Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 1: Racing's Grand Opening with Full Schedule and Betting Analysis
The thunderous roar of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 echoes across Prestbury Park today as the most anticipated racing week of the year officially commences. Champion Day launches the festival with seven spectacular races, beginning with the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle this afternoon and culminating in the National Hunt Novices Handicap Chase.
Champion Hurdle Showdown: A Crown Without Its King
All attention focuses intensely on the 4:00pm Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, where a significant void demands filling following Constitution Hill's withdrawal last month. Last year's dramatic event witnessed high-profile falls from both Constitution Hill and State Man, allowing Golden Ace to seize victory. The defending champion returns this year, but faces formidable competition from early favorite The New Lion, trained by Dan Skelton.
Complete Day 1 Race Schedule
The opening day's racing program unfolds as follows:
- 1:20pm: Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
- 2:00pm: Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase
- 2:40pm: Mccoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
- 3:20pm: Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase
- 4:00pm: Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
- 4:40pm: Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase
- 5:20pm: National Hunt Novices Handicap Chase
Detailed Race Odds and Contenders
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle: Old Park Star leads as 9/4 favorite, followed closely by Mighty Park at 10/3. El Cairos stands at 13/2, with Talk The Talk at 7/1 and Mydaddypaddy at 10/1. Longer shots include Leader d'Allier (12/1), Sober Glory (14/1), and extreme outsiders like Sageborough at 150/1.
Arkle Chase: Kopek Des Bordes holds 7/4 favoritism, with Lulamba at 15/8 and Kargese at 5/1. Romeo Coolio sits at 7/1, while Irish Panther represents 14/1 value. The field stretches to distant contenders including Break My Soul at 125/1.
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Saratoga tops this competitive field at 11/2, followed by Winston Junior at 13/2 and Manlaga at 7/1. The extensive lineup includes numerous 16/1 chances and reaches to Berto Ramirez at 100/1.
Handicap Chase: Jaguar commands 7/2 favoritism, with Iroko at 6/1 and Hyland at 8/1. Johnnywho and Quebecois both stand at 9/1, while Myretown represents 10/1 value. The field extends to Stolen Silver at 100/1.
Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy: Lossiemouth leads at 13/8, with The New Lion close behind at 11/4. Brighterdaysahead offers 9/2 value, while defending champion Golden Ace sits at 10/1. Poniros (14/1), Alexei (18/1), and Anzadam (20/1) complete the serious contenders, with Workahead the longest shot at 66/1.
Second Handicap Chase: Madara holds 7/2 favoritism, followed by McLaurey at 4/1. Three contenders share 8/1 odds: Down Memory Lane, Downmexicoway, and Will The Wise. The field includes Booster Bob at 11/1 and extends to Embittered at 100/1.
National Hunt Novices Handicap Chase: Backmersackme leads at 10/3, with Newton Tornado at 5/1. Wade Out and Iceberg Theory both stand at 13/2, while One Big Bang represents 7/1 value. The lineup includes Kurasso Blue at 11/1 and reaches Holyoke at 40/1.
Television Coverage and Viewing Information
ITV1 and ITVX provide comprehensive live coverage beginning at 12:45pm, broadcasting the majority of today's racing action. Racing TV takes over for the final two races of the day, ensuring complete festival coverage for viewers.
Expert Betting Tips and Analysis
Sky Bet ambassadors Oli Bell and Ed Chamberlin offer their professional insights for Day 1's featured races:
1:20pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle: Ed Chamberlin strongly favors Old Park Star at 2/1, stating: "The big question is who will be standing at the top after the Sky Bet Supreme, and I think the answer is Old Park Star. Mighty Park has been talked up as the next coming, which makes Old Park Star a backable price with Sky Bet. I know the Henderson team think the world of him now."
4:00pm Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy: Oli Bell identifies Tutti Quanti as significant value at 22/1, explaining: "Tutti Quanti is overpriced in the Champions Hurdle and I'm the only one seemingly blabbering on about it. I was so impressed with him at Newbury – yes he has to improve, but I think he's really talented."
5:20pm National Hunt Novices Handicap Chase: Oli Bell also highlights Newton Tornado at 5/1, noting: "Newton Tornado later on in the card, I think Rebecca Curtis has primed this horse to run a big race with Sean Flanagan on board. I'm landing on Winston Junior for Faye Bramley, who bolted up last time and could be well treated."
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 promises four days of unparalleled racing excitement, with today's Champion Day setting the stage for what could become another legendary chapter in jump racing history. From the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle to the concluding National Hunt Novices Handicap Chase, every race offers compelling narratives, competitive fields, and valuable betting opportunities for both seasoned punters and casual racing enthusiasts.
