Cheltenham Festival 2026 News

Jazzy Matty on course for a repeat bid in Grand Annual

Jazzy Matty provided Cian Collins with his first Cheltenham Festival winner last March and all roads lead back to another bid for the Grand Annual Handicap Chase.

8.51AM

“I’m not saying he’s Denman” — Paul Nicholls on No Drama This End’s Challow dominance amidst freezing Grade 1 clues

The racing schedule has gone into a mini-hibernation since the New Year as the freezing conditions wreak havoc across Britain and Ireland.

2.16PM

Koktail Divin likely to head straight to Cheltenham

Koktail Divin is likely to take a direct route to the Cheltenham Festival following his maiden chase victory at Leopardstown on Sunday.

9.43AM

Haiti Couleurs has sights set on Cheltenham Gold Cup

Rebecca Curtis has identified the Denman Chase at Newbury as a possible stepping-stone to the Cheltenham Gold Cup for her stable star Haiti Couleurs.

11.34AM

Henderson outlines potential routes to Cheltenham for talented Seven Barrows squad

After a successful festive period, Nicky Henderson is mulling over possible routes to the Cheltenham Festival with some of his Seven Barrows aces.

2.17PM

Henderson confirms Sir Gino for Champion Hurdle tilt

It will be the \"Unibet Hurdle or nothing\" for Sir Gino, as Nicky Henderson confirmed his Christmas Hurdle hero is on course to represent Seven Barrows in the Champion Hurdle.

4.49PM

Lossiemouth out to state Champion Hurdle case at Leopardstown

After Sir Gino’s emphatic comeback victory at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, Lossiemouth takes centre stage in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown, where she bids to confirm she too will be a big player in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

5.21PM

Ante post Cheltenham Festival after the weekend's action

The last weekend of racing before Christmas is in the books and it included Grade 1 action from Ascot via the Long Walk Hurdle, where Nicky Henderson's Impose Toi confirmed his class.

11.58AM

Ante-post Cheltenham Festival: Five flying fancies over 10-1

Ante-post betting for the Cheltenham Festival is never straightforward. Targets can change, improvement is not guaranteed, and setbacks are always possible. However, identifying horses before their true Festival potential is fully realised, is something I have extremely enjoyed doing throughout the last few years.

5.01PM

Champion Hurdle picture so far - 'Forgotten champion'

Day one of the Cheltenham Festival tends to centre on the Champion Hurdle, the feature race and the two-mile hurdling Championship for senior stars.

1.30PM

'The further he goes the better' - Meade on his Gold Cup hope

Noel Meade has his team in good form at present with a double at Fairyhouse yesterday and is considering a tilt at the Grade 1 Savills Chase with Affordale Fury at Leopardstown over Christmas.

10.18AM

Envoi Allen set for Cheltenham Gold Cup swansong

Envoi Allen will head straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup for what will be his likely swansong in the spring.

12.56PM