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Festival Trials Day has long been one of the most revealing afternoons of the National Hunt season. Staged at the Home of Jump Racing in late January, it offers fans a tantalising glimpse of what might unfold when the Cheltenham Festival rolls around in March.
Time and again, history shows that horses who thrive on Festival Trials Day often return just weeks later to write their names into Cheltenham folklore. Whether it’s proven staying hurdlers, bold-jumping chasers or emerging superstars, Trials Day has become a crucial stepping stone on the road to Festival glory.
Here, we look back at some of the most memorable horses to complete that coveted Trials Day–Festival double.
Paisley Park – King of The Cleeve
Few horses have been as adored by the Cheltenham faithful as Paisley Park, a horse who made the Cleeve Hurdle on Festival Trials Day very much his own.
A three-time winner of the Cleeve, Paisley Park always used Trials Day as the perfect springboard to another bold bid in the Stayers’ Hurdle at The Festival. His most memorable Trials Day performance came in 2019, when he produced a devastating turn of foot to surge clear by 12 lengths, a performance that underlined his dominance in the staying hurdle division.
Two months later, he returned to Cheltenham to justify favouritism in the Stayers’ Hurdle itself, seeing off a stellar field that included Faugheen and Sam Spinner. It was a performance that cemented his place as one of the modern greats and proved just how significant Festival Trials Day can be.
Lossiemouth – Class Written All Over Her
Festival Trials Day isn’t just about seasoned campaigners; it can also showcase the stars of the future. Lossiemouth did exactly that in 2024.
The brilliant grey mare travelled over from Ireland for the International Hurdle and delivered a performance of real authority, quickening clear to confirm her status as one of the most exciting hurdlers in training.
That victory sparked debate about her Festival target – the Mares’ Hurdle or the Champion Hurdle. Connections ultimately opted for the mares’ route, and the decision proved spot on. Returning to Cheltenham in March, Lossiemouth justified odds-on favouritism with a composed and comfortable success, completing an impressive Trials Day–Festival double.
Frodon – Heart, Grit and Cheltenham Gold
From one loveable horse to another, Frodon is etched forever into the hearts of jump racing fans.
Always giving his all, particularly when partnered by Bryony Frost, Frodon’s peak arguably came in 2019. On Festival Trials Day, he showed immense determination to cling on for victory in the Cotswold Chase, a typically gritty Cheltenham performance that lit up the grandstands.
Connections then made the inspired decision to drop him back in trip for the Ryanair Chase at The Festival. What followed was one of the most emotional moments in Cheltenham history. Bowling along in front, jumping with relentless enthusiasm, Frodon roared up the hill to hold off top-class rivals such as Footpad and Un De Sceaux, sending the Cheltenham crowd into raptures.
It was a perfect example of how Trials Day form, when paired with Cheltenham’s unique demands, can translate into Festival magic.
Jagwar – A Recent Festival Trials Day Champion
This connection between Festival Trials Day and Festival success isn’t just about longstanding stars — it’s happening right now.
One of the most recent examples came in last year’s Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase, where Jagwar was a decisive winner under Jonjo O’Neill Jr. He travelled strongly throughout and stayed on well up the famous Cheltenham hill to land the prize, delivering a performance that perfectly encapsulated the kind of form that can translate to March.
Those good vibes carried right through to the Festival itself. In the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase, Jagwar confirmed his Cheltenham credentials in style, winning going away under a very competitive weight. His double — from Trials Day to Festival — underlines an important point: it’s not just elite Grade 1 performers who can use Trials Day as a springboard.
Cross Country Clues – Trials Day Form Matters, But Doesn’t Guarantee Gold
Festival Trials Day isn’t just about winners going on to Festival glory — sometimes it’s about seeing horses handle Cheltenham at its toughest, providing clues for what’s to come in March.
Take the legendary Delta Work as an example. In 2023, he ran a cracker in the Cross Country Chase on Trials Day, finishing a strong third off 11st 7lb. While he didn’t win on the day, the performance signaled he was in top form and capable of competing at the highest level. When the Festival rolled around, Delta Work returned to take the Cheltenham Cross Country Chase off level weights, confirming that even non-winning Trials Day runs can be highly informative.
The key takeaway? Trials Day form doesn’t just point to winners — it highlights horses ready to step up, find their peak, and perform on the Festival stage.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
As Festival Trials Day approaches once again, the lessons from recent history are impossible to ignore. Whether it’s dominant winners like Paisley Park and Lossiemouth, front-running heroes like Frodon, or handicap performers such as Jagwar and Delta Work, Trials Day continues to offer vital clues for the Cheltenham Festival.
It may not always be about who wins on the day. Sometimes, it’s how a horse performs – handling the track, the atmosphere and the relentless Cheltenham test – that truly matters.
With an extra race added to this year’s card and Festival dreams very much on the line, Festival Trials Day promises, as ever, to be a fascinating guide to what lies ahead in March.
