyburn (6/4 fav) is my NAP of the whole meeting. The step up in trip here should really suit him as he’s clearly a stayer.

The try at two miles against Sir Gino proved that and I expect him to show his class here.

Dancing City (3/1) is a nice horse but I’m not sure he wants good ground and Ballyburn has beaten him before.

I don’t see any reason why that won’t happen again.

Megan’s Tip: Ballyburn WIN

4.00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase

This is Jonbon’s (4/5 fav) race to lose in my opinion.

He’s looked better than ever this season and I think he’s really grown up.

The big question mark is his Cheltenham record but his prep for this has been better than his rival’s and he’s by far the most likely winner. This is the year he puts the doubters to bed.

If you’re looking one to follow him home, you could do worse than Solness (8/1).

He was beaten by miles by Jonbon in the Tingle Creek but you can’t fault his last two runs. He’s really tough and I can see him plugging on and making the places.

Megan’s Tip: Jonbon WIN; Solness EW

5.20 – Champion Bumper

I was at a preview with Ruby Walsh recently and I know the Mullins team are all very keen on Copacabana (7/2).

His work has reportedly been very good at home and he’s the contender here who has the most speed.

His stablemates are all very talented but are viewed as more as staying types and Copacabana might just have more pace which will likely be important on the forecast good ground.

I would give a good mention to my dad’s No Drama This End (12/1). He’s a very sound-minded horse and the occasion here won’t get the better of him.

The team are big fans and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran really well.

Megan’s Tip: Copacabana WIN; No Drama This End EW

ST PATRICK’S THURSDAY TIPS – THU 13TH MARCH

Cheltenham Thursday (4.00) – Stayers’ Hurdle

I’m not a fan of tipping all the favourites but they do look very solid this year and that’s the same with Teahupoo (EVS fav) here.

I don’t really understand the negativity around this horse as he ran more than fine in the Hatton’s Grace when Lossiemouth just outspeeded him.

We know he goes well at Cheltenham, having won this race 12 months ago. He really should have won it the year before too.

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He’s not flashy but is very solid and will be hard to beat.

If there is one at a price to consider it’s Langer Dan (20/1) because we know he comes alive at this time of year.

He’s been awful so far this season but a return to Cheltenham might just spark him up – and he’s certainly not a no-hoper if he’s back in the form that saw him win the County Hurdle last year.

Megan’s Tip: Teahupoo WIN; Langer Dan EW

Cheltenham Thursday (4.40) – Plate Handicap Chase

I’m really hoping Springwell Bay (8/1) runs here as I think he’s got a massive chance.

He goes really well on the new course and I love novices in these sorts of handicaps as they’ve got tons of upside, unlike some of the more exposed older horses.

Cheltenham form is always a big factor and I’m pretty confident a mark of 154 underestimates Springwell Bay’s ability.

Megan’s Tip: Springwell Bay EW

GOLD CUP DAY TIPS – FRI 14TH MARCH

Cheltenham Friday (1.20) – Triumph Hurdle

This race is much more open than the betting suggests.

There’s lots to like about East India Dock (2/1 fav) and Lulamba (2/1 fav) but I’m taking them on with Hello Neighbour (9/2).

I’ve followed this horse for quite a while and Gavin Cromwell has always been quietly bullish about how good he is.

He’s unbeaten in four starts, including twice over hurdles, and I thought he won the Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival more comfortably than the margin suggested.

This is a horse with a massive engine and I fancy him to topple the two favourites.

Megan’s Tip: Hello Neighbour WIN

Cheltenham Friday (4.00) – Gold Cup

As renewals of the Gold Cup go this is a pretty disappointing one, isn’t it?

It’s going to be a small field and it’s really hard not to think Galopin Des Champs (2/5 fav) will win – and win easily.

The track and trip clearly really suit Willie Mullins’ charge and, while I tried to find something to take him on, there’s just nothing of his class in here.

When the distance markets come out, I would have a good look at those because I’m of the belief this race is simply a matter of how far jockey Paul Townend wants to win by.

Banbridge (9/2) will love the drying ground and if there’s ever a chance he’ll get this trip it’s on this sound surface.

However, I don’t put him in the same class as Galopin Des Champs and can’t really see him troubling the short-priced favourite.

Megan’s Tip: Galopin Des Champs WIN

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