Racing in 2025: Henderson-led resurgence could bring balance back to Cheltenham

Predictions: Horse of the year; Galopin Des Champs on foot of his Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick. Gordon Elliot stays on strongly to at last wrest the trainer’s title from WPM and Paul Townend reclaims the jockey title from the luckless Jack Kennedy.

Constitution Hill ridden by Nico de Boinville on their way to winning the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle on King George VI Chase Day at Kempton Park Racecourse. Picture: John Walton/PA Wire.

January

THE good thing about this time of year, and possibly the only good thing, is that with every passing day, Ireland is blessed with 105 seconds of extra evening light. When January ends darkness will descend an hour later than now so it won’t be necessary to start race meetings before the breakfast dishes have been properly cleared away.