MUCH-DEBATED changes to increase the competitiveness of the Cheltenham Festival will soon get their first airing, so how are those races shaping up with just 24 days to go until the starter raises his flag?

Well, there are currently seven odds-on favourites at non-runner-no-bet prices for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, though that could easily become five if Brighterdaysahead (1/2 for the Mares’ Hurdle) takes up her Champion Hurdle option. That would put pressure on Constitution Hill’s current 1/2 odds (non-runner-no-bet) in the day-one feature.