Kim Muir Challenge Cup 2026 Tips - Free guide to the finale on St Patrick's Day
The Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival promises excitement with amateur riders taking center stage. This year's favorite is Jeriko Du Reponet, trained by Nicky Henderson, with several other strong contenders like Prends Garde A Toi and Gericault Roque. Key trends indicate success among entrants with limited previous fence runs and recent activity. Betting insights suggest Prends Garde A Toi, running at 16/1 odds, might be well-positioned under favorable conditions. With strategic choices and trend analysis, the race is set to be a highlight of the festival.
- Predictions and best bets for the 2026 Kim Muir Challenge Cup
- This handicap takes place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on March 12th
- Prends Garde A Toi (16/1) features in our selections
The curtain comes down on St Patrick's Day with the Kim Muir Challenge Cup, a staying handicap chase which is open only to amateur riders.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Kim Muir tips for 2026, including our best bets, key trends and race verdict.
Last Updated: 05.03.2026
Race Info
| Race | Kim Muir Challenge Cup |
| Date | Thursday, March 12th, 2026 |
| Start Time | 5:20pm |
| Status | Class 2 |
| Distance | 3m2f70y |
| First Prize | £36,233 |
| Going | NA |
| Runners | 75 |
| Favourite | Jeriko Du Reponet (5/1) |
2026 Kim Muir Challenge Trends
- 10 of the last 11 winners had run no more than 10 times over fences
- 10 of the last 11 winners had run in at least two Graded races (hurdles or fences)
- 9 of the last 11 winners had run within the last 50 days
- 9 of the last 11 winners were eight years old or younger
- 8 of the last 11 winners returned an SP of 8/1 or shorter
- 7 of the last 11 winners carried 11-4 or more
Four of the first five names in the betting for this year's Kim Muir run in the colours of JP McManus. Nicky Henderson has managed to drop Jeriko Du Reponet's rating below the 145-ceiling for the Kim Muir, and Derek O'Connor has been called up to ride the favourite at the Cheltenham Festival.
Waterford Whispers is yet to race over further than two-and-a-half miles, and Uhavemeinstitches is entered in the Leinster National this weekend. JP could also be represented by Montregard and Aworkinprogress, and the former of those two could still be well-handicapped.
2026 Kim Muir Challenge Cup Tips
| Bet Type | Name | Odds (5.3.26) |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bet 1 | Prends Garde A Toi | 16/1 |
| Possible Bet | Weveallbeencaught | 25/1 |
| Possible Bet | Gericault Roque | 25/1 |
I highlighted PRENDS GARDE A TOI (16/1) in my guide to the National Hunt Chase, but he'll be running here instead. 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 stayed really well at Punchestown, so seeing out the Kim Muir distance should be no problem. Elliott is sure to book a quality amateur to take this plum ride. If the ground is favourably soft, I could see this experienced novice going well.
I'm a big fan of David Pipe's retained conditional Rian Corcoran, and would be interested in Gericault Roque if he turned up here. Pipe's ten-year-old - who missed a good chunk of his career - wasn't beaten far when Corach Rambler won his first Ultima in 2022, and went close behind Montregard last time out at Ascot.
Pipe looks set to run Gericault Roque in the National Hunt Chase on day one, but he was beaten 57 lengths in that contest 12 months ago, and the Kim Muir could be much more suitable.
Weveallbeencaught finished fourth in this race last year on his penultimate start for the Twiston-Davies's. A move to Emmet McNamara's yard followed, and Weveallbeencaught went close in the Munster National on his second start for that stable.
Unlikely Gericault Roque, he'll have no trouble getting into the Kim Muir with his mark of 137 and decent ground on day three would suit. Patrick O'Brien rode French Dynamite to victory over stablemate Weveallbeencaught in the Munster National, and he could head over to Cheltenham to take the ride.
Live Stream
Visit our Cheltenham Festival Live Stream page if you want to watch any race during the week via a mobile or tablet.
Kim Muir 2026 FAQs
When is the Kim Muir 2026?
The Kim Muir Challenge Cup will take place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday 12th March, 2026.
What time does the Kim Muir go off?
The Kim Muir Challenge Cup is scheduled to start at 5:20pm on March 12th.
Where can I watch the 2026 Kim Muir?
The Kim Muir Challenge Cup 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
Prends Garde A Toi looks to be the best handicapped of Gordon Elliott's entrants, and looks worth a punt at 16/1.
Weveallbeencaught ran well in this race 12 months ago, and Gericault Roque boasts Cheltenham Festival form.
Weveallbeencaught ran well in this race 12 months ago, and Gericault Roque boasts Cheltenham Festival form.
Prends Garde A Toi
2026 Kim Muir
@16/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
with promo code NEWBONUS
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Gericault Roque
2026 Kim Muir
@25/1 - 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.
Weveallbeencaught
2026 Kim Muir
@25/1 - 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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