Cheltenham Festival 2026

With the confirmation stage now out of the way, focus turns to declarations and all eyes will be on the likes of Talk The Talk and Lossiemouth and whether they’ll line up on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Most targets seem clear enough at this late stage but there is still the opportunity for an eleventh-hour switch. But for now, let’s focus on confirmations and I’ve looked at the standout runners for Day 3 and 4 – and there are several fancies very much in the mix.

FACT TO FILE MAKES RYANAIR CHASE A ‘NO BET’ RACE

If you’re on Fact To File at fancy prices for the Ryanair Chase, then congratulations – you will be considering counting your winnings at this stage. He’s a short priced favourite to follow up last year’s success in the race and he will take the world of beating.

Many expected connections to stump up the supplementary fee for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but JP McManus has opted to go down the Ryanair route. Does that perhaps tell us that reigning champion Inothewayurthinkin is well and truly back? Who knows…

You can’t advise backing Fact To File at current prices but it is hard to find an alternative angle in the race. Heart Wood is the one I’ve been chipping away at each way for a while and hopefully he can finish in the places once again.

IS GROUND REALLY AN ISSUE FOR TEAHUPOO?

Plenty of punters will be keen to oppose Teahupoo, with Gordon Elliott’s runner failing to capture the public’s imagination. He is a seven-time Grade 1 winner yet is criminally underrated by the masses and I expect punters to desert him once again.

While Honesty Policy brings a ‘sexier’ profile to the race, Teahupoo has been there and done it on the big stage on multiple occasions. I still make him the one to beat on all known form and I don’t think the ground will make a huge amount of difference.

He’s won Grade 1s at Punchestown in May and Leopardstown at Christmas, with ground conditions quick enough on both occasions. He sets the standard that the others have to get to and I’d be hopeful that he can get the job done.

INTERESTING CONTENDERS IN KIM MUIR

While Jeriko Du Reponet has looked the obvious Kim Muir horse for much of the season, I actually prefer Waterford Whispers of the two JP McManus runners in contention for this race and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go off favourite next week at the Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

McManus will be able to attract a top amateur rider on the Henry de Bromhead runner and he brings strong form to the race. Yet to go beyond 2m6f, the ground will give him a real chance to stay the trip and he might even improve for it.

Kim Roque has been on my radar for the Kim Muir for a few months now and I think he’s still very well in off a BHA mark of 131. Again, he’s another where the trip is somewhat unknown but I don’t see any reason why he won’t be bang there at the finish.

WILLIE’S IN THE… TRIUMPH

Just the 11 confirmations for Willie Mullins in the Triumph and I’d imagine Paul Townend will ride either Macho Man or Selma De Vary on Friday. Most would expect the latter after her Dublin Racing Festival effort but I could see him siding with the former.

Proactif is at the head of the market and he has a lofty reputation but whispers from the yard suggest that there is little to choose between him and Macho Man. While the JP McManus runner was a good winner at Fairyhouse, the tables could easily be turned.

Mullins has won five of the last six renewals and the Closutton master will be hopeful of recording another success in Friday’s opener. Having said that, Dan Skelton has been very positive on the chances of Maestro Conti and he cannot be dismissed lightly.

STARS ALIGNING FOR RICCI

With Fact To File going for the Ryanair and Galopin Des Champs ruled out through injury, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is there for the taking and Gaelic Warrior could be the main beneficiary. He will undoubtedly be the yard’s main dart at this year’s race.

After weeks of discussion regarding Gaelic Warrior’s target, connections will almost certainly declare him for Friday’s feature race of the week and I have been sweet on his Gold Cup chances since the beginning of the campaign.

It’s a competitive race and the protagonists from the 2025 King George VI Chase will all likely take their chance here. If Friday’s race is anything like that event at Kempton, then jumps fans in attendance will be in for a real treat.

BEST OF THE REST

Looking at the rest of the cards, there are several that catch the eye. I think Mille Et Une Vies has the rating to run a big race in the Mares Novice Hurdle and it’ll be interesting to see how she fares on her first start for Dan Skelton.

I’m strong on the chances of Meetmebythesea in the Jack Richards – particularly if the Henry de Bromhead-trained Koktail Divin goes for the Brown Advisory. The Mares Hurdle looks like a penalty kick for Wodhooh if Lossiemouth goes for gold in the Champion.

I like Sinnatra in the County Hurdle for the Skeltons while Road Exile is an intriguing runner at a nice each way price in the Albert Bartlett. I was dead against Dinoblue in the Mares Chase a few weeks ago but she probably just wins while I’m struggling to see Air Of Entitlement out of the first four in the Martin Pipe.