What Is the Cheltenham Festival?
The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day horse racing meeting held each March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. It is widely regarded as the pinnacle of jump racing — the sport's equivalent of Wimbledon or The Masters. More than 250,000 spectators attend across the four days, and hundreds of millions of pounds are wagered.
The Festival features 28 Grade 1 championship races across Flat, Hurdle, and Chase divisions. The atmosphere is electric, the racing is world-class, and the betting market is more liquid and competitive than almost anywhere else in the sport.
When Is Cheltenham Festival?
The Cheltenham Festival takes place over four days in March — typically the second or third week of the month. In 2026, the Festival runs from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March.
The Four Days of the Festival
Day 1 — Champion Day (Tuesday)
The opening day features the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the iconic Champion Hurdle, the most prestigious two-mile hurdle race in the world. The festival gets its first major result within minutes of the opening race and the atmosphere builds throughout the afternoon.
Day 2 — Ladies Day (Wednesday)
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the showpiece — a two-mile championship for the best novice and seasoned chasers. Day 2 also features the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and the Coral Cup, one of the biggest handicap hurdles at the meeting.
Day 3 — St Patrick's Thursday
With huge Irish support, Thursday is the most boisterous day. The Stayers' Hurdle is the feature — a three-mile test of stamina for the best staying hurdlers. The Ryanair Chase provides a top-class option for chasers not quite suited to the Cheltenham Gold Cup trip.
Day 4 — Gold Cup Day (Friday)
The pinnacle. The Cheltenham Gold Cup — three miles and two and a half furlongs over 22 fences — is the championship test of jump racing. Past winners include Arkle, Desert Orchid, Best Mate, and Kauto Star. Only a small number of horses are ever good enough to win it.
Key Races at a Glance
- Champion Hurdle — Champion Day, 2m hurdle
- Queen Mother Champion Chase — Ladies Day, 2m chase
- Stayers' Hurdle — St Patrick's Thursday, 3m hurdle
- Cheltenham Gold Cup — Gold Cup Day, 3m2½f chase
- Supreme Novices' Hurdle — Champion Day, novice hurdle
- Arkle Challenge Trophy — Champion Day, novice chase
- Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup — Gold Cup Day, championship chase
Cheltenham Betting Tips
The Festival is notoriously difficult to bet on. Here are our key strategies:
- Irish horses are well-represented — Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott dominate the winner's enclosure. Never overlook Irish raiders.
- Fresh horses often outperform — Trainers hold horses back for the Festival. A horse that has had a light prep may be peaking at the right time.
- Ante-post value is best — Prices shorten dramatically as the Festival approaches. Taking ante-post prices on Festival favourites in December or January can provide significant value.
- The Cheltenham hill tests stamina — Horses need to stay every inch of the trip. Be wary of horses with suspect stamina profiles.
- Course winners — A previous Cheltenham winner has a significant advantage. The track is unique and takes some horses time to figure out.
How to Get There
Cheltenham Racecourse is located in Prestbury Park on the outskirts of Cheltenham town. Special race trains run from London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa throughout the Festival. Shuttle buses connect the station to the racecourse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many races are at the Cheltenham Festival?
There are 28 races across the four days of the Festival — seven races per day.
Who has trained the most Cheltenham Festival winners?
Willie Mullins holds the record for most Festival winners, surpassing the legendary Nicky Henderson in 2024.
What is the best race at Cheltenham?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is universally considered the greatest race in jump racing. The Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase are also among the sport's most prestigious races.
