The highly anticipated 2026 Cheltenham Festival is set to kick off on March 10, 2026, with the traditional roar signaling the start of the thrilling event. The Mirror will be there to cover every exciting moment, offering our readers a FREE daily shop bet in partnership with popular bookmaker William Hill throughout the festival. Over four days, spectators will witness top national hunt horses from Britain and Ireland competing fiercely. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from your go-to racing paper:
Expectations are high for a potential resurgence of UK horses this year to challenge the recent dominance by Irish contenders. Notable trainers like Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott will lead a formidable Irish contingent. The Cheltenham Gold Cup appears wide open, with Mullins boasting three top contenders including dual winner Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File, and Gaelic Warrior. On the British side, The Jukebox Man trained by Harry Redknapp leads a strong challenge, alongside other contenders like Haiti Couleurs and champion jockey Sean Bowen aiming for his first festival victory.
The upcoming Champion Hurdle offers an opportunity for last year’s victor, Golden Ace, to stage another surprising win. Meanwhile, the Queen Mother Champion Chase features a strong favorite in Majborough. Trainer Nicky Henderson may shine on the first day with favorites Old Park Star in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Lulamba in the Arkle Trophy, supported by a robust team led by Dan Skelton throughout the week. Additionally, jockey Harry Cobden, in his final Cheltenham as No 1 jockey to Paul Nicholls, will strive for a win aboard No Drama This End in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle before transitioning to a new role for JP McManus.
Ensure you don’t miss out – grab your copy of the Mirror starting from Saturday, March 7, 2026, for unparalleled coverage of this year’s festival. Also, don’t forget to claim your FREE William Hill shop bet from Tuesday, March 10, to Friday, March 13, 2026. Additionally, sign up for our complimentary Punter’s Club newsletter to receive expert insights directly to your inbox during the Cheltenham event and beyond.
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