(3.5 minutes read)
The first day of Cheltenham Festival 2026 is finally with us! Get ready for 4 days of frenzied and dramatic betting fever! 28 races of the highest calibre representing the greatest show on turf. Today’s feature race is The Champion Hurdle.
Can The New Lion regain his form or will Brighterdaysahead defy unfavourable ground and win a first Champion Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott? And of course, there is the legendary Lossiemouth who will bring the house down if she can regain her Mares Hurdle winning form.
There is plenty of action today including Grade Ones and such as The Arkle and ample handicap betting action.
Are you ready for The Cheltenham roar?
Best Cheltenham Festival bets provided by our partner firms Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
Travel Details For Cheltenham Festival 2026
Parking
Car parking at the Racecourse itself has now sold out for all four days. Cars will be turned away unless a valid pre-booked ticket can be produced.
Park & Ride
Located directly off Junction 11 of the M5, the park & ride service provides a bus service from Arle Court to the Transport Hub at The Cheltenham Festival.
Buses will leave from Loading Bay at Arle Court, First bus inbound will run at 09:15 and the last at 14:30. Return buses outbound will run from 16:00 until 19:30.
Facilities are available at Arle Court, including toilets, baby changing facilities and hot drinks cart.
Return buses will leave from our day-to-day purple transport hub.
Trains
If you are coming in by train from Birmingham New Street, a queuing system will be in operation so as to stop dangerous congestion on the platforms due to the sheer volume of racegoers heading to The Cheltenham Festival. Allow plenty of time.
Shuttle buses at Cheltenham Spa will be available on the station forecourt.
ITV Televised Race Schedule
1.20pm The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 1/3f
2.00pm The Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m
2.40pm The McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap) 2m 1/2f
3.20pm The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 1f
4.00pm The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 1/2f
4.40pm The Sun Racing Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap) 2m 4f
Race Previews
1.20pm The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 1/3f
Old Park Star comes into this as a warm order for trainer Nicky Henderson but he’s been here before with Altior, Shishkin and Constitution Hill. Can Old Park Star join these illustrious greats or is there an Irish spanner in the works?
Mighty Park comes here with a big reputation for Willie Mullins. He bamboozled the field in a maiden, but this is a big step up in class.
SELECTION: OLD PARK STAR 5/2 with Bet Victor
2.00pm The Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m
The market suggests this could be a battle between Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes. 
Kargese looks to be the biggest threat.
SELECTION: KOPEK DES BORDES 6/4 with Bet365
2.40pm The McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap) 2m 1/2f
Extremely wide-open Fred Winter juvenile handicap hurdle. Saratoga leads the market, but we like the look of Manlaga who impressed at Haydock last time out and looks nicely unexposed. Bet365 offering 6 places in this race
SELECTION: MANLAGA 7/1 with William Hill or 13/2 with Bet365 (paying 6 places)
3.20pm The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 1f
The classy Jagwar loves this track and will hope to go one better from his December Gold Cup runner-up spot to Donnacha. The Paul Nicholls trained Quebecois has been well backed and also looks leniently treated by the handicapper.
SELECTION: QUEBECOIS 10/1 Bet365 paying 6 places.
4.00pm THE UNIBET CHAMPION HURDLE (Grade 1) 2m 1/2f
The feature race of the day and a fascinating renewal of the 2-mile senior hurdling championship. 
No Constitution Hill or State Man and plenty of question marks regarding the market leaders The New Lion, Brighterdaysahead and reigning champion Golden Ace regarding the ground, form, and ability. Surely this is a shoe in for the mighty Lossiemouth?
Check out our full preview of the race here.
SELECTION: LOSSIEMOUTH 15/8 with Bet365
4.40pm The Sun Racing Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap) 2m 4f
We round off the televised action with a cracking handicap betting heat. McLaurey and Madara lead the market but there are plenty in with a shout. Booster Bob for Olly Murphy looks to be well treated at the weights.
SELECTION: BOOSTER BOB 14/1 with Boylesports paying 6 places.
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 Bankers For Cheltenham Festival 2026
- Best Handicap Bets For Cheltenham Festival 2026
- The Champion Hurdle Tuesday March 10th
- The Champion Chase Wednesday 11th March
- Cheltenham Festival Free Bets 2026!
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