Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap 2025 Tips and Predictions

Last Updated on 20/08/2025 by Andy Clark

Run over 3 miles 2 furlongs on the New Course at Cheltenham, the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup is a handicap chase traditionally restricted to amateur jockeys.

However, unless the British government has a late change of heart, allowing amateur jockeys to compete at the Cheltenham Festival, the race may be contested by professional jockeys, including conditionals, in 2021.

Kim Muir Tips

Key Trends

Favourites Have won or came 2nd in each of the last 4 years
8 of the last 10 winners have gone off less than 10/1
In the last 2 years, Irish trained runners have filled 11 of the first 12 places
The last 6 winners have been Novices

When looking at putting together a handicap lucky 15 for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, you don’t automatically start looking at favourites. Still, as pointed out in the stats above, favourites have a great record in the Kim Muir. In addition, if you are an Irish trained novice, you are hitting some key trends (although that is perhaps not a surprise given the success of the Irish in recent years). This market also has the potential to cut up with a couple of those towards the top unlikely runners. MIDNIGHT OUR FRED (10/1) is not the current favourite across the board but is heading that direction with a couple of high profile tipsters (Gavin Lynch included) putting him up. I believe his second in the Paddy Power chase at Christmas is the standout piece of form on offer with winner and Leopardstown specialist Percival Legallois following up with a hurdle win at the DRF, Galway Plate winner Pinkerton in 3rd and subsequent Thyestes and Bobbyjo chase winner Nick Rockett 9 lengths back in 4th. Three of Midnight Our Fred’s previous five runs have been at Cheltenham, which is strange for a small Irish trainer (JP Flavin). More impressively, he came second in each one, demonstrating a clear affinity for the track. He was also raised just a pound to 132 from his Irish mark and so will be carrying just 11st 1. Long-range weather forecasts would indicate we will be racing on a sound surface which is important with 5 of his last 6 runs coming on ground with “good” in the going. Sa Majeste is respected for powerful connections (JP, Willie and most probably Derek O’Connor) but there is a chance that he is priced on reputation rather than form and I am happy to take a chance here at 10/1 antepost with this almost certainly the target.

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