The Cheltenham Festival is back and the 2026 edition promises to be action-packed and, perhaps, a little unpredictable though there is sure to be four incredible days of racing culminating in Friday’s Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin attempting to win the trophy for a second successive year.
First up however is Champion Day. Tuesday sees the Festival begin in all its splendor and glory and there are some previous winners and big name horses on display for the British and Irish trainers.
The Supreme Novices Hurdle kicks off proceedings with Nicky Henderson’s Old Star Park leading the way in the odds markets and with Nico de Boinville set to ride him it could be an early victory for the English trainer. In the Arkle, Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes (who won the Supreme Novices in 2025) is being backed to triumph again while Dan Skelton’s The New Lion, another former Cheltenham winner, is going for glory in the Champion Hurdle.
But, which horse do our experts fancy for this opening salvo at the Festival? Read on to find out.
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Our racing correspondent Jonathan Doidge will be at Cheltenham all week to share his thoughts, insights and tips. Plus legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh has shared his tips with Paddy Power.
Champion Day – Tuesday, 11 March
1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1 )
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Leader D’Allier
“A smaller field than expected, but this still looks a deep Supreme. I have a few concerns about some of the market principals, and I like the look of Leader d’Allier. He has the ideal profile, he’s a solid jumper and he should see this trip out strongly.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tips: Old Park Star and Talk The Talk (both E/W)
“Nicky Henderson knows how to win this race and the type that it takes to do so. I’m not sure Old Park Star is as nippy as some he’s sent this way but he’s definitely not slow and I think he’ll get the strong pace he needs to enable him to do his best work up the hill.
“I’d also added in a second each-way play on Talk The Talk, in the belief that he’d eventually come here. I think he’d be 4-4 over hurdles but for that stumble after he’d jumped the last at Leopardstown in front and if anything beats Old Park Star, it could be him.”
Sky Bet ambassador Ed Chamberlin’s tip: Old Park Star
“The big question is who will be standing at the top after the Sky Bet Supreme, and I think the answer is Old Park Star. Mighty Park has been talked up as the next coming, which makes Old Park Star a backable price with Sky Bet. I know the Henderson team think the world of him now.”
2.00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Kopek Des Bordes
“Kopek Des Bordes surprised me with how nimble he was over fences at Navan, and he looked very impressive when I saw him schooling at Fairyhouse. They even let me sit on him one day, and I got off with a big smile on my face. He’s a proper racehorse and my best bet on day one.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Lulamba
“He’s barely put a foot wrong and he’s officially 5lb superior to the favourite Kopek Des Bordes, and I am still happy to be with Lulamba in the Arkle. He impressed with his jumping at both Exeter and when winning the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown.”
2.40: Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Glen to Glen
“Saratoga has been on plenty of punters’ minds, but I’m siding with Glen To Glen. He was a very decent performer on the Flat, and the drying ground should really suit him. He looks to be on a fair mark and has a solid chance for Joseph O’Brien.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Mustang Du Breuil (E/W)
“There’s been a further nibble at Manlagaand I do think Nicky Henderson’s charge has claims in this juvenile handicap. However his stablemate Mustang Du Breuil is twice the price and they are rated only 1lb apart on their form to date. That looks like value.”
3:20: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Resplendent Grey (E/W)
“I’ve gone off Jagwar, who I thought might develop into a graded performer this season. Instead, I’m taking a chance on Resplendent Grey at a big each-way price. He gets blinkers on for the first time, which will be a huge help to him. He was placed at the Festival last year, the drying ground should suit, and with Sean Bowen booked, he looks a solid value play.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Jagwar
“Whichever way I look at this race, and there are a number who may well be well treated, I keep coming back to the favourite Jagwar. He loves it around here, those form figures of 1132 are clear evidence of that.”
4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: The New Lion
“Lossiemouth will sport cheekpieces for the first time in an attempt to help her keep up with the early pace. She’s better suited to more steadily run races over this trip, and Brighterdaysahead could set a frantic gallop, which just puts me off her. It could set up perfectly for The New Lion if he can keep his jumping together. He just gets my vote.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Lossiemouth (E/W)
“Lossiemouth is unbeaten at this venue and is just such a consistent and reliable mare. Detractors will say that, at her best, she wouldn’t be good enough to beat a top Champion Hurdle winner. That may still be the case shortly after four o’clock on Tuesday but I think she’s definitely good enough to finish in the first three.”
Sky Bet ambassador Oli Bell’s tip: Tutti Quanti
“Tutti Quanti is overpriced in the Champions Hurdle and I’m the only one seemingly blabbering on about it. I was so impressed with him at Newbury – yes he has to improve, but I think he’s really talented.”
4.40: TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Downmexicoway
“I was siding with Downmexicoway, whether he turned up here or in the Grand Annual. He was beaten 23 lengths in the Irish Arkle, but that margin could have been much closer. He’s on a lovely mark, and it’s Downmexicoway all the way for me.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Zurich (E/W)
“Zurich has got C&D winning form against his name, in what was presumably a reconnaissance mission for this race. He showed a bit more improvement there and there’s no obvious reason why he can’t do so again in a true-run contest like the vast majority of Festival races provide.”
5.20: National Hunt Chase
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Newton Tornado
“It’s Newton Tornado for me in the last. Rebecca Curtis was keen for Paul Townend to take the ride, but he respectfully declined. She’s very strong on his chances, and she knows how to get one ready for this race, having won it twice before, including last year’s renewal. I’m hoping she can go back-to-back and end day one with a winner.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Iceberg Theory (E/W)
“Trainer Paul Nolan doesn’t send his inmates to these shores if he doesn’t think they’ve a chance and I think Iceberg Theory has too. He won at both Limerick and Cork to make it 2-3 over fences. He also looks well treated from a current mark of 133.”
Sky Bet ambassador Oli Bell’s tip: Newton Tornado
“Newton Tornado later on in the card, I think Rebecca Curtis has primed this horse to run a big race with Sean Flanagan on board. I’m landing on Winston Junior for Faye Bramley, who bolted up last time and could be well treated.”
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