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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.
Wednesday sees the return of Ladies Day. Renamed back to its old moniker Ladies Day as is thrilling off the course as on it with spectators turning out in their finest attire to match the splendour of the racehorses themselves.
Following Lossiemouth’s victory in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, Irish trainer Willie Mullins is aiming to continue his impressive form as he fields Majborough in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Once more his closest rival looks to be one of Dan Skelton’s charges with L’Eau du Sud just behind on betting sites at 9/2.
Elsewhere, there’s Gordon Elliott interest in the Brown Advisory with Romeo Coolio and a wide open Turner’s Novices’ Hurdle looks set to begin proceedings in fascinating fashion.
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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.
Wednesday 11 March – Ladies Day
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Saint Baco (e/w)
“This looks wide open and No Drama This End sets a fair standard — he could be a Gold Cup contender down the line. The value may lie with SAINT BACO, who caught my eye when winning a maiden hurdle in November. He blew out at Grade 1 level at Naas since, but he was sick afterwards and has since turned a corner. At the prices, I’ll be with him each-way.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Skylight Hustle (e/w)
“I think there’s some value in the 8/1 on offer at some betting sites about Skylight Hustle, who can be backed each-way. Gordon Elliott’s charge took a big leap forward when he dotted up in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle (2m, yielding to soft) last November, before landing a Grade 1 over the same trip at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.”
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Romeo Coolio
“A huge field goes to post for the Brown Advisory, and I’m really interested in Romeo Coolio. I couldn’t see him winning the Arkle, so this looks the right move from connections. I’m not worried about his campaign over shorter trips — he should find this easier from a pace perspective, and he’s the one they all have to beat.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Wendigo (e/w)
“I do like Romeo Coolio, who I think looks the business and has generally jumped impeccably so far. I’d say that, from what I’ve seen of him, he’ll have it to prove over this far. If you’re intent on backing him, I’m not going to put you off, but I’ve already put up Wendigo ante-post for this, and I’m happy enough with that voucher.”
2.40: BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Kopeck De Mee
“I couldn’t win this as a jockey, but hopefully I can tip the winner. Storm Heart has obvious claims, but he’s well found in the market. I’m siding with his stablemate Kopeck De Mee, who has really come into himself of late. He was a big fancy for last year’s Martin Pipe but overraced early and blew his chance. He’s on a nice mark and can make amends this year.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Storm Heart
”His level of form is up there with any of the field. He’s been winning on very testing ground but he did land a Flat race on good when trained in France and he may have been winning in spite of conditions in Ireland, rather than because of them. He’s also improving.”
3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Fakir d’Oudairies (e/w)
“Favori De Champdou was impressive on Trials Day, but the 8 lb rise might just catch him out. With few unexposed types in the field, I’m backing Fakir d’Oudairies each-way at a big price. He ran well behind Vanillier at Punchestown last time and Darragh O’Keeffe takes the ride. He was rated in the mid-160s at one stage and is trained by the right man for this kind of test in Enda Bolger.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Favori De Champdou
”Former winner Stumptown comes into that category, as does Desertmore House but preference is for the ante-post favourite Favori De Champdou, who enjoyed a C&D success in January, his first attempt at the track.”
4.00: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Majborough
“This is Majborough’s to lose. He’s the best horse in the race and the cheekpieces worked wonders for him at the Dublin Racing Festival. He really concentrated and attacked his fences, and a repeat of that should be enough. He’s my strongest fancy on day two.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Il Etait Temps (e/w)
“I’ve previously advised to back Il Etait Temps for this race which was before he came a cropper after running no sort of race at Ascot last time.
“Clearly, confidence would have to be slightly lower as a result of that. He had, however, jumped superbly when winning the Tingle Creek and with Majborough odds-on and L’Eau du Sud, who is very much inferior to Il Etait Temps on official ratings but a shorter price, I’ll stick with my original selection.”
4.40: Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Break My Soul (e/w)
“This looks competitive, but Break My Soul has solid each-way claims. Since this race moved to the Old Course, the early exchanges have become really important. He should be able to get into a prominent position early, and anything caught too far back may struggle to make up ground. If things fall his way, he can be involved at the business end.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Relieved Of Duties (e/w)
”Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old began his chasing career with a win at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) last October, before coming here and showed plenty of improvement over today’s C&D (good to soft), despite finishing second to Alnilam.”
5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (In Memory of Sir Johnny Weatherby) (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Keep Him Company (e/w)
“Willie Mullins has plenty of chances, but from what I’ve heard from the Gordon Elliott camp, I’m siding with Keep Him Company. They seem very strong on his chances, and with Jack Kennedy on board, he could give the Mullins battalion plenty to think about.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Bass Hunter (e/w)
”Trainer Chris Gordon has been telling anyone who’ll listen that he’s a special horse and this point winner scored on debut at Newbury last November (good to soft), before adding a Listed success at Ascot (soft) the following month.”
