The Irish Handicap Hustle: Jazzy Matty and Beyond at Cheltenham 2025

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, roaring to life from March 11-14 across 28 races, promises a four-day Irish invasion, with handicap races as the battleground where Ireland’s craftiest trainers—Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell, and Willie Mullins—could hustle their way to glory. At the heart of this hustle is Jazzy Matty, Elliott’s Grand Annual hopeful, joined by sleeper stars like Cromwell’s Stumptown and Mullins’ Absurd. In the Racing Post’s Unibet-sponsored preview, the panel—Tom Segal, Paul Kealy, David Jennings, Nicky Henderson, and Ed Nicholson—debated whether these handicap raiders can outfox British defenses. With big fields and bigger odds, can Ireland’s handicap hustle, led by Jazzy Matty and beyond, dominate Cheltenham 2025?

Jazzy Matty’s Grand Annual Gambit: Elliott’s Festival Flyer

Wednesday’s Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (16:50, March 12) at 9/1 spotlights Jazzy Matty—Elliott’s festival flyer with a Cheltenham pedigree. “He’s a course king—won the Boodles here,” Kealy said, recalling his 2023 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle triumph at 18/1 over 2 miles, outbattling Brazil with Michael O’Sullivan aboard—a late surge up the hill that stunned punters. “He’s quick—loves this track,” Jennings added, his Fairyhouse chase win last month—a two-length blitz over 2 miles on soft ground—sharpening his blade.

Elliott’s handicap guile—six 2024 festival wins—fuels Jazzy’s gambit. “Gordon peaks them perfect—9/1’s juicy,” Segal said, the Grand Annual’s £100,000 purse a hustler’s prize over 13 fences. Facing Dan Skelton’s Be Aware (7/1), Jazzy’s “course form trumps all,” Nicholson noted—explore horse race odds—Unibet’s non-runner no bet locks in 9/1 as Elliott’s flyer aims to hustle Wednesday’s riches. “He’s a sleeper—flies under the radar,” Kealy grinned—a Grand Annual win could ignite Ireland’s handicap haul.

Stumptown’s Kim Muir Knockout: Cromwell’s Thursday Thunder

Thursday’s Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (17:30, March 13) at 14/1 unveils Stumptown—Cromwell’s thunderous sleeper in the Irish hustle. “He’s a grinder—built for this,” Segal argued, his Fairyhouse win last December over 3 miles 5 furlongs—a four-length slog on heavy turf—proving his stamina. “Second here last year—knows the drill,” Jennings said, his 2024 Kim Muir runner-up finish to Inothewayurthinkin a neck shy of glory over 23 fences.

Cromwell’s handicap nous—Flooring Porter’s 2021 Stayers’ upset—backs Stumptown’s bid. “Gavin’s a plotter—keeps them fresh,” Kealy noted, his light campaign—two runs since last spring—a knockout punch in waiting. “He’s a big price—could stun them,” Nicholson predicted, Where’s Frankie (6/1) a favored foe—Stumptown’s Thursday thunder aims to rumble Britain’s handicap hopes, a sleeper poised to cash in Ireland’s hustle with a £75,000 purse.

Absurd’s County Coup: Mullins’ Friday Finale

Friday’s County Handicap Hurdle (14:00, March 14) at 8/1—boosted from 6/1—features Absurd, Mullins’ festival nap in Kealy’s eyes. “Laid out for this—cruised at Leopardstown,” he said, his Christmas qualifier—a four-length rout over 2 miles off 135—outpacing Ethical Diamond with ease. “He’s class—Mullins’ handicap king,” Jennings grinned, Arctic Fire’s 2015 County win at 20/1 a blueprint—Absurd’s two wins from three starts keep him fresh for eight hurdles.

“Friday’s his—he’ll shorten,” Kealy predicted, King of Kingsfield (5/1) a hurdle to clear—£100,000 awaits Mullins’ hustler. “Willie’s depth—Absurd’s a gem,” Nicholson said, his 100-festival-win legacy (e.g., six last year) a fortress—Absurd’s coup could cap Ireland’s handicap sweep, a finale to the Irish hustle that dazzles or dims under Cheltenham’s glare.

The Ground Game: Ireland’s Turf Tailwind

Weather could turbocharge Ireland’s hustle—softish early, drying by Friday, per clerk Jon Pullin’s good-to-soft base as of March 6 after recent rain. “Soft suits Jazzy—2023 was tacky,” Kealy said, his Boodles win a mud-soaked badge—Wednesday’s Old Course favors his flyer’s flair. “Stumptown loves cut—Thursday’s his,” Segal noted, Fairyhouse’s slog a stamina seal—soft ground keeps Cromwell’s thunder rolling.

“Absurd handles both—dry boosts him,” Jennings hedged, Leopardstown’s good-to-soft a versatile clue—Friday’s New Course drying aligns with Mullins’ speed. “Soft early’s Ireland’s edge—British speed waits,” Nicholson mused—ground’s a tailwind for the hustle, Jazzy, Stumptown, and Absurd riding turf’s tide across three days of handicap chaos.

The British Counterpunch: Henderson’s Home Wall

Ireland’s hustle slams into Britain’s counterpunch—Nicky Henderson’s quartet: Constitution Hill (7/4), Jonbon (11/10), Lucky Place (7/1), Lou Lamber (5/2). “Connie’s Tuesday titan—silences them,” Nico de Boinville vowed, his 2023 Champion Hurdle romp—nine lengths over 2 miles—Britain’s shield. Watch his brilliance:

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“Jonbon redeems Wednesday—Lucky surprises Thursday,” Henderson said—Lou Lamber “flies Friday.” “Britain’s depth—Elliott, Cromwell, Mullins face a wall,” Kealy warned—handicap riches test Ireland’s hustle against Henderson’s home guard, a transatlantic tussle over four days.

The Panel’s Pulse: Hustle or Halted?

The panel’s split crackles—hustle or halted, Ireland’s handicap hopes divide. Segal’s cautious: “Jazzy flies—course king; Stumptown’s a punt—Absurd’s overrated.” Kealy’s Irish: “Absurd’s my nap—Jazzy’s gold; Stumptown grinds.” Nicholson’s buzzed: “9/1, 14/1, 8/1 trend—punters split; Ireland’s live.” Henderson’s steady: “My boys hold—handicaps are tough, not theirs.”

“Jazzy’s 2023 ghost—Stumptown’s near-miss—Absurd’s class,” Jennings grinned—panel pulse hums with stakes, Wednesday to Friday a hustler’s gauntlet—13 fences, 23 fences, eight hurdles. “Ireland’s hustle—big fields, big wins,” Kealy mused—Elliott’s six, Cromwell’s guile, Mullins’ depth test Britain’s mettle in handicap land.

Ireland’s Handicap Verdict: Hustle to Glory?

Will Ireland’s handicap hustle—Jazzy Matty, Stumptown, Absurd—sweep Cheltenham 2025? “Jazzy takes Wednesday—course love wins,” Segal predicted, 9/1 a sleeper’s shot—Grand Annual glory a spark. “Stumptown stuns Thursday—grinds them down,” Jennings said, 14/1 a knockout blow—Kim Muir’s crown in reach. “Absurd seals Friday—Mullins’ magic,” Kealy vowed, 8/1 a finale coup—County Hurdle riches cap the hustle.

“Henderson’s stars—Elliott’s raiders—Cromwell’s thunder,” Nicholson hedged—market hums, Ireland’s trio splitting bets—Britain’s wall looms. “Soft early—Irish plodders; dry late—speed fights,” Segal mused—March 11-14, Old to New Course, Ireland’s hustle unfolds—2 to 3 miles of chaos. “It’s a heist—handicap gold,” Jennings grinned—Unibet’s boosts dare punters—Jazzy’s flyer, Stumptown’s slog, Absurd’s class. Can Ireland’s handicap hustle reign, or will Britain halt the raid?