Cheltenham Festival Day Two: Champion Chase Takes Centre Stage After Day One Brawl
Day Two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival is underway, with the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase as the headline event. This follows an enthralling opening day where Lossiemouth clinched victory in the Champion Hurdle. Today's feature race, scheduled for 4:00 PM, sees Willie Mullins' Majborough enter as the strong favourite, facing challenges from stablemate Il Etait Temps and Dan Skelton's L'Eau du Sud among nine other runners.
Racecourse Addresses Isolated Brawl Incident
A spokesperson for Cheltenham Racecourse released a statement regarding an altercation on Day One, describing it as an isolated incident involving a small group. Security teams intervened promptly, with police in attendance but no arrests made. The racecourse emphasised its zero-tolerance policy towards antisocial behaviour, reaffirming its commitment to safety for all attendees.
Multiple Horse Withdrawals Shake Up Race Card
Several horses have been pulled from today's races, impacting the lineup. Predators Gold, Came from Nowhere, and The Big Westerner are confirmed non-runners, with the latter two affecting the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at 2:00 PM. Trainers and jockeys are adjusting strategies as the festival progresses.
Expert Insights and Betting Odds
Betting markets show Majborough superboosted to 7/4 from 5/6 by bet365, solidifying its favourite status. Jockey Mark Walsh expressed hope that the real Majborough turns up again today after a dominant performance at Leopardstown. Meanwhile, Megan Nicholls, daughter of Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls, noted that Day Two presents tough selections due to competitive fields.
In other highlights, retired jockey Rachael Blackmore reflected on her emotional moments at Cheltenham, calling it our Wimbledon for racing enthusiasts. The festival continues with a full race card, including the Turners Novices' Hurdle and Grand Annual Chase, promising thrilling action for spectators and punters alike.
