The 2025 Cheltenham Festival began with a bang and now Style Wednesday promises more drama as the UK’s biggest week of racing continues.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase headlines the action at 4pm, where Jonbon is much fancied with Nico De Boinville aboard, while the Coral Cup Hurdle (2.40pm) and Cross Country Steeple Chase (3.20pm) are among the other fascinating races on Day 2.
How the weather impacts today’s racing could be a fascinating subplot, after a snow flurry landed on the course this morning. The New Lion claimed the first victory of the day in the Novices’ Hurdle.
The opening day of racing delivered a huge shock as the showpiece Champion Hurdle was won by 25/1 shot Golden Ace, with horse racing superstar and heavy favourite Constitution Hill stunningly falling halfway through, as did last year’s winner State Man. It allowed Golden Ace to come from nowhere to triumph.
The “greatest show on turf” will also include Friday’s Gold Cup, where Galopin Des Champs, who is the favourite on betting sites, hopes to land a famous hat-trick this. The full race card and Festival schedule is here, and we’ll be bringing you all the action as Day 2 unfolds.
Follow all the news, including previews, expert tips, free bet offers and the latest Cheltenham odds from Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival with our live blog below:
Style Wednesday – full list of winners
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m5f | 10 hurdles | Old Course
Winner: The New Lion (3/1); 2) The Yellow Clay (5/2); 3) Final Demand (6/4F)
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) Race conditions: £200,000 | 3m½f | 20 fences | Old Course
Winner: Lecky Watson (20/1); 2) Stellar Story (22/1); 3) Better Days Ahead (13/2)
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:16
Sean O’Keeffe reacts to Lecky Watson’s win
O’Keeffe told ITV Racing: “Over the moon, I can’t believe it. I thought he had a nice chance. I thought if I got him jumping he’d do well.
“It’s amazing here, you never know what can happen.
“Michael O’Sullivan used to share a house with us here in Cheltenham. He loved this horse. This is for him.”
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:19
Another outsider win
Lecky Watson was the big outsider for that race. He was the seventh-favourite of the seven runners.
20-1 at the start of this race.
Jockey Sean O’Keeffe stayed calm and guided the surprise winner home.
We’ll have O’Keeffe’s reaction shortly.
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:10
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Lecky Watson wins the Brown Advisory Chase!
He storms up the straight to much fanfare and crosses the line with ease.
Another surprise winner at 20/1!
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:08
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
He’s been held just behind the leaders and kicks on as he hits the final stretch.
Dancing City and Better Days Ahead are reined in before Lecky Watson takes the lead!
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:07
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
There’s nothing to separate Dancing City and Better Days Ahead as they head towards home.
Ballyburn is trying to make his move.
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:06
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Ballyburn is right at the back of the fiels and isn’t jumping massively well.
He’s still in touch but it’ll need a wild push to come from here.
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:05
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Dancing City is jumping nicely but setting the pace may affect him later in the race.
He’s about a neck ahead of Better Days Ahead who looks hungry to push on.
Rounding the turn there’s nothing to separate the field with only a few lengths between first and seventh.
Mike Jones12 March 2025 14:03
