The opening days of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival have already delivered a cascade of drama, emotion, and unforgettable sporting moments, as racing fans from across the globe tuned in to witness history in the making. From the coronation of a new queen in the Champion Hurdle to the emergence of fresh stars and the bittersweet realities of the sport, the festival’s first two days have set a blistering pace for the week ahead.
On Tuesday, March 10, the spotlight shone brightest on Lossiemouth, who cemented her place among the pantheon of Cheltenham greats. Unbeaten at the festival with four wins from four starts, Lossiemouth entered the 2026 Champion Hurdle as the 7-5 favorite. With 2023 champion Constitution Hill absent after switching from jumps to Flat racing, the field was wide open. But Lossiemouth, under the expert guidance of jockey Paul Townend, delivered a performance for the ages, crossing the line ahead of Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead and Dan Skelton’s The New Lion.
Trainer Willie Mullins, who masterminded the mare’s preparation, was effusive in his praise, telling ITV: "She's a star mare. To come back four years in a row, let alone win, that is incredible. When I put her cheek pieces on her I thought, wow, that's the old Lossiemouth." Townend echoed the sentiment, adding, "It's easy when they have as much ability as she does. She turns up and she does her business."
Lossiemouth’s triumph in the Champion Hurdle adds to her victories in the Mares' Hurdle in 2024 and 2025, as well as the 2023 Triumph Hurdle, making her a four-time Cheltenham Festival winner. Owner Rich Ricci described the moment as "unbelievable, magic, great. It is hard to win these races, and she always tries. All credit goes to Willie [Mullins] - 10 days ago, he said he wanted to try her with cheek pieces, and it worked. She loves this place, long may it last."
The accolades didn’t stop there. BBC Radio 5 Live’s John Hunt declared, "Lossiemouth will be crowned queen of Cheltenham! The truth is - she is far too good." With such dominance, Lossiemouth’s legacy at Cheltenham is surely secure, and fans are already speculating about what heights she might scale next.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle saw Old Park Star claim victory for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville. The favorite had to dig deep, turning the final corner in third place before surging past Sober Glory and Mydaddypaddy to secure the win. A jubilant De Boinville told ITV, "I thought he would stay well and eat up the hill and that is what he has done. We even missed the last and still managed to win." Owner Gordon Hall was equally delighted, telling BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, "We are just very happy that he has come home in one piece, and he has won. Not been great for the nerves, but he is a lovely horse. He has done lots of good work at home. Everything has gone right, but as you know, on the way to these things, you have got to keep the horses right and sound."
The Arkle Chase delivered one of the day’s biggest upsets, as 7-1 shot Kargese, trained by Willie Mullins, took advantage of mistakes by favorites Kopek des Bordes and Lulamba at the penultimate and final fences. Owner Kenny Alexander could hardly contain his excitement, telling BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, "I have been lucky to win a few here, but that is right up here. She is a proper, proper horse. She got the job done and she won fair and square. She is top-notch, definitely second best now by a country mile [behind Honeysuckle]." Jockey Danny Mullins praised his uncle and trainer, saying, "To be part of that team is just unbelievable. To get days like these - they are not a given - I am lucky that I have ridden Cheltenham winners and I hope I have more."
Tragedy struck, however, when 100-1 outsider Hansard died after sustaining an injury while running on the flat towards the end of the race, not as a result of a fall. Such moments are a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in horse racing, even on days of triumph.
The Sun Racing Plate saw 3-1 favorite Madara storm to victory by a remarkable seven and a half lengths for trainer Dan Skelton and jockey Harry Skelton. Later, Holloway Queen capped off a stellar day for Nicky Henderson, winning the National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup with a comfortable performance.
For owner JP McManus, Tuesday was a birthday to remember. Celebrating his 75th, McManus notched two winners: Saratoga, a 10-1 chance in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, and Johnnywho, an 18-1 shot in the Ultima Handicap Chase. McManus told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, "Great to celebrate it [birthday] with a winner, especially at Cheltenham. I've had winners here on my birthday before, but you never get tired of it. They were worried about the ground, that it was going to be too soft. They were very encouraged - he is like a rubber ball - he bounces off of it." Reflecting on his festival success, he added, "We've always had a lot of fun and great days here."
Wednesday’s action continued the theme of Irish dominance, as Willie Mullins’ Kitzbuhel triumphed in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at 14:00. The 11/1 shot surged home ahead of Final Demand and Salver, with Oscars Brother and Now Is The Hour rounding out the top five. The full finishing order included a mix of seasoned contenders and long-odds hopefuls, with notable performances from Koktail Divin, Joystick, and Argento Boy, while Romeo Coolio was pulled up and both Wendigo and Kaid D’authie fell.
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 schedule is as packed as ever, with fans able to catch the first six races of each day for free on ITV1, or stream via the ITVX app and website. Racing TV continues to offer comprehensive coverage for subscribers, ensuring no moment is missed. For those following along at home or on the go, SunSport’s live blog provides up-to-the-minute updates, results, and behind-the-scenes insight.
With so many stories unfolding—triumphs, heartbreaks, and everything in between—Cheltenham’s opening days have already delivered on their promise of world-class racing and high drama. As the festival rolls on, all eyes remain fixed on the turf, wondering which horse or human will etch their name into the history books next.
For those placing a wager, organizers continue to remind fans to gamble responsibly, with support available from Gamcare and GambleAware for anyone in need of assistance. The festival’s blend of sporting excellence, tradition, and community spirit remains undiminished, promising more thrills as the week continues.