The Cheltenham Festival 2026 has galloped into its second day, and what a spectacle it’s been so far! With the iconic roar echoing from the stands and the world’s best jump racing talent on display, the home of Jumps racing is buzzing with excitement. From Tuesday, March 10 to Friday, March 13, fans are treated to four days of high-octane action, and Day 2—Ladies Day—has already delivered drama, upsets, and a few new heroes.
After months of anticipation, the 2026 edition of Cheltenham arrived with a twist: several of the sport’s brightest stars, including Constitution Hill, Marine Nationale, and Galopin Des Champs, were missing from the line-up. Their absence has thrown the form book out the window, making this year’s Festival one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. But unpredictability is part of the Cheltenham magic, isn’t it?
Tuesday’s Champion Day set the tone, with Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth storming home in the Champion Hurdle, confirming her status as a true Festival champion. Mullins, never one to rest on his laurels, also sent out the favorite in Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, hoping to double his tally for the week. But as seasoned Cheltenham watchers know, odds-on fancies have stumbled in this race before, leaving the door open for a surprise.
Wednesday, March 11—Ladies Day—kicked off with the Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) at 1:20pm. The field was stacked, but it was King Rasko Grey who stole the show at 11/1, holding off Act Of Innocence (10/1) and the longshot Zeus Power (50/1) in a thrilling finish. The result sent a ripple through the betting ring, with many punters cheering for the underdog. According to Paddy Power News, "King Rasko Grey proved a worthy winner, making it four from four over timber."
Next up, the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) at 2:00pm saw Kitzbuhel (11/1) outduel Final Demand (7/2) and Salver (25/1) in a race that tested stamina and jumping prowess. Kitzbuhel’s connections were jubilant, with one team member exclaiming, “He’s been working up to this all season!” The result was a testament to the horse’s consistency and the trainer’s patient approach.
The action kept coming with the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) at 2:40pm. Jingko Blue, sent off at 9/2, justified the faith of backers by powering home ahead of Franciscan Rock (50/1) and Storm Heart (5/1). Ballyadam (40/1), Beckett Rock (33/1), and Kateira (15/2) rounded out the places in a race that saw fortunes swing from fence to fence. As reported by The Independent, "Jingko Blue’s victory was a well-deserved reward for a campaign full of promise."
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at 3:20pm brought a different flavor, with Final Orders (7/1) prevailing over Favori De Champdou (2/1) and Vanillier (13/2). This unique contest, run over banks and ditches, always captures the imagination, and this year was no exception. Final Orders’ connections celebrated a famous win, while the crowd roared approval for the brave runners who tackled the challenging course.
All eyes then turned to the Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) at 4:00pm, the day’s marquee event. Majborough, a red-hot favorite, lined up against a quality field including L’Eau du Sud, Il Etait Temps, Quilixios, Irish Panther, Found A Fifty, Saint Segal, Captain Guinness, Libberty Hunter, and Brookie. While the result remained to be confirmed at the time of reporting, anticipation reached fever pitch. With recent years witnessing favorites falter, could Majborough buck the trend or would another shock be on the cards? One thing’s for sure: the Cheltenham faithful were on the edge of their seats.
The day’s remaining races, including the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) at 4:40pm and the Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) at 5:20pm, promised further excitement. The full list of runners, from Be Aware and Vanderpoel to Love Sign d'Aunou and The Irish Avatar, showcased the depth and quality that makes Cheltenham the sport’s showpiece.
Looking back at Day 1, the Festival wasted no time in delivering fireworks. Old Park Star (15/8) triumphed in the SkyBet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Kargese (7/1) took the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy, and Saratoga (10/1) claimed the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase saw Johnnywho (18/1) emerge victorious, while Lossiemouth’s win in the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (7/5) underscored Willie Mullins’ dominance. Madara (3/1) and Holloway Queen (12/1) rounded out the day’s winners in the Sun Racing Plate and Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup, respectively.
For those eager to watch the drama unfold, ITV1 is broadcasting the first six races of each day, with Racing TV providing comprehensive coverage—including every nail-biting finish. Fans can tune in via traditional TV, or stream the action live through the ITV and Racing TV apps and websites. Some UK betting sites also offer streaming, though a funded account or small wager may be required.
Thinking of attending in person? Tickets for the first three days remain available, starting at £54 for the Best Mate enclosure. Club Enclosure tickets are priced from £103.50, with Tattersalls from £73.80. However, Friday’s Gold Cup Day is already sold out—a testament to the enduring appeal of the Festival’s grand finale. All ticketing details are available through the Jockey Club’s official channels.
As the Festival heads into St Patrick’s Thursday and the much-anticipated Gold Cup Day on Friday, the sense of occasion only grows. Thursday’s card features the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, among others. Friday brings the JCB Triumph Hurdle, the prestigious Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase, and a host of supporting races to close out the week in style.
With every race, new stories are written and reputations made or broken. The absence of established stars has only heightened the intrigue, with fresh faces and unlikely contenders grabbing the spotlight. As one fan put it, "You never quite know what’s going to happen at Cheltenham—that’s why we love it!"
As Day 2 draws to a close and the Queen Mother Champion Chase result remains pending, one thing is certain: the 2026 Cheltenham Festival is living up to its billing as the jewel in the crown of jump racing. With two more days of action to come, the stage is set for more unforgettable moments at Prestbury Park.