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CHELTENHAM 2026

I am surprised he has ridden that many at the festival ,but he has never ridden anything well fancied. His record at the track is better in other meetings there. I am sure if he was stable jockey for a big name trainer he would have had winners galore. He does not usually even ride the four days at the festival , if he is not picking up decent rides what is the point , I do not blame him. He seems intent on chasing down 250 winners.
 
A couple of memorable rides he has had when i have been present at Cheltenham was a winner he had in a cross country race ,and the dead heat with his brother, off the top of my head that is. Even this year his best ride is for Rebecca Curtis not a big name trainer. Not knocking Becky she has a cracking record at the festival . I think she has trained about 6 winners there which is exceptional for a trainer with usually about 30 horses, but i think it highlights the fact Bowen has had little opportunities there.
 
What's everyone's budget for the festival / how much are you prepared to blow? I'm thinking £200 placed initially, some across 4 days some on the 1st day, hopefully win some back so I can bet more day 2 etc., but if I lose I will no doubt put a bit more in, Cheltenham is like my annual holiday.
 
Usually around the 300 mark for me, sometimes a little more or less. No doubt I will have a few silly bets the day I attend. But apart from xmas week it's my favourite week of the year. Monday night I will be like a child on xmas eve and will not be able to sleep L0L. Usually go into a bit of a depression when it is over, until Aintree. I only bet what I can afford to lose, so if I have a bad week I don't care. It is once a year and I don't do the flat. Still waiting on a few. I think Bunting could be well handicapped and I've just backed King Rasko Grey in both races entered - NRMB.
 
Yes same for me Stedz, I'll only back what I can afford to lose. What day are you going?

Yeh a few of the tipsters are talking about King Rasko Grey on the preview shows, some saying maybe a bit too soon and could be one for the future, sounds like he's going to the Supreme but he's 14/1 and 6/1 in the Turners for some reason.
 
Wednesday, went the same day last year and it wasn't too big a crowd, so hopefully the same. I go with the Missus and we both hate it when it is overcrowded. Yes, I think it is the type of Mullins Horse to come on for its last run. Only backed it for the supreme because the rev is out. Got it for 14s but got a little boost from WH and got it for 6.49/1 in the Turners, both e/w bets. Haven't done any accas yet though. All my Shorty fancies will go into them. Mullins had 4 winners at Thurles today. I think he's coming to the boil at the right time again, but I still think it is going to be one of the best and most competitive festivals for years. Some races e.g. the Browns and Gold Cup, you could see any out of 5 or 6 horses as feasible winners. Lets hope we all have a bit of good luck (y)
 
thoughts from someone who hasn’t been paying much attention
I don’t understand why Lulumba is fancied looks a load of nonsense to me that price.
How the hell is The New Lion champion hurdle favourite, horse can’t even jump properly.
Brighterdaysahead looks more like a Giraffe than a horse, need to get your head down a little bit to win at Cheltenham.
Lossiemouth was probably having women’s issues last time , too busy looking at the camera on the truck, a certainty to win the champion hurdle if they have the bollocks to run her.
Kargese stood on herself last time or would have won no problem, can’t see any reason she can’t win the Arkle, although knowing Mullins he will probably run her in the cross country or something.
This year Queen Mother and Ryanair are nearly as bad as last years Gold Cup.
I want to see Wodhooh win the mares as she’s a cracking horse, even more I want to see her win if Lossiemouth is running against her because anyone who decides Lossiemouth should be in any other race than the champion hurdle doesn’t deserve her to win.
I really liked the run of Selma de vary and I thought that would be my clever one but I just looked and it’s favourite so not that clever.

Really I’ve only watched a few races this year mainly that Leopardstown meeting so that’s where I’ve got most of my thoughts from, I haven’t even heard of most of the runners in the other races.
 
well at least you watched the best meeting for finding Cheltenham festival winners. Statistically at least the DRF that is.
 
Yes hope you get some luck Stedz, and/but enjoy the day out regardless of the results.

Lol Outlander, agreed. The New Lion does have a decent turn of foot though, if he can get a good round of jumping in he could have a chance. Defo starting to look at Kargese myself, but going same way as Selma de Vary - looks like all Mullins horses are shortening now, and JP McManus horses.

Cheers DuckandDive, always like stats and a good table/graph.

Nice to see the markets starting to take shape - I usually do something like this but it's not as detailed as usual, & just top 3 (now top 6/7/8) in market (atm (updated 06/03/26) & odds from Racing Post)...


Day 1 - Champions Day - Tuesday 10/03/2026

13:20 - Supreme Novices' Hurdle (G1) - 2m1/2f - £84k
Old Park Star 9/4 (N Henderson)
Mighty Park 3/1 (WP Mullins)
El Cairos 13/2 (G Elliott)
Talk The Talk 7/1 (JP O'Brien)
Mydaddypaddy 10/1 (D Skelton)
Leader d'Allier 12/1 (WP Mullins)
Sober Glory 14/1 (Hobbs & White)
Sober 16/1 (WP Mullins)
King Rasko Grey 16/1 (WP Mullins)

14:00 - Arkle Novices' Chase (G1) - 2m - £112k
Kopek Des Bordes 7/4 (WP Mullins)
Lulamba 15/8 (N Henderson)
Kargese 6/1 (WP Mullins)
Romeo Coolio 7/1 (G Elliott)
Irish Panther 14/1 (E & P Harty)
Steel Ally 16/1 (S Thomas)
Kappa Jy Pyke 16/1 (WP Mullins)
Jax Junior 33/1 (L Wadham)
Sixmilebridge 40/1 (F O'Brien)

14:40 - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle - 2m1/2f - £45k
Saratoga 11/2 (P Roche)
Winston Junior 13/2 (F Bramley)
Manlaga 7/1 (N Henderson)
Munsif 10/1 (C Byrnes)
Ammes 11/1 (J Owen)
Glen To Glen 12/1 (JP O'Brien)
La Luna Artista 12/1 (J Williams)
Madness d'Elle 14/1 (WP Mullins)

15:20 - Ultima Handicap Chase - 3m1f - £84k
Jagwar 5/1 (Greenall & Guerriero)
Iroko 6/1 (Greenall & Guerriero)
Handstands 8/1 (B Pauling)
Myretown 10/1 (L Russell)
Quebecois 12/1 (P Nicholls)
Johnnywho 14/1 (J & AJ O'Neill)
Hyland 14/1 (N Henderson)
Konfusion 16/1 (Parkinson & Smith)

16:00 - Champion Hurdle (G1) - 2m1/2f - £262k
The New Lion 9/4 (D Skelton)
Lossiemouth 7/2 (WP Mullins)
Brighterdaysahead 5/1 (G Elliott)
Golden Ace 8/1 (J Scott)
Poniros 14/1 (WP Mullins)
Tutti Quanti 16/1 (P Nicholls)
Alexei 16/1 (J Tizzard)

16:40 - Plate Handicap Chase - 2m4.5f - £84k
Madara 4/1 (D Skelton)
McLaurey 4/1 (E Mullins)
Will The Wise 12/1 (G Cromwell)
Down Memory Lane 14/1 (G Elliott)
Beckett Rock 14/1 (Bromhead)
Downmexicoway 16/1 (Bromhead)
O'Moore Park 20/1 (WP Mullins)

17:20 - National Hunt Novice Handicap Chase - 3m6f - £51k
Backmersackme 4/1 (E Mullins)
Newton Tornado 6/1 (R Curtis)
Wade Out 9/1 (O Murphy)
One Big Bang 12/1 (J Owen)
Iceberg Theory 14/1 (P Nolan)
Brave Fortune 14/1 (JP O'Brien)


Day 2 - Ladies Day - Wednesday 11/03/2026

13:20 - Turners/Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle (G1) - 2m5f - £84k
Talk The Talk 7/2 (JP O'Brien)
No Drama This End 4/1 (P Nicholls)
Skylight Hustle 11/2 (G Elliott)
King Rasko Grey 6/1 (WP Mullins)
Ballyfad 7/1 (G Elliott)
Act Of Innocence 10/1 (N Henderson)
Sober 12/1 (WP Mullins)
Sortudo 12/1 (WP Mullins)

14:00 - Brown Advisory Novice Chase (G1) - 3m1/2f - £115k
Final Demand 7/2 (WP Mullins)
The Big Westerner 5/1 (Bromhead)
Kaid d'Authie 5/1 (WP Mullins)
Romeo Coolio 7/1 (G Elliott)
Wendigo 15/2 (J Snowden)
Western Fold 8/1 (G Elliott)
Koktail Divin 10/1 (Bromhead)

14:40 - BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle - 2m5f - £61k
Storm Heart 8/1 (WP Mullins)
I Started A Joke 12/1 (C Byrnes)
Kateira 12/1 (D Skelton)
Iberico Lord 12/1 (N Henderson)
The Yellow Clay 14/1 (G Elliott)
Kopeck De Mee 14/1 (WP Mullins)
Jingko Blue 16/1 (N Henderson)
Wellington Arch 16/1 (J & AJ O'Neill)
Jump Allen 20/1 (WP Mullins)
Nurse Susan 25/1 (D Skelton)

15:20 - Cross Country Handicap Chase - 3m6f - £39k
Favori De Champdou 11/4 (G Elliott)
Stumptown 7/2 (G Cromwell)
Desertmore House 5/1 (M Brassil)
Vanillier 7/1 (G Cromwell)
Final Orders 8/1 (G Cromwell)
The Goffer 16/1 (G Elliott)

16:00 - Queen Mother Champion Chase (G1) - 2m - £225k
Majborough 10/11 (WP Mullins)
L'Eau du Sud 9/2 (D Skelton)
Il Etait Temps 5/1 (WP Mullins)
Quilixios 10/1 (Bromhead)
Jonbon 14/1 (N Henderson)
Solness 33/1 (JP O'Brien)

16:40 - Grand Annual Handicap Chase - 2m - £84k
Be Aware 7/1 (D Skelton)
Ryan's Rocket 8/1 (F O'Brien)
Vanderpoel 10/1 (B Pauling)
Jazzy Matty 12/1 (C Collins)
Inthepocket 14/1 (Bromhead)

17:20 - Champion Bumper (G1) - 2m1/2f - £45k
Love Sign d'Aunou 4/1 (WP Mullins)
The Irish Avatar 8/1 (WP Mullins)
Keep Him Company 9/1 (G Elliott)
Quiryn 10/1 (WP Mullins)
Bass Hunter 12/1 (C Gordon)


Day 3 - St Patrick's Thursday - Thursday 12/03/2026

13:20 - Mares' Novices' Hurdle (G2) - 2m1f - £59k
Bambino Fever 4/5 (WP Mullins)
Oldschool Outlaw 4/1 (G Elliott)
Echoing Silence 10/1 (Bromhead)
Selma De Vary 10/1 (WP Mullins)
Carrigmoorespruce 12/1 (D Queally)
La Conquiere 14/1 (J Snowden)

14:00 - Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase (G1) - 2m4f - £64k
Koktail Divin 9/2 (Bromhead)
Meetmebythesea 11/2 (B Pauling)
Regent's Stroll 6/1 (P Nicholls)
Slade Steel 8/1 (Bromhead)
Sixmilebridge 9/1 (F O'Brien)
McLaurey 10/1 (E Mullins)

14:40 - Mares' Hurdle (G1) - 2m4f - £70k
Wodhooh 4/5 (G Elliott)
Lossiemouth 5/4 (WP Mullins)
Jade De Grudy 7/2 (WP Mullins)
Feet Of A Dancer 8/1 (P Nolan)
Take No Chances 10/1 (D Skelton)

15:20 - Stayers' Hurdle (G1) - 3m - £182k
Teahupoo 9/4 (G Elliott)
Honesty Policy 5/1 (G Elliott)
Kabral Du Mathan 5/1 (D Skelton)
Bob Olinger 7/1 (Bromhead)
Ma Shantou 8/1 (E Lavelle)
Ballyburn 12/1 (WP Mullins)
Impose Toi 16/1 (N Henderson)

16:00 - Ryanair Chase (G1) - 2m5f - £211k
Fact To File 4/6 (WP Mullins)
Gaelic Warrio 5/1 (WP Mullins)
Heart Wood 6/1 (Bromhead)
Jonbon 7/1 (N Henderson)
Banbridge 7/1 (JP O'Brien)
Impaire Et Passe 12/1 (WP Mullins)
Firefox 14/1 (G Elliott)
Il Etait Temps 16/1 (WP Mullins)

16:40 - Pertemps Network Final - 3m - £61k
Supremely West 4/1 (D Skelton)
C'Est Different 10/1 (S Thomas)
Electric Mason 10/1 (C Gordon)
Minella Emperor 10/1 (E Mullins)
Impose Toi 14/1 (N Henderson)
Absolutely Doyen 14/1 (P Nicholls)

17:20 - Kim Muir Handicap Chase - 3m2f - £36k
Jeriko Du Reponet 4/1 (N Henderson)
Waterford Whispers 9/2 (Bromhead)
J'Arrive De L'Est 9/1 (E Mullins)
Kim Rogue 10/1 (JP O'Brien)
Herakles Westwood 12/1 (W Greatrex)


Day 4 - Gold Cup Day - Friday 13/03/2026

13:20 - Triumph Hurdle (G1) - 2m1f - £84k
Proactif 7/2 (WP Mullins)
Selma De Vary 9/2 (WP Mullins)
Minella Study 7/1 (A Nicol)
Maestro Conti 15/2 (D Skelton)
Mange Tout 8/1 (G Elliott)

14:00 - William Hill Country Handicap Hurdle - 2m1f - £61k
Murcia 6/1 (WP Mullins)
Khrisma 8/1 (N Henderson)
Karbau 10/1 (WP Mullins)
Sinnatra 12/1 (D Skelton)
Woekahead 14/1 (Bromhead)

14:40 - Mares' Chase (G2) - 2m4.5f - £73k
Dinoblue 6/4 (WP Mullins)
Spindleberry 9/2 (WP Mullins)
Panic Attack 5/1 (D Skelton)
Diva Luna 8/1 (B Pauling)
Only By Night 9/1 (G Cromwell)

15:20 - Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (G1) - 3m - £84k
Doctor Steinberg 3/1 (WP Mullins)
Thedeviluno 9/2 (P Nolan)
No Drama This End 8/1 (P Nicholls)
Spinningayarn 9/1 (G Elliott)
Espresso Milan 12/1 (WP Mullins)
I'll Sort That 14/1 (D Queally)

16:00 - Gold Cup (G1) - 3m2.5f - £351k
Gaelic Warrior 9/2 (WP Mullins)
Jango Baie 5/1 (N Henderson)
The Jukebox Man 11/2 (B Pauling)
Haiti Couleurs 8/1 (R Curtis)
Inothewayurthinkin 8/1 (G Cromwell)
Grey Dawning 14/1 (D Skelton)

16:40 - St James Place Festival Hunters' Chase/Fox Hunters - 3m2.5f - £24k
Wonderwall 5/1 (S Curling)
Its On The Line 6/1 (E Mullins)
Con's Roc 7/1 (T O'Brien)
Pandy Boy 8/1 (M Brassil)
Stattler 10/1 (F Bramley)

17:20 - Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle - 2m4.5f - £38k
Roc Dino 7/1 (WP Mullins)
A Pai De Nom 8/1 (D Skelton)
The Passing Wife 10/1 (G Cromwell)
Kel Historie 10/1 (WP Mullins)
Air Of Entitlement 12/1 (G Elliott)
Murcia 12/1 (WP Mullins)

Note: I've got Stayers 15:20 & Ryanair 16:00 Thursday as that's what it is on TimeForm, Racing Post, Sky, Coral, Bet365 & William Hill, but surely the Stayers is the premier race and is always 16:00 and the Ryanair will be 15:20.
 
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Updated with more horses, value of races, trainers and odds changes - markets taking even better shape now we've got more confirmations.

Also, the Ryanair could be 16:00 as it's £221k for the winner and the Stayers is £182k, so it might have overtaken it as the premier race of the day, but still not sure.

Galopin Des Champs out of Gold Cup.
 
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1 hour ago

Galopin Des Champs has been ruled out of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup after suffering a setback.

Willie Mullins’ stable star won the showpiece in 2023 and 2024 and was second to Inothewayurthinkin last season.

This term he finished third in both the Savills and Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown but hopes of him becoming only the second horse after Kauto Star to regain his Cheltenham crown have now been dashed.

The trainer told Sporting Life: “Unfortunately Galopin Des Champs has been ruled out for the rest of the season. After working very well on Thursday morning he wasn't right on Friday morning and will miss the Gold Cup and the other spring Festivals.”
 
Willie Mullins confirmed on Saturday evening that Lossiemouth will run in Tuesday's Unibet Champion Hurdle on Tuesday and Paddy Power make her their 9/4 joint-favourite. thats make the WH 1 fav or joint fav to win on first day looks a cert to double you tenner a little is better than nothing i guess
 
Tuesday cards with speed figures.
 

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Outlander said:
Kargese stood on herself last time or would have won no problem, can’t see any reason she can’t win the Arkle,
Click to expand...

Totally agree O Outlander her second to Romeo Coolio in the Irish Arkle, will go close in the Brown Advisory if he turns up, he's in the Ryanair but the Brown Advisory much easier for him, is rock solid form.
Kargesse wasn't extended at Leopardstown at Christmas in a very good time in comparison to the Grade 1 later on the card which was won by Solness with Marine Nationale, Majborough and Found A Fifty behind all recording a lesser time. There is a caveat as the first fence in the home straight was eliminated in her race due to low sun but the nonetheless the performance was of a very high standard and the mares allowance makes her the one to beat.
Mullins and Hendersaon have won four of the last five Arkle's but Lulamba may find giving the mare 7lbs a bridge too far. Kopek Des Bordes has been injured.
 
mlmrob said:
Totally agree O Outlander her second to Romeo Coolio in the Irish Arkle, will go close in the Brown Advisory if he turns up, he's in the Ryanair but the Brown Advisory much easier for him, is rock solid form.
Kargesse wasn't extended at Leopardstown at Christmas in a very good time in comparison to the Grade 1 later on the card which was won by Solness with Marine Nationale, Majborough and Found A Fifty behind all recording a lesser time. There is a caveat as the first fence in the home straight was eliminated in her race due to low sun but the nonetheless the performance was of a very high standard and the mares allowance makes her the one to beat.
Mullins and Hendersaon have won four of the last five Arkle's but Lulamba may find giving the mare 7lbs a bridge too far. Kopek Des Bordes has been injured.
Click to expand...
Yes I think I probably have an unconscious bias towards Mares, I realised every horse I’ve picked out is a Mare, think the allowance is gold for decent mares.
 
1.20 supreme
Trying to weigh up various pieces of form from very different tracks on very different ground is a nightmare, throw into the mix that these 2m trials are over different distances all adds up to a very complicated race to evaluate, that in itself might lead one to avoid anything at a short price.
One thing i believe worth considering is what we might expect the time the race will be run in ? Point here is the race will be run be run in something around 3m, 55s so the pace of the race will be a lot quicker than what some of these have encounted which intern puts pressure on the jumping etc.

OLD PARK STAR did a time of 3.47s when winning at haydock 1m.7f 144yds eased down, i think it at least demonstrates he has the pace to cope and did win a trial on the old course here 4m. 179yds in a time of 4m.0.15s, all this tells me is regardless of the odds he's the one to beat

MIGHTY PARK won by 38L on his only hdl start in a time of 4m.10s over dist of 2m, soft ground.

I fully understand that these comparisons are somewhat dubious in nature but i do believe they should be part of any consideratios without taking them too serious but in general we're not coparing like with like with much of the form.

Yet to look at any other runners.

edit...forgot to mention the top speeds for their most recent runs

OPS.....35.84
MP......31,53
 
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