Kim Muir Challenge Cup 2025 - Free guide to the finale on St Patrick's Day
The 2025 Kim Muir Handicap Chase, set on St Patrick's Day at Cheltenham, features a 145 rating cap and only amateur riders. With key trends indicating potential winners, Johnnywho emerges as a favorite despite recent mixed performances. However, Fantastic Lady, with a noteworthy history and recent solid form, is highlighted as an attractive underdog, especially after dropping below the rating ceiling. The race's previous structure changes and lack of standout entrants make Fantastic Lady's chances compelling, particularly given her track record in similar races.
- Free guide to the 2025 Kim Muir Challenge Cup
- This handicap will take place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday 13th March
- Fantastic Lady features in our verdict
The final race on St Patrick's Day at Cheltenham is the Kim Muir Handicap Chase. This handicap chase features a rating cap of 145 and only amateur riders are allowed to take part.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Kim Muir, featuring the latest odds, expert analysis and our best betting tips.
*Note - Best bets won't be finalised until the field has been confirmed*
2025 Kim Muir Challenge Cup Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Johnnywho | 4/1 |
| Midnight Our Fred | 8/1 |
| Sa Majeste | 10/1 |
| Now Is The Hour | 12/1 |
| Katate Dori | 12/1 |
| Bar | 14/1 |
2025 Kim Muir Challenge Cup Key Trends
- 9 of the last 10 winners had run no more than 10 times over fences
- 9 of the last 10 winners had run in at least two Graded races (hurdles or fences)
- 9 of the last 10 winners had run within the last 50 days
- 8 of the last 10 winners were eight years old or younger
- 8 of the last 10 winners returned an SP of 8/1 or shorter
- 7 of the last 10 winners carried 11-4 or more
JP McManus has won the Kim Muir with handicaps blots on several occasions and Johnnywho was smashed into favouritism after connections revealed that Derek O'Connor had been booked to ride.
O'Connor guided Any Second Now and Inothewayurthinkin to impressive victories, but I fancy both were better jumpers than Johnnywho. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill have done their utmost to ensure their star gets a nice mark going into the Kim Muir, but I'm far from convinced with what I've seen from Johnnywho on his last three starts.
Midnight Our Fred boasts some decent course form and Daily Present was fifth in the race last year, but neither looks chucked in at the weights. The National Hunt Chase now being a handicap will draw many novices away from the Kim Muir, diluting the field considerably. This is the worst race of the entire Cheltenham Festival.
2025 Kim Muir Challenge Cup Tip 1 - Fantastic Lady
Johnnywho is one of the few entrants who has the tried and tested profile for the Kim Muir. Hardly any unexposed novices have been entered and there's little Graded form to shout about. Sa Majeste and Resplendent Grey would fit the profile, but neither is particularly strong in the market for this contest.
FANTASTIC LADY (20/1) has dropped below the 145-rating ceiling for the Kim Muir, which is a surprise considering she won an open Grade Two four starts ago. Nicky Henderson's mare powered to an impressive victory in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown, seeing off Ga Law after a patient ride by Nico De Boinville.
After a pipe-opener at Market Rasen, Fantastic Lady has run well in two Listed Mares' Chases. Henderson's ten-year-old was touched off by La Renommee at Doncaster before finishing a close third to Don't Rightly Know at Newbury in January.
Fantastic Lady has been trained for the Topham Chase in each of the past three seasons and has rarely run in handicaps away from the Grand National course. Mares have won two of the last four renewals of the Kim Muir and Fantastic Lady is certainly well-treated off this reduced mark. She's the only one who appeals to me at this stage.
Verdict
Fantastic Lady is worth a second look in a lacklustre renewal of the Kim Muir.
Fantastic Lady
2025 Kim Muir
@20/1 - 5 Units
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