Cheltenham 2025: Eight Festival duels to look forward to 

So many things make Cheltenham special but there’s nothing quite as thrilling as two top-class horses fighting out a finish.

UP THE HILL: Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill. As far as British-based horses are concerned, there will surely be no more popular winner at this year's Festival than Constitution Hill if he can regain his Champion Hurdle crown on the opening day. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Kopek Des Bordes v Romeo Coolio (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Tuesday 1.20pm) 

Up until the Dublin Racing Festival, the Cheltenham Festival opener was shaping up to be the most open Supreme in years. Salvator Mundi began 2025 as the favourite despite not having run since last May and while he got the job done in the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown on the second Sunday of the year, his performance didn’t convince everyone.