Cheltenham Festival Final Day: Newsboy's Expert Race-by-Race Guide
The Cheltenham Festival reaches its thrilling climax today with the prestigious Gold Cup as the centerpiece of a spectacular seven-race card. Our top tipster Newsboy has analyzed every contest in detail to bring you his expert selections for the final day of this legendary four-day meeting.
Triumph Hurdle (1.20): Selma De Vary Leads the Charge
SELMA DE VARY makes significant appeal in the opening Triumph Hurdle following an impressive British debut that marked her as a serious contender. Trainer Willie Mullins has dominated this race in recent years, winning four of the last five renewals, making his Closutton stable the logical starting point for finding the 2026 winner.
This daughter of Zarak, who is a son of the legendary Zarkava, showed remarkable improvement when switched to hurdles after a modest flat career in France. Her breakthrough victory at Auteuil in November was particularly eye-catching, as she demonstrated a smart burst of speed to defeat twelve rivals by nine lengths in a fillies' conditions hurdle.
Now racing for Mullins and owner Rich Ricci, Selma De Vary finished a promising second in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, suggesting she's ready to take a significant step forward today. Mullins' unbeaten Proactif represents the main danger, with Minella Study and Highland Crystal also warranting respect.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 SELMA DE VARY, 2 PROACTIF, 3 MINELLA STUDY
County Hurdle (2.00): Sinnatra Looks Well-Treated
SINNATRA appears particularly well-handicapped as he makes his first appearance in handicap company. The son of Walk In The Park began his career with Paul Nicholls before transferring to Dan Skelton, where he has shown steady improvement over hurdles.
After placing behind smart performers Captain Hugo and Act Of Innocence in his first two starts, Sinnatra demolished his rivals by 55 lengths at Sandown Park in January. Although he finished third to Act Of Innocence in the Listed Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle, he bounced back with an impressive five-length victory at Warwick three weeks ago.
With a British Horseracing Authority mark of 133 looking potentially generous, and trainer Dan Skelton boasting an excellent record in this race with three wins in the past decade, Sinnatra represents excellent value. Murcia, Absurde, Hello Neighbour and Joyeuse head a competitive shortlist in this typically wide-open contest.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 SINNATRA, 2 MURCIA, 3 JOYEUSE
Mares' Chase (2.40): Dinoblue to Defend Crown
DINOBLUE is strongly fancied to successfully defend the Mares' Chase title she won in emphatic fashion twelve months ago. The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old has followed an identical preparation to last year, using victory in the Listed Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas as her springboard to Festival success.
After finishing runner-up in this race in 2024, Dinoblue dominated the 2025 renewal with an eight-and-a-half-length victory over Brides Hill. She maintained that form with another success at Punchestown before returning this season with a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Fortria Chase at Navan.
Her most recent outing saw her defeat sole finisher Shecouldbeanything with minimal fuss at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. Dinoblue sets the standard that all rivals must aim for, with Panic Attack - who has been a revelation this season - expected to provide the sternest challenge. Diva Luna completes the predicted podium finishers.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 DINOBLUE, 2 PANIC ATTACK, 3 DIVA LUNA
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3.20): Thedeviluno to Shine
THEDEVILUNO is selected to improve upon stablemate Latest Exhibition's second-place finish in this contest six years ago. Paul Nolan's gelding has shown progressive form since switching to hurdles this season, beginning with a victory over subsequent Grade 1 winner Skylight Hustle at Gowran Park in November.
Although defeated by today's rival Doctor Steinberg in the Grade 2 Navan Hurdle before Christmas, Thedeviluno demonstrated significant improvement when stepped up to three miles for the first time in the River Don Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster. That performance saw him storm home to defeat Country Code by five lengths, suggesting the additional distance brought out his best.
The stamina-favouring New Course at Cheltenham should suit this progressive stayer perfectly, enabling him to reverse the form with Doctor Steinberg, who has since scored at the Dublin Racing Festival. Espresso Milan and Mondoui'boy complete the leading contenders.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 THEDEVILUNO, 2 DOCTOR STEINBERG, 3 MONDOUI'BOY
Cheltenham Gold Cup (4.00): Jango Baie to Reach New Heights
JANGO BAIE gives every indication that the Gold Cup's demanding test will bring out further improvement as he seeks to give trainer Nicky Henderson his third victory in steeplechasing's blue riband event. The seven-year-old announced himself as a top-class performer with a dramatic last-gasp victory in last year's Arkle Challenge Trophy.
Since that two-mile success, Jango Baie has shown progressive form when stepped up in distance. His performance in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day was particularly encouraging, as he stayed on determinedly to finish fourth, beaten just two noses and half a length behind The Jukebox Man.
That finishing effort suggests he will thrive for the additional distance of the Gold Cup, racing beyond three miles for the first time. With untapped potential still to be realized, Jango Baie represents excellent value. The Jukebox Man, who defeated him at Kempton, represents the main danger, while Haiti Couleurs brings proven stamina to complete the predicted placings.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 JANGO BAIE, 2 THE JUKEBOX MAN, 3 HAITI COULEURS
Foxhunter Chase (4.40): Panda Boy to Show Class
PANDA BOY, once a smart performer in professional ranks, appears capable of running a big race in the Foxhunter Chase. The Martin Brassil-trained gelding finished a respectable third in last year's Leinster National at Naas, form that reads well in the context of this contest.
After unseating his rider in the Irish Grand National and being beaten at Killarney, Panda Boy returned to action with a third-place finish in a point-to-point before embarking on a hunter chase campaign this season. He has been impressive in winning both his starts in this sphere, scoring by nine lengths at Thurles in January before following up with a four-length victory at Naas last month.
With his enthusiasm clearly reignited, and ridden by Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey John Gleeson, Panda Boy should go well. Wonderwall, who defeated three-time runner-up Its On The Line last March, represents the main danger, with Shearer completing the predicted placings.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 PANDA BOY, 2 WONDERWALL, 3 SHEARER
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (5.20): Roc Dino to Finish Strong
ROC DINO catches the eye in the concluding race as he steps up in trip and enters handicap company for the first time. The French import joined Willie Mullins' powerful stable this winter and has shown promise in two maiden hurdle outings.
Although well-beaten on his Irish debut at Fairyhouse in January, Roc Dino showed significant improvement when finishing second at Thurles later that month. Racing over two miles that day, he led until the second-last flight before staying on well once headed at the final obstacle.
The evidence suggests he will benefit significantly from stepping up to this extended two-and-a-half-mile trip, and if that proves correct, his British Horseracing Authority mark of 131 could prove generous. In the final race of what promises to be a memorable 2026 Festival, East India Express and Fiercely Proud complete the predicted placings.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 ROC DINO, 2 EAST INDIA EXPRESS, 3 FIERCELY PROUD
