New Year’s Day at Cheltenham never fails to deliver drama, and 2026’s renewal looks set to keep the tradition alive, with a star-studded card brimming with intrigue, hope, and a dash of unpredictability. As the gates swing open on January 1, all eyes will be on the Relkeel Hurdle, the day’s marquee event and a pivotal mid-season test for staying hurdlers. But there’s more than just one race at stake—trainers, punters, and racing enthusiasts are gearing up for a full slate of competitive action across Cheltenham, with satellite meetings at Exeter, Musselburgh, and Windsor adding to the day’s tapestry.
Among the headline acts, Paul Nicholls, a name synonymous with big-race winners, is once again at the center of attention. Fresh off his seventh Challow Hurdle triumph—five of those in the last six years—thanks to the impressive No Drama This End, Nicholls is riding a wave of momentum into the new year. Reflecting on the Challow win, Nicholls remarked, “He was awesome. But he had to do it in his own way, he wasn’t doing a lot in front at all but one little back-hander after the last and he took off and won with plenty in hand.” According to Nicholls, No Drama This End will bypass the three-mile Albert Bartlett in favor of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a move that underscores the horse’s raw speed and versatility.
But the focus now shifts to Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day card, where Nicholls unleashes a formidable team. Regent’s Stroll, considered by many—including betting tipsters and the punter’s grapevine—to have a big chance in the 12.50 Ellenborough Park Hotel ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase, is garnering plenty of attention. While Regent’s Stroll is expected to go off as a warm favorite, some analysts, like Joe Norris of GetYourTipsOut, see Califet En Vol as a value alternative, noting his promising chase debut and potential for improvement. Norris wrote, “He shaped as though he would improve plenty for the run when beaten into second on chase debut at this track last month. The winner Sixmilebridge is a useful type so it wasn’t a bad effort at all just getting tired in the closing stages.”
Elsewhere on the Cheltenham card, the Relkeel Hurdle (2.35) stands out as a barometer for the spring festivals. Kabral Du Mathan, who recently transferred from Paul Nicholls to Dan Skelton, is tipped to shine after a commanding display at Haydock. Norris highlighted, “The way KABRAL DU MATHAN left rivals standing at Haydock on return was really impressive. That was his stable debut having joined Dan Skelton from Paul Nicholls and he looked a horse with a huge amount of potential.” The form has been franked since, raising expectations that Kabral Du Mathan could stamp his authority on this division.
The supporting races are no less competitive. Step Ahead is fancied in the opener, with Norris suggesting he could be “quite a nice horse going forward,” while Herakles Westwood and Glengouly are both considered live contenders in their respective handicaps. Glengouly, in particular, is expected to employ front-running tactics, hoping to replicate his convincing course-and-distance win from last month. Il Ridoto, another from the Nicholls stable, is seen as a possible improver, especially if the ground remains in his favor and he gets a more suitable pace to aim at.
Paul Nicholls’ approach to the day is both tactical and patient. He’s using the January fixtures to educate and sharpen his string before targeting the higher-profile races in February, March, and April. “I looked at the programme and there wasn’t a whole heap of races in January so my idea was to give him a run here and possibly get some Cheltenham experience and a bit more education into him, and then have a month off before looking at some of those better races in February, March, April,” Nicholls explained, referencing his careful placement of runners like Regent’s Stroll and Inch House. The latter, along with Il Ridoto, is expected to improve on previous outings, with Nicholls noting, “He seems better in himself at the moment, he’s worked nicely and looks great. Again the key to him is the ground and also the fact that he’s only going to carry 10st 4lb with Freddie Keighley’s claim.”
Beyond Cheltenham, Nicholls’ reach extends to Exeter, Musselburgh, and Windsor, where he’s set to field a strong team. At Exeter, he’s looking for his runners to gain valuable experience, especially young prospects like the Cokorico filly, who is expected to come on for the run. Over at Musselburgh, the focus is on horses proven on flat tracks and those returning from successful spells on the flat. “He’s won twice over a mile on the Flat, his last two runs, he won them very nicely actually, quite snugly. I was looking for an easy track to make his debut over hurdles because there’s an obvious issue with his stamina, you’ve got to see if he stays,” Nicholls shared about one of his key runners. The flat, right-handed nature of Musselburgh is seen as a significant plus, and Nicholls is optimistic about the chances of his team, especially those benefiting from jockey claims and favorable ground.
At Windsor, the narrative is one of redemption and resilience. Horses returning from setbacks—be it injury, illness, or simply poor form—are expected to strip fitter and show their true colors. “He hadn’t run for a long time, he very nearly died of colic, he’d had a bit of a leg problem so his run at Wincanton was his first run for a long time, he ran a bit fresh and a bit free and he just got a bit tired. He will have improved enormously for that run, he loves good ground,” Nicholls commented, highlighting the delicate balance between patience and ambition that defines his training philosophy.
As for the betting angles, the day’s best tips—according to Joe Norris—include Step Ahead, Califet En Vol, Herakles Westwood, Glengouly, Kabral Du Mathan, Ace Of Spades, and Solly’s Gold. Each brings a unique profile and set of credentials to the table, and with the ground expected to be favorable, there’s every reason to expect some standout performances. Norris is bullish on Califet En Vol’s chances in the novice chase, while Kabral Du Mathan is widely seen as the one to beat in the Relkeel Hurdle. Ace Of Spades, unbeaten at Cheltenham, could extend his perfect record in the 3.10 handicap hurdle.
With a blend of established stars, rising talents, and intriguing betting propositions, New Year’s Day 2026 at Cheltenham promises a feast for racing fans. Whether you’re following the fortunes of Paul Nicholls’ formidable team, taking a punt on a value outsider, or simply soaking up the festival atmosphere, there’s no shortage of stories waiting to unfold. As the runners head down to post, anticipation hangs in the air—will the favorites deliver, or will the new year usher in a surprise or two? One thing’s certain: the action is just getting started, and the road to the spring festivals begins here.
