The Cheltenham Festival never fails to deliver drama, and the 2025 edition was no exception. While favourites often dominate the headlines, this year’s event saw more shock results than usual, which left racing tips sites, punters and racing fans in disbelief. From stunning falls to longshot victories, these were the biggest surprises of the week at Prestbury Park.
Champion Hurdle – Golden Ace 25/1
In one of the most dramatic races of the Festival, Golden Ace won the prestigious Champion Hurdle in truly unbelievable circumstances.
Dubbed a battle between Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead, the door opened up when the former fell four out to end his 10-race career unbeaten streak.
Brighterdaysahead weakened late on as State Man took control and was five lengths in front with victory in his sights before falling at the last. Golden Ace took advantage, running on for a nine-length win over 66/1 shot Burdett Road and 150/1 outsider Winter Fog, which would have made a lovely forecast.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Lecky Watson 20/1
While Willie Mullins still picked up the silverware at the end of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, it wasn’t thanks to the horse many had thought would win with ease. Last year’s Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle winner, Ballyburn, was well-backed to make it 2-2 at the Festival, but ran horribly for a distant fifth as his 20/1 outsider stablemate Lecky Watson stayed on for a four-length win over Stellar Story.
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Air Of Entitlement 16/1
Success for the likable duo of Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead is always well received at the Cheltenham Festival, and they were in the winner’s enclosure twice on Thursday afternoon thanks to two relative outsiders.
The first was at a bigger price, as 16/1 chance Air Of Entitlement held off pre-race favourite Sixandahalf by half a length in a stunning finish. Bob Olinger was then well-supported into 8/1 from as far out as 25/1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle, and the gamble paid off as he beat fellow Robcour-owned horse Teahupoo in the feature race.
Triumph Hurdle – Poniros 100/1
One of the biggest Cheltenham Festival upsets of all time opened the final day of the meeting, as Poniros won the Triumph Hurdle from eye-watering odds of 100/1.
A previous winner on the flat, the Willie Mullins-trained horse had flown under the radar on what was his hurdling debut on such a grand stage.
The four-year-old’s flat experience arguably helped him up the gruelling hill. He came through the field from fourth at the last obstacle to win by a neck from Lulamba.
Gold Cup – Inothewayurthink 15/2
Not as big of a surprise price-wise compared to many others throughout the week, Inothewayurthinkin stunned Prestbury Park into silence on Friday afternoon when beating Galopin Des Champs by six lengths and denying the dual winner a historic hat-trick.
Mullins’ stable star never looked his usual self throughout the race but went into the lead before two out. However, Gavin Cromwell’s charge chased under Mark Walsh and jumped in front at the last, storming up the hill for a commanding win.
