Paul Nicholls Horses at Cheltenham Festival

Former jump jockey turned British National Hunt horse trainer, Paul Nicholls, is one of the key figures at the Cheltenham Festival.

This article introduces Paul Nicholls, his 2026 Cheltenham entries and some of his most famous horses throughout his long career as a trainer. We’ll discuss his track record at Cheltenham, our top picks from Nicholls’ Festival stable and the ones to watch from the top runners' current form.

Find everything you need to know about Paul Nicholls for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival below.

An Introduction to Paul Nicholls and His Horses

14 Times National Hunt Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls is no stranger to the Cheltenham Festivsal.

Initially winning the Gold Cup back in 1999, Nicholls has since won events at the Festival 50 times. This, of course, is in addition to a wealth of other victories and accolades, including the 2012 victory in the Grand National with Neptune Collonges, 13 victories in the King George VI Chase and 12 wins in the Tingle Creek Chase.

Alongside his career on British soil, Nicholls’ horses regularly travelled to Ireland to compete in some of their most prestigious events. He achieved several key victories, including the Irish Gold Cup in 2009 with Neptune Collonges, the Punchestown Gold Cup, again with Neptune Collonges in 2007 and 2008 and with Clan des Obeaux in 2021.

Paul Nicholls at Cheltenham Festival: The Key Highlights

Despite transitioning from jockey to trainer in 1991, it wasn’t until 1999 that Nicholls secured his first win at the Cheltenham Festival.

He ultimately broke the dry spell, winning three in this first year. He secured the Arkle Challenge Trophy with Flagship Uberalles, the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Call Equiname and the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup with See More Business.

Nicholls has since accumulated 50 victories at the Cheltenham Festival, including Hollywood-worthy stories with Kauto Star and Denman between 2007 and 2009. A breakdown of the feat is listed below:

1999

• Cheltenham Gold Cup - See More Business
• Queen Mother Champion Chase - Call Equiname
• Arkle Challenge Trophy - Flagship Uberalles

2003

• Arkle Challenge Trophy - Azertyuiop

2004

• Queen Mother Champion Chase - Azertyuiop
• County Handicap Hurdle - Sporazene
• St James's Place Foxhunter Chase - Earthmover
• Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase - St Pirran

2005

• St James's Place Foxhunter Chase - Sleeping Night
• Ryanair Chase - Thisthatandtother

2006

• Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Noland
• County Handicap Hurdle - Desert Quest
• Brown Advisory Novices' Chase - Star de Mohaison

2007

• Cheltenham Gold Cup - Kauto Star
• Brown Advisory Novices' Chase - Denman
• Ryanair Chase - Taranis
• Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase - Andreas

2008

• Cheltenham Gold Cup - Denman
• Queen Mother Champion Chase - Master Minded
• Triumph Hurdle - Celestial Halo
• Stayers' Hurdle - Big Buck's

2009

• Cheltenham Gold Cup - Kauto Star
• Queen Mother Champion Chase - Master Minded
• Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Noland
• County Handicap Hurdle - American Trilogy
• Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase - Chapoturgeon
• Stayers' Hurdle - Big Buck's

2010

• Stayers' Hurdle - Big Buck's
• Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle - Sanctuaire

2011

• Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Al Ferof
• Triumph Hurdle - Zarkandar
• Stayers' Hurdle - Big Buck's

2012

• Champion Hurdle - Rock On Ruby
• Stayers' Hurdle - Big Buck's

2013

• Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle - Salubrious

2014

• County Handicap Hurdle - Lac Fontana

2015

• Queen Mother Champion Chase - Dodging Bullets
• Coral Cup - Aux Ptits Soins
• Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle - Qualando

2016

• Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase - Solar Impulse
• Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle - Diego du Charmil
• Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle - Ibis du Rheu

2017

• St James's Place Foxhunter Chase - Pacha du Polder

2018

• St James's Place Foxhunter Chase - Pacha du Polder
• Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase - Le Prezien

2019

• Ryanair Chase - Frodon
• Brown Advisory Novices' Chase - Topofthegame

2020

• Queen Mother Champion Chase - Politologue

2023

• Golden Miller Novices' Chase - Stage Star
• Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - Stay Away Fay

2024

• Pertemps Final - Monmiral

2025

• Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase - Caldwell Potter

Horses Owned by Paul Nicholls Competing at Cheltenham Festival

Paul Nicholls has confirmed his Cheltenham Festival 2026 entries, which we will break down alongside their winner odds in the tables below. However, please note that late changes do occur and that these entries are subject to change.

Day 1: Champion Day - Tuesday, 10th March 2025

The opening day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival sees Nicholls provide one entry in Minella Yoga to the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

A full breakdown of Nicholls’ entries for day 1 at Cheltenham Festival 2026 as it stands can be found in the table below:

Day 2: Style Wednesday - Wednesday, 11th March 2025

Style Wednesday is home to the Turner's Novices' Hurdle and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, both of which Nicholls is expected to put one entry into, with No Drama This End the pick of the bunch coming into the Turner's Novices' Hurdle the 9/2 favourite.

A full breakdown of Nicholls’ entries for day 2 at Cheltenham Festival 2026 as it stands can be found in the table below:

Day 3: St. Patrick’s Thursday - Thursday, 12th March 2025

It's shaping up to be a quiet St. Patrick's Thursday for Nicholls, as he has just one predicted entry into the Ryanair Chase with Twinjets at 100/1.

A full breakdown of Nicholls’ entries for day 3 at Cheltenham Festival 2026 as it stands can be found in the table below:

Day 4: Gold Cup Day - Friday, 13th March 2025

The closing day of the Cheltenham Festival looks set to be quiet one for Nicholls, as he has just one entry.

A full breakdown of Nicholls’ entries for day 4 at Cheltenham Festival 2026 as it stands can be found in the table below:

Notable Horses from Paul Nicholls' History

Nicholls has a long list of fantastic horses in his stable from years gone by. From Kauto Star and Denman to Neptune Collonges and Big Buck's. Our favourites are listed below.

Kauto Star

Kauto Star is perhaps Paul Nicholls' most famous horse, a French-bred thoroughbred known for his versatility and longevity. He achieved a Timeform rating of 191 and a Racing Post rating of 192 - the highest ever awarded to a National Hunt horse.

The Gelding holds a number of records, including being the only horse to be top-rated over 2 miles, 2.5 miles and 3 miles in the same season. Kauto Star was also the first horse ever to win a Grade 1 race in six consecutive seasons. This was then extended to seven. The major wins achieved by Kauto Star are listed below:

• Tingle Creek Chase - (2) - (2005, 2006)
• Old Roan Chase - (2006)
• Betfair Chase - (4) - (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011)
• King George VI Chase - (5) - (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
• Aon Chase - (2007)
• Cheltenham Gold Cup - (2) - (2007, 2009)
• Ascot Chase - (2008)
• JNwine.com Champion Chase - (2) - (2008, 2010)

Kauto Star is the most successful steeplechaser of any era, with record career earnings in the National Hunt (£3,775,883). Nicholls won the Gold Cup with Kauto Star in both 2007 and 2009. Stablemate Denman took the title in 2008, with Kauto Star regaining the title in 2009 - the first horse to retake the Gold Cup after losing it.

Reflecting on the Kauto Star, Nicholls’ said: “There was just something about him, he was like your best mate. He’d always neigh at you, and he’d watch every car in and out of the yard. He was different from his pal Denman, who’d have your arm off! To look out of the office every day and see them was amazing.”

Neptune Collonges

With a Timeform rating of 166, Neptune Collonges may not be recognised as an all-time great - but the results of a long career speak otherwise.

Nicholls earned a wealth of wins with the racehorse, accruing lifetime earnings of £1,313,675 from top events. Highlights include winning the Punchestown Gold Cup twice (2007 and 2008) and the Hennessy Gold Cup -(2009). The full list of major wins achieved by Neptune Collonges are listed below:

• Prix Fleuret - (2005)
• Winter Novices' Hurdle - (2005)
• River Don Novices' Hurdle - (2006)
• Prestige Novices' Hurdle - (2006)
• Punchestown Gold Cup - (2) - (2007, 2008)
• Hennessy Gold Cup - (2009)
• Cotswold Chase - (2011)
• Grand National - (2012)

The highlight of Neptune Collonges’ racing career is, without doubt, the Grand National victory in 2012. Beating second place (Sunnyhillboy) by a nose, Neptune Collonges’ holds the record for the closest-ever finish in the race.

Coming home at 33/1, the 11-year-old was immediately retired from racing. Owner John Hales stated, "He'll never race again; that's it.". Neptune Collonges was then retrained and now competes in dressage with Hales’ daughter.

Paul Nicholls Performance at Cheltenham Festival

Nicholls has won 50 times at the Cheltenham Festival, spanning a career that began in 1999.

Over the last five years at Cheltenham (including those events at the festival), Nicholls boasts the current record:

Of the 1869 runs, Nicholls’s horses won 13.16% of the time, whereas they placed 2nd to 4th 590 times or 31.8% of the time. In the current jumps season, Nicholls’ record is as follows:

Paul Nicholls' Cheltenham Festival 2026 Prospects

No Drama This End - Our Top Pick

Undoubtedly our top pick from Nicholls is No Drama This End, who comes into the festival in top form having won four of his last five races. At this moment he is favourite to win the Turner's Novices' Hurdle and an outside 25/1 shot at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Event	Date	Distance	Position	Going
Newbury – Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle	29 Dec 2025	2m 4f 118y	1/6	Good to Soft
Sandown Park – Winter Novices' Hurdle (G2)	05 Dec 2025	2m 3f 178y	1/5	Soft (Heavy in places)
Cheltenham – Novices' Hurdle	14 Nov 2025	2m 5f	1/9	Soft
Cheltenham – Champion Bumper	12 Mar 2025	2m 87y	9/17	Good to Soft
Warwick – NHF	31 Dec 2024	2m	1/12	Soft (Good to Soft in places)

Jubilee Alpha - One to watch

At this moment there is no confirmation on whether Jubilee Alpha will run at Cheltenham Festival 2026, however we expect confirmation very soon.

Her current form is strong, with the table below listing Jubilee Alpha's last five performances:

Event	Date	Distance	Position	Going
Warwick – Mares’ Hurdle (Listed)	07 Feb 2026	2m 5f 5y	2/4	Heavy
Sandown Park – Class 1 Hurdle	03 Jan 2026	2m 3f 178y	2/6	Good (Good to Soft in places)
Cheltenham – Class 2 Hurdle	13 Dec 2025	2m 4f 56y	5/9	Good to Soft
Wincanton – Class 2 Hurdle	08 Nov 2025	2m 5f 82y	2/7	Good
Cheltenham – Class 1 Hurdle	17 Apr 2025	2m 4f 56y	1/10	Good

Caldwell Potter - Ruled out for season

Caldwell Potter has been ruled out for the season after sustaining a setback. The seven-year-old picked up a small injury after galloping at Newbury back in October.

The news is a real shame as the 7-year-old was in fine running form across his last five races, winning three while placing second and third in the other two. You can see Caldwell Potter's form in the table below:

Event	Date	Distance	Position	Going
Aintree – Class 1 Chase	04 Apr 2025	3m 210y	1/7	Good to Soft
Cheltenham – Golden Miller Novices' Chase	13 Mar 2025	2m 4f 127y	1/19	Good to Soft
Windsor – Lightning Novices' Chase	17 Jan 2025	2m	2/4	Soft (Good to Soft in places)
Cheltenham – Class 2 Chase	13 Dec 2024	2m 4f 127y	3/5	Good to Soft
Carlisle – Class 3 Chase	01 Dec 2024	1m 7f 207y	1/7	Soft (Good to Soft in places)

Paul Nicholls at Cheltenham Festival 2008

The 2008 Cheltenham Festival was perhaps Nicholls’ most impressive feat. Here, he saddled the top three in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Three of his most prestigious horses - Denman (9/4), Kauto Star (10/11) and Neptune Collonges (25/1) came home to achieve the result. In addition to the Gold Cup, Nicholls bagged the following in the same year:

• Queen Mother Champion Chase - Master Minded (3/1)
• Triumph Hurdle - Celestial Halo (5/1)

"It's a great performance, really good for the whole team," said Nicholls. "I think the best one [Gold Cup] is always the first one, which I won with See More Business [in 1999], but the pressure for this one, and then getting the one-two-three, it just doesn't get any better than that."

Paul Nicholls' £39,000 Winning Bet at Cheltenham Festival 2009

Another famous moment from Nicholls at Cheltenham Festival, is his huge £39,000 winning bet in 2009, in which he backed two of his own horses.

Nicholls' double included a 25-1 ante-post backing of Big Buck's in the 2009 Stayers' Hurdle, in which he set off at 6-1 on the day, before stable legend Kauto Star took back his Cheltenham Gold Cup title a day later when up against Denman.

Not only was this year incredible for Nicholls and his stable of horses, with Kauto Star becoming the first to reclaim the Gold Cup after losing it, the festival was topped off with a huge £39,000 bet landing!

Popular Cheltenham Trainers and Owners

Here are a selection of the biggest trainers and owners ahead of Cheltenham Festival 2026:

• Willie Mullins
• Nicky Henderson
• Harry Redknapp
• Sir Alex Ferguson