Cheltenham Festival 2026

Get yourself ready for the pinnacle of jumps racing with dozens of offers on our Cheltenham Free Bets page.

ITV Racing's very own, Rishi Persad, has cast his eye over the opening day's races at the Cheltenham Festival and given us his ITV7 Prediction!

Check out who he's backing plus Wednesday's ITV Racing schedule here.

Turners Novices' Hurdle

Rishi Persad's Selection - NO DRAMA THIS END

Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles without being extended to his full capabilities as yet. Enormously impressive when winning the Challow, the handsome grey represents Paul Nicholls’ best ever chance of first win in the Turners Novice Hurdle.

Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

Rishi Persad's Selection - WENDIGO

I had been keen on Romeo Coolio’s Arkle chances and am disappointed to see him in this race, as I’m not as convinced as others that three miles is definitely what he wants. In contrast, that's exactly what Wendigo needs, and he may be underestimated. He ran well in the Albert Bartlett last year and has done enough this season to suggest he’s got more to reveal over fences.

CopyBet Daily Profit Boost Handicap Chase

Rishi Persad's Selection - CLOUDY WEDNESDAY

CLOUDY WEDNESDAY found one too good when trying to follow up on his Market Rasen win over an extended 2m7f at this venue earlier in the month. The drop in trip should only help this veteran and he makes plenty of appeal as a result. Big Boy Barney is a player based on his third at Ludlow two starts ago, while Synchronist is next best.

BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle

Rishi Persad's Selection - STORM HEART

Started favourite for the Triumph Hurdle two years ago, but is only now starting to fulfil his potential. Split McLaurey and Irish Panther in a competitive handicap in February 2025 and has won both starts since. This is only his second run in a handicap and might be his last before bigger targets in the future.

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

Rishi Persad's Selection - STUMPTOWN

Beaten only once in six starts and that defeat came in last year’s Grand National when he was badly hampered on more than one occasion and finished lame. He returned to win the Velka Pardubice to show he was back to his best and can follow in the footsteps of Tiger Roll and Delta Work by winning this race for the second successive year.

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase

Rishi Persad's Selection - L’EAU DU SUD

Five of the last six favourites in the Queen Mother Champion Chase have been beaten at odds of 2/5, 8/13, 5/6, 2/9 and 5/6, so I’m happy to oppose Majborough. A fresh L’eau Du Sud at Cheltenham is a serious racehorse, and the fact that he hasn’t run since a below-par effort at Sandown in December is a big plus.

Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

Rishi Persad's Selections - INTHEPOCKET

Formerly a very smart novice hurdler who won a Grade One at Aintree, his career over fences has been stop-start, and he’s only shown a glimmer of his true talents. But his last two starts have been encouraging, the ground will be in his favour, and he will race off a reasonable mark.

Rishi Persad's ITV7 Predictions

1.20 Cheltenham - NO DRAMA THIS END
2.00 Cheltenham - WENDIGO
2.18 Sedgefield - LUNAR OCEAN
2.40 Cheltenham - STORM HEART 
3.20 Cheltenham - STUMPTOWN
4.00 Cheltenham - L'EAU DU SUD
4.40 Cheltenham - INTHEPOCKET

Wednesday's ITV Racing Schedule

CHELTENHAM
 

  • 1:20 PM: Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
  • 2:00 PM: Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
  • 2:40 PM: Coral Cup (Grade 3)
  • 3.20 PM: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
  • 4:00 PM: Champion Bumper (Grade 1)
  • 4:40 PM: Festival Plate Handicap (Grade 3)
  • 5:20 PM: National Hunt Chase (Grade 2)


Make sure to tune into ITV1 today to catch Rishi and the gang's coverage of the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Find More Cheltenham Day 2 Tips

Andy Holding's Cheltenham Festival Day Two Tips

Liam Firkin's Cheltenham Festival Day Two Tips

Jake Price's Free Cheltenham Festival Day Two Tips

Ginger Joe's Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Premium Tips

Racing Lee's Day Two Cheltenham Festival Tips

Steve Ryder's Free Tips for Cheltenham Festival Day 2