Everything you need to know about the 2026 Cheltenham Festival

Horse Racing

Ma Shantou and jockey Ben Jones win the Grade 2 Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle for trainer Emma Lavelle and owner Mighty Acorn Stables

Racing365
January 27, 2026 11:35 am

The Cheltenham Festival remains the most important four days in the National Hunt calendar, attracting racing’s elite horses, trainers, jockeys and fans to Prestbury Park each March.

If you’re wondering when is the Cheltenham Festival, what’s at stake, or which big names are expected to shine, here’s your full guide to the 2026 edition — including key storylines and the latest horse racing odds talking points.

Dates & schedule

The 2026 Cheltenham Festival will take place from Tuesday, 10 March, to Friday, 13 March. As usual, each day features a seven-race card packed with elite-level talent.

How many races are there?

There are 28 races staged across the four days of action — 14 of which are Grade 1s. From novice contests and handicaps to iconic championship events, the meeting offers a high-quality blend of emerging stars and established greats.

The Championship races

The Championship races headline each day and are among the most prestigious contests in jumps racing:

• Champion Hurdle (Tuesday) – The top two-mile hurdling test.
• Champion Chase (Wednesday) – A fast and furious Grade 1 for 2m chasers.
• Stayers’ Hurdle (Thursday) – A stamina-sapping 3m hurdle for staying stars.
• Gold Cup (Friday) – The blue riband event; the most coveted chase in the sport.

These races often define careers — and punctuate the Festival’s biggest narrative arcs.

Trainers to follow

The modern Cheltenham landscape has been dominated by a handful of powerhouse yards, with depth, talent and tactical excellence making them perennial threats. Expect major success from:

• Willie Mullins – The Festival’s all-time leading trainer.
• Nicky Henderson – A stalwart with an unmatched record in many of the top races.
• Dan Skelton – Growing his Festival tally with improving string and placement.
• Gordon Elliott – No stranger to multiple winners and high-class staying types.

These names have both the ammunition and the experience to make a major impact throughout the week.

Jockeys to follow

Top races require top riders — and the Festival rarely rewards inexperience. Key jockeys to monitor include:

• Paul Townend – Stable jockey for Mullins; guaranteed to pick several winners each year to add to his tally of 38 Festival victories.
• Jack Kennedy – Retained rider for Gordon Elliott; injuries have plagued him in recent years, but he will have several big chances in 2026.
• Nico de Boinville – Number one rider for Henderson; holds the record for the most Grade 1s of any active British rider, as well as 17 Cheltenham Festival winners.
• Harry Skelton – Formed a formidable team with his brother Dan. Cheltenham Festival tally has grown to 10, with six winners in the last three years.
• Patrick Mullins – Assistant trainer to his father, Mullins is also one of the sport’s best Amateur jockeys. His rides are often worth noting in the Champion Bumper and National Hunt Challenge Cup.

Horses to follow in 2026

The 2026 Festival is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent years, with established champions set to clash with rising stars.

Gold Cup Storylines

The Gold Cup could be the race of the decade, with multiple narrative threads converging:

• Galopin Des Champs – Seeking a historic hat-trick.
• Inothewayurthinkin – Last year’s winner aiming for back-to-back titles.
• The Jukebox Man – King George hero with the stamina profile to trouble both.

Festival atmosphere & attendance

Cheltenham is famous for its unique amphitheatre of noise, especially as the field turns for home and the crowd’s “Cheltenham Roar” lifts the runners down the hill.

Around 250,000+ fans typically attend across the four days, with demand for Friday’s Gold Cup always especially fierce.