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)
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 1
- 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 2
- 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*
