Cheltenham Festival 2026 Preview: Dates, Key Races & Betting Guide

Day 1 — Champion Day (Tuesday 10 March)

The Festival opens with one of its showpiece events, the Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 2 miles, £450,000). This year's renewal is the most open in years — more on the contenders below.

The supporting card is strong. The Supreme Novices' Hurdle kicks off proceedings at 1:30pm as the first race of the entire meeting, always a nerve-shredder for punters. The Arkle Challenge Trophy (2 miles, Grade 1) identifies the best novice chaser over the minimum trip, while the Mares' Hurdle has moved to Day 1 for 2026 in a schedule reshuffle.

Betting angle: The Supreme Novices' Hurdle historically favours horses who have won their prep race by a wide margin. Horses stepping up from a narrow victory tend to struggle with the pace and atmosphere.

Day 2 — Ladies Day (Wednesday 11 March)

Wednesday centres on the Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1, 2 miles, £400,000), the speed test of the Festival. Two-mile chasers need quality and courage in equal measure over Cheltenham's fences.

The Turners Novices' Hurdle is this year's Champion Hurdle favourite The New Lion's old stomping ground — he won this race 12 months ago. The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (3 miles, Grade 1) often identifies future Gold Cup horses.

The Coral Cup (2 miles 5 furlongs, handicap) is one of the best punting races of the week: a competitive handicap hurdle with 28 runners where shrewd judges can find value.

Day 3 — St Patrick's Thursday (Thursday 12 March)

Two Grade 1 features headline Thursday. The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (3 miles, £325,000) rewards stamina and determination, while the Ryanair Chase (2 miles 4 furlongs, £375,000) sits between the Champion Chase and Gold Cup in distance, attracting high-class chasers who stay beyond two miles but lack the stamina for three and a quarter.

The Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle moves to Thursday for 2026. If Lossiemouth bypasses the Champion Hurdle, expect her to line up here instead, where the mares' allowance gives her a significant edge.

Betting angle: The Stayers' Hurdle often goes to a market leader — favourites have a strong record. The Ryanair is more unpredictable and tends to reward each-way punters.

Day 4 — Gold Cup Day (Friday 13 March)

The biggest day in National Hunt racing. The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3 miles 2½ furlongs) is the ultimate test of stamina, jumping ability, and class over fences.

The supporting card includes the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3 miles, Grade 1), the staying novice hurdle that often throws up a surprise, and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, a race for punters who like doing their homework — the trends are strong.

Gold Cup Day has sold out for 2026. If you don't have tickets, the race is broadcast live on ITV Racing from 3:30pm.

Gold Cup — The Main Event

Fact To File has emerged as the horse to beat after a demolition job in the Irish Gold Cup, finishing clear of both Galopin Des Champs and Gaelic Warrior. Trained by Willie Mullins, the seven-year-old has the profile of a genuine champion: improving, unexposed over the trip, and with a high cruising speed that should suit the demands of the New Course.

Inothewayurthinkin is the defending champion. His victory in the 2025 Gold Cup was authoritative, and he's been kept fresh for a repeat bid. The question is whether he's improved enough to match Fact To File's acceleration.

Galopin Des Champs won this race in 2023 and 2024, and a third victory would cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats. However, his Irish Gold Cup effort was disappointing, and at 10 years old the window may be closing.

The Jukebox Man won the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day and cannot be dismissed. The King George–Gold Cup double is difficult but far from impossible — Kauto Star did it twice.

Gaelic Warrior finished behind Fact To File in Ireland but is still very much in the mix at around 7/1. The ante-post market suggests he's the value play of the big three Mullins runners.

Champion Hurdle — Wide Open

The New Lion is favourite at around 2/1, a short price for a race this competitive. Dan Skelton's six-year-old won the Turners Novices' Hurdle at last year's Festival but needs to prove he belongs at championship level. The step up from novice company is significant.

Brighterdaysahead is the danger. Gordon Elliott's mare beat Lossiemouth at the Dublin Racing Festival and arrives in form. She's never won at Cheltenham, though — a concern given how the track rides differently to Irish courses.

Golden Ace is the defending champion at longer odds. Her 26/1 victory in 2025 was one of the shocks of the meeting, and while the form hasn't worked out perfectly, she can't be written off.

Constitution Hill remains in the betting on reputation alone. The 2023 winner has fallen in three of his last four starts, and whether he even makes it to the start line is a genuine question.

Queen Mother Champion Chase

This race has a more predictable shape. Look for the horse with the best Cheltenham form and the highest level of recent achievement. The two-mile division is less disrupted than the hurdle ranks.

Stayers' Hurdle

The stamina test is wide open. The 2025 winner Dashel Drasher may return, and any Mullins-trained stayer who travels to Cheltenham demands respect in this race.

Where the Value Lies

The Champion Hurdle market is the standout punting race of the 2026 Festival. When the favourite is at 2/1 in a race this open, the each-way market becomes interesting. Golden Ace at 10/1+ is the kind of price that rewards each-way punters if she runs anywhere near her 2025 best.

In the Gold Cup, the value question is whether Gaelic Warrior at 7/1 can outrun Galopin Des Champs at a similar price. Both are Mullins-trained, but Gaelic Warrior is younger and still improving. If you're looking for a longer-priced contender, Grey Dawning has strong staying form and the Betfair Chase win on his CV.

Festival Betting Tips

Use best odds guaranteed — most major bookmakers offer BOG on Cheltenham, meaning if the starting price is higher than the odds you took, you get paid at the better price. There's no reason not to take advantage of this.

Don't ignore the handicaps. The Coral Cup, County Hurdle, and Martin Pipe are where shrewd punters make their money. The small fields in Grade 1 races are often predictable; the big handicaps are where knowledge pays.

Trainer form matters. Willie Mullins has dominated the last five Festivals. If you're unsure between two horses at similar odds, the Mullins runner historically outperforms expectations at Cheltenham. Gordon Elliott is the main challenger, and Nicky Henderson has shown signs of a revival.

Weather watch. Cheltenham can go from Good to Soft overnight in March. Check the going on the morning of racing before committing to your bets. Some horses transform on soft ground while others simply can't handle it.

Responsible Approach

Cheltenham is exciting but it's four days of intense racing — 28 races, each with 10-20+ runners. Set a budget before the meeting starts and stick to it. Don't chase losses from Day 1 on Day 2. Our responsible gambling guide has practical tools for managing your betting across a multi-day meeting.

Getting There

Cheltenham Racecourse (GL50 4SH) is in Prestbury, just north of Cheltenham town centre. The nearest station is Cheltenham Spa, about 2 miles from the course. Free shuttle buses run between the station and the racecourse on all four days.

By car, expect heavy traffic — the A435 and surrounding roads slow to a crawl during the Festival. Park and ride services operate from Cheltenham Racecourse Park & Ride and are strongly recommended.

For full transport details, timings, and the best enclosure for your budget, see our Cheltenham visiting guide.

TV Coverage

ITV Racing broadcasts live from Cheltenham all four days. The first race each day is at 1:30pm, with the feature race typically at 3:30pm. Racing TV and ITV provide full coverage including paddock analysis, going reports, and post-race interviews.

Tickets

Gold Cup Day has sold out. Tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday may still be available through the Jockey Club website. Best Mate Enclosure starts from around £40, while the Club Enclosure (with paddock access) is typically £80-120.

For general information about Cheltenham Racecourse, including the course layout, different enclosures, and what to expect on race day, see our complete Cheltenham guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Cheltenham Festival?

The Festival runs from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March 2026 at Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire. Racing starts at 1:30pm each day.

What is the biggest race at Cheltenham?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday 13 March is the feature event — a Grade 1 chase over 3 miles 2½ furlongs and the ultimate test in National Hunt racing. The Champion Hurdle on Tuesday is the other marquee race.

Who is favourite for the 2026 Gold Cup?

Fact To File heads the market after winning the Irish Gold Cup impressively. Inothewayurthinkin (defending champion) and Galopin Des Champs (two-time winner) are the other main contenders.

Who is favourite for the 2026 Champion Hurdle?

The New Lion is favourite at around 2/1 after the withdrawal of Sir Gino through injury and Constitution Hill's move to Flat racing. Brighterdaysahead and Golden Ace (defending champion) are the main challengers.

Can I still get tickets for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival?

Gold Cup Day is sold out. Tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday may still be available through the Jockey Club. Check early — they sell quickly.

What channel shows the Cheltenham Festival?

ITV Racing broadcasts live coverage of all four days. Racing TV also provides wall-to-wall coverage from the morning onwards.