Here are the confirmed runners and vital jockey bookings information for all seven races on day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham 2026 Day 1 Declarations
1:20pm Supreme Novices' Hurdle
| No. | Name | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baron Noir | Tom Bellamy | Alan King |
| 2 | Eachtotheirown | Sean Flanagan | Barry Connell |
| 3 | El Cairos | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
| 4 | Koktail Brut | Danny Gilliagan | Gordon Elliott |
| 5 | Leader d'Allier | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 6 | Mighty Park | Mark Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 7 | Mydaddypaddy | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 8 | Old Park Star | Nico De Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 9 | Sageborough | Sean O'Keeffe | Paul Nolan |
| 10 | Sober Glory | Ben Jones | Philip Hobbs & Johnson White |
| 11 | Talk The Talk | JJ Slevin | Joseph O'Brien |
| 12 | Too Bossy For Us | Danny Mullins (TBC) | Willie Mullins |
A final field of 12 has been declared for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Old Park Star will fly the flag for Britain and Nicky Henderson, with Joseph O'Brien's Talk The Talk and Willie Mullins' Mighty Park the leading Irish contenders.
With Mark Walsh in the saddle of Mighty Park, Paul Townend rides Leader d'Allier. Dan and Harry Skelton team up with Mydaddypaddy. Jack Kennedy's mount El Cairos is one of two runners for Gordon Elliott. Sober Glory and Baron Noir bolster the home challenge. Koktail Brut, Eachtotheirown, Too Bossy For Us and Sageborough complete the field for the opener on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
2:00pm Arkle Challenge Trophy
| No. | Name | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hansard | Caoilin Quinn | Gary and Josh Moore |
| 2 | Jax Junior | Tom Cannon | Lucy Wadham |
| 3 | Kopek Des Bordes | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 4 | Lulamba | Nico De Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 5 | Mambonumberfive | Ben Jones | Ben Pauling |
| 6 | Steel Ally | Dylan Johnson | Sam Thomas |
| 7 | Kargese | Danny Mullins (TBC) | Willie Mullins |
Only seven runners have been declared for this year's Arkle. The mouth-watering clash between Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes is on, though, after both were declared.
Willie Mullins is also represented by the mare Kargese. Steel Ally and Mambonumberfive take their chances, along with Jax Junior and Hansard. Irish Panther will tackle his elders in Wednesday's Champion Chase. Romeo Coolio and Kappa Jy Pyke were also taken out this morning.
Willie Mullins is also represented by the mare Kargese. Steel Ally and Mambonumberfive take their chances, along with Jax Junior and Hansard. Irish Panther will tackle his elders in Wednesday's Champion Chase. Romeo Coolio and Kappa Jy Pyke were also taken out this morning.
2:40pm Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
- Bertutea
- Barbizon
- Madness D’Elle
- Harwa
- Dignam
- The Mighty Celt
- Winston Junior
- Manlanga
- Saratoga
- Glen To Glen
- Mustang Du Berlais
- Pourquoi Pas Papa
- Hardy Stuff
- Ammes
- Macktoad
- Ole Ole
- Quinta Do Lago
- Paddockwood
- Klycot
- Bibe Mus
- Bandjo
- Mino Des Mottes
- Munsif (first reserve)
- Lord (second reserve)
Munsif backers endured a painful wait on Sunday morning, as Charles Byrnes' well-fancied juvenile failed to make the final 24 for the old Fred Winter. The first reserve needs one of the confirmed runners to come out before Tuesday morning to get a run on day one. Saratoga remains the market leader, over Winston Junior, who'll be ridden by Jack Kennedy.
3:20pm Ultima Handicap Chase
- Iroko
- Handstands
- Resplendent Grey
- Jagwar
- Blaze The Way
- Leave Of Absence
- Johnnywho
- Konfusion
- Search For Glory
- Stolen Silver
- Imperial Saint
- Blow Your Wad
- Hyland
- Myretown
- The Doyen Chief
- Quebecois
- The Short Go
- Patter Merchant
- Filanderer
- Knight Of Allen
- Margaret's Legacy
- Eyed
Iroko tops the weights for this year's Ultima. Jonjo O'Neill Jnr will retain his partnership with the Grand National favourite, as Mark Walsh takes the ride on market leader Jagwar. Handstands will represent Ben Pauling, before his own tilt at the Grand National. Harry Cobden rides Quebecois for Paul Nicholls and the race sponsor, Max McNeill.
4:00pm Champion Hurdle
| No. | Name | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexei | Brendan Powell | Joe Tizzard |
| 2 | Anzadam | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 3 | Poniros | Danny Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 4 | The New Lion | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 5 | Tutti Quanti | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls |
| 6 | Workahead | Darragh O'Keeffe | Henry De Bromhead |
| 7 | Brighterdaysahead | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
| 8 | Golden Ace | Lorcan Williams | Jeremy Scott |
| 9 | Lossiemouth | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
Willie Mullins has finally decided that the time is right for Lossiemouth to run in the Champion Hurdle. Paul Townend has been confirmed in the saddle, and Lossiemouth will wear first-time cheek-pieces in the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
Golden Ace and Brighterdaysahead will also make the most of a seven-pound sex allowance. The New Lion remains the favourite with some bookmakers, although Lossiemouth is expected to take over at the head of the market. Poniros and Anzadam will also represent Willie Mullins. Alexei, Workahead and supplementary entry, Tutti Quanti complete the field.
4:40pm Plate Handicap Chase
Dee Capo
Down Memory Lane
No Questions Asked
Jungle Boogie
Boombawn
Downmexicoway
O’Moore Park
Guard Your Dreams
Madara
Booster Bob
Peaky Boy
Will The Wise
Riskintheground
Midnight It Is
Zurich
Jipcot
McLaurey
Theatre Native
Western Zephyr
Grandeur D’Ame
Embittered
Moon D’Orange
Yes Indeed
With no Jagwar in the final field, Dan Skelton's Madara now tops the betting for this year's Plate. Even without Jagwar, JP McManus is well-represented, with Down Memory Lane and McLaurey sitting prominently in the betting. No Questions Asked goes down the handicap route instead of running in the Arkle. Will The Wise, Booster Bob, Zurich and Theatre Native also feature.
With no Jagwar in the final field, Dan Skelton's Madara now tops the betting for this year's Plate. Even without Jagwar, JP McManus is well-represented, with Down Memory Lane and McLaurey sitting prominently in the betting. No Questions Asked goes down the handicap route instead of running in the Arkle. Will The Wise, Booster Bob, Zurich and Theatre Native also feature.
5:20pm National Hunt Chase
- Wade Out
- Pic Roc
- King Of Answers
- One Big Bang
- Kurasso Blue
- Will Do
- Guard The Moon
- Grand Geste
- Backmersackme
- Holloway Queen
- Iceberg Theory
- Newton Tornado
- First Confession
- Union Station
- Walking On Air
- Silver Thorn
- Holokea
Wade Out heads the weight for the card-closing National Hunt Chase. Backmersackme leads the way in the betting for Emmet Mullins. Sean Flanagan rides Newton Tornado for Rebecca Curtis. Pic Roc, King Of Answers, One Big Bang and Kurasso Blue have also been declared.
Cheltenham Day 1 2026 FAQs
- When does the Cheltenham Festival start?
Day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival will take place on Tuesday 10 March. The opening race is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, which is schedule to start at 1:20pm.
- What races are run on Cheltenham Festival Day 1?
Seven races take place on each day of the Cheltenham Festival. The Champion Hurdle headlines the card on day one, which opens with two further Grade One races, the Supreme and the Arkle. The Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and the Ultima Handicap Chase will take place before the Champion Hurdle. Tuesday's card closes with the Plate Handicap Chase and the National Hunt Chase.
- How can I find the best Cheltenham Day 1 tips?
You can find free tips for every race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on RacingInsider.com. Through-the-card tips will also be published on their once the fields have been finalised.