CHELTENHAM’S annual Festival handicap weights reveal always brings with it a fair deal of intrigue, and that was especially the case this week given the 2025 meeting features three extra handicap races compared to last year.

Qualification for these races is now also tougher. Horses now need to have run four times (from three) over fences in order to line up in a non-novice handicap chase, while horses must make five appearances (from four) over hurdles in order to run in a senior handicap hurdle at the Festival.