2025 Cheltenham Festival: Lorcan Williams Headlines Day One

Lorcan Williams won the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England. The biggest shock came in the Champion Hurdle. In the Mares' Hurdle, Lossiemouth emerged as victorious in comfortable fashion, while odds-on Kopek Des Bordes kicked-off the day with victory in the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

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Updated on: 12 March 2025 6:08 pm

Britain Horse Racing Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse_Lorcan Williams

Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: Lorcan Williams celebrates winning the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy | Photo: Adam Davy/PA via AP

Lorcan Williams celebrates winning the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: Lorcan Williams aboard Golden Ace after winning | Photo: Adam Davy/PA via AP

Lorcan Williams aboard Golden Ace after winning the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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Britain Horse Racing Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse_3

Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: Golden Ace ridden by Lorcan Williams on their way to winning trophy | Photo: David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA via AP

Golden Ace ridden by Lorcan Williams on their way to winning the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: Runners and riders take the water jump | Photo: David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA via AP

Runners and riders take the water jump during the Ultima Handicap Chase on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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Britain Horse Racing Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse_Danny Gilligan

Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: King Of Kingsfield ridden by Danny Gilligan | Photo: Adam Davy/PA via AP

King Of Kingsfield ridden by Danny Gilligan, right, and Brighterdaysahead ridden by Jack Kennedy, left, compete in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: State Man ridden by Paul Townend falls at the last hurdle | Photo: Adam Davy/PA via AP

State Man ridden by Paul Townend falls at the last hurdle of the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: Lossiemouth ridden by Paul Townend on their way to winning the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle | Photo: Adam Davy/PA via AP

Lossiemouth ridden by Paul Townend on their way to winning the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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Britain Horse Racing Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse_Patrick Wadge

Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: Myretown ridden by Patrick Wadge (right) | Photo: Adam Davy/PA via AP

Myretown ridden by Patrick Wadge (right) on their way to winning the Ultima Handicap Chase on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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Britain Horse Racing Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse_Paul Townend

Cheltenham Festival, Day 1: Lossiemouth ridden by Paul Townend | Photo: Joe Giddens/PA via AP

Lossiemouth ridden by Paul Townend on their way to winning the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, England.

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