Assessing the Irish-Trained Movers in the Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Markets

The National Hunt racing season is now well underway, and major meetings are coming thick and fast across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The top yards across the sport have started to roll out some of their star attractions already, causing fluctuations in the horse racing betting and providing potential Cheltenham Festival ante-post hints.

That said, read on as we take a look at some of the potential Irish raiders who could be worth keeping an eye on at Prestbury Park during the Cheltenham Festival in March as it looks set to be another dominant outing for the visitors.

The Yellow Clay – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

There’s a lot that needs to materialise in the Novices’ Hurdle divisions before we get a clearer picture of the Cheltenham Festival contests, but The Yellow Clay has thrown down a good marker with two wins from his first two outings over the smaller obstacles.

Winner of a maiden by nine lengths at Down Royal at the start of November, the Gordon Elliott-trained horse proved even better when stepping up to Grade 3 company and landing the Monksfield Novice Hurdle by 10 lengths at Navan 17 days later.

The Yellow Clay is still readily available at 16/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, making him the joint-favourite at the time of writing with Jalon D’oudairies and Junta Marvel.

Better Days Ahead – Brown Advisory Novice Chase

Also scoring for Elliott on what was a fantastic day for the County Meath trainer at Navan in mid-November, Better Days Ahead completed the yard treble in a Beginners’ Chase over two miles and four and a half furlongs.

The winner of the Martin Pipe at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, Better Days Ahead was third in a Group 1 over hurdles on his final start of the campaign and looks a ready-made chaser when defeating the more favoured Slade Steel by four lengths on his reappearance.

The six-year-old is now 16/1 for the Brown Advisory Novice Chase on the second day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, putting him behind Ballyburn (6/1), Dancing City (10/1) and Majborough (10/1)—although the former is unlikely to be targeted here.

Lossiemouth – Champion Hurdle

Willie Mullins is yet to give away too many indications at this early stage of the season, but Lossiemouth has still made a slight move in the ante-post market for the prestigious Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Festival.

Despite not even having a run under her belt this campaign, the highly-rated five-year-old has leapfrogged Constitution Hill into favouritism—being slashed slightly from 7/2 to 5/2 as concerns remain to surround the health of Nicky Henderson’s stable star.

There is no doubt about Lossiemouth’s ability, as she’s won eight of her nine races under rules—including on all three of her outings at Cheltenham. However, if Constitution Hill is fully fit come March, she will have her work cut out against the unbeaten hurdler.