Cheltenham Festival remains ‘the FA Cup final of racing’, says trainer Mat Nicholls
The trainer described the Cheltenham Festival as the ultimate test in National Hunt racing, comparing it to England’s premier domestic football competition.
Having spent many years around horses and witnessed multiple winners at Cheltenham, the festival holds a special place for him.
“Personally, it’s the pinnacle of National Hunt racing. It’s where all the best horses compete, the racing is top-class and the atmosphere is fantastic,” he said.
“It’s where you really find out how good your horses are. It’s the FA Cup final of racing – that’s where you want to be, and you want as many runners there as possible.”
Nicholls joined forces with renowned trainer Kim Bailey at the start of 2025, having worked under him for 16 years at Thorndale Farm.
Bailey previously won the Grand National with Mr Frisk, as well as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and has trained more than 1,500 winners. Having worked together for over 18 years, the pair have already enjoyed success at Cheltenham.
“Since working with Kim Bailey, we’ve had three Festival winners,” Nicholls explained. “The first, Darna, felt special because it marked our return to the top level.
“Then Imperial Aura and later Chianti Classico, whose season had been planned around that one race. When a plan comes together like that, it’s incredibly satisfying.”
A full-bodied performance with notes of Cheltenham mud 🍷
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2024
Chianti Classico wins the Ultima Handicap Chase for @kimbaileyracing #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/kICoF4uFtW
One victory in particular stands out.
“Imperial Aura winning the Novice Handicap Chase stands out,” Nicholls said. “His owner is a close friend, and I brought him into the yard, so it felt very personal.”
The success also meant a great deal to Nicholls after many years working alongside Bailey.
“It felt like we’d finally climbed back to where we belonged. Kim had been right at the top before, then had a lot of bad luck. That win felt like we’d arrived back in the big time.”
Selecting the right horses for Cheltenham requires careful planning, with Nicholls explaining that much depends on each horse’s level.
“It depends on their level. Novices need to show they can compete with the best of their generation. We’ve done well in handicaps with horses that are very good novices, just not quite top-class, because they can be well-treated.
“Ultimately, it’s about having the right horses in the right races – whether that’s Cheltenham or somewhere else on a wet Wednesday.”
Cheltenham itself presents a unique challenge for trainers and jockeys alike.
“It’s the biggest stage, but the course itself is demanding,” he said. “You’re constantly on the turn, it’s a stiff finish and you need plenty of pace. In top races, there’s no room for error – you have to jump well and hold your position throughout.”
This year, the yard is set to enter several races with Moon Rocket and Top Target, though Nicholls remains realistic about their chances.
“Moon Rocket and Top Target could be interesting in the novice handicap chases. If the horses we run are competitive, that would be great. A winner might be asking a bit much, but if we could get three or four placed horses, that would be a very good week.”
