Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Tips 2026

Cheltenham Day 1 Race Schedule & What to Expect

1.20 The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y

2.00 The Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1m7f 199y

2.40 The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m 87y

3.20 The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m1f

4.00 The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y

4.40 The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m4f 44y

5.20 The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase 3m5f 201y

The first day of the Cheltenham Festival is built around two opening Grade 1 novice contests and the iconic “Cheltenham roar” as the tapes go up for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. It’s often a race run at a fierce early gallop, with the atmosphere and tempo ensuring there’s no hiding place for inexperienced hurdlers.

The Arkle Novices’ Chase is the first steeplechase of the week and is staged over the minimum trip. Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have dominated the race in recent years, winning 11 of the last 14 renewals between them, and both yards look set to field leading contenders again in 2026.

There are several schedule tweaks for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, and one immediate change for spectators is the order of the middle races on Tuesday, with the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle now preceding the Ultima Handicap Chase.

The Champion Hurdle is the feature event on Champion Day and the season’s showpiece for two-mile hurdlers. Favourites had a strong recent record until Golden Ace defied odds of 25/1 to land a dramatic renewal last season, underlining that even the “banker” races at Cheltenham can still bite.

The day concludes with two ultra-competitive handicap chases. The Plate Handicap Chase has moved from Thursday to Tuesday, while it’s the second year that the National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase has been run as a 0–145 handicap and opened up to professional riders.

Cheltenham Day 1 Best Bets

Nap of the Day

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – TALK THE TALK 5/1 (1pt)

Talk The Talk is a short-price favourite for the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, and this looks a good chance to back him ahead of that contest. He won his first two starts over hurdles and was set to win the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas before falling at the final flight.

Joseph O’Brien’s five-year-old looks a leading contender if his jumping holds up, and he sets the standard as the best bet of Day 1 at the current prices.

Best Each-Way Bet

Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – QUEBECOIS 10/1 (0.5pt e/w)

It was eyecatching that the connections of QUEBECOIS (best priced at 16/1) decided to get a fourth run into him when he had already had the requisite number of runs to contest the Jack Richards Novice Handicap Chase at the festival. The seven-year-old had two slightly below par runs on his first two starts over fences prior to finishing a nose 2nd at Cheltenham in the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase in January off a mark of 135. 10 of the previous 16 winners had run at Cheltenham earlier that season and the race mentioned has produced four Cheltenham festival winners from the past seven renewals with two further runner-up efforts.

Quebecois would have been unsuited by the drop in trip from 2 miles at Newbury last time when 2nd behind Personal Ambition and he remains well handicapped off a mark of 139. He won over 3 miles at Ayr last season over hurdles so this step back up in trip should suit, he handles the track and his owner Max McNeill sponsors the race. He is available at 14/1 NRNB for the race and holds two other entries but I would prefer to take a chance at a bigger price antepost given connections.

Banker

Arkle Novices’ Chase – LULAMBA 7/4 (1pt)

Nicky Henderson has a strong opening-day hand with Old Park Star and Sir Gino also prominent in the markets, but Lulamba looks the standout “banker”. He has only been beaten once in his career, when denied by a neck by Poniros in a strangely-run Triumph Hurdle last season.

He reversed that form emphatically at Punchestown and has won both starts over fences by close to 10 lengths, including the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown last time. He’s expected to run in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in February and could emulate stablemates Sprinter Sacre and Altior, who both won that race en route to Arkle glory.

Best Multiples (Double, Treble, Acca)

DOUBLE – Lulamba (Arkle) & Sir Gino (Champion Hurdle)

TREBLE – Lulamba (Arkle) & Sir Gino (Champion Hurdle) & Old Park Star (Supreme)

Nicky Henderson looks to have a strong early grip on Day 1 with three short-priced favourites in the first five races, and it may be worth grouping them in multiples. Lulamba has impressed in both starts over fences, Sir Gino has returned from injury to look a leading contender in this division, and Old Park Star was a striking winner at Haydock last time.

Day 1 Offer Friendly Picks

Bookmakers typically roll out a wide range of Cheltenham promotions, including free bets, money-back specials and extra-place races. You’ll often see changes to Best Odds Guaranteed cut-off times, plus targeted boosts on a headline horse (frequently the favourite in the feature race). For the latest deals, check Oddschecker’s dedicated Cheltenham free bets page.

Cheltenham Day 1 Race by Race Tips

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – TALK THE TALK

Old Park Star currently heads the market for the opening race of the Festival having won all three of his starts over hurdles. He won at Cheltenham in December before landing the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock last time by 18 lengths. He’s a worthy favourite for Nicky Henderson, who has won this race five times, including with Altior, Shishkin and Constitution Hill.

Britain also has depth, with Grade 1 Formby 1–2 Idaho Sun and Mydaddypaddy, plus Mossy Fen Road who is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles for Harry Derham. The Irish challenge includes El Cairos, who fell at the last when set to win at Leopardstown at Christmas, and Talk The Talk, who did the same a day later in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

Willie Mullins has won this race a record eight times and both Mighty Park (a 38-length winner at Fairyhouse) and Sober (winner of the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle) may well shorten nearer the time. You can compare the latest prices in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting market.

Arkle Novices’ Chase – LULAMBA

The Arkle could be the race of the day if Lulamba, Kopek Des Bordes and Romeo Coolio all arrive unbeaten. Lulamba was beaten a neck in the Triumph Hurdle last season but has won five of six career starts and looked top class when landing the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown by 9½ lengths last time.

Kopek Des Bordes won the Supreme last season and bounced back from a disappointing Punchestown run to win by 13 lengths on chasing debut at Navan in November. A small knee operation followed and connections will be hoping he’s back in time for the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Romeo Coolio has options at DRF and remains 3/3 over fences. He was an impressive winner of the Drinmore over 2m4f, then showed a tough attitude to win the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Christmas over 2m1f. This stiff finish will suit, though he may be even better over further in time.

Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – GENEALOGY

Handicap entries are made in mid-February, but bookmakers are already trading on the big Festival handicaps. Winston Junior heads the market after a decisive Ascot win and could hand trainer Faye Bramley a first Cheltenham Festival winner.

Genealogy (runner-up that day) is interesting depending on the mark he’s allocated after his next run. With a Flat rating of 94 (Aidan O’Brien) and an encouraging start over hurdles for Denis Hogan, he looks capable of outrunning his odds if getting the right weight. Check the latest in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle market.

Ultima Handicap Chase – MYRETOWN

Myretown was an impressive 11-length winner of this race last season off 127, earning a 15lb rise. He fell in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on reappearance, then finished a close fourth in the Peter Marsh despite a significant error at the third last. He could easily bounce back in this contest.

Jagwar is another notable name, having won the Plate at the Festival last season off 139. He stayed on strongly when third in the December Gold Cup and shapes as if this step up in trip would suit if this is the chosen target. JP McManus also has other potential contenders, including Jeriko Du Reponet and Iroko.

Champion Hurdle – SIR GINO

There are currently 16 entries for the Champion Hurdle, with Sir Gino the ante-post favourite ahead of The New Lion. Both are set to clash in the Grade 2 Unibet International Hurdle on Saturday, which should give the market a clear steer.

Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead are also entered in the Mares’ Hurdle and could meet in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival before final targets are confirmed. Former winners Constitution Hill and Golden Ace could also bid to reclaim the crown, while other Festival winners such as El Fabiolo, Ballyburn and Poniros add depth.

If Sir Gino comes through Saturday in style, he could look every inch a potential superstar and may even go odds-on for March. Compare the latest prices in the Champion Hurdle market.

Plate Handicap Chase – VINCENZO

The Plate has moved from Thursday to Tuesday and therefore switches from the New Course to the Old Course, which tends to place a greater emphasis on speed rather than stamina. Bookmakers are already pricing the race, though the final picture will sharpen once the handicap is published.

Jagwar is prominent again but has alternatives, including the Ultima earlier on the card. Vincenzo looks a solid option after winning the bet365 Handicap Chase at Ascot, having already finished runner-up twice at Cheltenham this season. He’s only been raised 2lb for that Ascot success.

National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase – BLAZE THE WAY

It’s the second year this race has been a 0–145 handicap and open to professional riders. Now Is The Hour was a 6/1 chance last season and was still involved when falling at the second last. He remains 0/9 over fences and could return off a similar mark.

Blaze The Way caught the eye over shorter trips in October but relished a step up in distance when beating L’Homme Presse by five lengths in the Turners Handicap Chase in December. He was 2lb out of the handicap that day and is of major interest depending on the mark he receives at the Festival.

Cheltenham Day 1 Market Tips

Here are the most popular bets and percentage of bets placed through Oddschecker in January 2026 for each race on Day 1. For the latest daily insight and updates, head to the Cheltenham Day 1 tips page or browse our wider Cheltenham Festival tips hub.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: Old Park Star – 27%

Arkle Chase: Kopek Des Bordes – 36%

Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Saratoga – 17%

National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase: Wade Out – 15%

Ultima Handicap Chase: Myretown – 20%

Champion Hurdle: Lossiemouth – 34%

Plate Handicap Chase: Madara – 16%

Cheltenham Day 1 Trends

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trends:

• 12 of the previous 12 winners had at least 2 runs over hurdles

• 11 of the previous 12 winners were aged 5 or 6

• 11 of the previous 12 winners had won a graded race

• 11 of the previous 12 winners were rated 147 or higher

• 10 of the previous 12 winners had won last time out

Arkle Novices’ Chase Trends:

• 11 of the previous 12 winners were aged 6 or 7

• 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least 2 runs over fences

• 10 of the previous 12 winners had at least one previous run at Cheltenham

• 10 of the previous 12 winners had won last time out

• 9 of the previous 12 winners were rated 153 or higher

• 8 of the previous 12 winners were favourites

Champion Hurdle Trends:

• 11 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8

• 11 of the previous 12 winners won last time out

• 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least one previous run at Cheltenham

• 10 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Grade 1

• 9 of the previous 12 winners were rated 161 or higher

• 8 of the previous 12 winners were favourites / joint favourites

Tips for Betting on Cheltenham Day 1

Bookmakers are often keen to entice new and existing customers on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, so it’s common to see specials focused on runners with obvious claims. In many races, the morning of the contest can be the best time to back favourites, as their “true price” often becomes clearer as liquidity builds towards the off.

Markets for later races can also be influenced by the results of the early contests, with liabilities from multiples rolling over onto related horses. If Nicky Henderson lands two early favourites, the odds about Sir Gino could contract further as punters look to extend winning multiples into the feature race.

Best Markets by Race Type

Both the Arkle and Champion Hurdle could feature smaller fields and a short-priced favourite. In these scenarios, bookmaker specials such as match bets and “without the favourite” markets can offer value if you like a horse to run well but don’t fancy it to beat the market leader.

In contrast, Festival handicaps are often the best each-way betting opportunities of the week, with many firms enhancing place terms to attract business in competitive races.

Each-Way Terms and Extra Places

Use the Oddschecker grids to compare place terms across bookmakers during the Festival. Typical each-way terms are often:

• 1–4 runners: win only (no places)

• 5–7 runners: 1/4 odds for 2 places (1st & 2nd)

• 8+ runners (non-handicap): 1/5 odds for 3 places (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

• 16+ runners (handicap): often 1/4 odds for 4 places (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)

During Cheltenham, many bookmakers offer enhanced place terms (for example, paying 3 places in a seven-runner race or 5–6 places in a big handicap). Some firms may restrict Best Odds Guaranteed in these races, so checking the grid can help you choose the best book for your bet.

Cheltenham Day 1 Tips FAQ

What races are on Cheltenham Day 1?

1.20 The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y

2.00 The Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1m7f 199y

2.40 The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m 87y

3.20 The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m1f

4.00 The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y

4.40 The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m4f 44y

5.20 The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase 3m5f 201y

What time is the first race on Tuesday?

The opening race is the 1.20 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Why is Day 1 called Champion Day?

The Champion Hurdle, run at 4.00, is the feature race of the day.

What is the Cheltenham Roar?

The Cheltenham roar is the famous cheer from the crowd as the tapes go up for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. It signifies the start of the Festival, although a similar roar can often be heard at the start of the opening race on each day.

Are there free bets for Cheltenham Day 1?

Bookmakers will offer a range of welcome deals and existing customer promotions for Cheltenham. Closer to the Festival, the best offers will be highlighted, and you can also keep an eye on our Cheltenham free bets page for the latest promotions.

When should I place my Cheltenham Day 1 bets?

At present, you can bet on every race at the Cheltenham Festival under ante-post rules. This means that if your selection doesn’t run, you typically lose your stake. Closer to the Festival, many bookmakers will introduce NRNB (Non-Runner No Bet) terms, where prices are often shorter but your stake is refunded if the horse doesn’t take part.

As fields contract nearer the time, many horses shorten in price as their chance increases. However, race-day markets can be volatile and it’s not unusual to see a bigger price available on the day than the afternoon before. For more racing insight year-round, visit our main horse racing tips page.