Ante-post market leaders with Cheltenham Festival just around the corner

Sports News Blitz’s Charlie Fawcett takes an admittedly premature look at some of the form fancies and runners of interest at the upcoming 2026 Cheltenham Festival as the countdown to the huge week continues. 

With “The Greatest Show on Turf” now just T-minus 20 days away, all eyes are on which runners will be confirmed to feature at this year’s festival, and crucially, who will pick up the spoils in some of the most prestigious contests in all of racing. 

With 28 races being crammed into one of the most iconic and highly anticipated events in the British sporting calendar, we focus on those with the most eyes upon them. 

Tuesday 13:20 - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 

The annual curtain-riser for the festival was last year taken by Kopek Des Bordes and the Willie Mullins team, who were, of course, dominant at the 2025 festival. 

The 4/6 favourite did make heavy weather of the contest but ultimately came out on top by a length and a half over William Munny. 

This time around, however, there is no odds-on shot as of yet, but it is difficult to look away from the current market leader in Old Park Star. 

The Nicky Henderson-trained runner comes into the festival unbeaten in his three starts over hurdles, under the stewardship of Nico De Boinville.

His latest victory came in an absolute canter at Haydock, hence the short ante-post price for the six-year-old in the Supreme.

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Tuesday 16:00 - Champion Hurdle 

My favourite race of the festival every year, with this year’s renewal being no exception.

The Champion Hurdle never fails to provide drama, with last year’s race producing iconic scenes as 20/1 shot Golden Ace picked up the pieces of a chaotic race to take the victory (admittedly, these things always taste sweeter when you’ve backed the 20/1 shot!).

However, this year’s Champion Hurdle has a very different outlook.

Despite being a 7/2 shot, the 2023 winner, Constitution Hill, is by no means a guarantee to feature after falling last year.

With Lossiemouth failing to prosper in her last encounter, it is looking far more likely that she will feature in the Mares’ Hurdle (more on that later!) 

It is an extremely difficult race to call, with The New Lion fancied and Golden Ace also in the mix. 

Furthermore, despite Golden Ace’s Grade One victories in the Champion Hurdle and Fighting Fifth, they were both runs scattered with fortune, which is not guaranteed to be there on the day for the mare this time. 

Ultimately, I do like the look of last year’s winner, but I also do think attention should be paid to Constitution Hill’s All-Weather flat debut on Friday night at Southwell. 

Wednesday 16:00 - Queen Mother Champion Chase 

As for action on day two, this is the contest that immediately jumps out at me from the racecard.

Last year’s winner, Marine Nationale, is currently priced up as the 9/4 second favourite for the time being, a much shorter price than the 5/1 winning starting price this time last year. 

However, attention should surely be paid to Majborough and Willie Mullins, who currently sit at the top of the betting after Majborough beat Marine Nationale at the Dublin Racing Festival at the beginning of the month. 

I suspect it should be close between these two again, but as a lover of racing, I am fascinated to see which way things will go in this year’s Queen Mother. 

Thursday 14:40 - Mares’ Hurdle 

Day three now, and I am fascinated by this race to see if Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth can once again regain her Mares’ Hurdle title (if the team don’t opt for the Champion Hurdle) with the 2025 winner being up there as one of the shortest prices on the board for the whole festival as things stand. 

At a shade over even money, I would not approach this one until decisions have been made within Team Mullins.

However, if they opt to run, I struggle to foresee a different outcome than the seven and a half length victory seen in this race last year. 

The other runners in the current market also struggle to stir up much excitement, barring maybe Brighterdaysahead at 8/1.

Meaning that if she wants it, I think Lossiemouth has this field wrapped up.

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Thursday 16:00 - Ryanair Chase 

The headline act on Thursday sees the prospect of Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior going head-to-head in the Ryanair  Chase. 

If both are declared to run, this feels as though it could be one of the highlights of the festival.

Last year’s winner, Fact To File, would likely find this race considerably more challenging than the one that led to his nine-length success last year. 

There will undoubtedly be other runners in the mix for the Ryanair crown, but these two will surely be there or thereabouts come the turn for home. 

Friday 16:00 - Cheltenham Gold Cup 

Arguably the biggest race on the British calendar, barring The Grand National, The Cheltenham Gold Cup is always one to savour, and has been seen as the race where most skill is required to get the job done. 

The market leader in 2025 was Galopin Des Champs, whose bid for a third Gold Cup win was ultimately denied by a resilient Inothewayurthinkin, who secured the spoils for JP McManus in unbelievable style to provide yet another shock at last year’s chaotic festival. 

At this stage, the betting looks rather ambiguous, with last year’s winner currently sat at 12/1 in the betting. 

While with specific races still not decided for some runners, Fact To File is sat at 7/2. 

Jango Baie also looks fairly appealing at 9/2. However, further down the betting are some rather interesting names, with reigning Grand National victor Nick Rockett sat at 33/1. 

Galopin Des Champs is a name that last year was expected to win, but ahead of the 2026 festival, 8/1 is the current going rate. 

At this stage, it may well be too early to call many of the festival races, but regardless, it is always fun to take a look at some early punts before the thrill of the festival fully gets underway on the afternoon of March 10.

We will look forward to seeing you at the festival!

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