The Ultimate Cheltenham Festival 2026 Guide: Glory, Gambles, and Gold

Whether you are a seasoned punter looking for 10-year trends or a newcomer trying to tell a "Yankee" from a "Jolly," this is your definitive roadmap to the 28-race spectacle.

The biggest headline hitting the wires today (Feb 11) involves the Irish Gold Cup hero, Fact To File. Currently the 9/2 favorite for the blue-riband event on Friday, there is a catch: he needs to be supplemented at a significant cost to his owners. After his demolition job at the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF), the markets have spoken, but the tactical decision from the Mullins camp remains the focal point of the ante-post markets.

Racing is split between the Old Course (Days 1 & 2), which favors speed and agility, and the New Course (Days 3 & 4), where stamina is king.

To win at Cheltenham, you often have to look beyond the short-priced favorites. Award-winning tipster Sam Turner has highlighted several value plays:

• The Longshot: Sober Glory (40/1) in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Despite the heavy hitters, Turner believes this horse is "grossly overpriced" for his ability.
• The Trend-Breaker: Gaelic Warrior (8/1) for the Gold Cup. While stablemate Galopin Des Champs tries to regain his title at age 10—a feat not achieved since 1998—the younger Gaelic Warrior could be the tactical play.

The "Green Wave" shows no signs of receding. Irish-trained horses currently boast 11 favorites in the 15 graded contests.

• Willie Mullins: Has won Top Trainer at 11 of the last 13 festivals. He is currently 1/8 to repeat the feat.
• Paul Townend: The reigning Top Jockey for four consecutive years (4/5 favorite). His recent form (4 wins in his last 10 rides) suggests he is arriving at peak fitness.

• Paul Townend: 5 titles
• Rachael Blackmore: 1 title (2021)
• Nico de Boinville: 1 title (2019)

• How to Watch: ITV1 and ITVX will cover the first six races daily. Betfair account holders can stream all 28 races live.
• The Cost of a Pint: In a rare win for fans, the price of a pint of Guinness has been reduced to £7.50 (down from £7.80 in 2025).
• Weather Watch: Keep a close eye on the "Going." Early forecasts suggest Heavy ground following a wet February, which significantly upgrades the chances of mud-larks like Lulamba (6/4) in the Arkle.