Cheltenham Festival 2026 Betting Preview– Day Two
Yesterday was a day for the Mares and a day for horses ridden close to the pace. The Mares accounted for three winners — Kargese, Lossiemouth and Holloway Queen.
Prominent racers fared excellently, with 5 of the 7 winners described as “made all”, “raced in second”, “prominent” or “in touch with leaders.” Johnnywho and Madara won their respective races from midfield, but notably no horse ridden further back than midfield at the start managed to win.
Looking at the placed horses behind the winners, there were also several runners where the pace simply held up.
Racing continues on the Old Course for Day Two, before switching to the New Course on Thursday and Friday. In my opinion, we again want to focus on horses likely to be ridden prominently.
If you’d rather skip the analysis and go straight to the selections, feel free to scroll down to the picks for each race.
TURNERS NOVICES’ HURDLE - 2m 5f (Grade One) - Old Course
10 of the last 12 winners were trained in Ireland
The previous 16 winners had all won at least one bumper
Only 1 of the last 35 winners failed to finish 1st or 2nd last time out
Only 1 of the last 20 winners had failed to win a bumper
Nicky Henderson is 1-22 in this race
Paul Nicholls is 0-10 since 2000
No Drama This End
Looks a serious prospect. He jumps fantastically well and looks a similar type to The New Lion, who won this race last year.
He won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury, the same race The New Lion won before landing this. Historically the Challow hasn’t produced many winners of this race, but that’s perhaps because it’s usually run on soft ground and favours a stayer. The last two renewals have been run on quicker ground.
On form and performances alone he’s hard to oppose. However, Paul Nicholls has a poor record in this race, and the Challow-to-Turners stat is a slight concern. Horses like Denman, Bravemansgame, Stage Star and Hermes Allen all won the Challow before being beaten here.
It puts me massively on the fence. I do think he’s a serious horse, but the trends make me cautious.
Act Of Innocence
A two-time winner from three hurdle starts.
He won on hurdle debut before being beaten by Minella Yoga, when attempting to make all and looking uncomfortable with those tactics while giving away 20lb.
Last time out in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon, a well-known trial for this race, he took a lead, jumped much better and bolted up despite racing wide looking for better ground. He could be one for each-way bets.
Ballyfad
Went down narrowly to Talk The Talk last time out. Ballyfad was strong at the finish but was just touched off late.
I initially thought that form was rock solid, however Talk The Talk disappointed in the Supreme yesterday, which slightly dents confidence.
Apparently he doesn’t show a huge amount at home, but there’s plenty of stamina in his pedigree and he’s a point-to-point winner. This trip could unlock improvement.
He’s 2-2 in bumpers and ticks almost every box — Irish trained, point winner, bumper winner and top rated in the field. The only negative trend is that he’s a 5-year-old.
Even taking the Supreme form into account, I’m struggling to get away from siding with him against the Paul Nicholls runner. Ballyfad tried to make all in a Grade 1 last time and should be close to the pace again.
Skylight Hustle
Winner of his last two races over hurdles and another who should improve for this step up in trip.
He won his only point-to-point and shaped well at Leopardstown when finishing strongly, although Talk The Talk may have beaten him if he hadn’t fallen at the last.
I’ll Sort That
The Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas has produced two winners of this race in the last six years — Envoi Allen (2020) and Bob Olinger (2021).
That race — now known as the Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle — was won by I’ll Sort That this year.
He’s also entered in the Albert Bartlett, but if the ground turns soft he may line up here instead. If he does, he’s a lively outsider.
Selection — Ballyfad
Danger — No Drama This End
BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES’ CHASE - 3m 1f (Grade 1) - Old Course
18/19 winners had finished 1st or 2nd in a graded novice chase
16 of the last 19 winners were aged 7
All of the previous 11 winners were rated 150+
10 of the last 11 winners were 8/1 or shorter
7 of the last 16 ran in the Albert Bartlett the previous year
Since 1996 mares are 0-12 in this race
With Final Demand and Kaid D’Authie likely to adopt similar tactics to their Dublin Racing Festival clash, this race could be run at a strong gallop.
Those two should be on the front end, along with Sixmilebridge and Wingman, so it might suit a horse ridden slightly off the pace.
Six-year-olds struggle in this race — only Don Poli and Florida Pearl have won it in the last 31 years.
Final Demand
Has drifted from a very short price to around 11/2 after a disappointing run at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Paul Townend said he didn’t like being taken on for the lead by Kaid D’Authie, which raises concerns in a bigger field where plenty of horses want to go forward.
Before that defeat he looked fantastic over fences, so he can’t be ruled out entirely — but he does need to bounce back.
Kaid D’Authie
Beat Final Demand last time out with reapplied cheekpieces.
He’s now 2-2 with the headgear, both times sitting right on the pace. You’d imagine the same tactics will be used again.
He was rated 138 over hurdles, but he looks a much better chaser. He’s a huge horse and very slick over fences. I think he can confirm the form.
Romeo Coolio
Ran at the last two festivals. Finished 2nd in the Champion Bumper two years ago and then finished 3rd in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year.
Looks to be the the most talented horse in the race but the trip must be a concern and the fact connections have reached for the hood only heightens those concerns.
Western Fold
Split Kaid D’Authie and Final Demand at Leopardstown.
He made late ground without ever looking like winning, but he might have needed the run. Probably lacks the class of the principals but it was still a respectable effort.
Wendigo
Has more experience over fences than some rivals and ticks plenty of boxes.
He was outpaced at Kempton on quick ground over 3m but flew home late. That speed track probably didn’t suit.
He ran well at the Festival last year, finishing 5th in the Albert Bartlett, staying on strongly after being hampered. The extra distance here looks ideal and with a clean round of jumping he could easily run into a place.
Selection — Kaid D’Authie
Danger — Wendigo
BETMGM CUP - 2m 5f (Premier Handicap) - Old Course
13 of the last 16 winners had run at Cheltenham before
13/18 winners were aged 7 or younger
11/24 winners were French bred
11/17 winners rated in the 140s
4/7 previous winners wore headgear
This tends to favour lightly raced hurdlers capable of improving into better horses next season.
It’s also notoriously difficult — 7 of the last 10 winners were 12/1+, including 50/1, 33/1 and 28/1 shocks.
Storm Heart
Looks a standout to me.
He’s French bred, 7 or younger, and has Cheltenham experience — finishing 5th behind Majborough in the 2024 Triumph.
Rated 151, which is slightly higher than the typical trend, but if Danny Mullins can get him settled just behind the leaders he could pounce late.
The Yellow Clay
Top-rated in the field on 155.
He finished 2nd to The New Lion in last year’s Turners and wears cheekpieces for the first time, which could be significant given previous trends.
He races prominently, which was advantageous yesterday.
Jingko Blue
Ticks a lot of boxes except standout course form.
Trainer Nicky Henderson has won this race twice in the last seven years. The horse has run at Cheltenham twice — pulling up in the Turners in 2024 and finishing 2nd here in January.
Expect him to sit just behind the pace early.
Selection — Storm Heart
Danger — Jingko Blue
CROSS COUNTRY CHASE - 3m 6f 37y (Premier Handicap) - Old Course
All of the last 11 winners had run at Cheltenham before
10/11 had won at Cheltenham
7/11 ran within the previous 46 days
8/11 had at least three runs that season
Keith Donoghue has won 5 of the last 7
Keith Donoghue and Jack Kennedy ride this course superbly.
Desertmore House
The stat about previous Cheltenham experience puts me off — he’s never run here before and is 3lb out of the handicap.
Favori De Champdou
A worthy favourite.
He’s run at Cheltenham three times and won the Cross Country race here in January comfortably. Jack Kennedy rides again and handles this track brilliantly.
Stumptown
Last year’s winner, landing the race by 7 lengths.
With Keith Donoghue back on board it wouldn’t be surprising if he runs another huge race.
Selection — Favori De Champdou
Danger — Stumptown
CHAMPION CHASE - 1m 7f 199y (Grade 1) - Old Course
19 of the last 25 winners were aged 7-9
15 of the last 25 had previously won at the Festival
11 of the last 14 winners were 6/1 or shorter
Only 1 of the last 21 winners had run 4+ times that season
Ireland have won the last five renewals.
With Marine Nationale ruled out, this really does look like Majborough’s race to lose.
Majborough
Perhaps the only horse who can beat Majborough is Majborough himself.
He can jump awkwardly and carry his head oddly at times, but he absolutely slammed Marine Nationale at the Dublin Racing Festival.
The ground was very soft that day, which may have helped him settle into a rhythm. However, the cheekpieces may also have made a big difference, and they’re retained.
He won the 2024 Triumph Hurdle and finished 3rd in last year’s Arkle.
If he jumps cleanly enough, I struggle to find anything capable of beating him.
Quilixios
Was nailed on to finish 2nd in this race last year before falling at the last. He hasn’t run since then, but he does go well fresh.
Henry De Bromhead’s horses usually run well at Cheltenham, but the current form of the stable has to be a concern. He’s firmly on my cold list right now and, unless we see a clear improvement in the lead-up to this year’s Festival, I’ll likely be taking on most of Henry’s runners this week.
L’eau Du Sud
I really like this horse, but I just think he might be slightly below the required standard to win a race of this nature — unless something unusual happens.
He finished 4th in last year’s Arkle and has a decent Cheltenham record, having also been runner-up in the 2024 County Hurdle. His record over fences at Cheltenham is strong too, with two wins from three starts.
He hasn’t been seen since being comfortably beaten by Il Etait Temps at Sandown a few weeks before Christmas, but that could well have been a deliberate plan to keep him fresh for this — something that has brought out some of his best performances in the past.
Il Etait Temps
If there’s one with a chance of upsetting the favourite, it might be him.
Willie Mullins rarely runs one here without good reason. His fall last time could be excused — they went hard early and the trip on soft ground may have stretched him.
If you don’t want to back Majborough at a short price, this could be the each-way play.
Selection — Majborough
Danger — Il Etait Temps
GRAND ANNUAL - 1m 7f 199y (Premier Handicap) - Old Course
Only 1 of the last 10 winners won last time out
7 of the last 10 winners were 10/1+
8 of the last 12 ran after 50+ day breaks
8 of the last 20 had run in the race before
Current form often matters less than usual in this race.
Jazzy Matty
Won this race last year off 135 and runs off 143 today.
He has excellent course form — winning the Fred Winter in 2023 and running well at the track again before last year’s win.
His prep run was the same as last year — a 2m hurdle at Thurles — although he finished 6th this time.
If the ground stays decent he should run another big race.
Inthepocket
Interesting runner for Henry De Bromhead and JP McManus, who likes targeting this race.
However, the stable form is a concern after a quiet Day One.
He’s a classy horse — 4th in the 2023 Supreme behind Marine Nationale, Facile Vega and Diverge — but probably wants soft ground.
Be Aware
Dan Skelton once considered him an Arkle horse, but the numbers didn’t quite add up.
He’s been in consistent form this winter with three runner-up finishes. If he was once thought capable of running in the Arkle, he might still be well handicapped here.
Skelton’s yard had a strong Day One and that just swings the vote his way.
Selection — Be Aware
Danger — Jazzy Matty
CHAMPION BUMPER - 2m 87y (Grade 1) - Old Course
Willie Mullins has trained 5 of the last 6 winners
Gordon Elliott has won this race twice in the last 9 years
The last 22 winners all won last time out
Mares have won 3 of the last 9
8 of the last 10 winners won a listed or graded bumper
7 of the last 8 winners were unbeaten
7 of the last 8 were 5-year-olds
This isn’t a race where I go mad. Usually a couple of small each-way bets at most.
The betting also tends to guide things — the last five winners were priced 4/1, 9/2, 7/2, 85/40 and 15/8.
Keep Him Company
One of two runners I’m playing from Gordon Elliott.
He’s the Jack Kennedy ride, which could be significant.
A point-to-point winner who’s 2-2 under rules, he looked a stayer last time and finished strongly. This expensive purchase from the Cheltenham sales could be a very good horse going forward.
Love Sign D’Aunou
Patrick Mullins rides this horse and that is a tip inself. Willie and Patrick have teamed up to win this race twice in the last four years and this horse has a striking similarity with Love Sign D’Aunou. Both previous point-to-point winners. Both won the same Bumper at Naas.
Looks to be Willie Mullins’ main hope. Could be anything.
Broadway Ted
Another from the Elliott yard, ridden by Sean Bowen.
He won at Ayr before stepping up to Grade 2 level and winning narrowly.
He wasn’t fancied that day — Elliott had four runners and he went off 14/1 — but perhaps racing brings out the best in him.
Selection — Keep Him Company
Danger — Love Sign D’Aunou
DAY TWO MULTIPLE BETS
Win Trixie
Storm Heart (2:40 Cheltenham) - 5/1
Favori De Champdou (3:20 Cheltenham) - 5/2
Majborough (4:00 Cheltenham) - 5/6
Each-Way Trixie
Kaid D’Authie (2:00 Cheltenham) - 11/2 - 4 places
Storm Heart (2:40 Cheltenham) - 5/1 - 6 places
Be Aware (4:40 Cheltenham) - 9/2 - 5 places
18+
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