The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is set to kick off with its iconic roar on March 10, 2026, and the Mirror is geared up to cover every exciting moment. This year, readers can enjoy a FREE daily shop bet courtesy of William Hill throughout the festival. The four-day event will showcase top national hunt horses from Britain and Ireland battling it out, promising an epic Cheltenham experience. Here’s a glimpse of what awaits racing enthusiasts:
Expectations are high for UK horses to make a strong comeback against the recent Irish dominance at this year’s festival. Notable trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott will lead a formidable Irish contingent. The Cheltenham Gold Cup appears wide open, with Mullins boasting top contenders like Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File, and Gaelic Warrior. On the British front, The Jukebox Man, trained by Harry Redknapp, leads a solid challenge alongside Haiti Couleurs and jockey Sean Bowen seeking his maiden festival victory.
The Champion Hurdle offers an unpredictable race, with last year’s champion Golden Ace aiming for another surprise win. Meanwhile, the Queen Mother Champion Chase sees strong favorite Majborough in contention. Trainer Nicky Henderson could steal the show on day one with favorites like Old Park Star in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Lulamba in the Arkle Trophy. Additionally, trainer Dan Skelton boasts his strongest lineup for the week. As Harry Cobden wraps up his final Cheltenham as the top jockey for Paul Nicholls, he eyes a victory aboard No Drama This End in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle before transitioning to his new role with JP McManus.
Make sure not to miss out – grab your copy of the Mirror starting from Saturday, March 7, 2026, for comprehensive coverage of this year’s festival. Readers can also claim their FREE William Hill shop bet from March 10 to March 13, 2026. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our free Punter’s Club newsletter for insider insights during Cheltenham and beyond.
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