Steve Ryder analyses the key races on Day 1 at Cheltenham and provides his best bet of day 1 alongside four other selections.
Day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival kicks off with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle Novices’ Chase, featuring top contenders from Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson. The card also includes key handicaps and the Champion Hurdle, promising an exciting start to the week.
Old Star Park is the most backed bet of the day with 31% of bets in the Supreme through oddschecker in the last 24 hours.
What to Expect on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival
The first day of the Cheltenham Festival starts with two opening Grade 1 novice races.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is greeted by the well-known “roar” as the tapes go back and it is often a race that is run at a fierce early gallop with the blood pumping that bit faster for horse and jockey with the atmosphere full of anticipation.
The Arkle Novices’ Chase is the first steeplechase of the week and is staged over the minimum trip. Both Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have superb recent records in the race (they have won 11 of the previous 14 renewals between them) and both trainers have leading contenders again this year.
There have been numerous changes to the schedule for the forthcoming 2026 Cheltenham Festival and the first race that will be visible to spectators is the fact that the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle now precedes the Ultima Handicap Chase.
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Cheltenham Festival Day One Race Card
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
Notable Cheltenham Festival Day One Omissions
Notable horses who have NOT been confirmed for Day 1 are as follows:
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Le Divin Enfant, Macho Man, Mossy Fen Road, Proactif, Skylight Hustle, The Reverend and Zeus Power.
Arkle Novices’ Chase
Be Aware and Salvator Mundi.
Juvenile Hurdle
Highlands Crystal, Lord Byron, Mange Tout, Minella Yoga and Selma De Vary.
Ultima Handicap Chase
Backmersackme, Hoe Joly Smoke, In d’Or, King Of Answers, Lookaway, Montregard, Pic Roc and Wendigo.
Champion Hurdle
Ballyburn, Casheldale Lad, Constitution Hill, Lucky Place and Wilful.
Plate Handicap Chase
Donnacha, Jacob’s Ladder, Jagwar, Mambonumberfive, Slade Steel, Vincenzo and Waterford Whispers.
National Hunt Novices’ Chase
Bossofthebrownies, Dartmoor Pirate, Patter Merchant, Saint Davy, The Lovely Man and Top Target.
Today’s Best Bets from Our Tipster
Arkle Novices’ Chase- LULAMBA 6/4 (1pt)
*tipped on 22nd January*
Current best price: 9/5
Nicky Henderson has a strong hand on the opening day of the festival with Old Park Star and Sir Gino but Lulamba looks the ‘banker’ of the day. He has only tasted defeat once in his career so far which was in a strangely run Triumph Hurdle last season when beaten by a neck by Poniros. He reversed that form in emphatic style at Punchestown on his next start and has won both of his starts over fences by nearly 10 lengths including in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown last time. He is expected to win the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in February and emulate stablemates Sprinter Sacre and Altior who won that contest before winning the Arkle that season.
Lulamba did go on and win the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury when he beat the 155 rated Saint Segal by 6 ½ lengths giving that rival 1lb. Since that victory, there has been significant market suppot Kopek Des Bordes who looks likely to usurp Lulamba as favourite for this race. His extra experience over fences could prove crucial though and he still rates a confident selection.
Ultima Handicap Chase- Quebecois 16/1 (0.5pt ew)
*tipped on 24th February*
Current Best Price: 11/1
Novices have won seven of the previous twelve renewals of this race and Irish trained runners are 0-51 in the past 19 years. The previous two winners have had the minimum number of runs to be eligible for the race. Chianti Classico with three prior to victory in 2024 and Myretown with four prior to victory in 2025 following an amendment to the rules.
It was eyecatching that the connections of QUEBECOIS 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.
Plate- Madara 6/1 (1pt ew)
*tipped on 24th February*
Current best price: 9/2
With the likes of Jagwar (Ultima), McLaurey (Jack Richards) and Vincenzo (Greatwood Gold Cup on Saturday) all having alternative engagements at the top of the market, MADARA could shorten even further. The Dan Skelton trained seven-year-old ran well in the December Gold Cup last season when only a length behind Gemirande at a time when the Venetia Williams stable was in flying form. He was fitted with cheekpieces that day when sent off a well backed 11/4 favourite and was a then a short price for this race before suffering a setback.
Madara has had two runs this season and has caught the eye on both occasions. He was referred to the Stewards the first day when ridden by Charlie Todd when the reason given was to give him a confidence booster after 378 days off the track. He was even more eyecatching at Kempton last time when ridden by Harry Skelton when finishing 2nd off a mark of 140. He runs here off the same mark which is the same mark as when 2nd in the December Gold Cup last season.
Both of his runs this season have been without headgear and with Madara likely to be fitted with cheekpieces for this ‘target’, he looks the most likely winner of this race which is his only entry.
National Hunt Chase- Backmersackme 8/1 (1pt ew)
*tipped on 24th February*
Current best price: 4/1
The Emmet Mullins trained BACKMERSACKME has entries in both the Ultima Handicap Chase and the National Hunt Chase on the opening day of the festival but his trainer has highlighted the latter as his most likely target. The seven-year-old ran well to finish 2nd beaten only 2 ¾ lengths over 3m1f on this Old Course at the October Meeting at Cheltenham and the form of that race has worked out well. The winner Three Card Brag finished 2nd behind Panic Attack on his next start off a 6lb higher mark, the 3rd Hoe Joly Smoke has run well on next three starts off a 2lb higher mark and the 4th The Short Go finished 3rd on his next start off a 4lb higher mark.
Backmersackme lost his chance at the start in the Paddy Power Chase over Christmas before winning at the Dublin Racing Festival over 2m5½f when Sean Bowen was pushing him along for the final mile of the contest. The Irish handicapper has raised him 8lbs for that victory and the UK handicapper has added a further 2lbs today. This step up in trip to 3m6f should suit him well and his previous form at the track is also a positive and he should be able to defy that rise.
Day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival kicks off with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle Novices’ Chase, featuring top contenders from Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson. The card also includes key handicaps and the Champion Hurdle, promising an exciting start to the week.
Old Star Park is the most backed bet of the day with 31% of bets in the Supreme through oddschecker in the last 24 hours.
What to Expect on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival
The first day of the Cheltenham Festival starts with two opening Grade 1 novice races.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is greeted by the well-known “roar” as the tapes go back and it is often a race that is run at a fierce early gallop with the blood pumping that bit faster for horse and jockey with the atmosphere full of anticipation.
The Arkle Novices’ Chase is the first steeplechase of the week and is staged over the minimum trip. Both Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have superb recent records in the race (they have won 11 of the previous 14 renewals between them) and both trainers have leading contenders again this year.
There have been numerous changes to the schedule for the forthcoming 2026 Cheltenham Festival and the first race that will be visible to spectators is the fact that the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle now precedes the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Skybet
- 24/7 live chat support
- Some of the best price boosts in the market
- Intuitive user experience
Cheltenham Festival Day One Race Card
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
Notable Cheltenham Festival Day One Omissions
Notable horses who have NOT been confirmed for Day 1 are as follows:
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Le Divin Enfant, Macho Man, Mossy Fen Road, Proactif, Skylight Hustle, The Reverend and Zeus Power.
Arkle Novices’ Chase
Be Aware and Salvator Mundi.
Juvenile Hurdle
Highlands Crystal, Lord Byron, Mange Tout, Minella Yoga and Selma De Vary.
Ultima Handicap Chase
Backmersackme, Hoe Joly Smoke, In d’Or, King Of Answers, Lookaway, Montregard, Pic Roc and Wendigo.
Champion Hurdle
Ballyburn, Casheldale Lad, Constitution Hill, Lucky Place and Wilful.
Plate Handicap Chase
Donnacha, Jacob’s Ladder, Jagwar, Mambonumberfive, Slade Steel, Vincenzo and Waterford Whispers.
National Hunt Novices’ Chase
Bossofthebrownies, Dartmoor Pirate, Patter Merchant, Saint Davy, The Lovely Man and Top Target.
Today’s Best Bets from Our Tipster
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle- TALK THE TALK 8/1 (1pt)
*tipped on 22nd January*
Current Best Price: 9/2
Talk The Talk is a short price favourite for the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and now looks a good opportunity 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 hurdle. The Joseph O’Brien trained five-year-old looks a leading contender should his jumping hold up and he looks the best bet of Day 1 at current prices.
Talk The Talk overcame a pace bias to win from the rear in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle beating Ballyfad by a short head at the Dublin Racing Festival. A finishing speed percentage of 113% means his victory should be upgraded and he shaped as if would appreciate the return to faster ground. He looks the biggest danger to Old Park Star in the opener.
Key Cheltenham Stats & Trends for Day 1
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
Exclusive Cheltenham Tips from Our Premium Tipsters
Andy Holding Day 1 Cheltenham Festival Tips
Liam Firkin's Day 1 Cheltenham Festival Tips
Racing Lee's Day 1 Cheltenham Festival Tips
Ginger Joe's Day 1 Cheltenham Festival Tips
Aidan O'Hara Day 1 Cheltenham Festival Tips
Cheltenham Festival Weather Update for Day 1
High / Low: 13°C / 7°C
Forecast: Warm and overcast, with a chance of evening rain.
After a relatively dry spell, the Old Course received some selective watering on Monday morning to maintain Good-to-Soft conditions. Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin reported that the ground tightened more than expected over the weekend, but the irrigation should help keep conditions favorable for racing. The track is expected to remain dry through Tuesday’s races, with a light band of rain arriving afterward, bringing 2–4mm ahead of Wednesday.
Track Condition: Good-to-Soft, Good in places;
Find More Cheltenham Day 1 Tips
Andy Holding's Day One Tips
Racing Lee's Day One Tips
Liam Firkin's Day One Tips
Jake Price's Day One Tips
Liam Firkin's Day One Place Accumulator
