The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is here — four glorious days of the best jump racing on the planet, from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March 2026. Twenty-eight races, thirteen Grade 1 contests, and more drama, heartbreak, and punter glory than any other week in the racing calendar. This is where champions are crowned, fortunes are won (and lost), and legendary performances are etched into racing folklore.
For early value before the festival, see our Cheltenham 2026 ante-post betting tips covering all four championship races and key supporting events.
Whether you’re hunting the best Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting offers, looking for expert Cheltenham tips ahead of the Gold Cup, or simply want to know what time the Champion Hurdle goes off, you’re in the right place. We’ve got the full race schedule, detailed previews for all 28 races, top contenders with current odds, and the best bookmaker promotions to maximise your Festival punting.
Best Cheltenham Festival 2026 Betting Offers (New Customers)
The bookies roll out their biggest guns for Cheltenham. Free bets, boosted odds, money-back specials — it’s Christmas for punters. If you’re new to any of these firms, now’s the time to grab a welcome offer and load up for the Festival. Below are the top-rated bookmakers with the best sign-up deals for Cheltenham 2026.
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Already signed up everywhere? Don’t worry — the bookies love existing punters at Cheltenham too. Enhanced each-ways, best-odds guarantees, money-back on beaten favourites… the daily promotions during Festival week are where the real value hides. Check these out every morning before you place your bets.
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Richard Smith has been writing Cheltenham Festival tips for over a decade, with a proven track record of finding value in both the championship races and the tricky handicaps. Every day of the Festival, we’ll publish detailed analysis, race-by-race tips, and suggested bets across win singles, each-ways, and multiples. Want the full breakdown? Check out our dedicated day-by-day preview pages:
- Day 1 Preview – Tuesday 10th March (Champion Day)
- Day 2 Preview – Wednesday 11th March (Ladies Day)
- Day 3 Preview – Thursday 12th March (St Patrick’s Thursday)
- Day 4 Preview – Friday 13th March (Gold Cup Day)
2026 Cheltenham Festival Schedule & Race Guide
Below you’ll find the complete Cheltenham Festival 2026 race schedule with times, race names, and detailed previews for all 28 contests. We’ve picked out the leading contenders based on current ante-post markets and form heading into March. Odds are approximate and will shift right up until the off — always check your bookmaker for the latest prices.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2026 – DAY 1 – TUESDAY 10TH MARCH
Champion Day kicks off the Festival with a bang. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle opens proceedings, the Arkle showcases the best young chasers, and the day crescendos with the Champion Hurdle — the first of the big four championship races. This year’s Champion Hurdle is wide open after Sir Gino’s season-ending injury, making it one of the most competitive renewals in years.
Day 1 Race Schedule
- 13:20 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m ½f)
- 14:00 – Singer Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1, 2m)
- 14:40 – McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle / Fred Winter (Premier Handicap, 2m ½f)
- 15:20 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 3m ½f)
- 16:00 – Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m ½f)
- 16:40 – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 2m 5f)
- 17:20 – National Hunt Chase (3m 5f 210y)
13:20 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The Festival opener is always a nervy one — no idea how the ground’s playing, the crowd’s roaring, and everyone’s trying to get off the mark. This year’s Supreme looks like a two-horse race between Nicky Henderson’s Old Park Star and Willie Mullins’ Talk The Talk, though the Irish handler doesn’t yet have a standout favourite like he usually does.
Old Park Star won the Rossington Main at Haydock impressively and is only entered in the Supreme, which tells you Henderson thinks this is his race. Talk The Talk was looming large when he fell at Leopardstown in the Future Champions, and he’s drifted slightly in the market since. El Cairos is the other single-entry contender worth a look.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Old Park Star (15/8) – Nicky Henderson
- Talk The Talk (4/1) – Willie Mullins
- El Cairos (5/1)
14:00 – Singer Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
The Arkle has historically been kind to odds-on favourites, and Lulamba looks like he could be the day’s best bet. Nicky Henderson’s charge won the Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury with the sort of authority that screams “Arkle winner.” He’s only had three chase runs but he jumps like a cat and travels like a Ferrari.
The danger is Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes, who won the 2025 Supreme but has only had one chase run this season. Romeo Coolio is dual-entered across multiple races and could turn up here, but Lulamba looks a cut above.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Lulamba (6/4) – Nicky Henderson
- Kopek Des Bordes (3/1) – Willie Mullins
- Romeo Coolio (8/1)
14:40 – McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter)
The Fred Winter is a punting minefield — a wide-open handicap hurdle for four-year-olds with entries only confirmed on 17th February. Markets are still forming, but this is typically a race where Irish raiders dominate and British hopes flounder. Wait for the weights and study the Trials Day form before wading in.
Market Status: Still forming — handicap entries published 17th February.
15:20 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
Another tricky handicap, this time over three miles and a bit. The Ultima has been won by everything from 33/1 shots to well-backed favourites, so there’s no pattern to cling to. Look for horses who’ve won at the track before, stay well, and can handle Cheltenham’s undulations. Entries were published mid-February and the market is still bedding in.
Market Status: Still forming.
16:00 – Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) ⭐
The Champion Hurdle 2026 is the race that defines Champion Day, and this year’s renewal is wide open. Willie Mullins’ Sir Gino was the short-priced favourite until he suffered a season-ending fractured pelvis in the Unibet Hurdle on Trials Day. State Man is also absent. Constitution Hill’s form figures read FF5F over jumps this season — he’s had a flat run at Southwell to try and rebuild confidence, but whether Nicky Henderson even runs him is anyone’s guess.
That leaves us with a fascinating four-way battle. The New Lion won the Unibet Hurdle on Trials Day and is unbeaten this season — he’s Britain’s main hope and Dan Skelton’s best-ever chance at a Championship race. Brighterdaysahead beat Lossiemouth by three lengths in the Irish Champion Hurdle and gives Gordon Elliott a live contender, though he’s 0/2 at the Festival.
Lossiemouth might not even run here — she’s odds-on for the Mares’ Hurdle and could go for the hat-trick instead. If she does line up, she’s a major player. Golden Ace is the reigning champion but looked second-best to Sir Gino at Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle.
The New Lion looks the each-way value if you’re backing British, but this is a race to savour rather than lumping on. No standout favourite, no Mullins steamroller (yet), just pure, open championship racing.
Top 5 Contenders:
- The New Lion (5/2) – Dan Skelton
- Brighterdaysahead (11/4) – Gordon Elliott
- Constitution Hill (5/1) – Nicky Henderson
- Lossiemouth (7/1) – Willie Mullins (may run in Mares’ Hurdle instead)
- Golden Ace (8/1) – Willie Mullins (reigning champion)
16:40 – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
The Plate used to be on St Patrick’s Thursday but has swapped places with the Mares’ Hurdle for 2026, landing on Champion Day. It’s a two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase that often throws up a surprise winner. Markets are still forming as trainers finalise their entries.
Market Status: Still forming.
17:20 – National Hunt Chase
The day’s finale is a stamina test for amateur riders — nearly four miles of Cheltenham’s punishing terrain. It’s a race that separates the genuine stayers from the pretenders, and it often produces future Gold Cup contenders. Markets are thin at this stage, but keep an eye on Willie Mullins’ entries when they’re confirmed.
Market Status: Still forming.
📖 Read the full Day 1 preview with detailed tips for all seven races →
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2026 – DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH
Ladies Day is the most glamorous day of the Festival, but don’t let the fashions distract you — there’s serious racing on offer. The Turners Novices’ Hurdle and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase showcase the best staying novices, while the Champion Chase is the second of the big four championship races. Willie Mullins’ Majborough looks a monster after his 19-length demolition in the Dublin Chase.
Day 2 Race Schedule
- 13:20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, ~2m 4f)
- 14:00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1, ~3m)
- 14:40 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m 5f)
- 15:20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (~3m 6f)
- 16:00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1, 2m)
- 16:40 – Debenhams Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 2m)
- 17:20 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1, 2m ½f)
13:20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The Turners (formerly known as the Ballymore) is the championship race for staying novice hurdlers. Act Of Innocence was scratched from the Supreme and confirmed for this, which tells you connections fancy him over the longer trip. Ballyfad and Taurus Bay are the main dangers, but this looks like Act Of Innocence’s race to lose.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Act Of Innocence (5/2)
- Ballyfad (5/1)
- Taurus Bay (6/1)
14:00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
The Brown Advisory is the staying novice chase equivalent of the Turners, and this year’s favourite is a puzzle. Willie Mullins’ Final Demand looked outstanding early in the season but flopped badly on heavy ground at Leopardstown in February. Some pundits reckon he “shouldn’t even be market leader” after that performance.
Jeriko Du Reponet is the dark horse in the staying novice chase division and could spring a surprise. Romeo Coolio is dual-entered but might run in the Arkle instead. This is a race to approach with caution — wait for the final declarations before committing.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Final Demand (3/1) – Willie Mullins (something to prove after Leopardstown flop)
- Jeriko Du Reponet (5/1)
- Romeo Coolio (8/1) – dual-entered
14:40 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
The Coral Cup is one of the most competitive handicaps of the week — a cavalry charge of 20+ runners over two and a half miles. It’s a race where pace, positioning, and a bit of luck all matter. Markets are still forming, but look for horses who’ve run well at the track before and can handle a strongly-run race. This is a great one for each-way punting.
Market Status: Still forming.
15:20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Love it or hate it, the Cross Country Chase is Festival theatre. The course takes in banks, ditches, and obstacles you won’t find on any other racecourse. Stumptown won this in 2025 and is the early favourite to repeat. It’s a specialist’s race — ignore it if you’re not into the quirky stuff, or embrace the chaos and have a small punt.
Top Contender:
- Stumptown (3/1) – 2025 winner
16:00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) ⭐
The Queen Mother Champion Chase 2026 is two miles of pure speed, precision jumping, and raw class. This year, we’ve got a mouth-watering clash between Majborough and defending champion Marine Nationale.
Majborough won the 2024 Triumph Hurdle but had a disappointing 2025 when beaten odds-on in the Arkle. Fast-forward to February 2026, and he’s a transformed animal — he demolished the field by 19 lengths in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown, cutting from 8/1 to 13/8 favourite overnight. That was one of the most visually impressive performances of the season.
Marine Nationale won this race in 2025, beating Jonbon by 18 lengths, but he was second on heavy ground at Leopardstown in his prep race. He’s better on better ground, and if we get good to soft at Cheltenham, he’s a serious player at 5/2.
Il Etait Temps won the Tingle Creek at Sandown, while L’Eau du Sud was third in that race and won the Shloer Chase earlier in the season. Jonbon is 20/1 after a Clarence House win at Ascot, but he might swerve this and run in the Ryanair instead.
Majborough looks the one to beat, but don’t sleep on Marine Nationale if the ground dries out.
Top 4 Contenders:
- Majborough (13/8) – Willie Mullins (19-length Dublin Chase winner)
- Marine Nationale (5/2) – Barry Connell (2025 winner, needs better ground)
- Il Etait Temps (8/1) – Tingle Creek winner
- L’Eau du Sud (8/1) – Dan Skelton (Shloer Chase winner)
16:40 – Debenhams Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
The Grand Annual is a two-mile handicap chase with a new sponsor (Debenhams) for 2026. It’s a fast, furious cavalry charge where one mistake costs you the race. Markets are still forming, but this is another cracking each-way opportunity once the weights are out.
Market Status: Still forming.
17:20 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)
The Champion Bumper closes Ladies Day — a Grade 1 for horses who’ve never run over hurdles or fences. It’s a flat race over jumps, basically, and Willie Mullins has an absurd record in it. Markets are thin at this stage, but Dan Skelton’s Risky Obsession is one to watch at around 8/1. Expect Mullins to dominate the market when his entries are confirmed.
Dark Horse:
- Risky Obsession (8/1) – Dan Skelton
📖 Read the full Day 2 preview with detailed tips for all seven races →
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2026 – DAY 3 – THURSDAY 12TH MARCH
St Patrick’s Thursday is the day when the Irish really turn up. The Stayers’ Hurdle is the third championship race, the Ryanair Chase is a Grade 1 belter, and the Mares’ Hurdle showcases the best female hurdlers. Lossiemouth could be odds-on for that one if she swerves the Champion Hurdle.
Day 3 Race Schedule
- 13:20 – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle / Dawn Run (Grade 2, 2m ½f)
- 14:00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2, ~2m 4f)
- 14:40 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m ½f)
- 15:20 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)
- 16:00 – Ryanair Chase / Festival Trophy (Grade 1, 2m 4½f)
- 16:40 – Pertemps Network Final (Premier Handicap, 3m)
- 17:20 – Rosconn Group Kim Muir Challenge Cup (3m 2f)
13:20 – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Dawn Run) – Grade 2
The Dawn Run is the mares’ novice hurdle championship, and Willie Mullins’ Bambino Fever looks a class apart. She won the Champion Bumper last year and followed up with an impressive victory at Fairyhouse in January. She could go odds-on closer to the race.
Oldschool Outlaw actually beat Bambino Fever on hurdling debut and won the Solerina, so she’s not without a chance. But Mullins won the first five renewals of this race, and Bambino Fever looks like she’s got the class to end his six-year drought.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Bambino Fever (7/4) – Willie Mullins (Champion Bumper winner)
- Oldschool Outlaw (4/1)
- Mille Et Une Vies (8/1) – Dan Skelton
14:00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
The Jack Richards is a relatively new addition to the Festival — a limited handicap chase for novices. Markets are still forming, but this is one to study once the weights are published. Look for progressive chasers who’ve won over similar trips.
Market Status: Still forming.
14:40 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle has moved to Thursday for 2026 (swapping with the Plate). And if Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth runs here instead of the Champion Hurdle, she’ll be odds-on. She’s going for a third successive win in this race, having won in 2024 and 2025. Some bookies already have her at 4/5.
The danger is Wodhooh, who was touted as “one to beat” in early-season analysis, but Lossiemouth is a different class. If you’re backing her, this is the race — not the Champion Hurdle, where she faces much stiffer competition.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Lossiemouth (EVS / 4-5) – Willie Mullins (going for hat-trick)
- Wodhooh (5/1)
- Listentoyourheart (10/1) – Dan Skelton
15:20 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) ⭐
The Stayers’ Hurdle 2026 is the championship race for three-mile hurdlers, and this year’s renewal looks like a battle between new blood and the old guard. Teahupoo won this in 2024, finished second in 2025, and has had a superb autumn campaign — winning both the Hatton’s Grace and Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. He’s Gordon Elliott’s main hope and the 7/4 favourite.
Honesty Policy and Impose Toi are the fresh faces in the division, both trained by Willie Mullins for JP McManus. Honesty Policy won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last year, while Impose Toi has a three-race winning streak including the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
Bob Olinger is the defending champion at 11 years old, with a flawless 3/3 Festival record. He’s getting on a bit, but you can’t write him off. Ma Shantou won the Cleeve Hurdle on Trials Day and is Britain’s best hope at 8/1.
Teahupoo looks the one to beat, but this is a deep, competitive renewal. Each-way bets make sense here.
Top 5 Contenders:
- Teahupoo (7/4) – Gordon Elliott (2024 winner, superb autumn form)
- Honesty Policy (4/1) – Willie Mullins / JP McManus (fresh blood)
- Bob Olinger (7/1) – Henry de Bromhead (defending champion, 3/3 at Festival)
- Ma Shantou (8/1) – Cleeve Hurdle winner, best British hope
- Impose Toi (14/1) – Willie Mullins / JP McManus (Long Walk winner)
16:00 – Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) – Grade 1
The Ryanair Chase is the in-between championship race — not quite Gold Cup distance, but longer than two miles. It’s a brilliant race, and this year’s renewal hinges entirely on one question: does Fact To File get supplemented for the Gold Cup?
Willie Mullins’ Fact To File is the reigning Ryanair champion and won the Irish Gold Cup brilliantly in February, beating stablemate Gaelic Warrior by five lengths. He’s only entered in the Ryanair, but JP McManus could pay to supplement him for the Gold Cup. If he stays here, he’ll be odds-on. If he goes to the Gold Cup, Gaelic Warrior becomes the banker favourite at 5/2.
Ruby Walsh has said “one of them will run here,” so we’re guaranteed a Mullins steamroller. Jonbon is 6/1 if he swerves the Champion Chase, but he’d be up against it. This is a Mullins benefit match.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Fact To File (2/1) – Willie Mullins (reigning champion, may go to Gold Cup)
- Gaelic Warrior (5/2) – Willie Mullins (becomes favourite if Fact To File goes to Gold Cup)
- Jonbon (6/1) – Nicky Henderson (Clarence House winner, dual-entered)
16:40 – Pertemps Network Final (Premier Handicap)
The Pertemps Final is a three-mile handicap hurdle for horses who’ve qualified through regional heats. It’s a proper stamina test, and the qualification races are still ongoing. Markets won’t firm up until closer to the Festival, but this is always a competitive betting heat.
Market Status: Qualification races ongoing.
17:20 – Rosconn Group Kim Muir Challenge Cup
The Kim Muir (new sponsor: Rosconn Group) is an amateur riders’ handicap chase over three miles and two furlongs. It’s a race where experience and horsemanship matter as much as raw speed. Markets are thin at this stage, but Willie Mullins usually fields a strong team.
Market Status: Still forming.
📖 Read the full Day 3 preview with detailed tips for all seven races →
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2026 – DAY 4 – FRIDAY 13TH MARCH
Gold Cup Day is the pinnacle of the jump racing season. The Triumph Hurdle kicks things off, the Mares’ Chase and Albert Bartlett showcase future stars, and then it all builds to the main event: the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026. This year’s Gold Cup is wide open — defending champion Inothewayurthinkin is out of form, Galopin Des Champs hasn’t shown his best, and Fact To File might be supplemented. Buckle up.
Day 4 Race Schedule
- 13:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m ½f)
- 14:00 – County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m)
- 14:40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m 4f)
- 15:20 – Paddy Power Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)
- 16:00 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3m 2½f)
- 16:40 – Festival Hunters’ Chase (3m 2f)
- 17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle (Handicap, 2m 4f)
13:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
The Triumph Hurdle is the juvenile championship — a Grade 1 for four-year-olds. Willie Mullins’ Narciso Has looks a cut above after winning the Grade 1 juvenile at Leopardstown by six lengths, giving 7lb to Mange Tout in the process. He’s dominant on yielding and heavy ground, and if we get soft conditions, he could go off odds-on.
Mange Tout is a filly trained by Gordon Elliott. She beat Narciso Has at Fairyhouse but was well beaten when they met again at Leopardstown. She’s 5/1 and represents the main danger.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Narciso Has (2/1) – Willie Mullins (dominant Grade 1 winner)
- Mange Tout (5/1) – Gordon Elliott (filly, beat Narciso Has once)
- Proactif (10/1) – Willie Mullins (dual-entered Supreme/Triumph)
14:00 – County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
The County Hurdle is a two-mile cavalry charge — one of the most competitive handicaps of the week. Dan Skelton has won this four times, so keep an eye on his entries when they’re confirmed. Markets are still forming, but this is a cracking race for small multiples like a Trixie if you fancy a few at bigger prices.
Market Status: Still forming.
14:40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
Willie Mullins’ Dinoblue is the defending champion and has won twice this season in mares-only company. She won the 2025 edition of this race emphatically and looks the one to beat at 15/8.
The danger is Found A Fifty, who beat Dinoblue in the Fortria Chase on seasonal debut. That form gives her a live chance at 4/1. Dan Skelton’s Panic Attack could also be a threat if she runs here instead of the Ryanair.
Top 3 Contenders:
- Dinoblue (15/8) – Willie Mullins (defending champion)
- Found A Fifty (4/1) – beat Dinoblue in Fortria Chase
- Panic Attack (8/1) – Dan Skelton
15:20 – Paddy Power Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The Albert Bartlett is the staying novice hurdle championship — three miles of lung-busting attrition. I’ll Sort That is dual-entered in the Turners and Albert Bartlett and looks the early favourite at 5/1. No Drama This End is 6/1, with Dan Skelton’s Moneygarrow and Dalston Lad also in the mix.
Markets are still bedding in, but this is a race where stamina is king. Look for horses who’ve won over 2m6f+ and stay strongly up the Cheltenham hill.
Top 3 Contenders:
- I’ll Sort That (5/1) – dual-entered
- No Drama This End (6/1)
- Moneygarrow (8/1) – Dan Skelton
16:00 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) ⭐⭐⭐
Here it is. The Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026. The one everyone’s been waiting for. Three miles, two and a half furlongs of the most demanding test in jump racing. And this year, it’s wide open.
Defending champion Inothewayurthinkin (Gavin Cromwell) is out of form at 16/1. Dual winner Galopin Des Champs (Willie Mullins) hasn’t shown his best this season and is 10/1. The old guard are fading. Enter the new contenders.
Fact To File won the Irish Gold Cup brilliantly, beating stablemate Gaelic Warrior by five lengths. The problem? He’s only entered in the Ryanair. JP McManus will decide whether to supplement him for the Gold Cup (cost: £50,000), and that decision could shape the entire race. If he runs here, he’s the 4/1 favourite. If he stays in the Ryanair, this race is anyone’s.
Jango Baie won the 2025 Arkle and finished a close fourth in the King George. He’s progressive, young, and proven at the highest level. At 5/1, he’s Willie Mullins’ next-best hope if Fact To File doesn’t supplement.
The Jukebox Man is Britain’s main hope. Paul Nicholls’ charge won the King George at Kempton and looks every inch a Gold Cup horse. He’s 6/1 and represents the best chance for a home-trained winner since Native River in 2018.
Gaelic Warrior finished third in the King George and second in the Irish Gold Cup behind Fact To File. He’s a former Arkle winner with Grade 1 class, and at 7/1, he’s a live each-way player.
Haiti Couleurs is the outsider with a serious chance. Rebecca Curtis’ charge won the Welsh National carrying 11st 13lb and won the 2025 National Hunt Chase. Curtis reckons he has a “serious chance” in the Gold Cup, and at 10/1, he’s worth a look.
This is a Gold Cup with no standout favourite, no Mullins steamroller (unless Fact To File supplements), and genuine chances for multiple horses. It’s the most open renewal in years. Each-way punting is the way forward here — pick two or three at decent prices and hope one of them brings home the bacon.
Top 6 Contenders:
- Fact To File (4/1) – Willie Mullins (Irish Gold Cup winner, only entered in Ryanair — needs supplement)
- Jango Baie (5/1) – Willie Mullins (2025 Arkle winner, progressive)
- The Jukebox Man (6/1) – Paul Nicholls (King George winner, best British hope)
- Gaelic Warrior (7/1) – Willie Mullins (former Arkle winner, Irish Gold Cup second)
- Galopin Des Champs (10/1) – Willie Mullins (dual Gold Cup winner, out of form)
- Haiti Couleurs (10/1) – Rebecca Curtis (Welsh National winner, “serious chance”)
16:40 – Festival Hunters’ Chase
The Hunters’ Chase is a three-mile-plus contest for horses with hunter chase experience. Dan Skelton’s Unexpected Party is a previous Festival winner and sits around 5/1 in early markets. This is a specialist’s race — if you’re not into hunter chasing, give it a miss.
Top Contender:
- Unexpected Party (5/1) – Dan Skelton (previous Festival winner)
17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle (Handicap)
The Martin Pipe closes the Festival — a handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys (apprentice riders). It’s a fitting finale that often produces emotional storylines and future stars. Markets are still forming, but this is always a competitive betting heat.
Market Status: Still forming.
📖 Read the full Day 4 preview with detailed tips for all seven races →
Cheltenham Festival 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Cheltenham Festival 2026?
What time is the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026?
Who is favourite for the Champion Hurdle 2026?
Who is favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026?
What are the best Cheltenham betting offers for 2026?
How many races are there at the Cheltenham Festival?
Where can I watch the Cheltenham Festival 2026?
What is non-runner no bet (NRNB) at Cheltenham?
Who trains the most Cheltenham Festival winners?
Should I back favourites at Cheltenham?
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years. With Sir Gino ruled out, Constitution Hill’s form in doubt, and the Gold Cup wide open, there are opportunities everywhere for punters who do their homework. Grab the best betting offers, study the form, and enjoy four days of the finest jump racing on the planet. See you at the Festival. 🍀🏇