The 2026 Cheltenham Festival will kick off on March 10, 2026, with the traditional roar marking the start of the thrilling event. The Mirror will be providing comprehensive coverage of the festival, offering a free shop bet daily for its readers in partnership with William Hill. This year’s festival promises four days of exciting sport, featuring top national hunt horses from both Britain and Ireland.
Experts anticipate a strong comeback from UK horses this year, challenging the recent dominance of Irish contenders led by trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is wide open, with Mullins boasting contenders like Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File, and Gaelic Warrior. On the British side, The Jukebox Man, trained by Harry Redknapp, leads a formidable challenge alongside horses like Haiti Couleurs and jockey Sean Bowen aiming for his first festival win.
In other races, the Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase present exciting opportunities for contenders. Last year’s Champion Hurdle winner, Golden Ace, aims for another victory, while Majborough stands out as a strong favorite in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Trainer Nicky Henderson is expected to shine on the first day with favorites like Old Park Star and Lulamba, while Dan Skelton brings a powerful team for the entire week. Additionally, jockey Harry Cobden looks to end his Cheltenham career on a high note before transitioning to a new role with JP McManus.
Mirror readers are encouraged to grab a copy from Saturday, March 7, 2026, for full coverage of the festival. They can also enjoy a free William Hill shop bet from March 10 to March 13, 2026. By signing up for the free Punter’s Club newsletter, readers can receive valuable insights and tips during the Cheltenham Festival and beyond. Joining the club offers exclusive access to news, tips, analysis, free ticket offers, and competitions delivered directly to email inboxes for free.
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