The two-day Cheltenham Christmas Meeting is the big horse racing highlight this week – with the action running over Friday and Saturday. So to help Andy Newton has listed the best Cheltenham trainers to look out for that are expected to have runners at the fixture.
Who Are The Best Cheltenham Trainers Ahead Of 2025 Christmas Meeting 🔥🏇
We’ve 14 races (seven each day) over the two-day Cheltenham Christmas Meeting this week – with ten of these on the ITV Racing schedule.
And it will be a huge shock if these yards below are firing in some winners between them.
These are based on their form over the last 14 days – which give us the best Cheltenham trainers to look out for this week.
These include Nicky Henderson, who celebrated his 75th birthday on Wednesday.
Plus the in-form Jamie Snowden team, who have fired in 55 winners this season (and counting).
While many of these yards also have December Gold Cup runners on Saturday – which is the showcase race at the meeting.
NICKY HENDERSON (9/32, 28%)
Birthday boy Nicky Henderson celebrated his 75th year on the planet on Wednesday and fired in a double on the day too.
The Seven Barrows maestro will be hoping for more success at the big Cheltenham Christmas Meeting this Friday and Saturday.
As he brings a 25%+ SR to Prestbury Park and many entries over the two days.
Including Mister Coffey, who is looking for his first win over fences.
But despite this, Andy Newton’s Friday Cheltenham horse racing tips give him a solid chance of getting involved.
Henderson fired in one winner at the meeting in 2024 – but that came with his subsequent Arkle Chase hero Jango Baie.
Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Runners
- Fri: 12:05 Old Park Star
- Fri: 12:40 Califet En Vol
- Fri: 1:15 Iberico Lord
- Fri 3:00 Mister Coffey
- Sat: 12:10 Macshadow Des Crai
- Sat 12:40 As The Fella Says
- Sat 3:00 Reckless Spending
WARREN GREATREX (6/13, 46%)
One of the hottest yards around at the moment is Warren Greatrex, who are operating at a tasty 46% SR.
They also sent out a winner at the Cheltenham Christmas Meeting last year (Quantock Hills).
If they are to repeat the feat they will need to find a winner from one of only two entries though.
Warren Greatrex Cheltenham Runners
- Fri 1:50 Herakles Westwood
- Sat 1:15 Realta Liath
TOM LACEY (3/9, 33%)
The next of our best Cheltenham trainers to look out for this week is Tom Lacey – with a 33% SR at the moment.
Based in Herefordshire, Lacey had another nice winner on Sunday at Huntingdon (Walden).
And has a few darts to fire at the meeting on Friday.
Tom Lacey Cheltenham Runners
- Fri 1:50 Cruz Control
- Fri 3:35 Lucky Manifest
JAMIE SNOWDEN (6/17, 35%)
There seems to be no let-up with the good form of the Jamie Snowden yard – and hopefully it can continue as they look to smash last season’s tally of 62.
They are already on 55 though – so it will be more like …..can they hit the magic 100?
No runners for Snowden on Friday at Cheltenham, but they could be in for a busy Saturday.
Jamie Snowden Cheltenham Runners
- Sat 1:15 She Is For Me Boys
- Sat 1:50 GA Law
- Sat 1:50 Colonel Harry
SAM THOMAS (4/10, 40%)
Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Thomas is another yard that has his small( but select) string in great form this season.
He’s not had many runners of late, but is still posting a 40% SR after a nice Saturday double at Chepstow.
Thomas will be pinning his hopes on Vincenzo in the big one – the Support The Hunt Family December Gold Cup – on Saturday.
Sam Thomas Cheltenham Runners
- Sat 1:50 Vincenzo
CHRIS GORDON (3/9, 33%)
The final of our best Cheltenham trainers to have on your radar is Chris Gordon – with the Hants-based handler heading there with a 33% SR.
His last winners (at the time of writing) came on Dec 1st though.
But will be hoping to add to those with two possible Cheltenham entries this weekend.
Chris Gordon Cheltenham Runners
- Fri 3:00 Unanswered Prayers
- Sat 2:25 David’s Well
Note: All Cheltenham trainer stats on this page are subject to change.
