Cheltenham 2026 Tips: R2C's NAPs for Each Day of the Festival

Not long now, ladies and gents. The wait is almost over, we’re now a matter of days away from the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and I cannot wait to be back at Prestbury Park for what should be a cracking week of racing.

With confirmations rolling in, the Festival picture is beginning to take shape and we have a much clearer idea of which horses will run in which races. Ahead of declarations, I’ve nailed my colours to the mast by selecting a NAP for each day of the meeting.

Day 1 – OLD PARK STAR (Supreme Novices Hurdle)

Best price 5/2 at the time of publishing.

I’m sticking to my guns with OLD PARK STAR in the Festival curtain raiser – preferring to trust the visual impression and sectionals at Haydock than the hype behind Mighty Park, who is very much in the ‘could be anything’ bracket at this stage.

Nicky Henderson’s horse brings that all-important course form to the table and he has a Timeform rating of 155p, the same rating as Altior when he won the Supreme in 2016. He has a long way to go to hit those heights but he’s certainly a very bright prospect.

You could throw a blanket over Talk The Talk, Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey at the Dublin Racing Festival and I’d be shocked if Old Park Star wasn’t superior. Mighty Park is the big danger but he’ll need to live up to the hype to win this on his second hurdles start.

Day 2 – FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU (Cross Country Chase)

Best price 11/4 at the time of publishing.

Eddie O’Leary played down FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU’s chances on the Nick Luck Daily podcast earlier this week but it hasn’t stopped me from making him my best bet on Day 2 at the meeting. In fact, he’s one of my strongest fancies of the entire week.

He receives 5lbs from last year’s winner Stumptown and Gavin Cromwell’s horse has been off the track since winning the Velka Pardubicka in October. He was given a break by design but he’ll need to be primed to the second to win off 162 on Wednesday.

There were positive reports for the Gigginstown House Stud horse prior to his impressive performance on Trials Day and the cross-country discipline really suits him. Desertmore House is a threat off a featherweight but I’m happy to stick with Gordon Elliott’s runner.

Day 3 – MEETMEBYTHESEA (Jack Richards Novice Handicap Chase)

Best price 11/2 at the time of publishing.

I’d say this has been the plan all year long for MEETMEBYTHESEA and I’m expecting a huge run on Thursday afternoon. The vibes are strong and he’ll have no problem at all with the step up in trip. In fact, it could even bring out improvement.

He runs off a mark of 139 and he’ll receive 11lbs from the likes of Koktail Divin and Sixmilebridge. I couldn’t be having the latter but the former would concern me if he runs here – though trainer Henry de Bromhead is “leaning” towards the Brown Advisory.

I wrote in a column back in November that I expected this horse to be campaigned in a similar fashion to Jagwar and I believe he could have a fair bit in hand. He’s been well backed in recent weeks and I’m expecting that support to continue over the next week.

Day 4 – AIR OF ENTITLEMENT (Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle)

Best price 12/1 at the time of publishing.

Friday’s racing is super competitive but I’ve really warmed to AIR OF ENTITLEMENT in the final race of the meeting and she’s available at a big price. I think the race will cut up considerably and I can’t see her being anywhere near double figures come the day.

She won the 2025 Mares Novices Hurdle and wasn’t stopping going up the hill. The step up in trip should be right up her street and she could be considerably ahead of her mark, and Henry de Bromhead’s yard usually comes alive during Cheltenham week.

I’d imagine that connections will be able to book a decent jockey given her profile. She’s a Cheltenham winner and she gained invaluable experience of a big field handicap the last day – I’m hoping to see the best of her next Friday.