After claiming the exciting welcome bonus, there will be plenty of races to explore at the Cheltenham Festival. You can find out more about the races and the leading contenders here.
Champion Hurdle
The Day One feature is the Grade One Champion Chase, run over an extended two miles on the Old Course. Lossiemouth has quickly become favourite for the race after being declared by Willie Mullins, with Paul Townend booked to take the ride. The seven-year-old is a three-time Festival winner.
The New Lion is also a previous Festival winner, having landed the Grade One Turners Novices’ Hurdle 12 months ago. By contrast, Brighterdaysahead is a contender with a poor Cheltenham record, having lost on both previous starts at the track. Reigning champion Golden Ace is unlikely to be underestimated after winning at odds of 25/1 in 2025.
Champion Chase
The Champion Chase is the feature on Day Two, with Majborough expected to be a clear favourite for Willie Mullins after dominating the Grade One Dublin Chase in first-time headgear.
However, this race has a deep history of short-priced runners being turned over, with Jonbon (2025), El Fabiolo (2024), and Douvan (2017) all beaten. L’Eau du Sud is a proven Cheltenham winner for Dan Skelton, while Quilixios was in the process of running a big race in the Champion Chase last year before falling at the last.
Stayers’ Hurdle
The first of two big Grade Ones on Day Three is the Stayers’ Hurdle, run over three miles. Bob Olinger is the reigning champion after extending his unbeaten record at Cheltenham 12 months ago.
Teahupoo has form figures of 2-1-2 in the race, and has looked better than ever for Gordon Elliott this season. Young pretenders could rival experienced stayers, with Honesty Policy, Ma Shantou, and Impose Toi all capable of being high-class over three miles.
Ryanair Chase
Fact To File dominated the Ryanair Chase in 2025, and eyebrows were raised after the Willie Mullins star was entered in this year’s race as opposed to the Cheltenham Gold Cup after dominating the Grade One Irish Gold Cup.
The nine-year-old is expected to be one of the shortest-priced favourites of the week, with last year’s runner-up Heart Wood, and the former King George winner Banbridge, having plenty to find.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
One of the highest quality renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in recent memory is set for Day Four. Reigning champion Inothewayurthinkin has struggled throughout the season, but his excellent Cheltenham record will make him challenging to dismiss.
A talented crop of first-time runners in the race will feature prominently in the betting, headlined by King George winner The Jukebox Man. Gaelic Warrior is Willie Mullins’ only runner in the race, while Jango Baie holds strong Cheltenham form after winning last year’s Arkle.