(3 minutes read)
It is certainly not a vintage year for bombproof Cheltenham Festival bankers! For the first time in many years, there is only one odds on favourite (Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase) in the Cheltenham Festival 2026 markets.
It is one of the most open Cheltenham Festivals in recent years with plenty of competitive racing and a bonanza for betting. However, we have managed to single out four potential Cheltenham bankers to form a Yankee acca!
Best Cheltenham Festival bets provided by our partner firms, bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
Non-Runner No Bet: NRNB
All of our firms are now offering NRNB (Non-Runner No Bet) for the races mentioned in this preview. This means that any bets placed on these Cheltenham Festival 2026 races will be refunded if the horse fails to participate in a race for whatever given reason.
The Bankers
Old Park Star, The Supreme Novices Hurdle, Day 1 Tuesday 10th March
As featured in our Lucky 15 Acca Cheltenham Festival 2026 preview, this Nicky Henderson progressive novice hurdler is a warm order for the opening race on Day 1, The Supreme Novices Hurdle.
In his latest work in a gallop at Kempton, trainer Nicky Henderson was so impressed with Old Park Star that he remarked “"Tell our friends across the sea that he is flying and stay at home!" Fighting talk indeed! But it is difficult to see what may get close to him based on his excellent performances thus far.
Talk The Talk and El Cairos have certainly demonstrated ability but will need to improve markedly and Old Park Star already has an impressive course and distance victory under his belt.
As we always say, the ideal Cheltenham banker is always one where the opposition have a lot of question marks. Let us also not forget Nicky Henderson’s excellent recent record in this race having saddled legendary winners Altior, Shishkin and Constitution Hill.
Best odds of 2/1 with William Hill, Betfred and Boylesports.
Stumptown, The Cross Country Chase, Day 2 Wednesday 11th March
This Gavin Cromwell trained nine-year-old simply loves this race. He has won over course and distance twice since December 2024 and it is difficult to see anything else getting close to Stumptown.
Despite showing a disliking for the Grand National trip, the horse simply stays and stays all day. The horse also recently won The Velká pardubická cross-country race in the Czech Republic to demonstrate his versatility.
Best odds of 5/2 NRNB with Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, and Boylesports and this will be much shorter on the day.
Fact To File, The Ryanair Chase, Day 3 Thursday 12th March
There is a lot of discussion regarding this brilliant stayer’s final destination. After the convincing beating of Gaelic Warrior and Galopin Des Champs in The Punchestown Gold Cup last month, thoughts have naturally geared towards The Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Having said that, his performance last season to win The Ryanair Chase was arguably the best of the Festival and connections will be tempted to go for this easier option: The Ryanair is a weaker affair this year in addition, whilst The Cheltenham Gold Cup has a hot British line-up and it would be unknown territory for Fact To File to go down this route.
For the Ryanair, Fact To File is best odds of 4/6 NRNB (Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports) whilst he is trading at 4/1 for The Cheltenham Gold Cup with Bet365, William Hill and Boylesports.
Dinoblue, The Mares Chase, Day 4 Friday 13th March
As also featured in our Cheltenham Festival Lucky 15 Acca, the Willie Mullins trained Dinoblue comes to the Mares Chase as a very warm order indeed. She has convincingly won her last two starts after a somewhat surprising defeat to the Gordon Elliott trained Found A Fifty back in November.
Threats may come from Spindleberry and Paddy Power winner Panic Attack, but they will both have to improve significantly to get competitive with this reigning Mares Chase champion. Best odds of 7/4 NRNB with William Hill.
Recap
Old Park Star, The Supreme Novices Hurdle, Day 1 Tuesday 10th March
2/1 with William Hill, Betfred and Boylesports.
Stumptown, The Cross Country Chase, Day 2 Wednesday 11th March
5/2 NRNB with Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
Fact To File, The Ryanair Chase, Day 3 Thursday 12th March
4/6 NRNB with Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
Dinoblue, The Mares Chase, Day 4 Friday 13th March
7/4 NRNB with William Hill.
MORE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2026
- Lucky 15 Acca For Cheltenham Festival 2026
- Best Long Shot Bets For Cheltenham Festival 2026
- Cheltenham Festival 2026 Event Page!
- How To Watch Cheltenham Festival 2026 in Benidorm!
- Dark Horses For Cheltenham Festival 2026
- Best Handicap Bets For Cheltenham Festival 2026
- The Champion Hurdle Tuesday March 10th
- The Champion Chase Wednesday 11th March
- The Cheltenham Gold Cup Friday March 13th
- Cheltenham Festival Free Bets 2026!
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (10am 3rd March 2026) and are subject to change
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