Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Corbetts Cross tragically dies as Galopin Des Champs BEATEN – updates
INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup after Galopin Des Champs BLEW the chance to complete a stunning hat-trick.
JP McManus owned the winner but his other horse, Corbetts Cross, sadly died following a fall in the showpiece race.
In an official statement, Cheltenham confirmed that the Emmet Mullins-trained horse had suffered fatal injuries.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates from Cheltenham below...
Pick your place
While we're on selections and tips, our man Templegate has gone through today's card with his Placepot selections.
Tote are guaranteeing £750,000 in the pot each and every day of Cheltenham!
Ruby's picks
Ruby Walsh has been a terrific addition to the television coverage and he's a much-respected voice in the game.
He's given his day one tips to and explained why he's taking who he has - including Brighterdaysahead.
Brave decision?
Gordon Elliott says he couldn't be happier with Brighterdaysahead ahead of that clash with Constitution Hill later today.
He told ITV's Opening Show: "She's traveled over well and we're absolutely thrilled with her.
"Constitution Hill is going to be very hard to beat but hopefully she won't be far away. We just can't wait to get going.
"There's only one Champion Hurdle and it'd be a dream come true. We've had a few goes and been placed a few times but this is the best horse we've had going into it."
Credit: Sportsfile
Speak of the devil
Constitution Hill has just arrived at the racecourse and the camera phones are all out from the members of staff around.
What a race it should be.
'Wouldn't swap him for anything'
Constitution Hill vs Brighterdaysahead comes up at 4pm and is likely the match-up of the week in the Champion Hurdle.
But Nicky Henderson says he wouldn't swap Constitution Hill for anything, despite the weight allowance for Brighterdaysahead.
He wrote in his blog: "The talking has all been done, as has the work and schooling, so it’s just up to him to go out there and show what we all know he can do.
"Everything has gone well since the Unibet Hurdle in January and he enjoyed an away day at Kempton a couple of weeks ago, which will have sharpened him up mentally and physically, and he was electric in a schooling session last week; he was breathtaking really!
"It’s hard to say he’s better than ever, but I do think he’s as good as we’ve had him and I really hope he can regain his crown having been forced to miss last year.
"Brighterdaysahead is a formidable mare, and receives a handy weight allowance, but I wouldn’t swap Constitution Hill for anything."
Full 180
What's tougher - a 9-darter, a hole-in-one or a 147 break in snooker?
Maybe it's starting the Festival as a jockey on a 100/1 shot!
Well for Harry Cobden, there was a sporting mix in the warm-up to this week as Paddy Power’s newest horseracing ambassador found himself at the mercy of five of darts’ biggest names.
Stephen Bunting, Rob Cross, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Simon Whitlock gave the jockey a "crash course in sporting superstardom" which included some questionable nicknames, a new wardrobe and new hairdo!
You can watch it all on social platforms.
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More from the clerk
Jon Pullin - who must surely have had some sleepless nights in the run-up to this - added on ITV's Opening Show: “We’re in really good shape. We were forecast 1mm rain but got 3.5mm.
“It’ll be good to soft. We’re very happy with where we are.
“We’ve been dry since the end of February and it was drying up so we started watering late last week. It’s a dry forecast for this week too so we got the water on early to get us in a good position.”
Powerful yard
This is just some of the Willie Mullins contingent here for Cheltenham.
They were out and about a short while ago and it's quite an incredible operation.
When you take into account he has six of the 12-runner field in the Supreme, it's quite the task ensuring they're all up to speed.
Credit: PA
One to lose?
Just to add to the big 4, Sir AP McCoy was asked by William Hill which of the four could possibly let it down.
He said: "Maybe Lossiemouth for me.
"Only because of how heavy her fall was last time out.
"Looking at it, I think Willie [Mullins] has a few other good mares and there's that little element of how might that fall have affected her."
First day four-fold
I'll mention this several times today and make no apology for it.
Only because three quarters of the punting community are on the big four on day one.
If it lands, the bookmakers are in for a hefty first day hit.
Some reports suggesting a £50MILLION doing if it happened. Yikes...
- 1.20 - Kopek Des Bordes
- 2.00 - Majborough
- 3.20 - Lossiemouth
- 4.00 - Constitution Hill
Going update
There was a bit of a social media frenzy last night as the rain started to fall in and around Cheltenham.
But clerk of the course, Jon Pullin says the ground will be GOOD TO SOFT come the opening race despite that rain.
He says the team 'couldn't be happier' with how it looks.
Jon Pullin, clerk of the course, told the Racing Post: "We've had 3.5mm of rain from the late afternoon into the evening, but the track has taken it really well.
"We finished irrigating it on Saturday and we had a dry and warm Sunday, which helped, and we couldn't be happier with how it is.
"It'll be a degree or two cooler for the rest of the meeting and there is still a little risk of overnight frosts, but temperatures will rise enough during the day so we've no concerns racing-wise."
What about these shots?
How good do these pictures look? Really dramatic.
The Gordon Elliott team out first thing this morning as the sun came out.
A good stretch of the legs to start the day.
Credit: PA 
Credit: PA REMINDER: Today’s schedule
Here’s what’s coming up on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival:
Tuesday, March 11 – Champion Day
1.20pm: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ (Grade 1) – ITV
2pm: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – ITV
2.40pm: Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – ITV
3.20pm: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – ITV
4pm: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – ITV
4.40pm: Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – ITV
5.20pm: National Hunt Novices’ Chase – Racing TVTemplegate’s COMPLETE race-by-race guide
SunSport’s very own Steve Mullen has put together a complete guide for all 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival.
Whether you’re new to racing or looking for some pointers, Templegate’s Tips is not one to miss.
A little early?
Heading to Cheltenham this week? Here are the drinks prices to expect at Prestbury Park.
A pint of Guinness, always a big favourite at Cheltenham, will set you back £7.80.
Love Guinness but not drinking? No problem, Guinness 0.0 is on the menu. However, you might feel like you've been drinking when you look at your bank account the next day.
Fergie eyeing an upset
Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping to get off to a winning start on Day One of Cheltenham today.
His horse, L'Eau Du Sud, will be looking to cause an upset and beat heavy favourite Majborough in the Arkle at 2pm this afternoon.
Fergie enjoyed a stunning year at Cheltenham 12 months ago, pocketing £275,000 with back-to-back winners on Day Three.
Monmiral handed Sir Alex his first-ever win at the Festival in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle moments before Protektorat scooped the Ryanair Chase!
Both horses will be aiming to defend their champion status on Thursday.
Credit: Getty Templegate Tips
STENCIL (4.40 Cheltenham, nap) - 7/2
Ran a mighty race behind Triumph Hurdle favourite East India Dock here last time and faces nothing of his class today.
He kept up a decent pace for a long way and this two-mile trip is ideal. He likes soft ground and there should be enough juice in it after the taps have been turned on at Prestbury Park.
He’s had just four runs and can find plenty of improvement with the excellent James Reveley in the saddle.
TRANSMISSION (5.20 Cheltenham, nb) - 5/1
Looks to be crying out for this test and can give jockey Patrick Mullins his fifth win in this race – even though he’s taking on pro jockeys this time.
Neil Mulholland’s eight-year-old had a bit up his sleeve when scoring in a hot handicap here over 3m1f in November.
He then challenged too late when second in December and was kept over hurdles for his prep run. This is his first crack at a real marathon distance and he looks very fairly handicapped.
‘Best race in years’ as Constitution Hill takes on Brighterdaysahead
Punters predict this afternoon’s Champion Hurdle is going to be the 'best race in years' - and the mouthwatering showdown could cost the bookies £50million.
Nicky Henderson's stable star, Constitution Hill, is looking to cap his comeback from a life-threatening condition.
While Gordon Elliott's wondermare Brighterdaysahead is aiming to spoil the party and send the Irish raiders into rapture.
Unbeaten monster Constitution Hill is unbeaten in his ten-race career.
While Brighterdaysahead demolished defending Champion Hurdle king State Man by 31 lengths when she last raced in December.
Lossiemouth makes late switch
Yesterday, it was revealed that Lossiemouth will now run in today’s Mares’ Hurdle (3.20pm) and avoid a blockbuster showdown with Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead in the Champion Hurdle (4pm).
Lossiemouth comes in as overwhelming favourite for the 3.20 at odds of 8/11.
Willie Mullins explained the decision to move Lossiemouth to the Mares’ Hurdle, he said: "She worked nicely last week but I was happy enough that State Man worked better than her.
“Paul was not going to ride her in the Champion Hurdle so the obvious thing to do was go for the Mares'.
"It's disappointing as it had been the plan to run her in the Champion Hurdle for two years but after her work the other day we felt she would just be a runner.
“She'll get her chance to meet those horses – maybe at Aintree – but my duty this week is to get winners for owners and her best chance of a win is in the Mares' Hurdle. Rich makes a big investment in the game and everyone wants a winner at the festival."
Credit: David Davies/PA Wire Touching tribute
The opening race of the Cheltenham Festival has been renamed in honour of the late Michael O’Sullivan.
The Irish jockey, 24, tragically passed away last month after a fall during a race at Thurles.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle will now go by the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
O’Sullivan won the race aboard Marine Nationale two years ago.
O’Sullivan’s family released the following statement after the tribute was announced: "We are deeply proud of Michael's incredible talent and the legacy he left in the world of racing.
"Renaming the race that marked the pinnacle of his career is a fitting tribute to his skill, dedication, and passion for the sport.
"As a family, we have always admired Michael's achievements both on and off the track, and it means so much to us to see his talent recognised in this way.
“The outpouring of tributes over the past week has been a testament to the impact he had on so many lives.
"We would like to sincerely thank The Jockey Club and Sky Bet for giving us this opportunity to honour Michael's memory and celebrate his remarkable career."
Today’s schedule
Here’s what’s coming up on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival:
Tuesday, March 11 - Champion Day
1.20pm: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ (Grade 1) - ITV
2pm: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) - ITV
2.40pm: Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) - ITV
3.20pm: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) - ITV
4pm: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) - ITV
4.40pm: Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) - ITV
5.20pm: National Hunt Novices’ Chase - Racing TVGood morning and welcome to SunSport’s live blog of the Cheltenham Festival!
Today is the day the Greatest Show on Turf returns to Prestbury Park!
Hundreds of thousands of punters will be onsite over the course of the prestigious four-day spectacle.
They will witness the finest horses from Britain, Ireland and France battle it out on the hallowed turf.
28 races will take place at Prestbury Park this week, starting with seven breathtaking contests today!
The first race of the day will begin at 1.20pm GMT, with Tuesday’s featured race, the iconic Champion Hurdle, taking place at 4pm GMT.
SunSport will bring you all the antics and results from Day One of the Cheltenham Festival right here!
Credit: Splash News
