Lisa Costa - Magazine - Page 15
HORSE RACING
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
2026 PREVIEW
Cheltenham Festival 2026 promises four days of top-class jumps racing,
with the season’s leading hurdlers and chasers set to battle for glory.
T
he Cheltenham Festival 2026 promises one of the most competitive renewals in recent years
when the jumps season’s pinnacle runs f rom Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th March at Cheltenham
Racecourse. It remains the highlight of the National Hunt calendar and draws top trainers and
horses f rom Britain and Ireland.
The opening day is headlined by the Champion Hurdle. After Sir Gino’s unfortunate injury in January,
the two mile championship looks genuinely open with Lossiemouth among the leading contenders
and The New Lion touted as a strong challenger after impressive novice form last season. The
Champion Chase on day two will again feature elite two mile chasers, with several leading market
fancies already emerging well ahead of declarations.
Gold Cup Day on day four shapes into a fascinating contest
at 3 miles 2½ furlongs. Galopin Des Champs seeks to regain
the crown he lost at last season’s Festival and remains
a headline name, though Fact To File and The Jukebox
Man offer compelling opposition in a race lacking a
standout favourite. Thursday’s highlight comes amid a
full supporting card including the Stayers’ Hurdle and
Ryanair Chase, both boasting strong ante post markets
and races that could go to progressive improvers
rather than established stars.
Ante post betting markets are active with non
runner no bet (NRNB) concessions on offer and
shifts likely as Trials Day form comes in. Expect
Ireland to mount a strong challenge once
again, reflecting their recent domination of the
Prestbury Cup.
Across all four days novices and seasoned
Grade 1 performers alike will def ine the
narrative at Cheltenham, with tactical
preparation and ground conditions likely to be
decisive in shaping champions in each division.
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
15
