Berkshire Winter Million Provides Big Cheltenham Festival Clues

The three-day Berkshire Winter Million meeting proved to be a big success once again this season, with Cheltenham Festival clues coming from both Ascot and Windsor over the three days.

With the Festival not far away now, many leading trainers from the UK and Ireland opted to run some of their best horses at the meeting to give them a final prep run before Cheltenham.

Protektorat Shined in Fleur De Lys Chase

Dan Skelton took a big leap towards his maiden Trainers’ Championship title when Protektorat landed the first prize in the Grade Two Fleur De Lys Chase on day three of the Winter Million. The 10-year-old horse scooped just over £85,000 in prize money in the feature race of the afternoon.

Protektorat has been a consistent performer across a range of distances over the last few years. This was his best run since winning the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season. He dominated the race, leading from start to finish under the hands of Harry Skelton, eventually scoring by 23 lengths.

Skelton looks set to run his horse in the Ryanair Chase once again this season, as that’s his sole entry at the Festival. The way he shone over the 2m6f distance at Windsor suggests that is a good move.

As of 21st January, the Fleur De Lys Chase winner is 8/1 in the Cheltenham betting for the 2025 Ryanair Chase. He will bid to become only the third horse in history to defend their crown in the race, and he will face strong opposition from Ireland, including King George VI Chase winner Banbridge.

Jonbon Adds Another Grade One Triumph in Clarence House Chase

Nicky Henderson has one of the strongest yards in the UK, and he is set to go into this year’s Cheltenham Festival with some excellent chances, and arguably none more so than Jonbon in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The British horse strengthened his position for the championship race with victory in the Clarence House Chase on day two of the Berkshire Winter Million.

Jonbon travelled strongly throughout the Grade One contest at Ascot, and as he approached the penultimate fence, he was able to stretch away from his chief rival Energumene. After winning the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown a month earlier, it has been the perfect prep for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Should he prevail in the feature 2m chase of the season, it will make up for the disappointment connections had to endure 12 months earlier. The former Arkle runner-up was pulled out of the race just days before due to a setback.

The Energumene camp will be hoping their horse can reverse their form with Jonbon at Cheltenham. Willie Mullins’ runner is vying for a third straight success in the day two feature in March. His record at the Gloucestershire venue, which is just down the road from the Cotswold Club, is excellent, so they will remain optimistic about his chances again, despite this latest defeat.

Energumene is likely to be joined in the race by his stable-mates Gaelic Warrior and El Fabiolo. Mullins’ retained rider Paul Townend is set to have a tough decision to make as to which of those three horses he will partner in the race.

Lulamba Emerges as Triumph Hurdle Favourite

Seven Barrows runner Luluamba went into the opening race on day two of the Berkshire Winter Million with a big reputation, and he justified the hype around him with one of the performances of the day.

After arriving at Henderson’s training facility from France, Lulamba is one of the yard’s leading Juvenile Hurdle hopes this season. He cruised to success at Ascot, with de Boinville remaining motionless on the horse throughout the contest.

As of 21st January, Lulamba is the 6/4 favourite for the 2025 Triumph Hurdle. It is a race Henderson has won a record seven times, with his last victory coming in 2019 with Pentland Hills. His leading juvenile is likely to be joined in the race by former German Derby winner Palladium. He cost just over £1.2 million and has been tipped to have a big future over obstacles.

Henderson has also given Lulamba an entry in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the opening day of the meeting. The Seven Barrows man is likely to lean towards the Juvenile Hurdle, but he is keeping his options open at this stage.

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival takes place between Tuesday, 11th of March and Friday, 15th of March. With 28 races scheduled for the four days, it is set to be a huge week in the racing calendar.