National Hunt Chase 2026 Tips - Two selections for the card-closer on Champions Day
The National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is set for March 10th, 2026, with the first prize at £51,440. The race has returned to handicap status with a distance of 3m6f. Backmersackeme is the 9/2 favorite, showcasing past strong form. One Big Bang, priced at 16/1, aims to capitalize on previous promising runs. Prends Garde A Toi, at 33/1, may have an edge if the ground turns soft. Expert tips underscore these contenders, with the race promising a thrilling spectacle amid 45 runners.
- Predictions and best bets for the 2026 National Hunt Chase
- This handicap takes place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on March 10th
- One Big Bang (16/1) and Prends Garde A Toi (33/1) feature in our selections
Champions Day at the Cheltenham Festival ends with the National Hunt Chase, which reverted back to handicap status in 2025.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our National Hunt Chase tips for 2026, including our best bets, key trends and race verdict.
Last Updated: 03.03.2026
Race Info
| Race | National Hunt Chase |
| Date | Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 |
| Start Time | 5:20pm |
| Status | Class 2 |
| Distance | 3m6f |
| First Prize | £51,440 |
| Going | NA |
| Runners | 45 |
| Favourite | Backmersackeme (9/2) |
Backmersackme is the clear-favourite for this year's National Hunt Chase. Emmet Mullins' raider was slapped with a ten-pound rating hike after scoring at the Dublin Racing Festival, but could still be well-treated and ran well at Cheltenham when second to Three Card Brag at the October Meeting.
Rebecca Curtis won this race with Gold Cup contender Haiti Couleurs at last year's Cheltenham Festival, and looks set to field progressive novice Newton Tornado in this year's renewal. Olly Murphy stated that the National Hunt Chase was the aim for Wade Out after his victory at Cheltenham in November, but Sean Bowen's mount will likely have to carry top-weight off his mark of 144.
2026 National Hunt Chase Tips
| Bet Type | Name | Odds (3.3.26) |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bet 1 | One Big Bang | 16/1 |
| Value Bet 2 | Prends Garde A Toi | 33/1 |
ONE BIG BANG (16/1) was hard-raced as a handicap hurdler, and it's clear that the National Hunt Chase has been his goal from the start of this season.
One Big Bang started out over fences in the Listed Novices' Chase at Cheltenham's November Meeting, where he seemed on-course to claim victory, only to get run down by the charging Wade Out after the final flight. James Owen's star opened his account over fences in a two-runner race at Southwell in December, before he was given a suspiciously quiet ride when third over two-and-a-half miles at Doncaster.
One Big Bang has Cheltenham Festival form, having finished a staying-on fifth in last year's Pertemps Final. The further he goes, the better One Big Bang will be, and Alex Chadwick's claimer would leave him shouldering a lovely racing weight of 11-5.
If we do get soft ground on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, then I could see PRENDS GARDE A TOI (33/1) going well. Gordon Elliott's seven-year-old has run six times over fences this season, claiming his sole victory in a Beginners Chase at Naas back in December.
Danny Gilligan's mount fell heavily at the Dublin Racing Festival, but bounced back with a fine performance against older chasers in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown. Elliott's novice carried top-weight into that gruelling contest and lost ground on the turn for home, but saw out the three-and-a-half mile trip strongly to finish six lengths adrift of My Immortal in fourth.
Prends Garde A Toi holds multiple handicap entries at Cheltenham, as do fellow National Hunt Chase entrants Patter Merchant, Kurasso Blue, The Enabler and Will Do. Yet, given how well he ran over a marathon trip at Punchestown, this race should be Prends Garde A Toi's target, and Elliott's novice could play a leading role.
Live Stream
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National Hunt Chase 2026 FAQs
When is the National Hunt Chase 2026?
The National Hunt Chase will take place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 10th March, 2026.
What time does the National Hunt Chase go off?
The National Hunt Chase is scheduled to start at 5:20pm on March 10th.
Where can I watch the 2026 National Hunt Chase?
The National Hunt Chase will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.
Verdict
One Big Bang was my ante-post selection for this handicap, and James Owen's star will play a big part in proceedings if declared.
Prends Garde A Toi is one of a number of entrants for Gordon Elliott, and could be worth backing at his lengthy price.
Prends Garde A Toi is one of a number of entrants for Gordon Elliott, and could be worth backing at his lengthy price.
One Big Bang
2026 National Hunt Chase
@16/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
with promo code NEWBONUS
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Prends Garde A Toi
2026 National Hunt Chase
@33/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
with promo code NEWBONUS
Join betgoodwin with promo code NEWBONUS and get access to their Bet £10 Get £10 as a free ACCA welcome offer. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.
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