Racing at the Christmas Meeting
Each December, Cheltenham Racecourse’s Christmas Meeting offers racing fans a first glimpse of potential stars—novices beginning their rise, familiar names returning for mid-season targets, and dark horses preparing to peak when it matters most.
Last season, however, was something special. Across the two days - Friday 13th and Saturday 14th December 2024 - racegoers unknowingly witnessed five future Cheltenham Festival winners. Remarkably, three of them ran on the opening day, and two emerged from the same red-hot novices’ chase. What unfolded in December became a fascinating preview of the Festival triumphs to come in March.
A Red-Hot Novice Chase Sparks a Festival Double
The SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Chase (2m4½f) was billed as one of the most anticipated races of the meeting, a clash of hyped young chasers and a key barometer for the division. It did not disappoint.
Jango Baie: From Impressive Winner to Arkle Hero
Driven by Nico de Boinville for Nicky Henderson, Jango Baie produced a polished and powerful performance to win the race in December. Fast forward to Champion Day in March, and he delivered again - this time in a dramatic four-way finish in the My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase.
Rallying bravely up the Cheltenham hill, Jango Baie thrust his nose in front where it mattered most, announcing himself as one of the season’s standout novice chasers.
Caldwell Potter: An Underwhelming Third Who Saved His Best for March
Behind Jango Baie that December afternoon was Caldwell Potter, the high-profile purchase who finished a distant third. On the day he looked below his best—but looks can deceive.
Come March, under Harry Cobden and the expertise of Paul Nicholls, Caldwell Potter delivered a commanding display in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase on St Patrick’s Thursday. With an excellent round of jumping, he secured his moment in the Festival spotlight.
Stumptown Dominates the Cross Country - Twice
Later on the Friday card, Stumptown, trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Keith Donoghue, shouldered 11st 4lb to win a dramatic renewal of the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase.
The win proved to be a perfect trial.
In March, Stumptown returned to Cheltenham’s unique cross-country course and produced an even more impressive performance, storming home by seven lengths to take the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (A Limited Handicap) on Style Wednesday.
It cemented Keith Donoghue’s reputation as the modern master of the Cross Country course.
Saturday Stars: Hati Couleurs Shines on the Way to Festival Glory
Day Two of the Christmas Meeting delivered another emerging Festival star in the Josh Wyke Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
Hati Couleurs justified his 4/1 price with a strong performance, seeing off a competitive nine-runner field. The run proved the perfect building block for March.
On Champion Day at the Festival, he returned to Cheltenham to land the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase. Given a prominent and confident ride by Ben Jones, he rewarded trainer Rebecca Curtis with a hugely deserved Festival victory.
The Final Race of Both Meetings - Won by the Same Mare
Fittingly, the final winner from last year’s Christmas Meeting to score at the Festival triumphed in the very last race of the Festival itself.
In December’s BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, Wodhooh, trained by Gordon Elliott, edged out Joyeuse and Take No Chances in a tightly-run finish.
Returning in March, Elliott aimed her at the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle—the Festival curtain-closer.
There, under a superbly judged ride by Danny Gilligan, Wodhooh delivered Elliott’s sole winner of the 2025 Festival, sparking emotional scenes after a string of near-misses earlier in the week.
Five Winners, One Meeting - Who Will Emerge This Year?
Last year’s Christmas Meeting proved a treasure trove of future Cheltenham Festival winners—five in total, including stars from both novice and staying divisions, over hurdles, fences, and even the demanding cross-country course.
As we look ahead to this year’s meeting, one question lingers:
Which future Festival heroes will we discover this December?
Keep your eyes peeled—you might just spot the next big name before the rest of the world catches on.
