Sean O'Keeffe: Jonbon Unopposable On Good Ground
Day one of the Cheltenham Festival 2025 is in the history books, and what a day it was with the drama of the Champion Hurdle.
The anxiousness of waiting for the racing to start has subsided, but the excitement remains.
Day two is full of more top-class action, with some of the best horses in the game going head-to-head.
I am lucky to have another good book of rides, and I will talk you through their chances.
First up, though, I will give you my thoughts on the day's big races.
Jonbon Unopposable On Good Ground
Jonbon is the short-priced favourite for the Champion Chase and is unopposable on the good ground.
It doesn't look like there will be enough rain for Energumene to turn around the form from the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
If the ground were to soften, he could give Jonbon a good race, but that looks unlikely.
Marine Nationale is a good horse with a win at the Festival.
He ran well at Leopardstown behind Solness last time, but that form is not nearly as strong as what Jonbon has produced.
Ballyburn Facing A Tough Challenge
It is no surprise to see Ballyburn as the favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, but it is a very strong race.
I ride Lecky Watson in the race (more on that below), and there is plenty of depth.
Dancing City is a very good horse, while Gordon Elliott has two talented horses in Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story.
Quai De Bourbon has been working well at home, and he is one of several good stayers, including Gorgeous Tom.
Ballyburn is the class horse in the race, and if he settles and does everything right, he will take a lot of beating.
Plenty of challengers are waiting in the wings, however, should he fail to fire.
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Mullins Has Another Top Team For The Champion Bumper
The field for the concluding Champion Bumper is once again dominated by Mullins.
Copacabana is the pick of the runners and has a big future ahead of him.
He is working very well, and I was very impressed with him at Navan last time, where he beat a good field of horses.
Bambino Fever was good when she won the Grade 2 Mares' Bumper at Leopardstown.
She is sneaking in under the radar.
She saves her best for the racetrack, which is a good trait, and she could stay on nicely for a place at the very least.
My Rides On Day Two
13:20 Turners Novices' Hurdle - Kappa Jy Pyke
My day starts with a ride in the opening Turners Novices' Hurdle.
I am looking forward to riding Kappa Jy Pyke.
He improved nicely from his debut to win at Punchestown, and stepping up in trip will hopefully help his chances.
He is one that might surprise a few people at a good price.
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase - Lecky Watson
Lecky Watson has won both his chase starts, but he will have to improve more to be considered for this race.
He beat last year's Supreme winner, Slade Steel, on his chasing debut at Naas, which was no mean feat.
Settling better over fences has been a big help; stepping back up in trip again here is another positive.
14:40 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle - Sandor Clegane
Sandor Clegane is making his handicap bow in the Coral Cup.
He had a good run last time in the Galmoy Hurdle behind Rocky's Diamond who will be lining up in the Stayers' Hurdle this year.
Having finished third in the 2023 Albert Bartlett and fourth behind Fact To File last year, he has that all-important Cheltenham form.
He is unexposed as he heads into handicap company for the first time, and I am expecting a big run from him.
16:40 Grand Annual Handicap Chase - Conyers Hill
My final ride on day two comes on Conyers Hill in the Grand Annual.
Like Sandor Clegane, he is trained by Paul Nolan, whose horses always run well at Cheltenham.
Despite winning at Down Royal in January, the handicapper has been generous enough with him.
He is going the right way, and the sharp two miles on the old course at Cheltenham should suit him.
I look forward to keeping everyone informed on what's happening at the Festival in my daily Gambling.com Cheltenham column.
If you want to keep track of what horses I will be riding throughout the week, you can keep an eye on the Sean O'Keeffe booked rides page.
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