Darragh O'Keeffe's Four Best Bets For Cheltenham 2025
Irish jockey Darragh O'Keeffe was part of the panel for the recent Racehour Cheltenham preview night, and he provided punters with his four best bets at this year's Festival.
Attached to the Henry de Bromhead yard, O'Keeffe knows what it takes to win at Cheltenham, and he is hoping for more success this year.
He is set to ride some talented horses at the meeting, and he fancies some of them to go close at big odds with betting sites.
Below we look at his best bet for each day of the week, and he talks us through some of his rides at Cheltenham 2025.
Tuesday, March 11 - 16:40 - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Naturally Nimble
O'Keeffe is likely to be involved in the excitement of day one of the Festival, but it is the Joseph O'Brien-trained Naturally Nimble that caught his eye on betting apps.
"I like Naturally Nimble in the Fred Winter," he said of the 12/1 shot.
"His connections won it last year and I think he has been progressive enough.
"I'd say this has been the plan for him."
Wednesday, March 12 - 14:00 - Brown Advisory Novice Chase
Gorgeous Tom
This race centres around the Willie Mullins-trained Ballyburn, who is the short-priced favourite.
Behind him in the market, there are plenty of rivals that will fancy their chances of grabbing a place in the Grade One contest, including Gorgeous Tom, who O'Keeffe may be riding.
Currently priced at 25/1 with horse racing betting sites, his potential jockey believes he is great each-way value:
"I think he has a great each-way chance in this. He finished fourth in the Drinmore and was only beaten by a length.
"He's a good horse and only does what he has to.
"He has a real turn of foot and I think stepping up in trip will suit him."
Thursday, March 13 - 15:20 - Ryanair Chase
Jungle Boogie
Another horse O'Keeffe hopes to partner at the Festival is Ryanair challenger, Jungle Boogie.
A winner of three of his five starts over fences, de Bromhead's 11-year-old is very lightly raced for his age, and the Irish jockey gave him high praise despite his 20/1 odds.
"I have a soft spot for Jungle Boogie," he said of another each-way fancy that could be in his book of rides at the meeting.
"I think he is a serious horse. He has obviously had a lot of problems but even to look at him and sit up on him, he is an absolute monster.
"I think he is a seriously talented horse, and again, he is going here fresh. If everything stays right with him, I think he is a live contender."
Friday March 14 - 15:20 - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
The Big Westerner
The final day of the meeting will be all about Galopin Des Champs bidding to make it a hat-trick of Gold Cup wins.
O'Keeffe will have his mind elsewhere, however, as he is likely to be aiming for a Grade One win of his own in the Albert Bartlett.
The Big Westerner (11/2) has been ridden by O'Keeffe on his two racecourse wins, and he was forthcoming in his belief that de Bromhead's horse will be tough to beat.
When asked if he is going to have a Cheltenham win with the mare, he said: "I think she is going to take a lot of beating anyway.
"I think she is a very good mare. She has had a break since then (running at Limerick), and looking at her now, she looks really, really well.
"I'd say she is Henry's best chance of the week, to be honest."
The four horses mentioned above were O'Keeffe's picks for each day of Cheltenham, but he also mentioned other runners he thought might have a chance.
One of Britain's main hopes, The New Lion, in the Turners Novices' Hurdle, is included among these.
He also gave special mention to Taponthego, who he thinks can run well in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at big odds.
