Cheltenham Festival 2026: Expert Tips and Race Previews

The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is set to be a thrilling event, with St. Patrick’s Thursday promising a captivating day of racing. Here’s a appear at expert tips and previews for key races on the card.

Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

Willie Mullins’ dominance in this contest has waned recently, but Bambino Fever is emerging as a strong contender. The Champion Bumper heroine was previously defeated by Oldschool Outlaw at Naas but rebounded with a victory at Fairyhouse, demonstrating significant improvement.

Henry de Bromhead, a past winner of this race in 2021 and 2022, is represented by Punchestown Listed winner Echoing Silence. Jamie Snowden’s La Conquiere, despite a Grade 2 defeat at Ascot in January, showed credible effort in a tactical race. Carrigmoornaspruce benefited from a fortunate second-place finish in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown, while Manganese, with three wins over timber at Doncaster, is a notable contender at a higher price.

Top Tip: Bambino Fever

Watch out for: Oldschool Outlaw

Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

Paul Nicholls, the victor with Caldwell Potter last year, fields Regent’s Stroll as an interesting runner. His second-place finish on New Year’s Day has been validated, though concerns remain about the Festival atmosphere potentially affecting his keenness. Meetmebythesea is expected to perform better on a sounder surface, and the step up in trip offers potential for improvement. Stencil, owned by the same connections, needs to prove stamina after a successful run at Chepstow.

Expert Picks

Ruby Walsh, as reported by The Independent, also tips Bambino Fever in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, citing her outstanding chance and marked improvement after her win at Fairyhouse.

Newsboy, in The Mirror, favors Oldschool Outlaw in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, noting a close contest with Bambino Fever at Naas and highlighting Oldschool Outlaw’s subsequent strong performances.

Looking Ahead

The Cheltenham Festival 2026 continues to build anticipation, with Friday’s Gold Cup featuring Inothewayurthinkin aiming for a second consecutive win. Preserve checking back for the latest updates, betting odds, and expert analysis throughout the festival. Oddschecker provides a comparison of odds from 25 bookies.