TL;DR
- The Cheltenham Festival is jump racing's premier event, held March 10-13, 2026, at Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire.
- Betting for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival has already begun, with bookmakers offering Non Runner No Bet promotions.
- Irish trainers, particularly Willie Mullins, have dominated recent Festivals, securing approximately 60% of races.
- Key races include the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers' Hurdle, and the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Cheltenham Festival stands as jump racing's premier event, a brilliant spectacle central to the National Hunt calendar.
Over four remarkable days, the undulating landscape of the Cotswolds transforms into the venue where the world's elite horses, riders, and trainers compete for historical achievements in front of an enthusiastic audience.
Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire will once again host the renewal of the rivalry between Ireland and Great Britain's finest in 2026.
This weekend's Coral Winter Carnival at Newbury, which includes the Coral Gold Cup and the Coral Long Distance Hurdle, marks the next significant event. Additionally, Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) at Newcastle Racecourse is another important jump race taking place this week.
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- Cheltenham Betting Tips and Offers
- When is the Cheltenham Festival 2026?
- Cheltenham Festival Races & Schedule
- Road to Cheltenham's Five Horses to Follow
- FAQs About Cheltenham
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Cheltenham week is the most lucrative betting event in British horse racing.
Bet365 has already opened ante-post odds for 2026, joined by Paddy Power and Betfair both launching early-bird promotions.
William Hill launched its Non Runner No Bet (NRNB) offer for all 28 Festival races on January 1st, 2025, a move that saw other prominent bookmakers adopt similar timelines throughout the month, marking an earlier start for this betting feature than in previous years.
The long-held tradition of a February launch is now obsolete – the New Year (or even earlier) marks the true start of Cheltenham betting season.
NRNB ensures full refunds on scratched runners, allowing punters to take early value with reduced risk - particularly while race targets for major horses remains unclear. Add in Best Odds Guaranteed and Money Back if 2nd offers, and timing becomes as important as selection.
Throughout the Festival, bookmakers offer improved odds, “Each-Way Extra,”, and unique promotions on major races such as the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup.
Comparing multiple sites remains the most reliable strategy for any serious backer.
EXPLAINED: Win vs Each-Way Betting | What is a NAP in horse racing?
Cheltenham Bets & Deals
Betting on the Cheltenham Festival is equal part data and instinct.
Irish trainers have secured approximately 60% of Festival races over the last ten years, highlighting the significant influence of Willie Mullins. Mullins achieved 10 wins in 2025, further solidifying his status as the most accomplished trainer ever.
- Short distances (~2 miles): Mullins reigns supreme.
- Staying races (3 miles +): Gordon Elliott’s battalions remain formidable.
- Soft ground → Irish advantage / Good ground → British revival.
Leading companies like Paddy Power and Sky Bet provide weekly daily incentives, including “Bet £10 Get £10” or “Money Back if 2nd” coverage. Novice wagerers are advised to start with NRNB-qualified options to effectively manage risk and potential rewards.
The Cheltenham Festival is scheduled for when?
From Tuesday, March 10th to Friday, March 13th, 2026, the Cheltenham Festival will be held, continuing its customary Tuesday-through-Friday schedule.
Located just two hours from London by train, Cheltenham Spa station offers shuttle links directly to Prestbury Park. In 2025, daily attendance averaged over 66,000 fans, with tickets selling out weeks in advance.
For a week every March, the whole town becomes a carnival of racing enthusiasm, and every pub buzzes with discussions of victories and close calls.
Cheltenham Festival: Races & Schedule
Day 1 – Champion Day
The Supreme Novices’ hurdle kicks off the day, preceding the Champion Hurdle, the day's main event and the ultimate test of speed and accuracy over a 2-mile distance.
Constitution Hill and State Man both stumbled at the penultimate fence in 2025, allowing the outsider Golden Ace to secure a memorable win.
For the 2026 renewal, a chance for redemption is on the horizon, with Constitution Hill and State Man both ranking among the top five contenders in the betting, headed by The New Lion.
Day 2 – Ladies Day
Style meets speed on Ladies Day, highlighted by the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Marine Nationale, having unseated Jonbon in 2025, will be aiming for consecutive victories and is currently the ante-post favorite for the race, sharing that status with Sir Gino.
Day 3 – St Patrick’s Thursday
Irish supporters are out in force at Cheltenham, with green banners everywhere. The Stayers’ Hurdle is the ultimate test for endurance horses, and Bob Olinger, who triumphed over Teahupoo in 2025, is looking to win again on a challenging, tiring track. Ballyburn is currently the favored choice before the race.
Day 4 – Gold Cup Day
The prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, the pinnacle of racing excellence, served as the grand finale. In 2025, Inothewayurthinkin defeated the two-time winner Galopin Des Champs, thwarting his bid for an unprecedented third consecutive victory.
The narrative for 2026 is already set: a clash between defense and redemption, pitting the established champion against a new contender. Oddsmakers have indicated their prediction for the most probable victor…
Stars to watch: horses, jockeys, trainers
The individual responsible for the highly successful Road to Cheltenham profile on X shared five horses to watch leading up to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival in March. Consider these for your ante-post wagers, especially as bookmakers introduce NRNB offers in the coming year.
- Kopek Des Bordes, a novice hurdler with Two Grade 1 wins, is expected to perform even better in chases. He establishes the benchmark for The Arkle category.
- Jeriko Du Reponet - disregard Sandown; he's a dark horse in the staying novice chase category and likely to contend in the Brown Advisory come March.
- Doctor Du Mesnil achieved an impressive victory in his bumper race and has the potential to become a Grade 1 novice hurdler. While his future path is uncertain, the Turners Novices' Hurdle appears to be the most likely target for now.
- Wodhooh - she could contend for a top spot in the Mares' Hurdle category and might even be the favorite in March, regardless of whether Lossiemouth competes!
- Mydaddypaddy - the dogs have been barking about him for a while and all roads lead to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He looks like a proper, proper horse to me.
Next we asked the AllSportsPeople' horse racing writer Hiroshi Ichino to follow with his five!
- Inothewayurthinkin – the reigning Gold Cup hero thrives on testing ground
- Galopin Des Champs – beaten but unbowed, still the benchmark of brilliance
- Marine Nationale – two-mile sensation eyeing another Champion Chase crown
- Bob Olinger – the relentless stayer seeking back-to-back Stayers’ Hurdles
- Golden Ace – last year’s shock Champion Hurdle winner with everything to prove
Paul Townend continues to be the top jockey at the Festival, and Willie Mullins dominates the training scene. Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead are leading the charge in Ireland, while Nicky Henderson heads up Britain's efforts.
FAQs About Cheltenham
When is Cheltenham Festival 2026?
→ Tuesday 10 March – Friday 13 March 2026 (confirmed).
What is the main race?
→ The Cheltenham Gold Cup, the ultimate jewel of jump racing.
When does betting open?
→ Ante-post markets open the previous autumn. For 2025, major bookmakers offered NRNB from early January, a trend likely to continue.
Where can I buy tickets?
Through the official Cheltenham Festival website. Ladies Day usually sells out quickly, making advance reservations crucial.