Bookies Fear the Worst with Four Red-Hot Favourites on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival

The opening day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is shaping up to be a potential bloodbath for bookmakers, with Kopek Des Bordes, Majborough, Lossiemouth, and Constitution Hill all heavily backed to deliver victories.

The opening day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is shaping up to be a potential bloodbath for bookmakers, with Kopek Des Bordes, Majborough, Lossiemouth, and Constitution Hill all heavily backed to deliver victories. If these four festival stars oblige, the industry could be staring at one of its worst opening days in recent history.

A Nightmare Scenario for Bookmakers

The last time bookies faced such a significant threat on Day One was in 2015, when Willie Mullins’ powerhouse trio—Douvan, Un De Sceaux, and Faugheen—all stormed home as favourites. The industry was left clinging to one last hope in the Mares’ Hurdle, where Annie Power looked set to complete the so-called "Mullins Four-Timer"—until her infamous fall at the final hurdle spared the bookmakers an estimated £50 million payout.

With four major favourites lined up this year, history could be set to repeat itself—except this time, the bookies may not get the same last-minute reprieve.

Why Are These Four Favourites So Well Regarded?

Kopek Des Bordes – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle traditionally sets the tone for the festival, and Kopek Des Bordes is the one everyone is talking about. Trained by Willie Mullins, this exciting prospect has swept through the novice ranks with ease, showcasing an electrifying turn of foot and slick jumping. His dominant victories earlier in the season have cemented him as the horse to beat in the festival’s opening race.

Majborough – Arkle Challenge Trophy

Another Mullins-trained superstar, Majborough, heads the market for the Arkle Challenge Trophy. This novice chaser has been imperious over fences, marking himself as the division's standout performer. A flawless round of jumping in his latest prep run confirmed his credentials, and punters have been hammering his price down in anticipation of yet another festival success for the Irish stable.

Lossiemouth – Mares’ Hurdle

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner, Lossiemouth, has taken the step up to senior company in her stride. The Mares’ Hurdle is her primary target this year, and she is already proving herself against seasoned rivals. Her impressive victory in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle against top-class opposition reinforced her credentials, making her a strong favourite for another festival triumph.

Constitution Hill – Champion Hurdle

No horse at this year’s Cheltenham Festival carries more expectation than Constitution Hill. The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner returned to action in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, where he comfortably defeated Lossiemouth by over two lengths. Widely regarded as one of the greatest hurdlers of modern times, his unbeaten record and sheer dominance have made him the festival banker for many punters.

Could There Be Another ‘Annie Power Moment’?

With so much riding on these four festival stars, bookmakers are praying for a twist of fate similar to 2015, when Annie Power’s dramatic late fall saved them millions. But with no obvious weak link among this year’s favourites, their chances of dodging a major payout look slim.

If Kopek Des Bordes, Majborough, Lossiemouth, and Constitution Hill all deliver, the opening day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival could go down as one of the most punter-friendly days in festival history—much to the horror of the bookmakers.