Cheltenham 2025: A week of shocks as Constitution Hill and Galopin Des Champs falter

This year’s Cheltenham Festival produced many shock results, with the likes of Constitution Hill, Teahupoo and Galopin Des Champs being amongst the high-profile defeats which saw the bookmakers get one over the punters.

Constitution Hill didn’t look at all convincing in this year’s Champion Hurdle, where a fall at the fifth fence saw State Man race clear in the home straight.

However, it wasn’t State Man that won the Champion Hurdle, as a fall at the final hurdle saw Golden Ace take advantage and win at the sizeable price of 25/1.

One of the eye-catching performances of the week at the Cheltenham Festival was that of Stumptown, who won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase by 7 lengths.

A strong performance saw Stumptown fend off competition from the likes of Latenightpass, Vanillier, and The Goffer to name a few.

Stumptown and their owner the Furze Bush Syndicate will now turn their attention to the upcoming Grand National, where they’re priced at 10/1 with the majority of betting sites.

In the Cheltenham Gold Cup, all eyes were on Galopin Des Champs, who was looking to win his third Gold Cup in as many years, but it wasn’t to be.

Inothewayurthinkin flew home in the home straight to beat the two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, which prompted bookmakers to slash the price of Inothewayurthinkin to win the 2025 Grand National.

This horse was the brief favourite after winning the Gold Cup, but that price was short-lived, as it was revealed that Inothewayurthinkin wouldn’t run at this year’s Grand National, which isn’t too surprising.

Rachael Blackmore had a day to remember on day three, as she rode two winners, with her win on Bob Olinger catching the eye for all the right reasons.

That win for Bob Olinger came against the well-backed Teahupoo, who couldn’t quite have enough pace to fend off the challenge for Bob Olinger, who seemingly loves to produce his best at the Cheltenham Festival.

Jimmy Du Seuil stunned Ballyburn in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, in what was a hugely disappointing performance from Ballyburn, who went off as favourite in that race.

Jonbon’s jumping let him down in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, although he fought back valiantly to finish second behind Marine Nationale.

The decision to send Lossiemouth to the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle proved to be a wise one, as they beat Jade De Grugy and Take No Chances.

All eyes will be on the 2025 Grand National now though, with Intense Raffles, Iroko, and I Am Maximus being amongst the favourites to win this year’s event.