Newsboy's Comprehensive Cheltenham Festival Day One Racing Guide
As the Cheltenham Festival kicks off, our top tipster Newsboy provides an unmissable column analysing all seven races on Tuesday's card. With detailed insights and 1-2-3 predictions for each contest, this guide offers everything racing enthusiasts need to know about the opening day's action.
Talk The Talk Expected to Deliver Irish Success in Opener
Talk The Talk (1.20) is the selection to give Ireland their first victory of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. The Joseph O'Brien-trained five-year-old boasts an impressive record of three wins from four starts, with his only defeat coming from a stumble at the final obstacle at Leopardstown over Christmas. After winning his maiden hurdle at Limerick in October and securing a Grade 3 victory at Fairyhouse the following month, Talk The Talk demonstrated his class by winning the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. Newsboy believes the decent pace and Cheltenham's uphill finish should trigger another personal best performance.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 TALK THE TALK, 2 OLD PARK STAR, 3 SOBER GLORY
Lulamba Tipped for Arkle Challenge Trophy Glory
Lulamba (2.00) is expected to remain unbeaten over fences and give trainer Nicky Henderson a record-extending ninth Arkle Challenge Trophy victory. The French native, who was narrowly defeated in last year's Triumph Hurdle, has made a brilliant start to his chasing career with commanding victories at Exeter and Sandown Park. Despite winning less than fluently in his most recent outing at Newbury, Lulamba showed tremendous power once finding daylight and appears to have significant improvement still to come.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 LULAMBA, 2 KOPEK DES BORDES, 3 JAX JUNIOR
Manlaga's Progressive Profile Makes Her Fred Winter Favorite
Manlaga (2.40) possesses a going-places profile that should propel her to victory in this wide-open contest. The Nicky Henderson-trained filly has shown consistent improvement since joining her current connections, finishing second on her British debut at Doncaster before securing a convincing victory at Haydock Park three weeks later. With a handicap mark of 130 that appears well within her capabilities, Manlaga represents excellent value in a competitive field.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 MANLAGA, 2 SARATOGA, 3 MADNESS D'ELLE
Quebecois Returns to Cheltenham with Strong Claims
Quebecois (3.20) catches the eye as he returns to Cheltenham and steps back up to three miles. Although the Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old has yet to win over fences, his narrow defeat at Cheltenham's Trials Day fixture in January demonstrated his capability at this level. The 4lb rise for that valiant effort looks manageable, and the return to three miles should suit this progressive chaser perfectly.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 QUEBECOIS, 2 JAGWAR, 3 JOHNNYWHO
Golden Ace Back to Defend Champion Hurdle Crown
Golden Ace (4.00) receives the vote to retain the Champion Hurdle crown she won twelve months ago. While her victory last year came in fortunate circumstances following the falls of Constitution Hill and State Man, Jeremy Scott's mare has proven her class with victories in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and consistent performances at the highest level. With key rivals absent this year, Golden Ace brings both talent and reliability to Tuesday's feature race.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 GOLDEN ACE, 2 LOSSIEMOUTH, 3 PONIROS
Down Memory Lane Poised for Festival Breakthrough
Down Memory Lane (4.40) hasn't yet fulfilled the promise he showed on his chasing debut, but Gordon Elliott has deliberately kept the eight-year-old fresh for the Cheltenham Festival. His winter comeback victory at Navan in December demonstrated significant potential, and despite an 8lb higher mark, there appears to be untapped ability waiting to be unleashed at the perfect moment.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 DOWN MEMORY LANE, 2 MADARA, 3 ZURICH
Iceberg Theory Completes the Card with Strong Claims
Iceberg Theory (5.20) has been going from strength to strength over fences and represents excellent value in the day's final contest. The Paul Nolan-trained seven-year-old has shown progressive form this season, winning at Limerick and Cork before being handed a British Horseracing Authority handicap mark of 133. The additional distance of this race should suit him perfectly and could trigger further improvement.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 ICEBERG THEORY, 2 BACKMERSACKME, 3 GRANDE GESTE
