Join Steve Mullington for his Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips in the build up to the 2026 meeting...
Full List Of 2026 Cheltenham Festival Tips:
- Fact To File - Cheltenham Gold Cup (6/1)
- Kawaboomga - Arkle (20/1)
- Marine Nationale - Champion Chase (4/1)
- The Yellow Clay - Stayers Hurdle (8/1)
- Proactif - Triumph Hurdle (12/1)
- The New Lion - Champion Hurdle (4/1)
- Doctor Du Mesnil - Turners Novices Hurdle (14/1)
- Mydaddypaddy - Supreme Novices Hurdle (8/1)
- Sixmilebridge - Brown Advisory Novices Chase (33/1)
- Wodhooh - Mares Hurdle (4/1)
Antepost betting can be like fishing in shark infested waters, but if you do it right, you can quite often land yourself a decent catch, i.e. – your horse wins the race at odds far superior to those returned on the raceday itself.
Each week, I'll be adding to my Cheltenham Festival 2026 ante-post portfolio and you can keep track of my selections throughout the series below:
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 10
- Wodhooh (Mares Hurdle @ 4/1)
Wodhooh is a steady 4/1 shot in our horse racing betting market for the Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at The Festival after winning in Graded company for the first time in the Ascot Hurdle.
With Lossiemouth looking as though she will be heading to the Champion Hurdle, the door potentially comes wide open for Wodhooh to land the Mares' Hurdle, although the Stayers' Hurdle has also been banded around as a possible target.
After her success in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at last season's festival, Wodhooh ran well behind Lossiemouth in Grade 1 company at Aintree in April, and opened up this season with a late surgery victory over Celtic Dino.
Trainer Gordon Elliott said after the race: “She’s a good mare and where she’ll end up I’m not quite sure, but she keeps winning, so I’m delighted.
“We knew they were going to go quick up front on that ground so we said we would take our time, but I just liked the attitude she showed to quicken going down over the last, it was great.
“She’s good and we’re lucky to have her. We’ll get her home now and have a chat about what we do next, I’m not too sure yet.
“Today was the plan and she’s done great, so I’m delighted.”
If she can avoid Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle, then you would like to think you’re sitting pretty on a betting slip that has Wodhooh at 4/1 on it.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 9
- Sixmilebridge (Brown Advisory Novices Chase @ 33/1)
Punters looking for a speculative each-way longshot in the Cheltenham ante-post markets might want to give Fergal O’Brien’s Sixmilebridge the once over.
After being a serial non-runner on the account of the ground in recent weeks, the six-year-old finally got the green light to compete at Ayr and duly won a three-runner 2m4½f beginners' chase.
This victory came over two and a half miles and Sixmilebridge was need to move up to three miles and the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
However, O’Brien is open over which trip his gelding may run over
“We haven’t made too many plans other than to try to get today out of the way first,” continued O’Brien.
“I’ll speak to Kielan (Woods, jockey) and Mr and Mrs Megson (owners) and try make a plan of where to go next."
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 8
- Mydaddypaddy (Supreme Novices Hurdle @ 8/1)
Mydaddypaddy was made the clear 8/1 favourite in our horse racing betting for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after an impressive debut victory over hurdles at Carlisle.
Trainer Dan Skelton was pleased with the four-year-old's return to action, after he came from the back of the pack to easily pull four and a half lengths clear of his rivals at the business end of proceedings.
Mydaddypaddy was already prominent in the betting for next March, after romping home in a bumper at Huntingdon by 11 lengths, but was duly cut down to 8/1 from 14/1 after his success in Cumbria.
Dan Skelton said to Racing TV: “I tried my hardest not to run him last season because he was only four. To be fair, Dermot who owns him put no pressure on to run but was itching to see him run because our reports have been quite favourable. He was so ready, he was naturally ready and I almost couldn’t hold him back.
“He’s only as fit as all my novices are. I did explain to Dermot that he may take a blow and if he got beat, then he got beat, but it was class that got him through in the end.
"There was a bit of pressure because you want to go and see a nice clear round, but, with the support of the owners, we build into the season rather than set the fireworks off early, with the novices especially, which is a very helpful position to be in."
Before the big one at Cheltenham in March, Skelton will probably have a tilt at Grade 1 company in the Formby Novices' Hurdle on Boxing Day.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 7
- Doctor Du Mesnil (Turners Novices Hurdle @ 14/1)
Doctor Du Mesnil has only appeared once on the racecourse for Willie Mullins, but the impression that he made was a lasting one in my opinion.
He was an 11-length winner of a Cork bumper back in April, leaving dual-bumper runner-up Thedeviluno floundering in behind.
Mullins trained Kopek Des Bordes to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival 2025 and Doctor Du Mesnil is very much in the same mould as him. He is currently marked up at a 14/1 shot in our sports betting market for the 2m5f race.
Jockey Jody Townend said after the race: “He’s going to be a good horse. He’s so relaxed, you can ride him anyway you want and he’s a different horse on grass compared to even at home.
"He picked up in two strides and I knew I had them covered. If he can get off the ground at all over a jump, I’d say he will be a very good horse.”
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 6
- The New Lion (Champion Hurdle @ 4/1)
Unbeaten under rules, The New Lion is gearing up for a campaign aimed at landing the 2026 Champion Hurdle. This revelation is nothing new, and it has been signposted to punters for some time now.
After a few strolls in the park last season, the Cheltenham Festival was the obvious next target and, after a change of ownership to JP McManus, it was decided that The New Lion would be entered in the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Hurdle.
The New Lion then sauntered home in that race to record the biggest victory of his career thus far.
Trainer Dan Skelton earlier confirmed that the six-year-old would kick start this new season with a visit to the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, setting up a potential clash with Constitution Hill.
Currently trading at a 4/1 shot in our antepost horse racing betting market, I cannot see that price lasting too long should he win at Gosforth Park.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 5
- Proactif (Triumph Hurdle @ 12/1)
JP McManus and Willie Mullins have teamed up to purchase yet another French recruit in the shape of Proactif.
Back in September, the three-year-old son of Masked Marvel won by six lengths going away in an 18-runner field at Auteuil, and he looked like a very forward horse based on that run alone.
Pundit Mark Howard, author of the annual “One Jump Ahead” publication, wrote of Proactif in his book: “Ireland’s champion trainer was reportedly quick off the mark and secured the gelding for a hefty six-figure sum from a stable who have supplied him with some top-class ammunition in recent years, namely Majborough and State Man.
A big, scopey individual, he could be very smart and develop into a household name.
Expect him to make his Irish debut in a Graded contest after Christmas before a tilt at the Triumph Hurdle.”
It’s also interesting to note that Masked Marvel, sired 2024 Festival Stayers' Hurdle winner Teahupoo, so hopes are high that the same greatness can rub off on this runner.
Another significant point about this purchase was that McManus already had two other leading lights for the Triumph in the shape of Manlaga and Narciso Has, but he still decided to go ahead and buy Proactif as well, so the horse really must have captured his imagination.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 4
- The Yellow Clay (Stayers Hurdle @ 8/1)
This race is often a wide open betting heat, and it does make sense to take a position on it now, and certainly before Christmas.
In recent times Gordon Elliott has been the hot trainer to follow in the contest, saddling two of the last three winners of the Stayers' and had the second and third in last March’s renewal.
There are early indications from Elliott that he will be targeting the Stayers’ with The Yellow Clay.
The Bective Stud-owned six-year-old was only beaten ¾ of a length by The New Lion at The Festival, and that horse is now one of the market leaders in the Champion Hurdle, so you have to give The Yellow Clay some sort of a leading chance too in whichever race he goes for at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott plans to run this son of Yeats in the 2m1f Bottlegreen Hurdle (Listed) at Down Royal on Friday 31st October.
At the time of writing, seven runners are entered for the contest and The Yellow Clay looks like being one of the principle runners in the betting. If he wins, his price is sure to trimmed for the Stayers’ Hurdle next March.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 3
- Marine Nationale (Champion Chase @ 4/1)
An obvious starting point for the Queen Mother Champion Chase is the 2025 winner, Marine Nationale, who scored by a slightly misleading 18 lengths after the late departure of his nearest rival.
It was however an excellent effort, and he will be hoping to emulate both Altior and Energumene in doubling up the following season.
With Barry Connell’s charge having only run 12 times in his life, Connell is confident he has not yet reached his peak.
He added: “He’s still very lightly-raced. We got held up the season before last with the suspensory injury, but that’s in the past now and he seems to be better than ever.
“The programme is there after the Fortria – Leopardstown at Christmas, the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham and Punchestown.”
The Fortria Chase takes place at Navan on November 15th, so you may want to place your Cheltenham antepost bets well before then.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 2
- Fact To File (Cheltenham Gold Cup @ 6/1)
Fact To File’s odds for the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup have been shortening month after month, based mainly upon his dominant victory in the 2025 Ryanair Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old has proven form at The Festival, registering two Grade 1 wins, including the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.
He totally dominated the Ryanair Chase, romping away to a nine-length victory, showing a high cruising speed and excellent jumping ability.
Jockey Mark Walsh reckoned there was still plenty of stamina reserves left, meaning there is every reason to believe that a step up to the Gold Cup distance of 3m2½ furlongs, will suit.
Coupled with Mullins’ magnificent record in the Gold Cup, it is easy to see why the momentum is building up behind him for the 2026 Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Industry tipster Tom Segal – better known as 'Pricewise', said after the Ryanair for two years running now that he thought he’d seen a wonder horse win at Cheltenham – and it was Fact To File both times.
“Fact To File was just different class in the Ryanair. I can't think of many winners ever who travelled, jumped and sprinted clear like he did with his ears pricked. The time was superb and he didn't come off the bridle.
"That was a class above what I'd seen from him previously this season and if in the same form I'd back him to win any race he runs in next season.
"He certainly wouldn't be out of place in the Champion Chase, but I reckon he'll be given a shot at the Gold Cup – and on good ground he'd win it.”
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 1
- Kawaboomga (Arkle Chase @ 20/1)
Kawaboomga suffered a training setback just three weeks short of the Cheltenham Festival last year, and was forced to sit out the remainder of that season.
The strong Festival fancy was an impressive maiden hurdle winner over William Munny at Fairyhouse, and had appeared to be among Willie Mullins' top novices heading over to Prestbury Park.
The JP McManus-owned five-year-old was sadly unable to make the trip across the Irish Sea for either the Supreme or the Turners Novices' Hurdle on account of his injury.
Speaking in last February, McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “Unfortunately Kawaboomga has had a setback and will miss the rest of the season.
“He’s a grand, big horse and it’s disappointing, but hopefully all being well we’ll have him back for the autumn.”
Of course it’s nigh on impossible to second guess Willie Mullins’ intentions for Kawaboomga this season, but given that JP has potential Champion Hurdle contenders already, there is every chance that this green and gold candidate will go chasing, with the Arkle being his ultimate goal.
When is the Cheltenham Festival?
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 will take place between Tuesday 10th and Friday 13th March.
This year Cheltenham Racecourse will celebrate 102 years of the Gold Cup, the pinnacle event of the National Hunt calendar.
This is the one race they all long to win and every horse, jockey, trainer, breeder, owner and racing fan will have their sights set on the Cotswolds.
Four breathtaking days of top class action will see a total of 28 races contested and numerous champions crowned.
There will be plenty of interest in the horse racing betting too that week. So, what can we expect each day at the Cheltenham Festival?
DAY 1 – Champion Day (10th March)
The Grade 1 Supreme Hurdle raises the curtain to the Cheltenham Festival with a famous roar. Last year we saw Kopek des Bordes land the spoils for popular trainer Willie Mullins.
The feature race of the day is the Champion Hurdle and last year Golden Ace secured one of the shocks of the season to give trainer Jeremy Scott a sensational victory.
DAY 2 – Festival Wednesday (11th March)
Marine Nationale was a poignant winner of the 2025 Queen Mother Champion Chase and he sets the standard in the two-mile division, though the likes of Majborough and Sir Gino, returning from injury, are obvious dangers to his crown.
Lecky Watson took advantage of a dramatic Brown Advisory Novices Chase to give Willie Mullins another big-race winner and connections will be targeting the Cheltenham Gold Cup with him this season. He will prove to be a popular pick in the Cheltenham betting odds.
DAY 3 – St Patrick’s Thursday (12th March)
The Cheltenham Festival is a second home to the Irish and St Patrick’s Thursday reflects this both on and off the track. The day itself features the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers Hurdle.
And the Irish had cause for celebration in 2025, with Fact To File bolting up in the Ryanair before a 1-2 for Robcour with Bob Olinger beating Teahupoo in the Stayers race.
DAY 4 – Gold Cup Day (13th March)
The day features the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the blue riband race of jumping. The pre-race tension, the exhilaration of the race and the jubilations afterwards make it a truly remarkable day.
The 2025 renewal was won by the Gavin Cromwell-trained Inothewayurthinkin and many will fancy him to go on and retain his crown next spring. Can Galopin Des Champs defy the odds and return to win a third Gold Cup? Only time will tell.
Cheltenham 2026 Tips
We'll be here with daily tips on the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, with our horse racing expert analysing every race at this year's meeting. You can find Cheltenham tips for each day via the links below:
How do you get to the Cheltenham Festival?
By Road: Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH
By Rail: The nearest train station is Cheltenham Spa. There is a dedicated Races bus service for the Cheltenham Festival from Cheltenham Spa Railway Station.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Adobe*
*Prices correct at the time of writing*
