Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Day One



13:20 - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Kicking things off for the week with a more open renewal of the Supreme than in some recent years, at the time of writing nothing is jumping out at the prices. I’m sitting on a few small ante-post slips for OLD PARK STAR who sets the standard here for Nicky Henderson and he’s certainly the right favourite. The money in the past week  or so was for MIGHTY PARK for Willie Mullins (money since dried up and drifting), it would be some effort to land this off the back of one run over hurdles - albeit a very impressive one. He won by a whopping 28 lengths at Fairyhouse and while visually impressive performances like that can sometimes be misleading, some of the timefigure boys seem to rate that run very highly.

The facts are that at this stage OLD PARK STAR is the only one to run to Supreme winning figures so far this season, something may improve past him - but I’m going to stick with him here I think the current 5/2 on offer is probably fair.

OLD PARK STAR 5/2 - 1 Point Win


15:20 - Ultima Handicap Chase

When looking through some trends for this race on the excellent GaultStats.com one stood out - all winners of this race this century had run a career best RPR over at least 3 miles. That would put a line through the current fav JAGWAR. He is one of three for JP McManus here, with current Grand National favourite IROKO another strong contender. But it is supposed third string who interests me here - JOHNNYWHO. I still can’t quite get my head around how Jonjo O’Neill’s charge got beat at the festival last year, when an agonising 2nd in the Kim Muir. He subsequently ran well enough in the Irish Grand National off 146, when not best positioned in rear behind this years gold cup contender Haiti Couleurs.

He jumped like a drunk goat at Ascot on his penultimate start but somehow still rattled home like a train to be beaten only half a length in third. Last time was a quiet run but they would’ve had this in mind, he’s also had a wind op and sports first time cheek pieces. Back down to 146 if his jumping holds up better I see him bang there at the finish.

The 2nd from that Ascot race mentioned above was LEAVE OF ABSENCE who looked desperately unlucky not to win, having been travelling all over the field turning in - only to make a big error two fences from home. He was subsequently very well backed in a grade 2 behind Haiti Couleurs at Haydock, which was surprising as that was on desperate ground which he doesn’t seem to handle. Back on a sounder surface here he must have a big chance off just 1lb higher than the Ascot run.

With extended places on offer and not having majorly strong opinions on the graded races on the first day, I’ll take a third pick in the shape of RESPLENDENT GREY. He ran a strange race in the National Hunt Chase last year at the festival, after looking like he was going to drop out the back of the TV at one point, he stayed on very well to finish a respectable 4th. He went on to win the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown subsequently and although he is now up to a mark of 153 I’d say he deserves it. He’s 2-2 in first time headgear and the first time blinkers go on today.


JOHNNYWHO 12/1 - 1 Point Each-Way

LEAVE OF ABSENCE 20/1 - 0.5 Point Each-Way

RESPLENDENT GREY 20/1 - 0.5 Point Each-Way

Use firms paying 6 places


16:40 - Festival Plate Handicap Chase

MADARA is an obvious standout in here but I think is still worth backing at 7/2 each way with 6 places available. He has some excellent course and distance form here, including a never nearer 4th in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November 2024 off 141, followed by a 2nd over this trip on the new course. A long absence meant he wasn’t seen until 27th December 2025 where he was ridden so quietly the stewards questioned Harry Skelton after the race. Most recently he was anchored out the back of the field at Kempton last month and made some eye-catching late headway, which was enough to protect this mark of 140. This race has clearly been the plan and bar a fall it is difficult not to see him in the picture come the finish.

MADARA 7/2 - 1.5 Points Each Way

Use firms paying 6 places


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