Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival is a highlight in the horse racing calendar. It brings together enthusiasts from around the world. Understanding its key aspects can enhance your experience.

The Cheltenham Festival is a major event in horse racing, celebrated for its thrilling races and vibrant atmosphere. Each year, it attracts a diverse crowd eager to witness top-tier racing. For those attending for the first time, familiarising yourself with the festival’s layout and schedule is beneficial. This guide aims to provide insights into making the most of your visit, including understanding the dynamics of cheltenham betting, which can add an exciting dimension to your experience.

History and key events of the festival

The Cheltenham Festival has a rich history, with its origins tracing back over a century. It is held annually, typically in March, and features a series of races that are pivotal in the horse racing world. Among these, the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, and Queen Mother Champion Chase stand out as marquee events. Each race offers unique challenges and showcases the skills of both horses and jockeys.

These events not only highlight the competitive spirit of horse racing but also contribute to the festival’s cultural significance. Attendees range from seasoned racing fans to newcomers, all drawn by the festival’s allure. Understanding the history and significance of these races can greatly enhance your appreciation of the festival.

The evolution of the Cheltenham Festival reflects broader changes in horse racing culture and British sporting traditions. Originally a modest gathering, it has transformed into a four-day spectacular that captivates audiences worldwide. The festival’s prestige has grown alongside the quality of competition, with prize money increasing substantially over the decades. This growth has attracted elite horses from Ireland, France, and beyond, creating an international dimension to the competition. The festival’s ability to maintain its traditional charm while embracing modern developments has been key to its enduring appeal, making it a must-attend event for anyone passionate about National Hunt racing.

Enhancing your festival experience

For first-time visitors, the Cheltenham Festival can be an overwhelming yet exhilarating experience. To make the most of your visit, it’s advisable to plan ahead. Arriving early allows you to explore the venue and secure a good viewing spot. Familiarising yourself with the race schedule can help you decide which events to prioritise.

Beyond the races, the festival offers a lively atmosphere with plenty of opportunities to engage with fellow attendees. Whether you’re enjoying local food or observing the fashion on display, there are numerous ways to immerse yourself in the festival’s culture. Taking the time to explore these aspects can make your visit truly memorable.

Understanding common racing terms

Grasping the terminology used in horse racing can enhance your festival experience. Terms such as “furlong,” “handicap,” and “steeplechase” are commonly used. A furlong is a unit of distance, while a handicap race involves horses carrying different weights to level the playing field. Steeplechases are races that include obstacles like fences and ditches.

Familiarity with these terms allows you to follow race commentary more effectively and engage in informed discussions with other attendees. This knowledge can also deepen your understanding of the strategies employed by jockeys and trainers during the races.

Planning a memorable visit

To ensure a memorable experience at the Cheltenham Festival, planning is key. Booking accommodation in advance is recommended due to the high demand during the festival period. Staying close to the venue can provide convenience, and some accommodations offer shuttle services to ease transportation.

Once at the festival, exploring different viewing areas can offer varied perspectives on the races. While popular spots may be crowded, finding less congested areas can provide equally exciting views. Additionally, taking the time to explore local culture and side events within the festival can enrich your visit.

For anyone with even a remote interest in horse racing, the Cheltenham Gold cup is surely one of the most unmissable races in the UK racing calendar. Taking place on the fourth day of the prestigious Cheltenham Festival (Friday – Gold Cup Day), it’s seen by most to be the highlight of the festival, despite the fact that there are several other ‘big hitter’ races in the Festival too such as the Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase. If any jockey, trainer, or of course horse , is to be catapulted into the ‘who’s who’ category of UK racing, a Gold Cup win is the sure fire way to achieve that.

Previous, now household name winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup include the likes of Golden Miller (five years running!) in the 1930s, Arkle (three consecutive wins in the 60s), Norton’s Coin (at 100-1 in 1990) , Best Mate in the early 2000s’ and in recent years Galopin Des Champs (twice – in 2023, 2024) and Inothewayurthinkin (2025). The latter two horses are well in contention to win the 2026 race also, with Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin both around 6-1 at time of writing with bookmakers. These will be some of the obvious betting picks for punters waging on the race, and what a story it would be if one of these two were to win again.

Others similarly priced contenders include Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man, and Gaelic Warrior. All have strong appeal with the betting public and this goes to show that the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup is likely to be a potentially very competitive affair.

Of course, some may take the fact that there is currently no clear favourite to win to mean that there’s some logic in those looking to bet punting for an outsider. As the aforementioned Nortons Coin win suggests, it’s hard to totally rule out any horse, though realistically as there have been no other 100-1+ winners, maybe it’s best to rule out the extremes and instead opt for a big priced horse that has at least something to it, in terms of why it might be in with a chance.

Former Grand National Winner, I Am Maximus could be an interesting choice at 15-1 and certainly has a quality racing CV. Maybe an each way bet could be a good choice if you feel he might be thereabouts. Affordable Fury too, at 20-1 may well be worth a punt. He’s shown he can mix it with strong opposition and stays well, and sometimes that’s enough to put a horse in contention.

Ultimately whatever you opt for come the race on 20^th March 2026, best of luck in your assessment on the race and it’s outcome. Picking a winner in any Cheltenham Festival race, let alone the Gold Cup is never easy going, and amounts to a mix of skill, good fortune and a sprinkling of the indefinable. Enjoy the race!

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With the turn of the new year, the National Hunt racing season is hurtling toward the major spring meetings at a rate of knots. The Cheltenham Festival in March, and the following Grand National meeting at Aintree in April, are what the jumps build up to from the start of the campaign in October, and the countdown is firmly on.

For punters and form-watchers alike, early-season Grade 1s often shape opinion on markets available through platforms such as Betdaq, with the betting exchange providing a useful barometer of confidence behind the leading contenders.

There have already been plenty of clues for both spring showpieces, and at the time of writing, we have officially witnessed the first Grade 1s of the British jumps season. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at those who have claimed the big prizes so far.

Lancashire Chase – Grey Dawning

The Skelton brothers have enjoyed another fantastic start to the season, and they landed the first Grade 1 of the year with Grey Dawning in the Lancashire Chase at Haydock. The likeable grey won as easily as Dan and Harry Skelton would have hoped, easing clear for an almost three-length success over Royale Pagaille.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Golden Ace

From Haydock up to Newcastle, the Fighting Fifth Hurdle delivered drama in abundance. Constitution Hill, The New Lion and Golden Ace were among the stars, but chaos ensued as Constitution Hill crashed out early and The New Lion followed suit late on. That left Golden Ace to pick up the pieces, showing both resilience and class in a victory that echoed her Champion Hurdle success last spring.

Henry VIII Novices’ Chase – Lulamba

Lulamba made a superb start to his chasing career with a wide-margin win at Exeter, and he followed up in almost identical fashion in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown. Beating Be Aware by around 10 lengths, the five-year-old looked every inch a top-class novice and has a strong chance of extending Nicky Henderson’s remarkable Arkle record to nine wins.

Tingle Creek Chase – Il Etait Temps

Staying at Sandown, the Tingle Creek was the headline act on the same card, and Willie Mullins’ Il Etait Temps denied Henderson a Grade 1 double. The Irish raider produced a devastating display, stretching clear for a commanding nine-length victory over Jonbon, who was bidding for a third win in the race for the Seven Barrows handler.

Long Walk Hurdle – Impose Toi

Henderson was back in the winners’ enclosure for his second Grade 1 of the campaign as Impose Toi landed the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. Owned by JP McManus, the gelding was produced with a well-timed challenge, taking the lead at the last and staying on strongly to see off Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader.

Kauto Star Novices’ Chase – Kitzbuhel

The first of three Grade 1s on Kempton Park’s traditional Boxing Day card, the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase once again went to Mullins and Paul Townend. Racing in the famous Donnelly silks, Kitzbuhel made all in the three-mile contest, jumping soundly throughout to score by almost three lengths and underline his credentials as a leading novice chaser.

Christmas Hurdle – Sir Gino

Henderson claimed his third Grade 1 of the season in the Christmas Hurdle as Sir Gino made a triumphant return from an almost career-ending injury. Also owned by the Donnellys, the six-year-old was impressively fluent despite his long absence, pulling six lengths clear of Golden Ace in a performance that lit up Kempton.

King George VI Chase – The Jukebox Man

The biggest race of the season so far, and arguably second only to the Gold Cup in prestige, the King George VI Chase delivered a thriller. Four horses charged to the line together, with The Jukebox Man just prevailing from Banbridge, Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie, all within half a length. It was an emotional victory for owner Harry Redknapp, one of racing’s most high-profile supporters.

Formby Novices’ Hurdle – Idaho Sun

There was a surprise on Boxing Day at Aintree as odds-on favourite, and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle market leader Mydaddypaddy was turned over in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle. Idaho Sun emerged victorious, as the Skelton runner failed to capitalise, with four omitted hurdles and a possibly lacklustre ride proving costly.

Challow Novices’ Hurdle – No Drama This End

While Paul Nicholls may no longer dominate as he once did, he still unearths the occasional gem. No Drama This End looks just that after remaining unbeaten over hurdles this season. His victory in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury was his most impressive yet, marking him down as a horse with a bright future and a reminder that Ditcheat can still produce top-class talent.

When Coneygree lined up for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015, the historical odds stacked against him weren’t just long; they were monumental. For forty-one years, the Gold Cup had remained stubbornly out of reach for any horse still technically classed as a novice chaser. Forty-one years! That’s how far back you had to go—all the way to Captain Christy in 1974—to find a precedent. Who challenges steeplechasing’s blue riband, the most brutal test of all, with a horse on only its fourth start over fences? It just wasn’t done.

Ambition Over Tradition

The consensus seemed to be that trainer Mark Bradstock and his wife, Sara, should’ve kept their eight-year-old in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. That was the sensible option, the safe choice for a horse learning his trade. But racing isn’t always about being sensible, is it? It’s about ambition and knowing exactly what you have in the stable. The Bradstocks, working from a small yard in Oxfordshire, had absolute faith in this injury-plagued gelding, bred by Sara’s late father, Lord Oaksey. They knew his class and the devastating engine he possessed.

Their confidence wasn’t blind, though. Leading into the Festival, Coneygree had been electrifying. He’d won the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase impressively, then trounced open company in the Denman Chase. He looked like a machine that finally had all its parts working perfectly. This is why the connection was so strong; punters who bet on Cheltenham often look for horses that hit form at just the right time in the season, and Coneygree was absolutely peaking when the calendar flipped to March. The overnight rain on Gold Cup day? That was just another tick in the plus column for the Bradstock camp. That extra cut in the ground played right into the hands of this powerful stayer, giving him an advantage over some of his flashier rivals. This was his moment, and everyone knew it.

The Front-Running Masterclass

The race itself was vintage stuff, a proper front-running masterclass. Jockey Nico de Boinville, still relatively young and unknown, having worked notably with Sprinter Sacre, grabbed the lead immediately. He didn’t just set the pace; he turned the Gold Cup into a relentless, high-pressure jumping examination. Forget tactical manoeuvring or sitting and waiting; this was about sheer, aggressive gallop. The big names, the proven champions like Silviniaco Conti, who started favourite, couldn’t handle the tempo.

As they flew down the hill for the final time, the field started to disintegrate. It must have felt like a dream for those watching, yet you also had that nagging doubt: would the novice crack up the famously stiff Cheltenham hill? He would not. Djakadam tried his heart out, flying home under Ruby Walsh, but Coneygree just kept pulling, his head low, digging in. He crossed the line a length-and-a-half clear at 7/1.

It wasn’t just a win; it was a defiant victory for the underdog, for the small yard, and for gutsy ambition over cautious tradition. It proved that sometimes, in racing, the history books are just waiting to be rewritten by the fastest horse. What a day, right?

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think we’ll ever see another novice win the Gold Cup again in our lifetime, or was Coneygree a one-off phenomenon? Let us know in the comments below!

As Cheltenham Festival 2026 looms large, the Stayers’ Hurdle once again commands attention as the defining test for staying hurdlers. Run over approximately three miles on Cheltenham’s New Course, this Grade 1 race demands absolute stamina, strong jumping, and tactical intelligence.

With connections already mapping out their spring campaigns, a handful of likely favourites have emerged in the ante-post betting markets, backed by form, experience, and staying pedigree. For those who bet on horse racing and stay up-to-date with the odds for staying contests – read on as we examine the leading contenders for the 2026 Stayers’ Hurdle and what makes each one a serious player in this championship event.

Teahupoo

At the head of most ante-post markets is Teahupoo, currently a joint or outright favourite according to several bookmakers and tipsters. Some bookmakers have him listed at 11/2, while others suggest he is the standout hope for 2026. A proven Grade 1 performer over staying trips, Teahupoo has already tasted Stayers’ Hurdle glory and will likely be targeted again by connections keen on returning to the top of Cheltenham’s longdistance hurdle division. According to many industry experts, experience and class make him the benchmark against which other stayers will be judged.

Ballyburn

Trained by Willie Mullins, Ballyburn is emerging as a serious challenger in the early betting for the 2026 renewal. At the time of writing, he appears at 5/1 odds. While he has been campaigned over fences during his novice career, his connections may drop him back to hurdling and target this threemile test. Some pundits note that Mullins’ decision to switch Ballyburn’s programme could make him ideally suited to the staying hurdle trip. Given his class, stamina, and the pedigree of his stable, Ballyburn is a compelling ante-post pick.

Bob Olinger

Bob Olinger, the 2025 Stayers’ Hurdle winner, remains firmly in the mix for 2026, despite being one of the older hopefuls. For those tipping Bob Olinger to finish first past the post, he is listed at 12/1 in many ante-post guides. His Festival record and proven staying-hurdle ability make him a danger, though age may be a factor — he will need to replicate his 2025 form to successfully defend his title. His previous success demonstrates that, under the right conditions, he still has the engine and the heart for Cheltenham.

The Yellow Clay

Another interesting candidate is The Yellow Clay, trained by Gordon Elliott. According to certain bookies, he is priced around 10/1 for the 2026 Stayers’ Hurdle. Many pundits agree that he’s among the leading names in the early betting, but view him a little further back than Teahupoo or Ballyburn. The Yellow Clay offers a mix of stamina and improvement, and if he can carry his form forward, he could thrive over three miles at Cheltenham and trouble the more established favourites.

Final Thoughts

The ante-post betting for the 2026 Stayers’ Hurdle suggests a fascinating showdown – Teahupoo remains the headline name, combining experience, class, and staying ability, while Ballyburn, under Willie Mullins, represents a bold and potentially inspired move if dropped to hurdling. Meanwhile, Bob Olinger, as the defending champion, carries the weight of expectation but also proven ability, while The Yellow Clay adds a touch of improving form.

As the Festival draws closer, keep an eye on how these horses are campaigned, whether ground conditions play to their strengths, and how connections plan their prep seasons. The Stayers’ Hurdle often rewards patient runners with heart and stamina — if Teahupoo repeats, or if a rising star like Ballyburn or The Yellow Clay upsets him, 2026 could be a classic renewal.