Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 1 - Photos and Results
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 began with an array of thrilling races on Day 1. Lossiemouth impressed by winning the Champion Hurdle, while Old Park Star lived up to expectations in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. In the Arkle Challenge Trophy, Kargese triumphed after overcoming key challenges from other contenders. The Juvenile Handicap Hurdle saw Saratoga emerge victorious, while Johnnywho claimed victory in the Ultima Handicap Chase. Lastly, Hollaway Queen wrapped up a successful day for mares by capturing the National Hunt Chase.
- Results and photos from day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
- Lossiemouth storms to victory in the Champion Hurdle
- Old Park Star gets favourite backers off to a flyer in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
- Kargese beats the boys in the Arkle
- Saratoga and Johnnywho win handicaps for JP McManus
- Madara and Holloway Queen won the final two handicaps
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 1 Results
4:00pm Champion Hurdle Result
| Position | Name | SP |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Lossiemouth | 7/5f |
| 2nd | Brighterdaysahead | 7/2 |
| 3rd | The New Lion | 3/1 |
| 4th | Alexei | 18/1 |
| 5th | Golden Ace | 12/1 |
LOSSIEMOUTH destroys them in the Champion Hurdle. Read a recap of the race and watch a replay of the finish here...
1:20pm Cheltenham - Supreme Novices' Hurdle Result
| 1st | Old Park Star | 15/8f |
| 2nd | Sober Glory | 9/2 |
| 3rd | Mydaddypaddy | 6/1 |
A 1-2-3 for the Brits in this year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, as OLD PARK STAR justifies favouritism.
Sober Glory, the big gamble of the race, set a steady pace throughout. Nico De Boinville tracked the leader, with Harry Skelton looking to pounce late aboard Mydaddypaddy. There was some bumping and barging after the last, but in the end, Old Park Star came out on top.
All of the Irish horses were well, well beaten.
2:00pm Cheltenham - Arkle Challenge Trophy Result
| 1st | Kargese | 7/1 |
| 2nd | Kopek Des Bordes | 13/8 |
| 3rd | Lulamba | 6/4f |
KARGESE makes all in the Arkle!
Danny Mullins gave the mare an excellent ride from the front. Lulamba made a telling mistake at the second-last, Kopek Des Bordes fluffed his lines at the last, and it was Willie Mullins' mare who held on gamely to claim victory.
2:40pm Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Result
| 1st | Saratoga | 10/1 |
| 2nd | Winston Junior | 5/1 |
| 3rd | Klycot | 40/1 |
| 4th | Porquoi Pas Papa | 16/1 |
| 5th | Quinto Do Lago | 25/1 |
| 6th | The Mighty Celt | 22/1 |
Despite a big walk in the betting beforehand, SARATOGA runs out a ready winner of the old Fred Winter.
Padraig Roche won the same race with this horse's half-brother, Brazil a few years ago. Winston Junior kept on well to finish third ahead of the valiant Klycot. Porquoi Pas Papa, Quinto Do Lago, and The Mighty Celt round off the top six.
3:20pm Ultima Handicap Chase Result
| 1st | Johnnywho | 18/1 |
| 2nd | Jagwar | 3/1f |
| 3rd | Quebecois | 10/1 |
| 4th | Blow Your Wad | 14/1 |
| 5th | Leave Of Absence | 20/1 |
| 6th | Hyland | 11/1 |
Two handicap wins in a row for JP McManus, and a 1-2 for the leading owner too, as JOHNNYWHO narrowly holds off the charging Jagwar to win the Ultima.
Quebecois ran a valiant race from the front, but didn't quite see out the trip. Blow Your Wad, Leave Of Absence and Hyland secured top six finishes, after Search For Glory unseated at the final flight.
4:40pm Plate Handicap Chase Result
| Position | Name | SP |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Madara | 3/1f |
| 2nd | Will The Wise | 10/1 |
| 3rd | Moon D'Orange | 25/1 |
| 4th | Downmexicoway | 9/1 |
| 5th | Zurich | 10/1 |
A massive plot from the Skeltons lands on day one, as MADARA hammers his rivals in the Plate.
Will The Wise runs well to finish a clear second, ahead of the fast-finishing Moon D'Orange. Henry De Bromhead's duo of Downmexicoway and Zurich complete the top five.
5:20pm National Hunt Chase Result
| Position | Name | SP |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Holloway Queen | 12/1 |
| 2nd | King Of Answers | 20/1 |
| 3rd | One Big Bang | 10/1 |
| 4th | Union Station | 33/1 |
| 5th | Iceberg Theory | 6/1 |
A fantastic day for mares is completed by HOLLOWAY QUEEN, who wins the National Hunt Chase for Nicky Henderson and James Bowen.
King Of Answers finished a clear second ahead of One Big Bang. Pic Roc dropped away after setting a fast pace throughout.
1:10pm - Game Time
They are parading ahead of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Paul Townend has replaced Harry Cobden in the saddle of Too Bossy For Us.
Best of luck, everyone. It's going to be some day!
12:30pm - Morning Market Movers
🕓 1:20 Sober Glory - 12/1 ➡️ 13/2
🕓 2:40 Mustang Du Breuil - 9/1 ➡️ 9/2
🕓 2:40 Glen To Glen - 11/1 ➡️ 15/2
🕓 3:20 Knight Of Allen - 20/1 ➡️ 12/1
🕓 4:40 Down Memory Lane - 12/1 ➡️ 8/1
🕓 5:20 Kurasso Blue - 12/1 ➡️ 9/2
🕓 5:20 Iceberg Theory - 11/1 ➡️ 6/1
11:30pm - The gates have opened!
11:00am - Big Non-Runner
Paul Townend and Willie Mullins will not be represented in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, after Leader d'Allier was declared a non-runner this morning.
He joined Mambonumberfive, who was withdrawn from the Arkle yesterday, on the sidelines.
10:30am - Day Three Declarations
Thursday's Ryanair Chase has been spiced up a bit, after both Jonbon and Impaire Et Passe were declared against Fact To File.
Teahupoo heads a field of 11 for the Stayers' Hurdle, with Wodhooh and Jade De Grugy clashing in the Mares' Hurdle.
Look through day three's declarations in full here...
10:00am - Super Boost
Bet365 have gone big with their Super Boost today...
9:00am - Newspaper Tips
Find out which horses the major media tipsters have backed in today's newspaper tips for Cheltenham.
8:15am - Going Update
Selective watering has been ongoing at Cheltenham over the past week or so, to ensure the ground isn't too quick.
The official going for day one of the Cheltenham Festival is GOOD TO SOFT. The going stick reading this morning was 6.2.
The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived. The 2026 Cheltenham Festival begins TODAY!
Attendees on day one have a clear afternoon to look forward to. There's no rain in the forecast, not much sunshine either, and temperatures are due to reach a high of 12° come the start of racing at 1:20pm.
Cheltenham Day 1 - Free Tips Table
Cheltenham Day 1 Card - Tuesday 10th March 2026
| Time | Tuesday Races | Status | Distance |
| 13:20 | Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Grade One | 2m |
| 14:00 | Arkle Challenge Trophy | Grade One | 2m |
| 14:40 | Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Grade Three Handicap | 2m |
| 15:20 | Ultima Handicap Chase | Grade Three Handicap | 3m2f |
| 16:00 | Champion Hurdle | Grade One | 2m |
| 16:40 | Plate Handicap Chase | Grade Three Handicap | 2m 4f |
| 17:20 | National Hunt Chase | Grade Two Handicap | 3m 6f |
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