Day one sets the tone for the entire Cheltenham Festival, and 2026 looks like no exception with four Grade 1s on a stacked opening card.
The famous roar will greet the start of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 1.20, and from there it is relentless drama all the way through to the 17 runners and riders slogging it out in the National Hunt Chase at 5.20.
With the ground forecast to be good to soft and fields holding up well, this is a day where class, rhythm, and jumping under pressure should all be at a premium.
Below, we go race by race through Champion Day (Cheltenham Day One), highlighting the key contenders and a couple of horses in each who could land a blow.
13:20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
The Festival opener is always a white‑knuckle start, and this year’s Supreme brings together a deep bunch of novice hurdlers with smart form on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Run over 2m½f on the Old Course, a good position turning in and slick jumping at the last two flights are invariably crucial to success.
Market leader Old Park Star has done little wrong, heading here on the back of a hat‑trick and priced around 11/4 with most firms; he travels sweetly and finds off the bridle, which is exactly what you want in this cauldron.
Mighty Park, prominent in the betting at roughly 7/2, is a more robust type who shapes as though a relentless gallop will suit, while Talk The Talk (5/1) and El Cairos (7/1) could easily outrun current prices.
So far, Old Park Star and Mighty Park look the pair with the strongest credentials to kick the meeting off in style.
TIP: Old Park Star
DANGER: Mighty Park
OUTSIDER: Mydaddypaddy
14:00 – Arkle Novices’ Chase
The Arkle shapes as a clash between Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba, who dominate the market after faultless campaigns over fences.
Kopek Des Bordes, around 6/4, has progressed with each run, and his neat, economical jumping plus the Paul Townend–Willie Mullins combination make him an obvious standard‑setter on this ground.
Lulamba, about 15/8, brings a flawless chasing record and the polish you would expect from a Nicky Henderson novice ridden by Nico de Boinville.
The front two look to have this between them, preference just marginally for Kopek Des Bordes, but with Lulamba a very live danger.
TIP: Kopek Des Bordes
DANGER: Lulamba
OUTSIDER: Steel Ally
14:40 – Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter)
Officially the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, still widely known as the Fred Winter, this 2m½f contest is a typically deep and tactical puzzle for four‑year‑olds. It offers progressive juveniles a crack at a big pot away from the white‑hot Triumph.
Winston Junior (13/2) makes plenty of appeal at the head of the market, with Faye Bramley already a Festival‑trial winner over fences at Cheltenham this season and her charge shaping as though a strongly‑run handicap hurdle is exactly what he wants.
Manlaga (7/1), so authoritative when defeating a couple of these in the Victor Ludorum, looks the main danger. Of the others, Saratoga (6/1), Bibe Mus (18/1), Ammes (10/1), and the potentially well‑treated Munsif (8/1) all warrant respect.
TIP: Winston Junior
DANGER: Manlaga
OUTSIDER: Ammes
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15:20 – Ultima Handicap Chase
The Ultima is its usual cavalry charge over 3m1f, and Iroko (6/1) brings the standout credentials, a former Martin Pipe winner who ran fourth in last year’s Grand National and looked better than ever in a hot Ascot graduation chase in December.
Jagwar (4/1), last season’s impressive Plate hero here over 2m4f, has shaped this term as if crying out for further and looks a major danger now trying a proper staying trip.
Handstands (11/1), a Grade 1‑winning novice, is another with the touch of quality that often counts in this race.
Each‑way players have several angles. Last year’s runaway winner Myretown (10/1) commands respect if rediscovering his spark, while Quebecois (10/1), strong at the finish over shorter here and already a 3m winner over hurdles, looks tailor‑made for this test back up in trip.
Johnnywho (14/1), runner‑up in the Kim Muir 12 months ago, is another to note with his solid Festival record.
TIP: Handstands
DANGER: Jagwar
OUTSIDER: Johnnywho
16:00 – Champion Hurdle
The absence of Constitution Hill, State Man, and Sir Gino has robbed this year’s Champion Hurdle of its headline clashes, but it has also produced a more open, tactical renewal in which several lightly raced types can stake a claim to the crown.
The New Lion, last year’s 2m5f novice winner at the Festival, sets the standard on current form and bids to emulate the likes of Istabraq and Faugheen in following up in the big one twelve months later.
Poniros makes at least as much appeal as a rising star in this division. It took a serious engine to win last year’s Triumph on hurdling debut at 100/1.
Lossiemouth, already a three‑time Festival winner, anchors a formidable mare contingent alongside Brighterdaysahead and last year’s heroine Golden Ace, and her 4‑from‑4 record at Prestbury Park means she has less to prove than most, back on her favourite stage.
Throw in upwardly mobile handicappers Tutti Quanti and Alexei, plus solid yardsticks Anzadam and Workahead, and this “depleted” Champion still has depth.
TIP: Lossiemouth
DANGER: The New Lion
OUTSIDER: Anzadam
16:40 – Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase
The Sun Racing Plate is its usual minefield, but a few stand out in what looks like a high‑class renewal.
This race has surely been the long‑term target for Madara, whose Cheltenham record makes him a very solid contender.
McLaurey has been trading near the head of the market for some time and merits close consideration, though his jumping will get a thorough examination in a field of this size.
Zurich and Will The Wise both arrive with progressive profiles that should see them firmly in the mix if they handle the demands of a big Festival field.
Downmexicoway and No Questions Asked complete a long shortlist of improvers who could easily outrun their odds if things fall right.
TIP: Madara
DANGER: McLaurey
OUTSIDER: Will The Wise
17:20 – National Hunt Challenge Cup
The National Hunt Chase is always a war of attrition, and this year’s 3m6f test again looks tailor‑made for proper stayers rather than flashy types.
Backmersackme fits that brief perfectly. His powerful late charge into second over 3m1f here in October marked him down as one for this race, and he underlined that impression when landing a valuable handicap over shorter at Leopardstown last time, travelling strongly and finding plenty.
Grand Geste brings rock‑solid staying form from Haydock and should relish every yard. Newton Tornado has done little wrong and looks a natural for this sort of grind, while Kurasso Blue, King Of Answers, Iceberg Theory, and One Big Bang are all types whose profiles suggest they can get involved.
TIP: Backmersackme
DANGER: Grand Geste
OUTSIDER: King Of Answers
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The opening day often sets the mood for the whole Festival, and a couple of good results on day one can make the rest of the week feel even more enjoyable.
With such a strong card to kick things off, Tuesday should give us plenty to cheer, and if the selections above run well, there is every chance we will head into Wednesday in good spirits.
