Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day One: Expert Tips and Top Horses to Watch
The Cheltenham Festival returns for its 2026 edition, promising four days of thrilling National Hunt racing action, culminating in Friday's prestigious Gold Cup where Inothewayurthinkin aims for a second consecutive victory. However, the excitement begins on Tuesday with Champion Day, featuring a stellar lineup of previous winners and renowned horses from British and Irish trainers.
Opening Day Highlights and Key Contenders
The Festival's opening day is set to deliver spectacular racing with several standout performers. In the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Nicky Henderson's Old Star Park leads the betting markets, ridden by Nico de Boinville, potentially securing an early win for the English trainer. The Arkle Novices' Chase sees Willie Mullins' Kopek Des Bordes, last year's Supreme Novices winner, heavily backed for another triumph. Meanwhile, Dan Skelton's The New Lion, a former Cheltenham champion, targets glory in the Champion Hurdle.
Our experts, including racing correspondent Jonathan Doidge and legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh, provide their insights and selections for each of the seven races on Tuesday's card. Doidge will be on-site throughout the week, while Walsh has shared his tips exclusively with Paddy Power.
Expert Analysis for Champion Day Races
1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh's tip: Leader D'Allier – "A smaller field than expected, but this still looks a deep Supreme. I have a few concerns about some of the market principals, and I like the look of Leader d'Allier. He has the ideal profile, he's a solid jumper and he should see this trip out strongly."
Jonathan Doidge's tips: Old Park Star and Talk The Talk (both Each-Way) – "Nicky Henderson knows how to win this race and the type that it takes to do so. I'm not sure Old Park Star is as nippy as some he's sent this way but he's definitely not slow and I think he'll get the strong pace he needs to enable him to do his best work up the hill. I'd also added in a second each-way play on Talk The Talk, in the belief that he'd eventually come here. I think he'd be 4-4 over hurdles but for that stumble after he'd jumped the last at Leopardstown in front and if anything beats Old Park Star, it could be him."
2.00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh's tip: Kopek Des Bordes – "Kopek Des Bordes surprised me with how nimble he was over fences at Navan, and he looked very impressive when I saw him schooling at Fairyhouse. They even let me sit on him one day, and I got off with a big smile on my face. He's a proper racehorse and my best bet on day one."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Lulamba – "He's barely put a foot wrong and he's officially 5lb superior to the favourite Kopek Des Bordes, and I am still happy to be with Lulamba in the Arkle. He impressed with his jumping at both Exeter and when winning the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown."
2.40: Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Ruby Walsh's tip: Glen to Glen – "Saratoga has been on plenty of punters' minds, but I'm siding with Glen To Glen. He was a very decent performer on the Flat, and the drying ground should really suit him. He looks to be on a fair mark and has a solid chance for Joseph O'Brien."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Mustang Du Breuil (Each-Way) – "There's been a further nibble at Manlaga and I do think Nicky Henderson's charge has claims in this juvenile handicap. However his stablemate Mustang Du Breuil is twice the price and they are rated only 1lb apart on their form to date. That looks like value."
3:20: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Ruby Walsh's tip: Resplendent Grey (Each-Way) – "I've gone off Jagwar, who I thought might develop into a graded performer this season. Instead, I'm taking a chance on Resplendent Grey at a big each-way price. He gets blinkers on for the first time, which will be a huge help to him. He was placed at the Festival last year, the drying ground should suit, and with Sean Bowen booked, he looks a solid value play."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Jagwar – "Whichever way I look at this race, and there are a number who may well be well treated, I keep coming back to the favourite Jagwar. He loves it around here, those form figures of 1132 are clear evidence of that."
4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh's tip: The New Lion – "Lossiemouth will sport cheekpieces for the first time in an attempt to help her keep up with the early pace. She's better suited to more steadily run races over this trip, and Brighterdaysahead could set a frantic gallop, which just puts me off her. It could set up perfectly for The New Lion if he can keep his jumping together. He just gets my vote."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Lossiemouth (Each-Way) – "Lossiemouth is unbeaten at this venue and is just such a consistent and reliable mare. Detractors will say that, at her best, she wouldn't be good enough to beat a top Champion Hurdle winner. That may still be the case shortly after four o'clock on Tuesday but I think she's definitely good enough to finish in the first three."
4.40: TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
Ruby Walsh's tip: Downmexicoway – "I was siding with Downmexicoway, whether he turned up here or in the Grand Annual. He was beaten 23 lengths in the Irish Arkle, but that margin could have been much closer. He's on a lovely mark, and it's Downmexicoway all the way for me."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Zurich (Each-Way) – "He's got C&D winning form against his name, in what was presumably a reconnaissance mission for this race. He showed a bit more improvement there and there's no obvious reason why he can't do so again in a true-run contest like the vast majority of Festival races provide."
5.20: National Hunt Chase
Ruby Walsh's tip: Newton Tornado – "It's Newton Tornado for me in the last. Rebecca Curtis was keen for Paul Townend to take the ride, but he respectfully declined. She's very strong on his chances, and she knows how to get one ready for this race, having won it twice before, including last year's renewal. I'm hoping she can go back-to-back and end day one with a winner."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Iceberg Theory (Each-Way) – "Trainer Paul Nolan doesn't send his inmates to these shores if he doesn't think they've a chance and I think he has too. He won at both Limerick and Cork to make it 2-3 over fences. He also looks well treated from a current mark of 133."
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