The Cheltenham Festival 2026 returns to Prestbury Park in March for four days that once again define the National Hunt season. From the opening roar that greets the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday to the closing drama of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, this meeting remains the most important and most scrutinised fixture in jump racing.
From a betting perspective, Cheltenham is also the most demanding week of the year. Large fields, evolving race targets, and the ever-present risk of late withdrawals mean markets can change rapidly. That context makes bet365 offering Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) ante-post prices on all 28 Cheltenham Festival races particularly relevant for anyone planning bets ahead of March.
And now, in the week ahead of the start of the festival for real, bet365 has announced its own Cheltenham Festival hub which is packed with the latest antepost odds for all races, a list of Cheltenham Festival betting offers and features (including a Cheltenham Festival 6 Horses game for each day of the festival) and much more besides.
This guide covers the Festival’s background, explains why it holds such weight in the sporting calendar, provides the latest Cheltenham Festival news, and delivers a complete race-by-race breakdown with start times and 2025 winners.
First staged in the early 1900s, the Cheltenham Festival has evolved into the centrepiece of National Hunt racing. It is the meeting trainers plan for months in advance, jockeys measure their careers by, and horses are judged against the strongest opposition they will ever face.
Cheltenham’s undulating track places unique demands on stamina, balance, and jumping accuracy. Those characteristics, combined with consistently deep fields, are what make the Festival such a compelling betting event year after year.
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With the Cheltenham Festival 2026 now just around the corner, excitement is rapidly building ahead of the four-day meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse from 10–13 March 2026. Trainers across Britain and Ireland are putting the finishing touches to their preparations, while the betting markets continue to shift as punters react to final trial performances and confirmed entries.
This year’s Festival is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Unlike previous renewals where several races featured strong odds-on favourites, the current markets suggest a far more open meeting with a number of championship contests lacking a dominant horse. As a result, many races look extremely competitive heading into the final week of preparations.
Attendance is once again expected to be enormous, with Gold Cup Day already sold out and the other three days also seeing very strong ticket demand. Cheltenham remains the centrepiece of the National Hunt calendar, and the 2026 meeting promises another four days of high-quality racing featuring the sport’s best horses, trainers and jockeys.
Several runners have emerged as major contenders for the Festival’s biggest races following strong performances earlier in the season.
The Champion Hurdle picture continues to evolve, with The New Lion widely considered one of the leading contenders for the two-mile championship race. The horse has impressed throughout the season with a combination of speed and stamina that could prove well suited to Cheltenham’s demanding uphill finish.
In the novice division, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is likely to feature a large and highly competitive field. Old Park Star has been attracting significant support following an impressive series of performances and could arrive at Cheltenham as one of the leading contenders for the opening race of the Festival.
The Arkle Challenge Trophy also looks particularly strong this year, with Lulamba emerging as one of the most exciting novice chasers in training. His bold jumping and aggressive running style have already made him a popular choice among early bettors.
The Champion Chase division has also seen a major shift following the injury setback suffered by last year’s winner Marine Nationale. That development has allowed Majborough to move into favouritism after an impressive victory in the Dublin Chase earlier in the season.
Meanwhile the Ryanair Chase could see one of the strongest favourites of the meeting in action. Fact To File has produced several dominant displays over intermediate distances and currently looks a major contender for the Thursday feature.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup remains wide open. Several horses remain under consideration for the race and the final field may not become clear until declarations are confirmed during Festival week.
One of the off-track announcements ahead of this year’s meeting is the renaming of the Hunters’ Chase on the final day of the Festival. The race will now be run as the Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase, recognising Princess Anne’s long-standing contribution to equestrian sport.
Princess Anne competed in the Olympic Games in 1976 and has maintained a lifelong connection to horse sport. The renaming adds a new chapter to the history of one of Cheltenham’s most traditional races.
As the Festival approaches, attention is turning to the stables expected to play a major role in this year’s meeting. Several leading trainers are preparing strong teams across the 28-race programme.
Willie Mullins once again appears set to arrive at Cheltenham with one of the strongest teams at the meeting. The Irish trainer has dominated the Festival in recent seasons and is expected to field runners in many of the major races.
Among his leading contenders is Majborough, who has established himself as one of the standout two-mile chasers of the season and a leading candidate for the Champion Chase. His jumping ability and pace over fences have made him one of the most talked-about horses heading into the Festival.
Mullins is also expected to send a large number of runners into the novice hurdle races. Old Park Star is one of several horses from the yard who could feature prominently in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Another key runner from the Mullins stable is Fact To File, whose impressive performances this season have made him one of the strongest contenders for the Ryanair Chase.
Given the depth of his team across both Grade 1 races and handicaps, Mullins will once again be a strong contender to finish the Festival as leading trainer.
Nicky Henderson remains Britain’s most successful Cheltenham Festival trainer and his Seven Barrows yard is expected to send several major contenders to the meeting.
The Henderson stable has traditionally targeted the championship hurdle races and novice divisions. The New Lion is among the horses expected to carry strong British hopes in the Champion Hurdle this year.
Henderson’s runners are often campaigned carefully throughout the season with Cheltenham as the primary objective, meaning many of his horses arrive at the Festival fresh and ready to peak at the right time.
Dan Skelton continues to strengthen his position as one of Britain’s leading National Hunt trainers. His yard has become increasingly competitive at Cheltenham, particularly in handicap races where his horses frequently outperform their odds.
Skelton is expected to send runners across several novice hurdle and chase races during the week. His attention to detail and ability to prepare horses specifically for Cheltenham conditions has led to an increasing number of Festival winners in recent seasons.
Gordon Elliott remains one of Ireland’s most successful trainers at the Festival and will once again bring a powerful squad to the meeting.
His horses are particularly effective in staying races and handicaps where stamina and determination are essential. Elliott-trained runners often improve significantly for the Cheltenham challenge and many of his horses are aimed directly at the Festival throughout the season.
Paul Nicholls continues to lead the British challenge from his Ditcheat yard. The multiple champion trainer has enjoyed many Cheltenham successes during his career and will once again send a competitive team to the meeting.
Nicholls’ runners often perform well in both novice chases and established championship races. His horses are typically strong jumpers and well suited to the demanding Cheltenham track.
With final declarations approaching, the 2026 Cheltenham Festival is shaping up to deliver one of the most competitive renewals in recent years. The absence of clear favourites in several championship races means many contests remain wide open.
Irish trainers once again appear to hold a strong hand, but the British yards will be hoping to challenge across the four days of racing. As always, Cheltenham will provide the ultimate test of stamina, jumping ability and tactical awareness.
Over the coming days, further announcements regarding confirmed runners and race declarations will provide a clearer picture of how the Festival fields are shaping up. For now, anticipation continues to build for another memorable week at jump racing’s biggest event.
With Cheltenham 2026 approaching, the build-up across the National Hunt scene is gathering pace. Entries are being finalised, trainers are clarifying Festival targets, jockey arrangements are beginning to take shape, and ante-post betting markets remain reactive to every significant development.
Cheltenham preparation is rarely linear. Targets shift, ground conditions remain uncertain until late, and final declarations are only made close to race week. That uncertainty is a defining feature of the Festival and a key reason why Cheltenham betting demands flexibility and timing.
The Cheltenham Festival entry process follows a staggered structure, with championship races taking priority. Early January saw initial entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Ryanair Chase, providing the first clear signals of trainer intent for the meeting’s biggest prizes.
Entries for the remaining Grade 1 races and supporting contests followed through January and February. Handicap entries traditionally stay open slightly longer, allowing connections to assess form, fitness, and handicap marks before committing.
Final declarations are made much closer to race week, usually 48 hours before each race, meaning definitive line-ups for Champion Day are not confirmed until the Sunday immediately before the Festival begins.
As the season progresses, trainer comments and race placement offer increasingly clear clues about Cheltenham intentions.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup remains the focal point of the meeting, and early entries point towards another deep and competitive renewal. Several established staying chasers have been entered, while others are being managed carefully with March as the clear objective.
Many leading Gold Cup contenders have followed lighter campaigns, avoiding demanding mid-season races in order to arrive fresh at Cheltenham. This approach is increasingly common among top-level stayers, particularly those with previous Festival experience.
Alongside the proven names, a small group of improving chasers have emerged as potential challengers after strong Grade 1 performances, ensuring the Gold Cup market remains fluid.
The Champion Hurdle market has seen notable movement following confirmation that one former Champion Hurdle winner will not be aimed at the race, with connections instead exploring alternative routes away from hurdling. That decision has widened the betting picture, encouraging support for younger and less exposed contenders.
At the same time, trainers with leading novice hurdlers are weighing up whether to step into championship company or remain within novice divisions. Horses entered in multiple races continue to influence market confidence as those decisions edge closer.
As a result, the Champion Hurdle remains one of the most open championship races heading into Cheltenham 2026.
Novice races remain a major focus, particularly the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Novices’ Chase, and Triumph Hurdle.
Several horses that impressed earlier in the season now have clearer Festival targets, while others remain flexible depending on ground conditions and the strength of opposition. Trainers are often reluctant to commit publicly until late, preferring to preserve options.
In the juvenile ranks, strong trial performances have already driven significant market moves, with some horses shortening quickly once connections confirmed they would remain over hurdles rather than switch discipline.
While many jockey arrangements are finalised late, patterns are starting to emerge. Stable jockeys at major yards are expected to side with leading Festival hopes, while retained riders face difficult choices when multiple runners from the same yard hold strong claims in a single race.
These decisions can have a noticeable impact on betting markets, particularly in championship contests where experience at Cheltenham is a significant factor.
Late jockey switches and new partnerships will be closely monitored, especially in handicap races where positioning and timing are often decisive.
Not all developments are positive. A number of high-profile horses have already been ruled out of Cheltenham 2026 due to setbacks or revised campaigns. While early withdrawals are not unusual, they can still reshape ante-post markets, particularly where a horse had been well supported.
These situations underline the inherent uncertainty of ante-post betting and help explain why NRNB markets are attracting increased attention.
Cheltenham betting markets remain highly responsive to trial results, trainer comments, and entry confirmations.
The Gold Cup market has gradually narrowed around a small group of leading contenders, with prices tightening following solid mid-season runs. Despite that, depth remains a defining feature, and support continues to appear for horses perceived to be improving rather than fully exposed.
The Champion Hurdle has been among the most volatile markets, influenced by the absence of one former winner and the rise of progressive alternatives. Market confidence continues to shift after each significant performance.
The Arkle and Brown Advisory markets have reacted sharply to jumping displays in graded company. Reliable jumping under pressure has been rewarded, while any fencing errors tend to result in immediate market drift.
One of the most notable betting developments ahead of Cheltenham 2026 is bet365 offering Non-Runner No Bet markets on all 28 Festival races.
If a selected horse does not take part, stakes are returned, reducing one of the traditional risks associated with ante-post betting. As a result, many bettors are engaging with Cheltenham markets earlier than usual, particularly in championship races where final fields can take time to settle.
NRNB terms have increased liquidity and helped stabilise prices in races that would otherwise be driven heavily by speculation.
Several key phases remain before Festival week:
Each of these developments has the potential to influence both perception and pricing.
Champion Day sets the tone for the entire Festival. It opens with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and builds toward the Champion Hurdle, combining emerging talent with proven championship class. Competitive handicaps such as the Ultima and Plate ensure sustained betting interest throughout the day.
1.20pm – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
2025 winner: Kopek Des Bordes
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/supreme-novices-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
2.00pm – Arkle Novices’ Chase
2025 winner: Jango Baie
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/arkle-novices-chase?affiliate=365_051860
2.40pm – Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
2025 winner: Puturhandstogether
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/juvenile-handicap-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
3.20pm – Ultima Handicap Chase
2025 winner: Myretown
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/ultima-handicap-chase?affiliate=365_051860
4.00pm – Champion Hurdle
2025 winner: Golden Ace
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/champion-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
4.40pm – Plate Handicap Chase
2025 winner: Haiti Couleurs
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/plate-handicap-chase?affiliate=365_051860
5.20pm – Novices’ Handicap Chase
2025 winner: Haiti Couleurs
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/novices-handicap-chase?affiliate=365_051860
Ladies Day combines championship quality with some of the most competitive betting races of the entire Festival. The Queen Mother Champion Chase brings speed and precision to the fore, while novice chasers are tested over longer distances in the Brown Advisory. Handicaps such as the Coral Cup and Grand Annual ensure deep, puzzle-like markets throughout the afternoon, before the Champion Bumper closes proceedings with an eye firmly on future Festival stars.
1.20pm – Turners Novices’ Hurdle
2025 winner: The New Lion
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/turners-novices-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
2.00pm – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
2025 winner: Lecky Watson
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/brown-advisory-novices-chase?affiliate=365_051860
2.40pm – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
2025 winner: Jimmy Du Seuil
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/coral-cup?affiliate=365_051860
3.20pm – Cross Country Handicap Chase
2025 winner: Stumptown
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/cross-country-chase?affiliate=365_051860
4.00pm – Queen Mother Champion Chase
2025 winner: Marine Nationale
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/champion-chase?affiliate=365_051860
4.40pm – Grand Annual Handicap Chase
2025 winner: Jazzy Matty
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/grand-annual?affiliate=365_051860
5.20pm – Champion Bumper
2025 winner: Bambino Fever
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/champion-bumper?affiliate=365_051860
St Patrick’s Thursday is widely regarded as the stamina test of the Cheltenham Festival. The focus shifts toward resilience and race management, with staying races dominating the card. The Stayers’ Hurdle and Pertemps Final place heavy emphasis on endurance, while the Ryanair Chase delivers elite quality at an intermediate trip. With a strong Irish presence both on and off the track, Thursday often produces some of the most emotionally charged moments of the week.
1.20pm – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
2025 winner: Air Of Entitlement
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/mares-novices-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
2.00pm – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
2025 winner: Caldwell Potter
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/novices-handicap-chase-limited?affiliate=365_051860
2.40pm – Mares’ Hurdle
2025 winner: Lossiemouth
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/mares-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
3.20pm – Stayers’ Hurdle
2025 winner: Bob Olinger
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/stayers-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
4.00pm – Ryanair Chase
2025 winner: Fact To File
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/ryanair-chase?affiliate=365_051860
4.40pm – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
2025 winner: Doddiethegreat
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/pertemps-final?affiliate=365_051860
5.20pm – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Chase
2025 winner: Daily Present
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/kim-muir?affiliate=365_051860
Gold Cup Day is the sporting and emotional climax of the Cheltenham Festival. Every race on the card carries added weight, but all attention ultimately turns to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the most prestigious prize in National Hunt racing. From the Triumph Hurdle for juveniles to the gruelling Albert Bartlett, the supporting races are relentlessly demanding. By Friday afternoon, endurance, preparation, and composure often matter as much as raw ability.
1.20pm – Triumph Hurdle
2025 winner: Poniros
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/triumph-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
2.00pm – County Handicap Hurdle
2025 winner: Kargese
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/county-handicap-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
2.40pm – Mares’ Chase
2025 winner: Dinoblue
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/mares-chase?affiliate=365_051860
3.20pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
2025 winner: Jasmin De Vaux
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/albert-bartlett?affiliate=365_051860
4.00pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup
2025 winner: Inothewayurthinkin
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/gold-cup?affiliate=365_051860
4.40pm – Hunters’ Chase
2025 winner: Wonderwall
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/hunters-chase?affiliate=365_051860
5.20pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
2025 winner: Wodhooh
NRNB market:
https://www.bet365.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/martin-pipe-hurdle?affiliate=365_051860
Alongside all the antepost betting options available above, bet365 has confirmed that it will be offering its customers a range of Cheltenham festival betting promotions.
These include:
What is Non-Runner No Bet at Cheltenham?
NRNB means stakes are returned if a selected horse does not run, allowing earlier betting with reduced exposure.
How many races are run at the Cheltenham Festival?
There are 28 races across four days.
When is the Cheltenham Gold Cup run?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on Friday 13 March 2026 at 4.00pm.
What time does racing start and finish each day?
Racing runs from 1.20pm to 5.20pm on all four days.
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