The 2025 Stayers Hurdle is shaping up to be an exciting affair and there is plenty of value in the ante-post betting for those who enjoy a bet on Cheltenham.

Teahupoo cruised to victory at the 2024 meeting and he is currently the ante-post favourite to retain his Stayers Hurdle crown.

Gordon Elliott has already hinted that he will follow a similar path back to the Festival and connections will hope that keeping him fresh works in their favour once again.

There aren't too many new kids on the block in the staying division but there are a couple of lurkers at a nice price - including French raider Theleme.

He was due to come over this year but a minor setback meant that he would skip Cheltenham and there is unfinished business there ahead of the 2025 Stayers Hurdle. He's one to follow for sure...

At this stage though, the Cheltenham betting odds favourite has a fantastic chance. He's lightly raced and has age on his side, plus following the 'tried and rested' route is a huge plus for him.


*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.

He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.