Fred Winter Handicap Tips - Cheltenham Festival 2026

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (Registered As The Fred Winter) (GBB)

Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Broadway Novices' Chase) (GBB Race)

BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (A Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Weatherbys Champion Bumper (In Memory Of Sir Johnny Weatherby) (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (GBB)

Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle) (GBB)

Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race)

Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares' Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

£40 IN FREE BETS + Money Back All Losers - First Race, Every Day - Cheltenham

hide

Boyle – B10G40 Chelt

£40 IN FREE BETS WHEN YOU BET £5

SBK B5g40 exclusive

GET £40 IN FREE BETS + BET £10 GET £10 ON THE FIRST RACE EACH DAY

Betfred B10G40

£30 IN FREE BETS WHEN YOU BET £10

WH – B10G30

GET £40 IN FREE BETS

Tote – b10g40

BetMGM B10G40

£30 IN FREE BETS WHEN YOU BET £5

Coral – B5G30

Lads – B5G50

GET £30 IN FREE BETS

bet365 – b10g30

GET £30 IN FREE BETS WHEN YOU PLACE ANY BET

Sky Bet – GET £30 IN FREE BETS WHEN YOU PLACE ANY BETS

£40 IN FREE BETS

Kwiff B10G40

100% Up To £50 Welcome Bonus

10Bet – Get Up To 50%

GET £50 IN FREE BETS WHEN YOU BET £10

Betfair – b10G30

40-1 JANGO BAIE TO FINISH IN THE TOP 3

Sky Bet – Jango Baie Fri 12th 4pm

Bet £20 Get £40 in Free Bets

EasyBet B20G40

60-1 TEAHUPOO TO FINISH IN THE TOP 3

Sky Bet – Teahupoo Thurs 12th 3.20pm

£30 IN FREE BETS

SBK B5G30

Matchbook B20G40

To access this content you need to create a free Racing Post account, or login here.

Sign up

Login

Interface Settings

The Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle is a Class 2 contest run over 2m½f on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. View the racecard here.

Compare the odds for all the runners in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Find out which bookmaker is offering the best odds.

Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle tips from our horseracing experts for the opening race on day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival 2026. Click to see more.

Fred Winter Handicap 2026 - Racecard, Runners & Trends

The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 handicap hurdle restricted to four-year-old juvenile hurdlers. It provides trainers with an alternative to the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle, the other race at the Cheltenham Festival restricted to four-year-old hurdlers. Currently named the McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for sponsorship reasons, the race is better known as the Fred Winter, in honor of the legendary trainer.

Compare the odds for all the runners in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. Some bookmakers offer different odds and unique offers so look out for the offer icons under the bookmaker logos. The Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle is always a competitive heat, as such you may want to look for an each-way alternative at bigger odds, which is where the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle odds comparison comes in handy.

Fred Winter Handicap Latest Betting Odds Comparison 2026

2026 Cheltenham Festival tips from Racing Post Experts
<a href="https://www.racingpost.com/cheltenham-festival/boodles-juvenile-handicap-hurdle/tips/">Fred Winter Hurdle Tips</a>
<a href="https://www.racingpost.com/cheltenham-festival/cheltenham-tips/day-1/">Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Tips</a>
<a href="https://www.racingpost.com/cheltenham-festival/cheltenham-tips/">All Cheltenham Festival Tips</a>

Joseph O’Brien celebrated back-to-back wins in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and a third success in the past seven runnings when Puturhandstogether scored under Mark Walsh. The JP McManus-owned four-year-old quickened clear late on to win by six lengths. Stencil, who raced for the same connections and is trained in France, was sent off the 11-4 favourite but finished down the field.

The Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle odds comparison grid is simple and easy to use. All the runners are listed down the left, whilst each bookmaker is presented across the top. The odds box that crosses the horse and the bookmaker, is the odds that bookmaker is offering on that specific horse.
The odds that have a bold number indicate the best price available for that horse in the Boodles Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle. The odds boxes are coloured red and blue to indicate whether a horse is being supported or not. The red boxes show a drift in price, which means the odds are getting bigger as less punters are betting on that horse. In contrast, the blue box shows when the odds are contracting, indicating the horse is being supported in the betting.
Underneath the bookmaker logo, are the offers available for the Boodles Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle by that bookmaker. Some bookmakers offer more places for each way bets, or money back specials if your horse finishes second, so it’s always worth checking and comparing before placing your bet.
<span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Discover the latest Cheltenham Boodles Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle odd ahead of the race, alongside the best exclusive Cheltenham Festival free bets for an enhanced betting experience!&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:1053569,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;11&quot;:0,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;23&quot;:1}" data-sheets-textstyleruns="{&quot;1&quot;:0}{&quot;1&quot;:119,&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:1136076},&quot;9&quot;:1}}{&quot;1&quot;:149}" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="{&quot;1&quot;:119,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/free-bets/horse-racing/cheltenham/&quot;}{&quot;1&quot;:149}">Discover the latest Cheltenham Boodles Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle odd ahead of the race, alongside the best exclusive <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/free-bets/horse-racing/cheltenham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cheltenham Festival free bets </a>for an enhanced betting experience!

For the 2026 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, top contenders include Winston Junior, La Luna Artista, Ammes, and Secret Force, trained by Gavin Cromwell. Another favourite is Saratoga, which showed a strong performance in January at Ascot, trained by Padraig Roche, who won this race in 2022

Saratoga has been the talk of the town for this since finishing second at Naas in a race that has delivered four of the last seven winners and this smacks of a plan. The same could be true of Glen To Glen (second choice) who would appear to have been saved for Cheltenham since winning his maiden in early December. One who might be going under the radar is HARDY STUFF, who overcame traffic issues to beat Ole Ole (previously second to Glen To Glen) in a maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas, and his run here on Trials Day is readily forgiven as he pulled too hard with open spaces ahead of him. This race could suit his style. As always, there are feasible winners all over the shop, with Winston Junior, Harwa, Manlaga and The Mighty Celt all live each-way contenders.

<table dir="ltr" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-baot="1">
<colgroup>
<col width="66" />
<col width="152" />
<col width="119" />
<col width="66" />
<col width="100" />
<col width="177" />
<col width="177" /></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Horse</td>
<td>Previous Form</td>
<td>Age</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>Trainer</td>
<td>Jockey</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2025</td>
<td>Puturhandstogether</td>
<td>17312</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>17-2</td>
<td>Joseph O’Brien</td>
<td>Mark Walsh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2024</td>
<td>Lark In The Mornin</td>
<td>263</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>9-1</td>
<td>Joseph O’Brien</td>
<td>JJ Slevin</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023</td>
<td>Jazzy Matty</td>
<td>2154</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>18-1</td>
<td>Gordon Elliott</td>
<td>Michael O&#8217;Sullivan (3)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
<td>66541</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>10-1</td>
<td>Padraig Roche</td>
<td>Mark Walsh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021</td>
<td>Jeff Kidder</td>
<td>12517</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>80-1</td>
<td>Noel Meade</td>
<td>Colin Keane</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2020</td>
<td>Aramax</td>
<td>31-F31</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>15-2</td>
<td>Gordon Elliott</td>
<td>Mark Walsh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2019</td>
<td>Band Of Outlaws</td>
<td>311</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>7-2F</td>
<td>Joseph O’Brien</td>
<td>JJ Slevin</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2018</td>
<td>Veneer Of Charm</td>
<td>127</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>33-1</td>
<td>Gordon Elliott</td>
<td>Jack Kennedy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2017</td>
<td>Flying Tiger</td>
<td>2P614</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>33-1</td>
<td>Nick Williams</td>
<td>Richard Johnson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>Diego Du Charmil</td>
<td>322</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>13-2</td>
<td>Paul Nicholls</td>
<td>Sam Twiston-Davies</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2015</td>
<td>Qualando</td>
<td>B3-421</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>25-1</td>
<td>Paul Nicholls</td>
<td>Nick Scholfield</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Latest odds for the McCoys Contractors Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival

Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle Odds 2026

Key trends
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Carried between 11st and 11st 9lb, 8/10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Previous winner over hurdles, 8/10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Trained in Ireland, 8/10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ran to an RPR of 133 or above, 7/10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sent off at double-figure odds, 5/10</li>
</ul>
Other factors
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Four winners in the last decade ran in a 2m novice hurdle at Naas the month before – three of those (Brazil, Aramax, Band Of Outlaws) won it.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">No trainer has trained more winners in it than Gordon Elliott (four times)</li>
</ul>
<span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;We have all the best Cheltenham Betting offers ahead of placing your bets on the Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:1049089,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:1},&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;23&quot;:1}" data-sheets-textstyleruns="{&quot;1&quot;:0}{&quot;1&quot;:21,&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:1136076},&quot;9&quot;:1}}{&quot;1&quot;:46}" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="{&quot;1&quot;:21,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/free-bets/horse-racing/cheltenham/&quot;}{&quot;1&quot;:46}">We have all the best <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/free-bets/horse-racing/cheltenham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cheltenham Betting offers</a> ahead of placing your bets on the 2026 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

McCoys Contractors Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle tips from our racing experts for the 16:40 race on day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.

Fred Winter Handicap Tips 2026

Fred Winter Handicap Tips and Predictions

<span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Not only do we bring you all of the best Boodles Fred Winter Handicap tips, but we also have the best Cheltenham Free Bets and sign-up offers to go alongside them too!&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:1049089,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;23&quot;:1}" data-sheets-textstyleruns="{&quot;1&quot;:0}{&quot;1&quot;:102,&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:1136076},&quot;9&quot;:1}}{&quot;1&quot;:123}" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="{&quot;1&quot;:102,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/free-bets/horse-racing/cheltenham/&quot;}{&quot;1&quot;:123}">Not only do we bring you all of the best Boodles Fred Winter Handicap tips, but we also have the best <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/free-bets/horse-racing/cheltenham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cheltenham Free Bets </a>and sign-up offers to go alongside them too!

<span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Not only do we bring you all of the best Boodles Fred Winter Handicap tips, but we also have the best Cheltenham Free Bets and sign-up offers to go alongside them too!&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:1049089,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;23&quot;:1}" data-sheets-textstyleruns="{&quot;1&quot;:0}{&quot;1&quot;:102,&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:1136076},&quot;9&quot;:1}}{&quot;1&quot;:123}" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="{&quot;1&quot;:102,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/free-bets/horse-racing/cheltenham/&quot;}{&quot;1&quot;:123}">Not only do we bring you all of the best Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap tips, but we also have the best <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/free-bets/horse-racing/cheltenham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cheltenham Free Bets </a>and sign-up offers to go alongside them too!

Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle

This could be another fascinating run. Despite the likes of State Man, Sir Gino and Constitution Hill falling by the wayside this season, some of jump racing's most popular horses are set to lock horns. Potentially we have a lovely blend of youth versus experience, with last season's winner, Golden Ace, up against the young up-and-comer, the New Lion. The Irish add further spice to the mix with the mares Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth, plus the odd dark horse or two. It's a mouthwatering feature for day one.

A somewhat depleted Champion Hurdle with Sir Gino, Constitution Hill and State Man ruled out in advance due to various woes. However, it's still quite a deep field with some familiar names remaining and some unexposed/progressive types adding interest. The New Lion (second pick) is in a strong position to become the new champion, being unbeaten in completed starts and still promising after just two attempts in open company. However, PONIROS looks a plausible alternative with his own ceiling not yet established. It takes some doing to land the Triumph on a first attempt over hurdles and the selection, who has raced only three times under this code, appears open to any amount of further improvement back at the Cheltenham Festival with the post-layoff DRF run under his belt. Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead and last year's (admittedly lucky) winner Golden Ace constitute a strong female hand, preferred in that order.

Willie Mullins is usually the first port of call for a race he has won eight times, but there is a change to the narrative this year with the trainer seemingly lacking a star novice hurdler for the two-mile division. Enter stage left Nicky Henderson, who has been the main supporting act to Mullins in the Supreme and looks set to unleash another potential superstar in a Grade 1; he has won with Constitution Hill, Shishkin and Altior in the last ten years. Irish trainers have just held sway during the period with six victories to Britain's four, with Gordon Elliott, perhaps surprisingly, looking to add to just a solitary success in the race.

A deep Supreme that should be run at a strong pace spearheaded by Sober Glory, who looks relentless and may keep on galloping when others have cried enough. Whether he can repel the expected late closers is another matter and MYDADDYPADDY, one-time favourite for this race, is taken to prove the best finisher. The selection is well worth another chance, with his Formby defeat not necessarily a reason to give up on him and this scenario likely to prove more favourable. El Cairos (second choice) is another contender who retains major potential and should have the cards dropping right. He has been a rough diamond but may become more polished with further experience, and a good effort at last year's Cheltenham Festival bodes very well. Old Park Star is one of the runners who may sit nearer to the front end than ideal but he's top rated and commands considerable respect, while Mighty Park is very short on experience but looks massively promising and Talk The Talk has to be feared, being the only runner who is already a Grade 1 winner.

We have had some fantastic Arkle races over the years, and last season's was no exception despite it having only five runners. Jango Baie came from the clouds to earn his victory by capitalising on a pace collapse with the second, third and fourth all trading at odds-on in running at various points. There are reasons to think we may be in for another belter. Willie Mullins has a power-packed team. Nicky Henderson is responsible for another burgeoning star, while a host of others have claims in anbsorbing Grade 1 that tends to produce at least one special talent.

Well Chief (2004) and Western Warhorse (2014) landed the Arkle with just one chase run under their belts and the classy KOPEK DES BORDES can follow suit. His strong-travelling success in last year's Supreme is etched in the memory and he can give Willie Mullins a seventh win in this race from the last 12 runnings. Lulamba has had a similar preparation to his illustrious stablemates Sprinter Sacre and Altior and commands major respect, while Steel Ally is also 3-3 in this sphere. Three-time Grade 1 winner Romeo Coolio misses the race in favour of tomorrow's Brown Advisory, but Kargese, who gave him a real fright at Leopardstown last time, has a fine Festival record and needs considering too.

One of the major decisions for day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival has been made. Jagwar runs in the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase. The ante-post second favourite for the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase, which he won last year, will instead join stablemate Iroko in the longer Ultima. For joint-trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, it means two of their three Cheltenham entries running against each other, but Grand National ambitions have forced the clash between the JP McManus-owned pair. They now sit first and second in the betting for the Ultima, with Jagwar best priced at 5-1 and Iroko 6-1, after 35 stood their ground for a race in which 14 of the 17 contenders priced at 25-1 or shorter are trained in Britain.

The step up in trip could be just what Jagwar (second choice) needs but today's distance could also prove ideal for BLOW YOUR WAD, who has stayed on strongly over 2m5f and 2m4f on his first two starts for Gary and Josh Moore and looked very much at home over 3m at Ascot earlier in the season. He is 4lb ahead of the handicapper following his near-miss in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury ten days ago. The progressive 10yo Filanderer is an intriguing contender, with the form of his comfortable veterans' chase win at Market Rasen in January working out extremely well, and he is third pick despite being 3lb wrong and untested at the trip. Blaze The Way is next on the list, while Iroko, Johnnywho and last year's winner Myretown are also respected.

“It’ll receive more attention and receive the coverage a race of its status merits,” went the explanation for the Mares’ Hurdle being moved from Tuesday to Thursday. So now, rather than being overshadowed by the Champion Hurdle, it will be overshadowed by the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Ryanair. The best news is that Lossiemouth finally runs in the Champion Hurdle instead. Wodhooh, therefore, replaces her at odds-on and there’s an excellent chance that she too would have been well worth a place in the Champion line-up. Jade De Grugy looks like the best shot for second, a berth she filled last year.

Last year's runner-up Jade De Grugy should go well in her bid to provide Willie Mullins with a 12th win in this race, but preference is for WODHOOH, whose only defeat in ten hurdle starts came at the hands of Lossiemouth in last year's Aintree Hurdle. Gordon Elliott's mare looked as good as ever when giving weight and a beating to Feet Of A Dancer and Dream On Baby at Leopardstown over Christmas, and she can win over C&D at the Festival for the second year running. Take No Chances may take third again.

Backmersackme, Dublin Racing Festival winner, is a 4-1 favourite for the Princess Royal National Hunt Chase Novices' Handicap Chase and is on track to tackle that on day one. His trainer, Emmet Mullins, who won the race with Corbet Cross in 2024, has strong confidence. In his words, "It's all going well with Backmersackme for the National Hunt Chase. Everything is on track with him." Other strong contenders include Newton Tornado, One Big Bang, and Brave Fortune.

His big win last month came over just an extended 2m5f but hopefully that indicates chiefly that BACKMERSACKME will arrive here in rude health and on the upgrade. His performance over 3m1f on this course in October made him a clear candidate for this longer trip and the choice of this race by his ultra-shrewd connections demands a lot of respect. King Of Answers could have been the selection but for some jumping issues here and there when he otherwise won in tremendous style at Kelso last time. He's the second choice ahead of the youngster Kurasso Blue, Iceberg Theory, Grand Geste and Newton Tornado.

This tends to be a race for the purists. Run over 2m5f, it attracts jump types, the best of whom have that touch of class. One or two have even gone on to win a Champion Hurdle. Indeed, last year's winner The New Lion fits that template perfectly, as he's one of the principal players in the Champion Hurdle this time. This year's running won't be vintage – the Supreme looks a lot stronger – but it's an important one for Paul Nicholls with this contender. No Drama This End, one of the British bankers at the festival.

The biggest field for many a year and Paul Nicholls' Grade 1 winner No Drama This End (second choice) heads the home defence, with that highly promising novice ably assisted by Act Of Innocence and Bossman Jack. He looks sure to make a serious bid but the Irish visitors hold a strong hand and the vote goes to BALLYFAD who mastered King Rasko Grey at Leopardstown over Christmas before being picked off on the line. He doesn't have that race's winner to worry about this time and promises to be suited by this step up in trip. Stablemate Skylight Hustle also needs a close look, while I'll Sort That is likely to have his game face on and should give his supporters a run for their money. Group-class Flat horse Sober, unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, adds a fascinating extra dimension.

The most recent winner of this staying novice chase to go on to land the Gold Cup was Lord Windermere (2013), with Denman (2007) and Bobs Worth (2012) also completing the double. Willie Mullins is the race's leading trainer with seven wins, including Fact to File and Lecky Watson in the last two runnings, while Nicky Henderson has won the race on four occasions, most recently with Champ in 2020.

If they all line up this would be the biggest field for this race since 2007. The quality is high, too, with seven of the runners having achieved a Racing Post Rating of 155 or higher over fences. Final Demand and Romeo Coolio are huge talents, although neither looks rock-solid coming into this race and solid alternatives abound. Oscars Brother (second choice), Wendigo and Koktail Divin are all contenders, as is Western Fold whose chance would be boosted if the ground stays on the quick side, but the narrow verdict goes to KAID D'AUTHIE, whose win at the Dublin Racing Festival had all the hallmarks of a horse made for this race.

The Charles Byrnes-trained I Started A Joke is one of the favourites for the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle at 14-1 (previously known as the Coral Cup Hurdle), followed by Storm Heart and Jump Allen, both trained by the legendary Willie Mullins. Henderson's runner, Jingko Blue, emerges as another potential value to complete the list of contenders with better chances of winning this 2m5 Premier Handicap Hurdle.

The top stables look set to dominate again and STORM HEART (nap) for Willie Mullins makes particularly strong appeal, based on plenty of criteria. High-profile Kopeck De Mee has blown out twice and gone close once in his three starts for the same yard, and the same owner's Puturhandstogether brings a more enticing record, over shorter trips admittedly but he is feared most, narrowly ahead of Jingko Blue who may prove best of a strong Henderson team which also includes Iberico Lord. The mare Kateira is understandably prominent in the betting seeing as she represents Dan Skelton, while the exploits of Gordon Elliott's topweight The Yellow Clay cannot yet be forgotten.

The Charles Byrnes-trained I Started A Joke is one of the favourites for the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle at 14-1 (previously known as the Coral Cup Hurdle), followed by Storm Heart and Jump Allen, both trained by the legendary Willy Mullins. Henderson's runner, Jingko Blue, emerges as another potential value to complete the list of contenders with better chances of winning this 2m5 Premier Handicap Hurdle.

The unfortunate absence of last year's winner Marine Nationale, who was ruled out last week due to a setback, leaves the door wider open for Majborough who is now firmly the one to beat provided the form of his Dublin Chase success is backed up and the mistakes he made in the 2025 Arkle don't resurface. The return to Cheltenham also presents a slight question mark for his stablemate Il Etait Temps who is otherwise one of the main dangers on the figures. Shloer winner L'EAU DU SUD is a rock-solid alternative who is suitably fresh, has no doubts as regards the course and remains open to further progress. Unexposed novice chaser Irish Panther (second choice from a punting perspective) adds great interest, while Quilixios again seems likely to go well.

Favori De Champdou has enjoyed a fine resurgence this season, causing a 66-1 shock in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas before impressing in the cross-country chase on Trials Day in January. His trainer, Gordon Elliot, is convinced that the 11-year-old has a big chance of winning. This race was introduced when the festival expanded to four days in 2005 and began as a handicap but was changed to a conditions race in 2016. Now it reverts back to a handicap, although with a 19lb weight range, in an effort to attract high-quality chasers.

Last year's winner Stumptown has been given a good break since his heroics in the Czech Republic in October and is unlikely to go down without a fight. However, in the meantime FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU was in excellent form during the winter and he is taken to overcome an 8lb rise for his impressive C&D success in January. Final Orders, also a C&D winner this season, was probably not ideally suited by the soft ground when fifth behind the selection last time and can get closer to him today. Among the bigger-priced options, Pied Piper makes some appeal.

This hotly contested 2m handicap chase had a significant change four years ago by moving from the new course to the old. The Old course is slightly sharper and tighter, favouring a quicker, strong-travelling type. Previous trainer winner in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase, Dan Skelton, could possibly repeat a triumph in 2026 with Be Aware, one of the shortest in the market, followed by Fengal O’Brien’s horse, Ryan Rocket. Tipsers also favoured Golden Joy, a horse from Gordon Elliot; Inthepocket, trained by Henry De Bromhead; and Ballysax Hank, trained by Gavin Cromwell.

Last year's winner Jazzy Matty is 2-2 at the Cheltenham Festival and has to be feared but RELIEVED OF DUTIES is the selection now that he is back on better ground. He was runner-up in a C&D novice on good to soft going in October and that performance reads well in today's context. The 10yo Calico has thrived this season and is third choice, while his stablemate Be Aware and Irish contenders Inthepocket and Addragoole are others to consider.

The 2026 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival may look tricky given the limited evidence on most runners, but recent trends suggest it is often dominated by well-fancied horses, particularly from Willie Mullins, who has won six of the last eight renewals. Ante-post favourite Love Sign D'Aunou impressed with a 24-length debut win at Naas, though the strength of that form and testing ground conditions raise questions at short odds, while stablemate The Irish Avatar also passes the eye test but comes with a typical “Mullins tax". Instead, the value may lie with The Mourne Rambler, trained by Noel Meade, who shaped powerfully when landing a strong Leopardstown bumper at Christmas and looks suited by the race’s flat nature, especially with top jockey Colin Keane booked. Although British challengers have a poor record, Bass Hunter represents an interesting contender for Chris Gordon in what promises to be another informative and competitive renewal. Improve – probably an apt description of the whole field.

For all that it's a dangerous game taking on the Irish when they have won 26 of the 33 runnings, BASS HUNTER might be as special as his trainer Chris Gordon has been telling everyone. He was clinging on at Ascot last time but no wonder after he was so far clear for so long, and he must have some engine. In a race that can be steadily run, some controlled aggression at the head of affairs could be his trump card. Unlike some of those ahead of him in the betting, he is also a Listed winner, and eight of the last ten winners had those or Graded honours to their names. Willie Mullins is responsible for the lion's share of Ireland's victories and his typically stocked-up squad is seemingly spearheaded by Love Sign d'Aunou, who hinted at star potential in winning his only bumper in a breeze. Gordon Elliott has made no bones about it that Keep Him Company is his best chance, while The Mourne Rambler (second choice) has to be feared when he looked so good at Leopardstown and he is blessed with the assistance of stellar Flat jockey Colin Keane.

New for this year is this Grade 2 2m4½f novice limited handicap chase, which takes the place of the Grade 1 Golden Miller Novices’ Chase (run most recently under the
Turners sponsorship). The aim is to bolster the Grade 1 numbers in the 2m Arkle and 3m Brown Advisory by removing the option for the top novices at the intermediate
distance, while adding a competitive handicap in its place. This is an adaptation of the contest held at the festival from 2006 until 2020, after which it was moved to Sandown. A major difference is that the new race is a limited handicap with a 20lb weight range. If this race follows a similar pattern to the previous version, there will be an accent on strong recent form (look for winners/runners-up last time out) and that will tend to mean the winner is more likely to come from the top six in the betting.
There might also be a greater spread of winning connections. Fourteen different trainers were successful in the 15 runnings of the previous novice handicap chase
and victory went only three times to the trainers who now make up the ‘big five’.

Lightning may well strike twice as REGENT'S STROLL (nap) seems destined to emulate his connections' Caldwell Potter who won this contest last year, having taken a very similar path. Their twin-like resemblance, in terms of career journey, is uncanny. Slade Steel, who holds solid claims in his bid to add a Jack Richards to his Supreme win, is the second pick ahead of Jordans Cross who gained his latest success in a C&D race of high significance. Meetmebythesea is interesting back up in distance, while Sixmilebridge remains unbeaten on this trip. Several others have set themselves up nicely for a crack at this prize.

Winners of this race haven’t often won their qualifiers, nor are they usually on winning sprees. Hot favourite Supremely West therefore fits the bill for Dan Skelton, but I also can’t get away from just how strongly C’Est Different and Absolutely Doyen have been finishing to notch up their sequences. Electric Mason is clearly a leading light too. Three of the last four winners being 25-1 sounds a cautionary note, and two options from outside the market leaders are Staffordshire Knot and Minella Sixo, both for Elliott, who has a good Pertemps record.

Supremely West is a hot favourite for Dan Skelton who's been something of a maestro in the handicap hurdles at this meeting. He's of major interest, of course, but is far from alone in that and preference is for C'EST DIFFERENT, who is one of the youngest and most lightly raced in the field, yet is unbeaten in four handicaps and swotted the opposition aside on his two attempts at this sort of trip. Absolutely Doyen has been doing something similar and has racked up an even longer winning sequence, and he is second on the list, ahead of the immensely likeable Electric Mason and topweight Staffordshire Knot, the latter for Gordon Elliott who also has a shout with Minella Sixo. Hat-trick seeker Champagne Chic may be best of the rest.

Willie Mullins holds the record for leading trainer, with six wins for this race, including last year's running when Fact to File, scored impressively, and this year is back for more. Contesting the longer race didn’t work out for Banbridge last year, although the trip was seemingly not the primary cause, but he’s now played his full part in a thrilling finish to the King George for the second year running and should be placed in this race. Heart Wood was the 2025 Ryanair second, but at a distance of nine lengths.

It was thrilling to see the way FACT TO FILE motored down to two out here last year and there was nothing to touch him thereafter, so hopefully he will again give the fans one of the great sights of the meeting. As Banbridge is by no means sure to repeat his fine Kempton form back on this track, it may be Jonbon who provides the main danger. In the same ownership as the selection, a thoroughly sportsmanlike decision to take part adds a good deal to a race that was threatening to become lopsided and this former champion two-miler should give a good account over a trip that suits him better these days. Heart Wood is likely to be ridden more prominently than when giving vain chase to Fact To File last year, and may benefit from it, so he can also be a factor, with Impaire Et Passe not far away either.

A race run in various guises since 1912, with modern runnings widely regarded as having started in 1972, it is the championship race in the staying hurdle programme. Multiple winners are commonplace, with Crimson Embers (two), Galmoy (two), Baracounda (two), Flooring Porter (two), Inglis Drever (three) and Big Buck's (four) all scoring more than once since the 1980s. Irish yards are on the roll, with the last five, courtesy of four horses, exported across the Irish Sea, and three of those four hold an entry this year.

The very lightly raced 6yo HONESTY POLICY is taken to deliver on the considerable promise he showed last year. He lost out only narrowly to impressive Albert Bartlett winner Jasmin De Vaux at Punchestown last April and his reappearance third in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot in December also bodes extremely well for his prospects today. Ma Shantou continued his highly progressive ways when powering clear in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D in January, and he is feared most, ahead of 2024 winner Teahupoo who has a rock-solid profile. Last year's winner Bob Olinger has an excellent record at Cheltenham and could again be firmly involved, even though he's now an 11yo. Long Walk winner Impose Toi probably wasn't at his best on soft ground in the Cleeve Hurdle here last time and is not ruled out.

McLaurey, whose last win came in a competitive handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last season, is disputing favouritism at 4-1 for the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase on Tuesday the 10th, the opening day at the Cheltenham Festival 2026. Emmet Mullins, his trainer, has won this race in 2021. Another strong contender and the shortest in the market is Madara at 4-1, trained by Dan Skelton.

The embers need stirring for a good few of these runners but DOWN MEMORY LANE, who made such a big impression on his chase debut, was ridden with bags of confidence to win at Navan last time out and he could be destined for better things. This race will have been the long-term aim for Madara, whose course form makes him a solid candidate, and he can be the main danger. McLaurey has been challenging for favouritism for a while and he also needs a good look although his jumping will face a stiff test in this big field. Will The Wise, in a tongue-tie this time, Zurich, Booster Bob and Downmexicoway are others to consider, while Riskintheground has possibilities at a price.

In a strange turn of events, having mopped up the first five runnings, Willie Mullins has managed only a third and two fourths from his 20 runners in the five races since. This time, though, he sends out the odds-on Bambino Fever. Winner of two festival Champion Bumpers (here and at Punchestown) last spring, Bambino Fever hacked up at 1-10 in her latest hurdle race. Those looking to oppose her, however, can point to a half-length defeat by Oldschool Outlaw the time before, and her conqueror has advanced her claims since. They can also point to plenty of other rivals with similar or higher hurdle ratings, with Highland Crystal, Echoing Silence and Carrigmoornaspruce among them.

No favourite has won this since 2018 and, having won the first five renewals, Willie Mullins has fared no better than third in the last five. However, the negatives stop there with BAMBINO FEVER. She stole the show in bumpers last season and has looked a natural jumper of hurdles, even when she was turned over on her first attempt by Oldschool Outlaw. Her Naas conqueror clearly commands the utmost respect, especially after backing that up with a no-nonsense win at Grade 3 level, yet she probably caught Bambino Fever at a good time in December when the Mullins yard wasn't firing. It's by no means a two-horse race, and there are shades of last year's de Bromhead-trained winner with Echoing Silence, in that she's dropping back in distance after beating a notable opponent during the month of December in her last race. Carrigmoornaspruce is just an all-round good egg and she will give her backers a run for their money, while La Conquiere could be the best of the British from a yard that won this three years ago with a mare who brought a similar level of form.

Waterford Whispers is more than a whisper following his latest start, which suggested the promise of his 2024 second in the Martin Pipe might yet be fulfilled. Jeriko Du Reponet’s hurdling efforts are making clear appeal, and his chasing technique is not so much. They dispute favouritism. Last year's winner, Daily Present, is back. Kim Roque, Prends Garde A Toi, Herakles Westwood, King’s Threshold and Ask Brewster should also be considered.

Irish challengers have won six of the last seven runnings and PRENDS GARDE A TOI could be the ideal type for this race for Gordon Elliott, who landed it in 2020 with Milan Native who was also a 7yo novice. The selection finished well for fourth over an extended 3m3f at Punchestown last month, and a stronger gallop today should see him to excellent effect. Waterford Whispers could relish the step up in trip, and he may be the main danger ahead of last year's Pertemps Final runner-up Jeriko Du Reponet, who is also owned by JP McManus and could leave his previous chase form behind now that he is wearing cheekpieces over fences for the first time. The progressive Herakles Westwood, last year's winner Daily Present and the rejuvenated Gericault Roque are others to consider.

If the home team have struggled to make a telling impact on the first three days, the juvenile hurdling championship contest promises a strong start to the final card. Britain has the top two in the ante-post betting, and they present quite a contrast. Lulamba is favourite for Nicky Henderson (who has won the Triumph a record seven times) and has come from traditional jumping roots in France with a big reputation. The hype was justified to some extent by his hurdles debut win at Ascot but arguably he has still to prove he has as much substance as style. That is not the case for Flat recruit East India Dock, who has a much superior Racing Post Rating from his course-and-distance victory on Trials day. His trainer James Owen is at the opposite end of the experience scale to Henderson, having yet to taste festival success. Ireland’s best chance appears to be the Gavin Cromwelltrained Hello Neighbour, winner of the often significant Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Willie Mullins has dominated the Triumph in recent years, in terms of quality and quantity, and could easily do so again, although picking his best hope is far from easy. Proactif is 2-2 and probably a far more straightforward ride than the filly Selma De Vary, but the latter nevertheless has plenty of experience compared to most of these and the big run she delivered on her first appearance for Mullins came in a Grade 1. Kai Lung, Mon Creuset and Macho Man also need plenty of respect among the stable's many runners. A tentative suggestion is that Selma De Vary may prove best of those, but Gordon Elliott's HIGHLAND CRYSTAL also takes high rank in form terms and received a healthy boost in that respect here on Tuesday. She should stay on strongly and will be suited by any rain that's fallen in the last two days. Minella Study and Maestro Conti have place claims among the British.

The 2026 County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (Day 4, 2:00 PM) is an ultra-competitive 2m 1f contest in which the top trainers, Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins, have dominated the winnings in the past years. This year they will face a close challenge again. Mucia, trained by the Irish legend Mullins, is the shortest in the market, while Sinnatra, trained by the British Dan Skelton, has key trends as a favourite. Other strong runners include Khrisma, from Nicky Henderson, and Roc Dino, also trained by Mullins.

Ten of the last 11 renewals have gone to Willie Mullins (six) and Dan Skelton (four) so it may be best not to stray far from the obvious. Murcia went into a few notebooks for this when fourth to Bowensonfire (who should also go well) at the Dublin Racing Festival so it's potentially significant that Paul Townend switches to KARBAU now. This 6yo was placed twice in Grade 1 novices last spring but still posted a career-best RPR when second in a Naas Grade 3 on his reappearance in January. He's entitled to come on for that first outing in nine months and is preferred to unexposed Skelton novice Sinnatra. The shortlist is completed by Joyeuse, who won a major 2m handicap last season and showed better signs at Ascot last time.

First run in 2005, the inaugural year of the four-day festival, the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle is run over 3m and is a championship event for staying novice hurdlers. Open to horses aged five and up, it's the second of three Grade 1 races contested on the New course on Friday. A test of stamina and toughness, it has a rich roll of honour, including Bobs Worth and Minella Indo, both of whom went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Experience - and lots of it - was always a big selling point in this race, yet lightly raced horses have joined the party in recent years. It may have been a weak Grade 1 that Doctor Steinberg won at Leopardstown but not many races of that stature are secured with such authority and it's just a question of whether he gives himself a chance of lasting home as he can be too keen for his own good. Spinningayarn's stylish wins over shorter bode well when he's surely a stayer in the making, and the same comment applies to KING'S BUCKS. If forgiven his latest odds-on defeat in a slowly run race on desperately taxing ground, he's entitled to be knocking on the door judged on his highly encouraging run behind No Drama This End here in November. His trainer has won this before with a maiden. Thedeviluno is an assured stayer with every right to be on the shortlist, while Ubatuba appeals as one who could emerge from the shadows and he's the speculative second choice.

Galopin Des Champs has lost his air of invincibility, and this is the most open Gold Cup since Willie Mullins' superstar burst on the scene. You almost raised three hands to count the viable winner among the entries, and there's a wonderful split of the top talent between Britain and Ireland. Could we be the first British-trained winner since Native River in 2018? The teams associated with Grey Drawing, Haiti Couleurs, Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man would love to think so. Yet the cream of the Irish staying chasers, potentially headed by Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior, have plenty to recommend them as well.

Inothewayurthinkin has raised his game significantly to win at the Cheltenham Festival in each of the last two seasons and last week's market support has dropped a firm hint that he may well repeat that trend now that he is wearing first-time cheekpieces. He won this race by 6l last March and it will take a very big performance to beat him if he rediscovers that dazzling form, but he has been sorely disappointing this season and this time a transformation is needed if he is to win again. Irish-trained contenders have won nine of the last ten runnings, with Native River being the anomaly in 2018, and the Welsh National may once more prove the source for a British-trained winner today. HAITI COULEURS (nap) defied a big weight in the Chepstow marathon in December and has since made it 6-8 over fences with an authoritative win in the Denman Chase at Newbury. Today's stiff test will be right up his street, especially if any rain puts greater emphasis on stamina. The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie are very closely matched on their rousing clash in the King George and are all entitled to respect this afternoon, but Jango Baie may be the one who derives most benefit from today's longer trip and more demanding track, and he could be the main threat to Haiti Couleurs ahead of Inothewayurthinkin.

There are regular long-priced winners and Wonderwall was unheralded last year in his ding-dong with Its On The Line, who ended up in the runner-up spot in this race for the third year in a row. Willitgoahead and the rarely seen Con’s Roc gave Its On The Line a good scrap at Down Royal at Christmas. Panda Boy, Golden Son and Wrappedupinmay have flourished in new disciplines, while Stattler was the 2022 National Hunt Chase winner. Barton Snow is unbeaten in British hunter chases.

It takes a forgiving nature to keep the faith in Its On The Line after three previous defeats in this race and, although still young enough and probably good enough, he rarely makes life easy for himself. His conqueror 12 months ago, Wonderwall (second choice), looks nailed on to put up a bold defence on the back of a near identical preparation, while Willitgoahead wasn't beaten far in third last year when a mere whippersnapper. Making cases for last year's placed horses entitles relative unknown quantity CON'S ROC to a close look, as he was hot on their heels at Down Royal over Christmas and it would appear that staying is his game. That always ticks a big box in a race that is usually helter-skelter from the outset. Former class act Panda Boy has looked revitalised in his recent hunter chases, while Wrappedupinmay has a similar profile to the stable's winner last year.

Dinoblue and Spindleberry, both horses trained by Willie Mullins, are top contenders for the Mares Chase, the third meeting of the last day of Cheltenham Festival 2026. Dinoblue won last year and is listed to repeat his winning. But he will have to face the challenge of Diva Luna, Panic Attack, and, in particular, Only By Night, which caught the eye of the racing tipsters.

Last year's winner DINOBLUE takes on new challengers this time around but she sets a very strong standard and is taken to land back-to-back runnings. Her stablemate Spindleberry is much better than she showed in the Irish Gold Cup last time, having been 5-5 over fences previously, but the chief danger could prove to be Diva Luna who has impressed on both chase starts and may well have plenty more left in the tank. Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup winner Panic Attack could also be involved, especially if any rain is the catalyst for this becoming more of a test of stamina.

Trainers love to end the festival with a flourish by pulling rabbits from a hat in the Martin Pipe. The authorities are trying their best to make it more difficult for them with these handicaps by increasing the number of qualifying runs, but a quick look at the heads of a market populated by Kel Histoire and Roc Dino suggests they may still be up against it. Mullins has fared less well in recent years than Elliott (who has myriad options), but he trains those two, and watch out also for his Jump Allen. From other yards, Air Of Entitlement delivered a finely timed run in the 2m1f Mares’ Novices' Hurdle last year, while A Pai De Nom grabs the eye for Skelton. 

Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins are again well represented in a Festival finale they've farmed, having won eight of the 17 runnings between them. Particularly interesting is Elliott's runner WENDROCK who brings significant potential returned to this distance and with Carl Millar back on board. The selection may well peak today and has a better chance than his inconsistent form figures suggest. There are some solid contenders from other yards and the suggestion for second choice is the Chris Gordon-trained Andashan, who looks set to show further progress. Third pick is the Henry de Bromhead-trained Air Of Entitlement who was successful at this meeting 12 months ago. Kel Histoire, Roc Dino and Jump Allen all command respect for the Mullins team.