CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY 1 TIPS

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.