The Cheltenham Festival isn’t far away. Action begins on Tuesday, 10 March with four days of racing bringing the best hurdlers and chasers in the world to Prestbury Park. But which horses are in the best form?
Ma Shantou
Award-winning journalist Sam Turner recently picked out Ma Shantou as a horse on an upward trajectory. He’s one of the outsiders for Stayers’ Hurdle at around 50/1 but could surprise a few people after two Cheltenham victories already this term (one on the Old Course and more recently a win on the New).
The seven-year-old horse has six victories this season, as well as a second and third place finish. Bred in the US and owned by Mighty Acorn Stables, Ma Shantou could improve on his 50% all-time win percentage.
Narciso Has
Trained by Willie Mullins, Narciso Has is considered one of the favourites for the Triumph Hurdle. Mullins has trained the winner of that race in the last four seasons. The French import won at Auteuil on his debut.
Narciso Has has only raced a few times but any John P McManus horse trained by Mullins will have plenty of eyes on him.
Sober Glory
Turner also pointed towards Sober Glory, whose main aim will be the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Others like Old Park Star, El Cairos and Talk The Talk are mentioned more in horse racing predictions but for those looking for an outside bet Sober Glory may be a good choice.
Sober Glory has three wins from four hurdle races and three from three in the National Hunt Flat. The six-year-old most recently won at Newbury in February with jockey Harry Cobden.
Lulamba
Lulamba could benefit from Kopek Des Bordes missing the Irish Arkle, part of the preparation for Cheltenham. Lulamba impressed at Sandown in December and may be one to watch in the Arkle Novices’ Chase.
Lulamba is just five but with a remarkable six wins from seven runs may be one of the most closely watched horses among the 19 runners of the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase.
Which jockeys will be riding the top horses?
A handful of elite jockeys is headed up by Paul Townend, the four-time reigning top jockey with a string of recent winners and placed efforts in heavy ground. Townend arrives in strong form. Hot on his heels is Mark Walsh, retained rider for JP McManus. Walsh is expected to have a deep book of rides across the four days and will be motivated by the Festival being his last in the McManus role.
Another major jockey is Jack Kennedy who partners the Gigginstown House Stud runners. After overcoming serious injuries Kennedy would be a popular winner of top jockey.
Nico de Boinville is set for a busy opening day, and Harry Skelton could prove a likely outsider.
Basics of the four days
The Festival is widely regarded as the highlight of the National Hunt season. With 28 races over the four days, hurdles and chases are the core of the event.
Champion Day opens the Festival with the prestigious Champion Hurdle one of the highlights.
Ladies Day on the Wednesday of the festival is headlined by the Queen Mother Champion Chase, a championship event for two-mile chasers.
Then St Patrick’s Thursday moves toward stamina with the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Gold Cup Day on the Friday provides the finale with the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a three-mile-plus test of endurance, the meeting’s most celebrated race. The card also includes the Triumph Hurdle for juveniles and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Ireland’s racers are ready
British trainers head toward the Festival with some leading contenders but Ireland’s depth of talent might define this year’s event. Last year Ireland secured 20 winners. Gordon Elliott is aiming to rebound from a quieter 2025 Festival with what he considers one of his strongest squads in years. Mullins is planning a sizable team despite a wet winter disrupting his preparations.
A repeat of past one-sided scoreliners isn’t guaranteed but matching last year’s tally over British runners is a realistic target. Ireland had an extraordinary year in 2021 with 23 winners. Last year Elliott drew a blank with his first 51 runners before Wodhooh won on the Friday. He said it was the same as in football or rugby: “you’ve got to keep your head going”. Elliott said the horses didn’t run badly but that luck didn’t go their way. He is expecting a smoother time this year.
Elliott’s headliners include Brighterdaysahead, currently second-favourite for the Champion Hurdle. Teahupoo and Romeo Coolio could also add to Elliott’s wins. He’s around £435,000 clear of Mullins in the Irish trainers’ championship. British trainers will be hoping that the pair don’t make too many more headlines in 2026.
