Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 2025 - Is Ballyburn the Irish banker on day two?
The 2025 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is a thrilling contest dominated by Irish horses. Ballyburn emerges as the frontrunner, with formidable performances including a win over Croke Park. Dancing City and Better Days Ahead are notable challengers, each with strengths and recent successes. While Ballyburn's odds suggest a strong chance, Stellar Story offers excellent value for bettors seeking a potential upset. Despite tough competition, Ballyburn is favored, particularly in good-to-soft ground conditions, but punters should consider the value presented by Stellar Story.
- Free guide to the 2025 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
- This race will take place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 12th March
- Ballyburn and Stellar Story features in our verdict
The first Grade One chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival is the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. This three-mile contest has thrown up several future Gold Cup winners down the years and Irish horses dominate the market for this year's renewal.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, 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 Brown Advisory Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ballyburn | 7/4 |
| Dancing City | 7/2 |
| Better Days Ahead | 7/1 |
| Croke Park | 12/1 |
| Lecky Watson | 14/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
2025 Brown Advisory Tips - The Favourite
Despite Willie Mullins' claims that Ballyburn could be a Champion Hurdle horse at the end of last season, it was inevitable that we would see him tackle three miles over fences.
Last year's Turners Novices' Hurdle winner won nicely on his chasing debut, before finding Sir Gino far too sharp over two miles at Kempton. Ballyburn then beat two-time Grade One winner Croke Park in the old Flogas at the Dublin Racing Festival and, with no two-and-a-half mile Grade One to target at Cheltenham, Mullins is almost forced into running Ballyburn in the Brown Advisory.
2025 Brown Advisory Tips - The Chasing Pack
Dancing City was the best staying novice hurdler last season, winning Grade Ones at Leopardstown, Aintree and Punchestown either side of a third-place finish in the Albert Bartlett. Willie Mullins' eight-year-old claimed a routine victory on his chasing debut at Punchestown, but was forced to pull out all the stops to beat the mare Bioluminescence and win the Grade Three Naas Novices' Chase on his most recent start.
Better Days Ahead was cut into 8/1 for the Brown Advisory, despite struggling to beat Stellar Story in the Ten Up Chase this month. Gordon Elliott's seven-year-old won the Martin Pipe at this meeting last term and was expected to excel over fences. Yet, his three performances thus far have been a little underwhelming.
Croke Park claimed a shock victory in the Drinmore in November, before beating Better Days Ahead in the Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas. Elliott's novice is one of the most experienced runners in the race and was only beaten five lengths by Ballyburn when the two met at the Dublin Racing Festival. He continues to be underestimated.
2025 Brown Advisory Tips - The Best Of The Rest
Willie Mullins could also be represented by Lecky Watson, who is unbeaten over fences this term and looks the most likely pace-setter in this contest. Quai De Bourbon, Champ Kiely and High Class Hero could also represent the Champion Trainer, although all three seem to have little chance.
Stellar Story was a shock winner of the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago and could step back into Grade One company, having run Better Days Ahead close at Navan. Gorgeous Tom was only beaten a length by Croke Park on his most recent start in the Drinmore, and Henry De Bromhead has confirmed this to be his target.
I doubt there will be any home representation in this Grade One. Jingko Blue is the most likely runner, but his route to Cheltenham hit a stumbling block with that heavy fall in the Reynoldstown at Ascot. All of the remaining entrants will likely head for handicaps. If any do roll the dice and run here, they have stacks to find on the proven Grade One performers at the upper end of the market.
2025 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Tips
Fans of BALLYBURN (7/4) should probably place their bets now, as I doubt you'll get anything like 7/4 when Paul Townend is jocked up. Willie Mullins' seven-year-old was brilliant in the Turners Novices' Hurdle last year and his victory at the Dublin Racing Festival gets better with every viewing.
Approaching the last, I thought Croke Park was gaining the upperhand. Gordon Elliott's star jumped into a narrow lead at the final flight, but Ballyburn came into his own in the final furlong, outstaying his rival to win by a widening margin.
I can't see Croke Park closing that deficit around a stiffer track in Cheltenham and Better Days Ahead hasn't impressed me all that much. Dancing City is a real, old-fashioned staying chaser, who will serve it up to the market leader. However, I'd always favour the horse that Paul Townend rides in Grade Ones at the Festival and the prospect of good-to-soft ground favours the speedier Ballyburn over Dancing City.
I do have a bit of a soft spot for STELLAR STORY (20/1), who I backed when he won the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago. Gordon Elliott's star beat two experienced stablemates in the Florida Pearl on his chasing debut, before again showing a clear dislike for Leopardstown when finishing a distant fourth behind Croke Park over Christmas.
Around a more suitable track in Navan, Stellar Story jumped well and showed tremendous battling qualities when finishing just a neck behind Better Days Ahead in the Ten Up. Elliott's second-string was giving the 1/2 favourite five pounds at the weights that day too, yet, Better Days Ahead is less than half of Stellar Story's price.
Elliott's eight-year-old relished the uphill climb for home when reeling in The Jukebox Man in the Albert Bartlett. The Old course may not suit this hardy stayer as well as the New one did last year, but this race should be right up Stellar Story's street and he offers plenty of value at 20/1.
Verdict
I do think Ballyburn is the most likely winner of the Brown Advisory and wouldn't put anyone off backing the market leader at 7/4, as his price is bound to shorten up.
That being said, Stellar Story is a former Cheltenham Festival winner who gave Better Days Ahead a real scare in the Ten Up Chase. He looks overpriced to me at 20s.
That being said, Stellar Story is a former Cheltenham Festival winner who gave Better Days Ahead a real scare in the Ten Up Chase. He looks overpriced to me at 20s.
Ballyburn
2025 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
@7/4 - 5 Units
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Stellar Story E/W
2025 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
@20/1 - 5 Units
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