The jumps racing season is reaching its peak as the Cheltenham Festival approaches—a four-day spectacle where top horses compete and expert fans gather for thrilling action and unforgettable moments. Ireland’s top team, spearheaded by Willie Mullins, is set to clash with Britain’s finest, with Dan Skelton’s stable expected to provide significant competition on home soil.
Each day of the festival features high-profile championship races: the Champion Hurdle (Tuesday), Queen Mother Champion Chase (Wednesday), Stayers Hurdle (Thursday), and the Gold Cup (Friday). However, the hurdle champion and favorite, Sir Gino, will miss the event due to a pelvic fracture sustained on trial day at Cheltenham.
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday, March 10th through Friday, March 13th. Since expanding to four days in 2005, proposals to add a fifth day have been met with resistance from traditional racing fans, and while moving the Gold Cup to Saturday has been discussed, the current format remains unchanged.
With 28 races scheduled over the four days (seven each day), the festival offers an intense racing schedule. The Old Course hosts Tuesday and Wednesday races, noted for its speed and sharp turns, while Thursday and Friday events take place on the stamina-focused New Course, which features longer straights and demanding hills. Additionally, a unique cross-country course, featuring a variety of challenging obstacles, is used for one race during the festival.
Key races on Tuesday include the Supreme Beginner’s Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle, where the absence of Sir Gino opens opportunities for runners like Willie Mullins’ mare Lossiemouth and Dan Skelton’s New Lion. Wednesday’s highlight, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, features strong Irish contenders such as Marine National and Jonbon, the latter trained by Nicky Henderson, who aims to finally secure a festival win after several near misses.
Thursday’s Stayers Hurdle will likely be contested between Tipu and Bob Olinger, both trained by Rob Cool, with other serious challengers including Honesty Policy and Ma Shantou. On Friday, the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup remains wide open, with several key runners including Fact of File, who may switch races, and defending champion Galopin Des Champs attempting to make history as a 10-year-old winner, a feat not achieved since 1998.
For those wanting to catch the action, ITV1 broadcasts the first six races each day live, while full coverage requires a Racing TV subscription. Both platforms also offer streaming options via their apps and websites.
Cheltenham Racecourse, set in picturesque Gloucestershire, features two courses with distinct challenges— the Old Course, favoring fast paces and front runners, and the New Course, which tests stamina and tactical racing. The cross-country course adds a rare and demanding obstacle challenge for competitors. Hospitality options range from affordable two-course meals to lavish multi-course experiences, while tickets vary in price with premium costs on Gold Cup day. Convenient park and ride services and on-site parking are available for attendees.
Fan Take: The Cheltenham Festival remains the pinnacle of jumps racing, showcasing the sport’s finest talent and thrilling fans with top-tier competition. As new contenders emerge and favorites face setbacks, this year’s festival promises fresh narratives that could redefine rivalries and inspire greater interest in jump racing’s future.
