AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR RACING PREVIEW Tues: Cheltenham Festival 2026, Day 1
The biggest week of the jumping year is here, and we have an incredibly competitive Day 1 of Cheltenham to look forward to, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.
A changed schedule for Day 1 sees a cracking card for punters, layers and race fans alike with lots of full fields and fascinating battles – what more could one want?
The ground at the time of writing is Good to Soft on the old course, with selective watering taking place to make sure that is maintained. The final hurdles have been moved to their normal pre-Festival position, which means a longer run in than usually seen for some. Before we get started, don’t miss our other top festival content:
📽️ Davy Russell previews: https://starsportsbet.co.uk/davy-russell-cheltenham-festival-2026-previews/
📈 Trader Chat special: https://starsportsbet.co.uk/trader-chat-cheltenham-festival-2026-special/
⭕️ On-course chat with Kaan Hughes: https://starsportsbet.co.uk/cheltenham-2026-on-course-chat-with-kaan-hughes/
🐴 Exclusive Harry Skelton stable tour: https://starsportsbet.co.uk/harry-skelton-exclusive-stable-tour-cheltenham-festival-2026/
📘 Cheltenham PDF guide: https://starsportsbet.co.uk/cheltenham-festival-guide-with-davy-russell-harry-skelton-3/
🏆 STAR SPORTS RACING MARKETS 🏆
🏆 1:20 Cheltenham – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) 2m½f
A really deep contest to begin the meeting and a competitive betting heat to boot. Old Park Star has been dominant for Nicky Henderson in three starts this year, winning by 12 lengths here in December and then taking the Rossington Main by 18 lengths behind. He ought to take a lot of beating and is hugely respected but the vote goes to Talk The Talk, who might well be unbeaten over hurdles if not for tipping over with a Grade 1 at his mercy at Leopardstown over Christmas before then showing a ripping turn of foot to land the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.
He did well to get up in a high quality contest considering his position in a slowly run race and he should relish having a strong pace to run at here with many positively ridden horses in attendance, and his turn of foot should be suited by the New Course here even with a longer run in – hopefully JJ Slevin can find a target going to the last. His jumping might be a worry at pace for some but he was unlucky to fall at Christmas and has improved with each start he’s had.
Mighty Park could be anything and is evidently highly talented based on his effortless 38-length win from the front at Fairyhouse but he’s extraordinarily inexperienced for a Supreme contender and didn’t have any sort of test or battle on debut. He has to be taken on here whilst El Cairos might well be one of the fastest horses in this field but he’s got more jumping questions to answer than Talk The Talk here.
Mydaddypaddy was perhaps not suited by the low sun when the now absent Idaho Sun had too much for him in the Formby (four hurdles omitted due to low sun) and a strong pace here will be heaven for Harry Skelton, although he must now prove he can win a battle after cruising to success three times.
Leader d’Allier was highly thought of before being brushed aside at Christmas by Ballyfad, although it came at a time when Willie Mullins horses had been taking a big tstep forward from their seasonal/yard debuts. He was an easy winner when dropping down in class at Punchestown last time (runner-up has since won a maiden hurdle and then finished a well beaten third in a rated novice), but more improvement can be expected. He’s not without an each/way chance here and neither is Sober Glory, who has looked incredibly impressive when making the running over hurdles at Chepstow, Sandown and Newbury, although he’ll face plenty of pace pressure here.
Baron Noir’s useful bumper form ties in with Sober Glory and El Cairos (although he was lucky to beat El Cairos at Punchestown), although his hurdles form hasn’t quite matched up to what he did in bumpers and he’s got improvement to make. Too Bossy For Us was highly tried as a juvenile and showed clear promise when seventh in the Triumph on his debut (then fifth at Punchestown, beaten further) and after a good flat campaign he was a cosy winner at Punchestown, beating a stablemate who was getting 10lbs due to age. This ground might well suit a lot more and the new course could be his bag, so a big surprise under Harry Cobden wouldn’t surprise.
Koktail Brut was a creditable fourth behind Talk The Talk but he’s got 6 and a half lengths to make up on Talk The Talk whilst Eachtotheirown and Sagebororugh have been well held behind him twice before.
🏆 2:00 Cheltenham – Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) 2m
A fascinating contest with Lulamba given a strong vote over Kopek Des Bordes. Just beaten in the Triumph last season, he made amends at Punchestown afterwards and is 3-3 over fences, landing the odds easily at Exeter on his chasing debut before taking the Henry VII and Game Sprit chases without too much fuss. His finishing efforts on both occasions augur extremely well for the hill here and whilst he was sent off 4/11, the beating he gave to 150+ rated elder horses in the Game Sprit at Newbury was notable and is the best form over fences in the field. He came off the bridle early at Newbury but was ahead of Calico before the second last and was utterly dominant at the finish – that experience should have sharpened up up in time for this assignment.
Kopek Des Bordes is a fine horse who was hugely impressive over hurdles last season – including when landing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – and he showed a fine turn of foot on his chasing debut, but he’s not been seen since due to a loose chip in his knee (removed in November), and he will need to be special to match Well Chief in winning this after one chase run. Western Warhorse did in 2014, but he’d had three runs that season including a chasing debut in January when he had to battle, in differing circumstances to Kopek Des Bordes, as talented as he is.
Kargese, runner-up in the Irish Arkle, should be very happy on this ground here and is a danger to the top two with her speed, although she is possibly liable to be outstayed, especially if this becomes a slog or an all-out finish like last year. She beat Lovely Hurling further than Kopek des Bordes did at Christmas (found the ground too testing and needed return behind Kala Conti) and should go well.
Steel Ally has impressed in going 3-3 over fences and must not be discounted here. This is his sternest speed test but few will finish stronger and his attitude is another bonus. Similar comments apply to Jax Junior, who took advantage of a good opportunity in the Pendil but who is tactically adaptable and has few jumping worries. Both have a step forward to take but mustn’t be forgotten about.
Hansard has been exposed twice behind Jax Junior and Mambonumberfive and looks outclassed here.
🏆 2:40 Cheltenham – McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m½f
Ferociously competitive with just 10lbs between the field here. Ammes, like many in the field, was a good flat horse before switching to hurdling and after two easy wins against early-season opposition he pushed Minella Study close in the Wensleydale at Wetherby in October. His backers that day would have been disappointed -0 he went off 2/5 – but he finished second to Minella Study, who managed to announce himself as a Triumph contender when smashing Winston Junior by six and a half lengths, giving him 7lbs here in December. This has been the plan since, with a tune-up run on the flat just like Liam Swagger, who ran a fine race when third in last year’s renewal. Ammes brings stronger form off what seems to be a fairer mark and the booking of Sean Bowen shows serious intent; he makes real each/way appeal.
🏆 3:20 Cheltenham – Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) 3m1f
It’s very easy to make cases for the JP McManus pairing of Jagwar, last year’s Plate winner who looks ready to go up in trip based on his two strong efforts in Premier Handicaps this season, and Grand National fourth Iroko, whose chasing from this season is looking incredibly strong (second to The Jukebox Man in Graduation Chase on return and then beat Irish Gold Cup fourth Firefox and subsequent Grade 2 winner James Du Berlais).
There’s not much between the pair, but Iroko is only 5lbs higher now than when fourth in last year’s National despite those two runs and whilst Aintree will be the big target of course, he ran a solid race pre National behind Grey Dawning last year and if anything looks improved since then.
The other contender taken against the field is Resplendent Grey. A sloppy round of jumping didn’t help him, but he did well to finish fourth in the National Hunt Chase last year before taking the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, and he showed a fine attitude and more pace than we’re used to seeing from him in the Colin Parker at Carlisle. Connections complained about a poor starting position in the Coral Gold Cup when he was disappointing but he was once again ahead of Handstands when taking second place behind Protekorat in the Fleur de Lys Chase, hitting the line in eye-catching fashion. If Sean Bowen is able to find a decent early position for him, few will finish more strongly.
🏆 4:00 Cheltenham – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race) 2m½f
A fascinating renewal with all contenders worthy of at least some respect. Lossiemouth, rightly given her chance here after two wins in the Mares’ Hurdle, arrives here in first time cheekpieces after a flat run by her standards in the Irish Champion Hurdle when Brighterdaysahead was too strong for her at Leopardstown on heavy ground. There’s plenty of confidence behind her charge – she’s a strong favourite now – and if she’s back to her best then she’s got every chance, although it’s hard to argue she’s anything other than the right price now even if back to her best.
Brighterdaysahead hasn’t been seen to best effect at the Festival in her two runs, although she was trying to give Golden Ace 5lbs when beaten in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle here in a race that became a sprint two seasons ago and last year a phenomenal effort at Leopardstown over Christmas had left its mark along with a knee issue that has since been resolved. It would be no surprise if she was to prove it third time lucky here and of the top three in the market, she makes the most appeal price wise for all that this is a race where yours truly will be sitting and watching.
Golden Ace continues to be underrated as she showed when staying on her feet to take last season’s Champion Hurdle and then getting the better of Anzadam in the Fighting Fifth and finishing a clear second to Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle. Her price of 11/1 is too big considering her consistency, and it would be no surprise if she went off shorter.
Poniros won the Triumph on his hurdling debut in an extraordinary feat before Lulamba reversed that form at Punchestown, and on his first run since he ran more than respectably in the Irish Champion Hurdle, finishing third after getting detached mid-straight. Major improvement ought to be coming given the Closutton patterns this season, whilst this ground ought to be much more up his street, so he is an interesting outsider.
He makes more appeal than Anzadam, who has proven slightly tricky this season and is safely held on previous form in Ireland and behind Golden Ace, Tutti Quanti, who took a weak Premier Hurdle (the old Totesport Trophy) apart at Newbury in bad ground, Alexei (very progressive but Christmas handicap defeat and Kingwell suggest he needs to find much more still) whilst Workahead, if he can take another step forward, could outrun his price if coming back to his novice form. This ground, the best he’s raced on since last year, should suit him and after a long time out with injury, he could take another step forward still here.
🏆 4:40 Cheltenham – Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) 2m4f
No selection here with Madara an obvious contender for Star ambassador Harry Skelton and McLaurey attracting plenty of attention for Emmet Mullins, with Mark Walsh on board. Both have their chances but the more appealing contenders from the top of the market were Downmexicoway and in particular, Down Memory Lane, who overcame a lot of traffic to land the Foxrock. Will The Wise is worth trying back in trip and No Questions Asked can go well if he’s able to carry the best of his novice form.
🏆 5:20 Cheltenham – National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) 3m6f
Many well-fancied contenders here, with Backmersackme and Newton Tornado very popular whilst Iceberg Theory’s Cork win in November now reads very strongly, but a strong vote goes to Wade Out, who looked made for this test when grinding out victory from a very unpromising position against One Big Bang here in November.
When Sean Bowen managed to rouse him, his finishing effort was extremely taking and this is a test that should suit, assuming that Bowen can keep him close enough to be in touch around the home turn in a bigger field. He found Windsor too short a test for him against some decent opposition but this ought to be much more up his street, and his narrow defeat of Wendigo on his chase debut at Worcester now reads very well.
RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Talk The Talk in the 1.20 Cheltenham 1pt win at 9/2 (🏆
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BACK Lulamba in the 2.00 Cheltenham 3pts win at 13/8 (🏆
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BACK Ammes in the 2.40 Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 15/2 (🏆
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BACK Iroko in the 3.20 Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 13/2 (🏆
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BACK Resplendent Grey in the 3.20 Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 16/1 (🏆
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BACK Wade Out in the 5.20 Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 15/2 (🏆
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PROFIT/LOSS (MAR 2026): -12.60 points
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