Cheltenham Festival 2026 Cheat Sheet

28 races. 4 days. One pick per race. No waffling.

This is The Race Lab’s no-nonsense guide to Cheltenham 2026. Print it, screenshot it, shove it in your pocket. One selection per race, one danger horse, one reason why. That’s it.

Cheltenham runs Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 March 2026.

🏆 Best Bets of the Festival (Top 3 Picks)

Before we get into the day-by-day breakdown, these are the three bets we’d stake the most on:

1. ⭐ FACT TO FILE — Ryanair Chase (Thu, 16:00) — 1/2

The most dominant jumper in training. He’s been trained specifically for the Ryanair and the market knows it. At 1/2 it’s short, but this horse is a near certainty. Back him in multiples to boost the return.

2. ⭐ MAJBOROUGH — Queen Mother Champion Chase (Wed, 16:00) — 4/6

Unbeaten over fences. Brilliant at two miles. The Champion Chase has his name all over it. Another one for the leg of a treble.

3. ⭐ THE NEW LION — Champion Hurdle (Tue, 16:00) — 2/1

Constitution Hill’s absence opens this race wide up and The New Lion is the heir apparent. Nicky Henderson’s best chance of the week. Back him each-way minimum.

📅 Day 1 — Champion Day | Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Race 1 | 13:20 — Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)

💰 Pick: OLD PARK STAR — 5/2 The Nicky Henderson-trained novice is three from three over hurdles and the dominant market leader. His Rossington Main win had quality written all over it. Deserves favouritism. Danger: Mighty Park (10/3) — Willie Mullins knows how to bring one here fresh.

Race 2 | 14:00 — Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1, 2m)

💰 Pick: KOPEK DES BORDES — 6/4 Won the Supreme last year, moved to fences and hasn’t missed a beat. Willie Mullins, Paul Townend, Grade 1 novice chase — the formula writes itself. Favourites win this race more often than not. Danger: Lulamba (15/8) — Closely matched, just needs the race to unfold right.

Race 3 | 14:40 — Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m ½f)

💰 Pick: IROKO — 7/1 Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s juvenile looks the standout quality horse in the division. If connections keep him here rather than the Triumph, he’s a monster price for this grade. Danger: Handstands — Overpriced if the ground suits.

Race 4 | 15:20 — Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3, 3m 1f)

💰 Pick: INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN — 9/1 Gordon Elliott’s handicappers know how to target the big staying chases and this one has the profile: lightly raced, progressive, stays every yard of the trip. Compelling each-way case. Danger: The Jukebox Man — If he runs here instead of the Gold Cup, he wins.

Race 5 | 16:00 — Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m) ⭐ BEST BET

💰 Pick: THE NEW LION — 2/1 Constitution Hill’s absence is huge. The New Lion steps in as the class act in the field. Nicky Henderson’s horses are flying and this horse has the Champion Hurdle written all over him. Go each-way and get 3 places. Danger: Lossiemouth (5/2) — Mullins mare on a retrieval mission. Can’t be dismissed.

Race 6 | 16:40 — TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 2m 4f)

💰 Pick: GAELIC WARRIOR — 6/1 If he misses the Queen Mother (and there are whispers), this is exactly his race. Smart, well-handicapped, proven at the track. Massive each-way value if declared here. Danger: Il Etait Temps — Improving French-bred who gets it done when the mud flies.

Race 7 | 17:20 — National Hunt Novices’ Chase (Handicap, 3m 6f)

💰 Pick: ICEBERG THEORY — 9/1 Stays forever, jumps well, and the staying handicap chase at the Festival is exactly where big-priced winners emerge. Recommended by several independent tipsters. Each-way. Danger: Any Paul Nicholls runner — He’s historically lethal in this slot.

📅 Day 2 — Ladies Day | Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Race 8 | 13:20 — Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 5f)

💰 Pick: TALK THE TALK — 9/2 Dublin Racing Festival winner who looks tailormade for this trip. The step up to 2m5f brings out the best in him and he’s been campaigned with Cheltenham in mind all season. Danger: Mighty Park — If Mullins switches him from the Supreme, he’d be danger to all.

Race 9 | 14:00 — Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1, 3m)

💰 Pick: JANGO BAIE — 5/1 The Paul Nicholls-trained novice chaser has been highly impressive over three miles and this race suits his relentless galloping style. Brown Advisory is the race for staying novice chasers who go from the front — Jango obliges. Danger: Any Gordon Elliott three-mile novice — Ireland sends its best and one will be fit to run.

Race 10 | 14:40 — Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m 5f)

💰 Pick: LEADER D’ALLIER — 12/1 Lightly raced French import still on a workable handicap mark. 2m5f on decent ground is right in his wheelhouse. Paul Townend confirmed ride if available — that says plenty. Danger: Any Willie Mullins handicapper — He regularly dominates this race.

Race 11 | 15:20 — Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (3m 5½f)

💰 Pick: TEAHUPOO — 7/2 If connections decide the Cross Country is the better option over the Stayers, Teahupoo’s athletic jumping style is made for it. Otherwise, watch for Gordon Elliott’s Cross Country specialist which he always has in reserve for this unique test. Danger: Pont Morvan — The French-trained horses love this format.

Race 12 | 16:00 — Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1, 2m) ⭐ BEST BET

💰 Pick: MAJBOROUGH — 4/6 Unbeaten over fences. Two-mile chasing specialist. There’s nothing in this field who can live with him when he’s right. Back him and stick him in a treble with the other best bets. Danger: Jonbon (10/1) — At 10/1, he’s the value play if Majborough has an off day.

Race 13 | 16:40 — Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 2m)

💰 Pick: KARGESE — 10/1 The mare who pushed Romeo Coolio in the Irish Arkle is underestimated here. If connections bypass the Arkle, this is an easier race at a juicy price. Smart, quick and two miles suits. Danger: Romeo Coolio — If he’s in here at a handicap mark, he’s the winner.

Race 14 | 17:20 — Champion Bumper (Grade 1, 2m)

💰 Pick: WILLIE MULLINS RUNNER (TBC) — watch markets The bumper is Mullins’ domain — he’s won it nine times. Whoever he saddles for this with Ruby Walsh or Paul Townend is the horse to be on. Track the declarations and go with the stable’s first string. Danger: Gordon Elliott — His bumper horses improve dramatically with each run.

📅 Day 3 — Stayers’ Day (St Patrick’s Thursday) | Thursday, 12 March 2026

Race 15 | 13:20 — Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 5f)

💰 Pick: EL CAIROS — 7/1 Missed the Turners for this and connections clearly think the Ballymore is the better fit. Strong traveller, stays well, and the extra half-mile is going to make him even more dangerous. Danger: Mydaddypaddy (9/1) — JP McManus and Willie Mullins is always a threat.

Race 16 | 14:00 — Plate/Handicap Chase (2m 4f)**

💰 Pick: IL ETAIT TEMPS — 8/1 French-bred staying chaser who’s been knocking on the door in Grade 2s. The handicapper may have left him in at the right mark and this is the ideal Cheltenham gallop for him. Danger: Gaelic Warrior — Top weight but too good for most fields.

Race 17 | 14:40 — Ryanair Trial/Handicap Chase (2m 4f)

💰 Pick: GOLDEN ACE — 6/1 Progressive, tough, and the trip is perfect. This horse has been building towards a Cheltenham festival target and the handicapper hasn’t fully caught up yet. Each-way. Danger: Any lightly raced Gordon Elliott handicapper.

Race 18 | 15:20 — Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)

💰 Pick: TEAHUPOO — 6/4 Ireland’s best staying hurdler. He was unlucky not to win last year and returns with a point to prove. Three miles at Cheltenham is his optimum and connections have targeted this all season. Danger: Honesty Policy (4/1) — Danger to all if Teahupoo has any kind of issue.

Race 19 | 16:00 — Ryanair Chase (Grade 1, 2m 4f) ⭐ BEST BET

💰 Pick: FACT TO FILE — 1/2 This is the most nailed-on result of the week. Fact To File has been engineered specifically for the Ryanair by Willie Mullins. He jumped, stayed, and dominated every test put in front of him. At 1/2 you’re not getting rich, but you’re getting paid. Use in a double/treble. Danger: Gaelic Warrior (6/4) — The only horse who can conceivably give him a race.

Race 20 | 16:40 — Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle, 3m)

💰 Pick: KABRAL DU MATHAN — 8/1 Strong stayer who qualified for this through a Pertemps qualifier and has the form to go very close. The staying handicap hurdle is always tricky but this is a horse with class well above his mark. Danger: Bob Olinger — If he finally runs his race he’s too good for this field.

Race 21 | 17:20 — Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Amateur, 3m 2f)

💰 Pick: I AM MAXIMUS — 8/1 Connections have hinted at this as a target. He loves Cheltenham, stays the trip, and amateur jockeys tend to ride a patient race which suits his style. Strong each-way play. Danger: Any Nicky Henderson amateur entry — He knows how to place horses in this slot.

📅 Day 4 — Gold Cup Day | Friday, 13 March 2026

Race 22 | 13:20 — Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)

💰 Pick: IROKO — 7/1 Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s juvenile is the most talked-about four-year-old hurdler in the country. His form figures read well against this field and 7/1 is a gift for a horse with his quality. Danger: Jagwar — Nicky Henderson is deadly in this race and Jagwar has strong form.

Race 23 | 14:00 — County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m)

💰 Pick: BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD — 10/1 Lightly raced, improving rapidly, and the County is exactly the race where progressive hurdlers land. Down the weights enough to be competitive, with an upside the market hasn’t fully priced in. Danger: Any 33/1 shot — This race throws up a big-priced winner almost every year.

Race 24 | 14:40 — Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m 4f)

💰 Pick: L’EAU DU SUD — 7/2 One of the best mares in training. Proven at Cheltenham, thrives on good or soft ground, and the mares’ chase is becoming one of the most prestigious races at the festival. She’s been trained for this all year. Danger: Any Willie Mullins mare — He always has a string of quality mares ready.

Race 25 | 15:20 — Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)

💰 Pick: HANDSTANDS — 12/1 If the ground rides soft on Gold Cup day, this horse is absolutely made for three miles. Trained by Sam Bowen, who’s flying this season, and the price is generous for a horse with his staying credentials. Danger: Any Gordon Elliott three-mile novice hurdler — He wins this race regularly.

Race 26 | 16:00 — Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3m 2f)

💰 Pick: THE JUKEBOX MAN — 11/2 Here’s the value bet of the Gold Cup. Fact To File is the favourite but Gold Cup history shows the jolly doesn’t always land. The Jukebox Man has crept into the conversation at 11/2 and represents genuine value — he’s been beaten by the best but keeps running massive races. Each-way at minimum. Best bet if you want a winner: FACT TO FILE (4/1) — if price matters less than confidence. Danger: Jango Baie (11/2) — Improving rapidly and Paul Nicholls knows how to win a Gold Cup.

Race 27 | 16:40 — Festival Hunter Chase (Hunter Chase, 3m 2f)

💰 Pick: SEEK THE BRAVEST — 5/1 Point-to-point stars dominate the hunter chase and this horse arrives with an unbeaten record under rules. The extended Gold Cup trip suits and hunter chase specialists who’ve been campaigned for this race are the ones to follow. Danger: Any Irish pointer with Cheltenham form — Watch the market move on day.

Race 28 | 17:20 — Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle (Handicap, 2m 4f)

💰 Pick: RESPLENDENT GREY — 16/1 Sam Bowen’s young stable star gets a run with a conditional rider, keeping the handicap mark suppressed. The Martin Pipe has an incredible record for progressive types being aimed here specifically. The price is generous. Danger: Any Gordon Elliott conditional jockey pick — He dominates the conditional ranks too.

📊 Quick Reference Card

Odds correct at time of writing. Always check latest prices. Gamble responsibly — 18+ only. Visit BeGambleAware.

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