Day two of Cheltenham has more than earned the name ‘Style Wednesday’ with races like the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle taking centre stage.
The BetMGM Cup is a prestigious Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle race held on the historic Old Course at Cheltenham and is open to horses aged four years and older. The race is run over a 2m 5f stretch with 10 hurdles between the start and the finish.
The BetMGM Cup is one of the most popular races at Cheltenham and certainly one of the most competitive handicaps in the sport. Horse racing fans should expect another thrilling contest in 2025.
Check out our BetMGM Cup betting odds to see how each horse measures up against the competition.
The BetMGM Cup was first introduced in 1993, making it one of the youngest races to grace the festival compared to the likes of the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase which takes place on the same day.
There have been a few changes to the race over the years, most notably in 1999 when it was promoted to Grade 3 status.
Back in 2008, the race was also held on the new course due to high winds.
Olympian and his jockey, Peter Scudamore, lifted the first BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham, the duo edging out the 20/1 priced Sillars Stalker by just over two lengths.
As well as earning them £36,546, the victory cemented the duo’s place in racing history.
There have been many other outstanding winners over the years – such as Naiad du Misselot, What’s Up Boys and Dame De Compagnie – but only one horse has been able to win this illustrious prize more than once: 2023 and 2024 winner Langer Dan.
Jockeys are a different story. Davy Russell (2008, 2011 and 2016) and Barry Geraghty (2006, 2010 and 2020) currently share the record for most wins in the BetMGM Cup with three.
Nicky Henderson is the leading trainer in BetMGM Cup history having overseen four winners. They are:
Henderson has submitted Iberico Lord as an early declaration for the 2026 renewal as he seeks to add a fifth BetMGM Cup victory to his resume, having missed out last year when Impose Toi was knocked into second by Willie Mullins charge Jimmy Du Seuil.
The BetMGM Cup is scheduled to take place at 14:40 on 11th March, making it the third race of Style Wednesday in between the 14:00 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and before the 15:20 Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase.
See our BetMGM Cup betting odds for the latest prices and check out our Cheltenham betting tips to find out who we think will come out on top throughout the festival.
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