Cheltenham Festival 2026: The Complete Betting Guide
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Cheltenham Festival 2026: The Complete Betting Guide
Four Days, 28 Races, 14 Grade 1 Contests
Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March 2026 | Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire
Live on ITV Racing | First Race 1:20 PM GMT Daily
The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest week in National Hunt racing. Four days, 28 races, and over 250,000 spectators descending on Prestbury Park to watch the best jumps horses in training battle it out across the Cotswolds turf. For bettors, it is the Super Bowl of horse racing. The ante-post markets have been open for months, the money has been flowing, and the picture is starting to take shape ahead of the 2026 renewal.
This year's Festival carries some fascinating storylines. The Champion Hurdle is wide open after the chaos of the 2025 edition, where both Constitution Hill and State Man fell. The Gold Cup features a potential rematch between defending champion Inothewayurthinkin and two-time winner Galopin Des Champs. And the Champion Chase looks set for a heavyweight clash between Majborough and Marine Nationale. There is quality and depth across all four days, and plenty of opportunities for punters who do their homework.
Here is your complete day-by-day guide to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, with race schedules, feature race odds, and betting angles worth considering.
Day 1: Champion Day (Tuesday 10 March)
The Festival opens with the famous "Cheltenham Roar" as the starter drops the flag for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at 1:20 PM. Seven races on the card, headlined by the Champion Hurdle at 4:00 PM.
Day 1 Race Schedule:
1:20 PM - Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m) - £150,000
2:00 PM - Arkle Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 2m) - £200,000
2:40 PM - Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m) - £80,000
3:20 PM - Ultima Handicap Chase (3m 1f) - £150,000
4:00 PM - Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m) - £450,000
4:40 PM - TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (2m 4f) - £150,000
5:20 PM - National Hunt Novices' Chase (3m 6f) - £200,000
Note: The TrustATrader Plate has moved to the Tuesday card for 2026, swapping days with the Mares' Hurdle which shifts to Thursday. This is one of the key schedule changes to be aware of.
Feature Race: Champion Hurdle
Grade 1 | 2 Miles | 4:00 PM
Time Stamp: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Odds Subject to Change
Source: Bet365
The New Lion 3.75
Brighterdaysahead 4.50
Constitution Hill 6.00
Honesty Policy 5.00
Golden Ace 9.00
Lossiemouth 11.00
The 2025 Champion Hurdle was one of the most dramatic renewals in memory. Constitution Hill, sent off at odds-on, fell. State Man, who looked certain to capitalise, also came down. Golden Ace picked up the pieces to win at huge odds. This year's race looks wide open again, and the market reflects that with no standout favourite.
The New Lion, trained by Dan Skelton, emerged as the marginal favourite after winning the Unibet Hurdle on Cheltenham Trials Day. That win also ended Sir Gino's season when Nicky Henderson's charge suffered a pelvic injury in the same race, removing one of the most fancied horses from the picture. The New Lion was unbeaten last season, culminating in a Turners Novices' Hurdle victory at the 2025 Festival, and looks to have the profile of a horse who is still improving.
Brighterdaysahead is a serious contender after her impressive Irish Champion Hurdle victory at Leopardstown, finishing three lengths clear of Lossiemouth. She represents Gordon Elliott and has the class to handle this assignment. Constitution Hill looms as the wild card at 6.00 after Sir Gino's injury opened the door for a return. Nicky Henderson reportedly planned a run on the flat at Southwell in February as a prep. If Constitution Hill turns up at anything close to the level he showed when demolishing the 2023 Champion Hurdle field, he wins this. But that is a significant "if" given his fall last year and the questions around his recent form.
From a betting angle, the each-way market looks the play here. This is an open Champion Hurdle with no standout, and backing a couple of horses at 5.00 or bigger each-way could prove more profitable than trying to pick the winner outright. Constitution Hill at 6.00 each-way has appeal if you believe the talent is still there.
Day 2: Ladies Day (Wednesday 11 March)
The second day features four Grade 1 contests in a change to the 2026 schedule, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase taking centre stage at 4:00 PM.
Day 2 Race Schedule:
1:20 PM - Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 5f) - £150,000
2:00 PM - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 3m) - £200,000
2:40 PM - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m 5f) - £100,000
3:20 PM - Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (3m 5f) - £75,000
4:00 PM - Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1, 2m) - £400,000
4:40 PM - Grand Annual Handicap Chase (2m) - £150,000
5:20 PM - Champion Bumper (Grade 1, 2m) - £80,000
Feature Race: Queen Mother Champion Chase
Grade 1 | 2 Miles | 4:00 PM
Time Stamp: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Odds Subject to Change
Source: Bet365
Majborough 2.75
Marine Nationale 3.00
Il Etait Temps 6.00
Jonbon 5.50
Solness 13.00
The Champion Chase is shaping up as a cracker. Majborough, trained by Willie Mullins, is the market leader after his devastating 19-length victory earlier this season. The former Triumph Hurdle winner has looked a natural over fences and jumps with the kind of confidence that suggests the bigger stage will suit him. Marine Nationale, the defending champion, is right behind in the betting at 3.00 and will be tough to dethrone on the back of his 2025 Festival success.
The intriguing price in this market is Il Etait Temps at 6.00. He beat Jonbon by nine lengths in the Tingle Creek Chase in December 2025, and if he reproduces that form at Cheltenham, he is more than capable of troubling the favourite. Jonbon himself, now a 12-time Grade 1 winner after landing the Ascot Chase on February 14, is 5.50 and cannot be discounted. His connections may target the Ryanair Chase instead, so keep an eye on declarations.
Day 3: St Patrick's Thursday (Thursday 12 March)
A big day for Irish punters, with three Grade 1 contests including the Stayers' Hurdle and Ryanair Chase. The Mares' Hurdle has moved to the Thursday card for 2026, replacing the Plate which shifted to Tuesday.
Day 3 Race Schedule:
1:20 PM - Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m 1f) - £105,000
2:00 PM - Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase (2m 4f) - £125,000
2:40 PM - Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 4f) - £120,000
3:20 PM - Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m) - £325,000
4:00 PM - Ryanair Chase (Grade 1, 2m 4f) - £375,000
4:40 PM - Pertemps Network Final (3m) - £100,000
5:20 PM - Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (3m 2f) - £75,000
Feature Race: Stayers' Hurdle
Grade 1 | 3 Miles | 3:20 PM
Time Stamp: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Odds Subject to Change
Source: Bet365
Teahupoo 2.63
Honesty Policy 5.00
Ballyburn 6.00
Bob Olinger 8.00
Ma Shantou 9.00
Impose Toi 11.00
Teahupoo, the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle winner, returns as a solid favourite after finishing runner-up to Bob Olinger in the 2025 renewal. His staying power over three miles is proven and he handles the Cheltenham hill as well as any horse in training. The concern is that Bob Olinger managed to beat him last year at the age of 10, raising questions about whether Teahupoo has the turn of foot to win this in a truly competitive field.
Ballyburn at 6.00 is the wildcard. The Willie Mullins-trained horse was fifth in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase last year and is switching back to hurdles for this assignment. If the trip suits, he has the class to be a major player. Ma Shantou is the British hope after an impressive Cleeve Hurdle victory on Cheltenham Trials Day, which saw his odds crash from 51.00 to 9.00.
The Ryanair Chase at 4:00 PM is also a Grade 1 highlight on Thursday, with Fact To File the favourite after winning the race by nine lengths in 2025. Jonbon is a potential runner here too if connections decide against the Champion Chase.
Day 4: Gold Cup Day (Friday 13 March)
The final day. The big one. Everything builds to the 4:00 PM Gold Cup, the most prestigious prize in National Hunt racing.
Day 4 Race Schedule:
1:20 PM - Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m) - £150,000
2:00 PM - County Handicap Hurdle (2m) - £98,370
2:40 PM - Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2, 2m 4f) - £120,000
3:20 PM - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m) - £150,000
4:00 PM - Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3m 2f) - £625,000
4:40 PM - Festival Hunter Chase (3m 2f) - £50,000
5:20 PM - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle (2m 4f) - £75,000
Feature Race: Cheltenham Gold Cup
Grade 1 | 3 Miles 2 Furlongs | 4:00 PM
Time Stamp: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Odds Subject to Change
Source: Bet365
Inothewayurthinkin 4.50
Galopin Des Champs 6.50
Jango Baie 7.00
The Jukebox Man 8.00
Gaelic Warrior 13.00
Spillanes Tower 15.00
Grey Dawning 17.00
The Gold Cup is a proper puzzle this year. Inothewayurthinkin, trained by Gavin Cromwell, is the defending champion after beating Galopin Des Champs by six lengths in the 2025 renewal. That was a late entry who delivered in stunning fashion, and his connections will be hoping for a repeat performance. Galopin Des Champs, the two-time winner (2023, 2024) who was denied a historic third straight victory last year, is 6.50 and will be out for revenge. At 10 years old, time is not on his side, but class is permanent.
The value play in this market could be Jango Baie at 7.00. This seven-year-old has been progressing rapidly and represents the kind of young, improving chaser that can spring a surprise in the Gold Cup. Gaelic Warrior at 13.00 is another interesting price for a horse from the Willie Mullins yard with serious ability, though his Cheltenham form needs filling in. Note that Gerri Colombe, who was expected to be a serious contender, has been ruled out of the Festival through injury.
From a betting perspective, the Gold Cup is notoriously difficult to crack. Only 32% of Festival races were won by the favourite across the last six years, and the Gold Cup is no exception to the rule of upsets. Each-way betting is the smart approach here. Backing two or three horses in the 7.00 to 15.00 range each-way gives you multiple chances to collect if one of the fancied runners fails to fire, which happens more often than the market suggests.
Key Betting Angles for the Festival
There are a few overarching themes worth considering for your Cheltenham 2026 betting:
The Willie Mullins factor is impossible to ignore. The Irish master trainer has more Cheltenham Festival winners than anyone in history, and he will send a powerful squad across the Irish Sea again this year. Mullins runners are likely to feature prominently in almost every Grade 1 contest, and his domination of the Prestbury Cup (Ireland vs. Britain trainer contest) in six consecutive years tells the story.
Ante-post betting carries risk because horses can be withdrawn before race day and your stake is lost. However, most major bookmakers including Bet365 now offer Non-Runner No Bet on all 28 Festival races, which removes that risk entirely. If your horse does not run, your stake is refunded. This is a significant advantage and one worth taking into account when considering early prices.
The schedule changes for 2026 are worth noting. The Mares' Hurdle has moved from Tuesday to Thursday, and the TrustATrader Plate has moved from Thursday to Tuesday. This means the Tuesday card now carries a competitive handicap chase that was previously on the Thursday, which could affect pace scenarios and field sizes.
Ground conditions at Cheltenham in March are always a variable. Some horses love the soft ground that the Festival often produces, while others need better going to show their best. Monitoring the weather in the week leading up to the Festival can provide a significant edge, particularly in the handicap races where ground preferences can separate horses at similar odds.
Quick Reference: Feature Race Odds
Time Stamp: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Odds Subject to Change
Source: Bet365
Champion Hurdle (Tues 10 March, 4:00 PM) - The New Lion 3.75, Brighterdaysahead 4.50, Honesty Policy 5.00, Constitution Hill 6.00
Champion Chase (Wed 11 March, 4:00 PM) - Majborough 2.75, Marine Nationale 3.00, Jonbon 5.50, Il Etait Temps 6.00
Stayers' Hurdle (Thurs 12 March, 3:20 PM) - Teahupoo 2.63, Honesty Policy 5.00, Ballyburn 6.00, Bob Olinger 8.00
Gold Cup (Fri 13 March, 4:00 PM) - Inothewayurthinkin 4.50, Galopin Des Champs 6.50, Jango Baie 7.00, The Jukebox Man 8.00
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