The countdown to the Cheltenham Festival 2026 is on and in this Cheltenham Hub you will find all the stats, angles and betting information needed for a successful betting period in March. This page will update closer to the festival and will include the 2026 DC Network Cheltenham Festival Preview.
Cheltenham 2026 Countdown
Cheltenham 2026 Stat Centre
Data, trends and winner profiles for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival – updated to include the 2025 results.
🏇 Key Festival Stats & Insights
A high-level snapshot of the angles we focus on across the four days:
Top Trainers
Cheltenham Festival trainer strike rates (all data updated through the 2025 Festival).
- Willie Mullins — 72 wins from 628 runners (11.5%)
- Gavin Cromwell — 8 from 62 (12.9%)
- Henry de Bromhead — 22 from 201 (10.9%)
- Gordon Elliott — 36 from 386 (9.3%)
- Nicky Henderson — 22 from 270 (8.1%)
Festival Profit Angles (Trainers)
- Willie Mullins — sheer volume and dominance mean favourites are often short, but selectively backing Mullins runners outside the very top of the market has historically offered better value.
- Gavin Cromwell — a standout for Festival efficiency; lower runner counts combined with targeted placement have produced strong long-term value signals.
- Henry de Bromhead — particularly effective with chasers, with Festival winners often arriving off solid graded form rather than obvious prep wins.
- Gordon Elliott — handicaps are the key zone; many of his Festival winners and placed horses emerge at mid-range prices rather than at the head of the market.
- Market positioning — trainer profitability at Cheltenham is rarely about backing everything; the strongest returns tend to come when stable confidence is reflected by late market support.
Top Jockeys
Cheltenham Festival jockey strike rates (minimum rides met, through 2025).
- Paul Townend — 34 wins from 166 rides (20.5%)
- Nico de Boinville — 15 from 107 (14.0%)
- Mark Walsh — 14 from 113 (12.4%)
- Jack Kennedy — 11 from 107 (10.3%)
- Harry Skelton — 10 from 98 (10.2%)
Festival Profit Angles (Jockeys)
- Paul Townend — exceptional Festival strike rate and historically one of the few jockeys whose mounts have shown positive long-term returns, despite riding many favourites.
- Nico de Boinville — strong value profile when paired with well-fancied runners, particularly in Grade 1s and non-handicap championship races.
- Jack Kennedy — often associated with Festival value, especially when riding Irish-trained runners at double-figure prices.
- Market matters — Festival profitability is rarely about blind loyalty; jockeys with positive long-term returns tend to outperform when the market is supportive.
- Handicaps — late money and jockey–trainer combinations are more important than raw strike rate, with value frequently coming away from the very top of the betting.
Course, Pace & Biases
How the Old and New courses influence pace, positioning and race shape across the Festival.
- Old Course races tend to place a premium on tactical speed and prominent positioning, particularly in smaller fields.
- The sharper turns and quicker run-in on the Old Course often suit handy, fluent jumpers who can hold a position.
- New Course contests are more stamina-demanding, with a longer run-in and a finish that exposes weak stayers.
- Strong gallops on the New Course frequently bring late closers into play, especially on soft ground.
- Pace bias can shift significantly depending on field size, ground conditions and whether races are run on the Old or New track.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 — Race Schedule
Champion Day
- 13:20 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:00 Arkle Novices’ Chase
- 14:40 Ultima Handicap Chase
- 15:20 Mares’ Hurdle
- 16:00 Champion Hurdle
- 16:40 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
- 17:20 NH Novices’ Handicap Chase
Ladies Day
- 13:20 Turners Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:00 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
- 14:40 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
- 15:20 Cross Country Chase
- 16:00 Champion Chase
- 16:40 Grand Annual Handicap Chase
- 17:20 Champion Bumper
St Patrick’s Thursday
- 13:20 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:00 Novices’ Handicap Chase
- 14:40 Pertemps Final
- 15:20 Ryanair Chase
- 16:00 Stayers’ Hurdle
- 16:40 Plate Handicap Chase
- 17:20 Kim Muir
Gold Cup Day
- 13:20 Triumph Hurdle
- 14:00 County Hurdle
- 14:40 Mares’ Chase
- 15:20 Albert Bartlett
- 16:00 Cheltenham Gold Cup
- 16:40 Hunter Chase
- 17:20 Martin Pipe
📊 Race Trends Library – Cheltenham 2026
Core trends and winner profiles for the Festival’s championship and feature races.
Champion Hurdle – Key Trends
Headline angles from recent renewals (up to and including 2025):
- Favourites have an outstanding record – the Champion Hurdle has been a strong race for market leaders in the last decade.
- Mares have become a big factor, with multiple recent winners (e.g. Annie Power, Epatante, Honeysuckle) underlining their strength.
- Recent Grade 1 form is crucial – most winners arrived already proven at the very top level over 2m hurdles.
- Typically won by a horse aged around 6–8 with speed, tactical pace and proven Cheltenham form.
Queen Mother Champion Chase – Key Trends
The premier 2m chase – recent trends highlight:
- Age sweet spot is 7–9yo – most recent winners fall within this band.
- Market leaders dominate – the vast majority of winners start in the first three in the betting.
- Many winners come via the Clarence House Chase or another high-class 2m Grade 1 within the previous 1–2 months.
- Strong, slick jumping and established 2m Grade 1 form are almost non-negotiable.
Stayers’ Hurdle – Key Trends
The top staying hurdle often throws up a mix of solid types and bigger-priced winners:
- 6–7yo runners have a notable edge, providing a large share of recent winners.
- Plenty of value – several winners in the last decade have returned at double-figure prices.
- Most winners finished 1st or 2nd on their previous start – strong LTO form is a major positive.
- Proven stamina over 3m+ and the ability to travel in a strongly-run race are key components.
Cheltenham Gold Cup – Key Trends
The blue-riband event – where class and staying power combine:
- All recent winners across the last decade-plus have been aged 7–9, highlighting a clear age window.
- Most winners are in the first three in the betting – class tends to come to the fore.
- Proven Grade 1 chasing form and strong 3m+ stamina are essential.
- Often won by horses campaigned with the Gold Cup as their clear seasonal target.
Ryanair Chase – Key Trends
The intermediate championship over 2m4f–2m5f:
- Age profile strongly favours 7–9yo, with many winners at 7–8yo.
- Top of the market is usually the place to focus – most winners start in the first three in the betting.
- Many winners have both previous Cheltenham form and prior Grade 1 success around 2m4f–2m5f.
- Ideal type is a strong traveller with proven form on undulating tracks.
Mares’ Hurdle – Key Trends
A race that has grown in importance and depth in recent years:
- Age profile is typically 5–7yo, with 7yo mares having a particularly strong record.
- Most winners are well found in the betting – again, top three in the market is the key zone.
- Last-time-out winners or mares coming in off strong graded form dominate the roll of honour.
- Irish-trained mares, especially from the top yards, have an excellent record.
🏁 Cheltenham Festival 2025 — Results Snapshot
Cheltenham Festival 2025 — Results Snapshot
The top four finishers from every race at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, grouped by day. Click through for full official results on Racing Post.
Champion Day — Tuesday
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle- Kopek Des Bordes
- William Munny
- Romeo Coolio
- Karniquet
- Marine Nationale
- Il Etait Temps
- Gaelic Warrior
- Found A Fifty
- Myretown
- The Changing Man
- Malina Girl
- Happygolucky
- Lossiemouth
- Jade De Grugy
- Ashroe Diamond
- Love Envoi
- Golden Ace
- Burdett Road
- Winter Fog
- Zanahiyr
- Majborough
- Ocastle Des Mottes
- Sir Allen
- Harsh
- Stellar Story
- Better Days Ahead
- Search For Glory
- Sa Majeste
Wednesday — Style Day
Turners Novices’ Hurdle- The New Lion
- The Yellow Clay
- Final Demand
- Jeriko Du Reponet
- Lecky Watson
- Stellar Story
- Better Days Ahead
- Slade Steel
- Langer Dan
- Ballyadam
- Sa Majeste
- Captain Teague
- Clique Of Gold
- Delta Work
- Galvin
- Back On The Lash
- Captain Guinness
- Jonbon
- El Fabiolo
- Edwardstone
- Unexpected Party
- Libberty Hunter
- Path D’Oroux
- Magic Saint
- Jasmin De Vaux
- Romeo Coolio
- Wingmen
- Ballinderry Moth
Thursday — St Patrick’s Thursday
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle- Brighterdaysahead
- Birdie Or Bust
- Jade De Grugy
- Jetara
- Ginny’s Destiny
- Grey Dawning
- Safari Business
- Master Chewy
- Monmiral
- Panda Boy
- Meetmebythesea
- Salvator Mundi
- Fact To File
- Heart Wood
- Envoi Allen
- Protektorat
- Bob Olinger
- Teahupoo
- The Wallpark
- Home By The Lee
- Shakem Up’arry
- Jagwar
- Ginny’s Destiny
- Fugitif
- Daily Present
- Johnnywho
- Sa Majeste
- Weveallbeencaught
Friday — Gold Cup Day
Triumph Hurdle- Poniros
- Lulamba
- East India Dock
- Lady Vega Allen
- Absurde
- Langer Dan
- Filey Bay
- Fils D’Oudairies
- Dinoblue
- Allegorie De Vassy
- Limerick Lace
- Riviere D’etel
- Jasmin De Vaux
- The Big Westerner
- Derryhassen Paddy
- Yellow Car
- Inothewayurthinkin
- Galopin Des Champs
- Gentlemansgame
- Monty’s Star
- Sine Nomine
- Its On The Line
- Billaway
- Stumptown
- Better Days Ahead
- Waterford Whispers
- Asian Master
- Gwennie May Boy
📝 Cheltenham Ante-Post Notebook & Festival Angles
Our Cheltenham ante-post notebook tracks Festival-relevant horses all season, flagging future winners, plot horses and Festival targets well before March.
Cheltenham Ante-Post Columns
Weekly ante-post analysis focused purely on Cheltenham — long-range targets, trial winners, handicappers ahead of the assessor and Festival trends.
- Festival-aimed horses to follow through the season
- Ante-post value angles & emerging Grade 1 types
- Notebook horses updated after key trials
- Handicap plots before weights are published
🎥 DC Network Cheltenham Festival 2026 — Full Preview
Our full Cheltenham Festival preview brings together trends, data, race-by-race analysis and ante-post angles — filmed exclusively for the DC Racing Network.
The official DC Network Cheltenham 2026 preview video will be released closer to the Festival and hosted on our YouTube channel. Expect deep dives into every championship race, key handicaps, trainer angles and betting strategy.
✔ Data-led betting angles
✔ Ante-post opinions & final-day plays
Video coming soon — this panel will auto-update when live
This is a unique DC Network view of Cheltenham trainers, blending race outcomes with live market behaviour.
It highlights where money has historically been accurate — and where the market has been misleading — giving members a deeper layer of context beyond standard stats.
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