The Cheltenham Festival has made its highly anticipated return, marking a pivotal moment in the horse racing calendar as the season accelerates. This prestigious four-day event commenced on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, with Champion Day, setting the stage for a series of thrilling competitions.
The Festival Schedule and Key Highlights
The Festival unfolds over four distinct days, each with its own unique theme and races. Following Champion Day on Tuesday, Ladies Day takes centre stage on Wednesday, with St Patrick’s Thursday and the climactic Gold Cup Day on Friday, 13 March, concluding the festivities. This year’s edition is poised to be particularly unpredictable, with notable absences including big names like Constitution Hill, Marine Nationale, and Galopin Des Champs, resulting in fewer clear favourites across the board.
Champion Day: A Blockbuster Start
Tuesday’s action was headlined by the Unibet Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 race that promised intense competition. The field featured Dan Skelton’s The New Lion and Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth among four or five strong contenders, each with a legitimate chance at glory. The day’s full racecard and winners are detailed below.
Complete Racecard and Winners for Champion Day
Tuesday 10 March - Champion Day
- 1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Old Park Star, Mighty Park, Talk The Talk, El Cairos, Mydaddypaddy, Leader Dallier, Sober Glory, Baron Noir, Too Bossy For Us, Eachtotheirown, Koktail Brut, Sageborough
- 2.00: Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1) – Kopek Des Bordes, Lulamba, Kargese, Steel Ally, Jax Junior, Mambonumberfive, Hansard
- 2.40: McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap) – Saratoga, Winston Junior, Manlaga, Ammes, Glen To Glen, Munsif, Mustang De Breuil, Madness Delle, Pourquoi Pas Papa, The Mighty Celt, Bibe Mus, Ole Ole, Barbizon, Dignam, Hardy Stuff, Harwa, Bertutea, Mino Des Mottes Quinta Do Lago, Kylcot, Lord, Macktoad, Bandjo, Paddockwood
- 3.20: Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – Jagwar, Iroko, Myretown, Quebecois, Hyland, Handstands, Johnnywho, Blow Your Wad, Konfusion, Blaze The Way, Leave of Absence, The Short Go, Resplendent Glory, Imperial Saint, Knight of Allen, The Doyen Chief, Search For Glory, Patter Merchant, Margarets Legacy, Filanderer, Eyed, Stolen Silver
- 4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – Lossiemouth, The New Lion, Brighterdaysahead, Golden Ace, Poniros, Alexei, Anzadam, Tutti Quanti, Workahead
- 4.40: Sun Racing Plate (Premier Handicap) – Madara, McLaurey, Will The Wise, Downmexicoway, Zurich, Down Memory Lane, Booster Bob, No Questions Asked, Peaky Boy, Jipcot, Omoore Park, Midnight It Is, Dee Capo, Guard Your Dreams, Theatre Native, Riskintheground, Jungle Boogie, Boombawn, Moon Durange, Grandeur Dame, Western Zephyr, Yes Indeed, Embittered
- 5.20: National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Class 2) – Backmercaskme, Newtone Tornado, Wade Out, Iceberg Theory, One Big Bang, King Of Answers, Walking On Air, Grand Geste, Pic Roc, Kurasso Blue, Holloway Queen, Guard The Moon, First Confession, Union Station, Will Do, Silver Thorn, Holokea
Subsequent Days and Key Races
The Festival continues with Ladies Day on Wednesday, featuring races such as the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase. St Patrick’s Thursday includes the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and Ryanair Chase, while Gold Cup Day on Friday culminates with the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase, one of the most anticipated events in horse racing.
How to Watch the Cheltenham Festival
For those unable to attend in person, comprehensive coverage is available. The first six races of each day are broadcast on ITV1, while a Racing TV subscription provides full coverage, including the final race of each day. Both ITV and Racing TV offer live streams via their respective apps and websites, in addition to traditional television broadcasts.
Ticket Availability and Pricing
Tickets for the Festival vary in price and availability. Daily Club Enclosure tickets for the first three days start from £103.50, though Friday’s Gold Cup Day is sold out. Tattersalls tickets are priced from £73.80 for the initial three days, with Gold Cup Day also unavailable. The most economical option is the Best Mate enclosure, with day tickets for the first three days beginning at £54. All ticket details and purchases can be accessed through the Jockey Club’s official channels.
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 promises an exhilarating week of top-tier horse racing, with each day offering unique challenges and opportunities for both seasoned contenders and emerging talents.
