With some firms now offering NRNB (Non-Runner No Bet) for Cheltenham Festival 2026, we take the opportunity to offer our 4-horse selection NRNB Lucky 15 acca for the greatest show on turf, now just over three weeks away.
Best Cheltenham Festival 2026 bets and odds provided by our partner firms currently offering NRNB Bet365, William Hill and Betfred.
NRNB: Non-Runner No Bet
As mentioned, bet365, William Hill and Betfred are now offering NRNB on all Cheltenham Festival 2026 races. This means that any bets taken for The Cheltenham Festival with these firms will result in stakes being returned in the event of the horse not taking part in any given race, regardless of the reason.
The Lucky 15 Acca
Leg 1: OLD PARK STAR, The Supreme Novices Hurdle, Tuesday 10th March
Nicky Henderson has another superstar on his books in the shape of Old Park Star. Transferred from Paul Nicholls to Seven Barrows last October, the horse has blossomed under Henderson’s guidance.
Registering an easy win over course and distance in December, he demonstrated great versatility at Haydock (a course that requires stamina as well as speed) to decimate a quality field there.
He is a slick jumper, stays up the Cheltenham hill and nothing from Ireland is close to matching him on current ratings. Henderson’s record in this race is formidable having notched up three winners since 2016 which have included Altior, Shishkin and Constitution Hill.
It certainly looks as if Old Park Star has the talent and ability to be compared with these. An enjoyable way to kick off our Lucky 15 acca. Best odds of 15/8 with bet365 and William Hill NRNB.
Leg 2: ROMEO COOLIO, The Brown Advisory Novices Chase, Wednesday 11th March
A huge conundrum for followers of this Gordon Elliott trained novice chaser who has demonstrated startling improvement this season by winning four on the bounce, three of them Grade One victories. But where will he go?
The Arkle was always at the centre of the destination plans; however, his staying credentials were firmly established with a gutsy win over Kargese last time out in the Irish Arkle Grade One.
To add to the mix, Elliott has also entered him for The Ryanair Chase, although it is unlikely connections will want the horse going up against such seasoned performers.
It is highly likely therefore that the horse will be destined for the stayer’s novice event on Day Two, The Brown Advisory. Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes may prove too pacey for the likes of Romeo Coolio in The Arkle.
Romeo Coolio is available at 4/1 NRNB with William Hill and this could be considerably shorter if this is the final plan.
Leg 3: DINOBLUE, The Mares Chase, Friday 13th March
Hard to see beyond the Willie Mullins trained Dinoblue in this renewal of the Mares Chase. She won last year’s race in splendid fashion, beating the field by eight lengths. Dinoblue has won her last two starts impressively and she will be primed to regain her title on the final day.
Best odds of 7/4 NRNB with William Hill.
Leg 4: HAITI COULEURS, The Cheltenham Gold Cup, Friday 13th March
Haiti Couleurs is now the highest rated staying chaser in the UK and since his brilliant Challenge Cup victory at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, he has gone from strength to strength. He is progressive, gallops, stays, loves the Cheltenham hill and is a proper battler: ideal characteristics for a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.
His latest run in The Welsh National demonstrated just how tough this horse is. Only a couple of question marks remain, however. His one outing in Group One company was an out and out flop in the Betfair Chase last November but a line was drawn through that, and it was most likely a case of blowing out the start of season cobwebs.
But he has had a lot of runs this season and memories are rekindled of Native River’s 2016-2017 season where the Tizzard trained legend landed the Hennessey and Welsh National but ran a bit flat in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, possibly down to fatigue.
Nevertheless, this is a quality staying horse who looks to have the right credentials to be the first British trained winner of the blue riband of steeple chasing since Native River himself obliged in 2018. Best odds of 8/1 NRNB with bet365, William Hill, Betfred and Boylesports.
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