HARRY SKELTON: Cheltenham Festival 2026 – Day 3

We had plenty of horses run well on Day 2 without quite managing to get another Festival winner, writes HARRY SKELTON.

Bossman Jack and Soldier Reeves both ran good races in the Turners and will be nice horses going forward.

They went a strong gallop in the Champion Chase and I just felt as though I was flat out for most of the way on L’Eau Du Sud. He kept on well for third and it was a good run.

We then went close in the Champion Bumper with Mets Ta Ceinture, who ran a cracking race to finish second.

Hopefully, on day three, we will have a bit more luck.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

THURSDAY

MILLE ET UNE VIE – 1:20pm Cheltenham (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle)

She’s a filly we got from France. She’s got some really smart form to her name at Auteuil, which has been boosted with two horses that beat her going on to win in Graded company. She’s still a maiden and we don’t want to lose our novice status too cheaply at this time of year, so we’re letting her take her chance here. It’s a big race for her, and I think Bambino Fever is probably going to be hard to beat, but she gets 10 pounds from the older mares, which will help. She’s been working really nicely and, in time, I think she’s going to be a horse that everyone should keep an eye out for.

TAKE NO CHANCES – 2:40pm Cheltenham (Mares’ Hurdle)

She’s a really solid mare and was only beaten 10 lengths by Lossiemouth in this race last year. Obviously, Lossiemouth going down the Champion Hurdle route makes things a bit easier for her, but it’s still a strong race with Wodhooh a good favourite. Our mare is in good form and is nice and fresh having been given a break since she ran at Warwick in January. I think she could take a good step forward on the drying ground, so hopefully the rain doesn’t arrive. We’re very happy with her and I think she can go very well here.

KABRAL DU MATHAN – 3:20pm Cheltenham (Stayers’ Hurdle)

Will he stay? That’s the big question. He will look like he is going to stay turning in, that’s for sure. He’s an improving horse and has relished the step up in trip this season. We kept him away from heavy ground the last twice and he hasn’t run since Trials Day, so he comes here nice and fresh. The others have been there and done it, so he has to step up. He’s very fit and has done lots of work – we’ve been really happy with his work – and he’s the young horse on the up coming into this race. We think he will stay the trip, and if he does, then he’s got a big chance.

SUPREMELY WEST & ACE OF SPADES – 4:40pm Cheltenham (Pertemps Final)

Supremely West qualified for this race when finishing third at Cheltenham in October. The drop back to two-and-a-half miles didn’t suit him last time and stepping back up to three miles looks to be what he wants. He won’t mind what the ground does, as he’s pretty versatile. He’ll like the hustle and bustle of this race and I think he has an excellent each-way chance.

We also run Ace Of Spades here. He just keeps improving and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He’s won twice and placed once from four starts and qualified for this race when winning at Huntingdon in January. He looks to be going the right way, but whether the handicapper has him where he wants him now remains to be seen. There’s a good deal in his favour though, as he knows how to win, is tough and stays well.

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