Cheltenham Ante-Post Tips and Trends 2026

Cheltenham 15 March 2024 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup A delighted Willie Mullins after Galopin Des Champs won their second Gold Cup
Photo Healy RacingWith one of the biggest National Hunt events almost upon us, what we all need is reliable Cheltenham ante-post tips. The 2026 Cheltenham Festival takes place between Tuesday 10th and Friday 13th of March and serves up four days of exhilarating action.

We have all the best Cheltenham ante-post selections you need to help you identify winners and you can find a host of high-value Cheltenham free bets and betting offers Ireland here along with UK betting offers which can be found here.

Cheltenham Festival Preview 2026

Watch out for our 2026 Cheltenham Festival preview coming up in February.

See our Cheltenham race cards which display in-depth previews and tips for each race closer to the event.

Ante-post Cheltenham Tips

Niall Tierney kept a close eye on the racing action over Christmas and added four more Cheltenham ante-post fancies to his portfolio.

Galopin Des Champs - Gold Cup

We saw the return of Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase, and considering the current form of the Willie Mullins yard, I thought his performance was outstanding.

There’s been a lot of talk about some of Willie’s big-name horses being beaten on seasonal reappearances, but Galopin Des Champs ran a huge race. For a horse of his age, making his seasonal debut in such a high-class contest over that trip, it was a phenomenal effort.

He jumped well throughout and still had every chance after the last. Some people have suggested he didn’t travel with his usual ease, but for a first run of the season in a race like that, I think he can be forgiven. He was likely only around 80% fit.

I fully expect a big step forward at the Dublin Racing Festival, and I still see him right at the centre of the Gold Cup picture. At around 6/1 for the Gold Cup, I think that’s extremely fair value. If he wins at Leopardstown, he’ll go off much shorter in March. For me, he ticked all the boxes on his reappearance.

Narciso Has - Triumph Hurdle

Narciso Has came over with a big reputation, and although he was beaten on his first run at Fairyhouse, he was only denied by a very smart mare from Gordon Elliott’s yard, Mange Tout.

I expected him to improve significantly for his second run, and he did exactly that. Not many juveniles can be scrubbed along early at Leopardstown and still stay on so strongly, but that only highlighted the huge engine he has underneath.

He jumped well throughout, dictated his own pace, and made his own fractions. Danny Mullins gave him a superb front-running ride, allowing the horse to use his stride and stamina to full effect.

It was a wonderful performance, and he looks a top-class Triumph Hurdle contender. He’s a horse I’d be very happy to have my money on going forward.

Mossy Fen Road - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Mossy Fen Road was absolutely superb the other day at Chepstow and, for me, he looks a serious contender for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

He jumped for fun and travelled extremely well throughout the race, despite there being a strong pace on. Chepstow is a track where if you make a mistake at the last few hurdles, you can face a very difficult task afterwards, but the way this lad attacked it was a joy to watch.

He seemed to lock onto it, was precise and fluent in the air, and then simply coasted away to an easy eight-and-a-half length success.

The form looks solid too, with the second horse winning impressively at Kelso before the race. That gives the performance real substance.

He looks a brilliant prospect for Harry Derham, who was understandably delighted afterwards. This is a horse with pace, slick jumping, and the right attitude -everything you want for a Supreme contender.

Jordans - Pertemps Final

Jordans was a massive eye-catcher on December 28th at Leopardstown, and he’s firmly on my radar for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien, he was delivered with patience by Keith Donoghue and stayed on extremely well in the closing stages. His effort really caught the eye, especially considering how strong the field was.

He showed plenty of ability over fences last season, and he’s a horse who will absolutely relish the trip at Cheltenham. Importantly, he looks like the type who would benefit from a stronger gallop, which is exactly what you tend to get in the Pertemps Final.

As we’ve seen time and again, there’s no one better at preparing a horse to peak on the big day than Joseph O’Brien. Jordans looks tailor-made for this race and is definitely one I want onside going into March.

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Cheltenham Day 1 Ante-post Tips and Trends, Tuesday 10th March 2026

Day one is highlighted by the two-mile Champion Hurdle when the fastest and most talented hurdlers are put to the test. Last year Golden Ace took the spoils fro trainer Jeremy Scott.

Sir Gino is favourite to land the 2026 renewal and should he show the form we saw him in when winning last time, he will be difficult to beat. Lossiemouth and The New Lion are also popular in the betting.

We take a look at some stats and trends for the Champion Hurdle to help you with your Cheltenham day 1 ante-post tips:

• The most successful trainer in the race is Nicky Henderson, who has saddled the winner on nine occasions.
• Willie Mullins has landed the prize five times and has had runners placed in five of the last seven renewals.
• Irish trainers have a good record in the Champion Hurdle, having won thirteen of the past twenty two runnings.
• Eleven of the last thirteen winners had won a Grade 1 going into the race.
• The last twelve winners of the Champion Hurdle had last run between 26 and 78 days ago.
• Eleven of the last twelve winners were rated 161 or above.

See more day 1 Cheltenham tips here

Cheltenham Day 2 Ante-Post Tips and Trends, Wednesday 11th March 2026

The two-mile specialists go head to head once more on day two, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase taking centre stage. The ultimate test of speed and agility, the feature race is a fine spectacle as the best two-mile chasers battle it out over thirteen fences.

Below you can find some trends to help you with your Cheltenham day 2 picks:

• The last twelve winners of the Champion Chase appeared at least 32 days ago.
• Trainer Willie Mullins has won the Champion Case twice during his illustrious training career.
• Nicky Henderson has won this contest five times in the last thirteen years.
• Nine of the last twelve winners had won last time out.
• Thirteen of the last fourteen winners were aged between 7 and 9.

See more day 2 Cheltenham tips here

Cheltenham Day 3 Ante-Post Tips and Trends, Thursday 12th March 2026

Things get ratcheted up here on day three. The feature race is the three-mile Stayers‘ Hurdle, while the richest race on the card is the Ryanair Chase.

The Stayers‘ Hurdle is race four on the card and Teahupoo heads the market with most bookmakers, while Honesty Policy and Impose Toi are also prominent in the betting.

Take a look at the stats and trends below:

• Gavin Cromwell and Willie Mullins have won this race twice in the last twelve years.
• The last twelve winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle appeared at least 46 days ago.
• Four of the last thirteen winners had run in the Cleeve Hurdle on Cheltenham Trials day.
• Nine of the last twelve winners were aged 6 or 7.
• Three favourites have won in the last twelve years.

See more day 3 Cheltenham tips here

Cheltenham Day 4 Ante-Post Tips and Trends, Friday 13th March 2026

This is the point at which the Festival reaches a crescendo - Gold Cup day. Betting tips for Cheltenham are most sought after on this day and we‘ve got you covered. We also have Cheltenham ante-post tips on the Jump To It videos displayed on our homepage of this site.

The majority of Cheltenham betting tips centre on the Gold Cup. The feature race of this meeting and of the entire National Hunt season, this phenomenal Grade 1 event is as competitive as ever.

Below we looks at the stats and trends to help you unearth the best Cheltenham Gold Cup tips:

• Henry De Bromhead has won the last two of the last five renewals.
• Only five of the last twelve winners were sent off favourite.
• Irish trainers have won ten of the last thirteen renewals of the Gold Cup.
• Twelve of the last thirteen had won over three miles or further.
• The last twelve winners were aged 7-9.
• Paul Townend is the most-winning jockey in the last twelve years, having won the prize twice aboard Al Boum Photo and twice aboard Galopin Des Champs.

See more day 4 Cheltenham tips here

How to Bet on the Cheltenham Festival 2026

Cheltenham ante-post tips are about more than going for the horse with the biggest reputation, there‘s no doubt about that. There are so many factors to keep in mind when trying to stay ahead. Check out our Cheltenham tips on how to pick the right horse at the Festival.

Find a Horse with Class

Horses winning en route to the Festival is one thing, but are they good enough? While stamina and toughness come into things here, only the classiest horses in their division prove good enough at Cheltenham. Make sure your horse has won against the best and/or has comfortably beaten those in the next grade down.

Look for Course Form

This is not a prerequisite, however Cheltenham is unique and many with good form simply don‘t perform there. Should you get two horses very close together on form and one is proven around Cheltenham, it would be wise to make that your tie-breaker.

Look for the Right Attributes for the Right Course

Cheltenham is split between the New Course and the Old Course. Make sure your horse has the right attributes for the one it‘s racing on. The New Course puts the emphasis on stamina and staying ability, while speed is more prevalent on the Old Course which you should keep in mind.

Look for Race Fitness

More and more trainers are wrapping their horses in cotton wool before the Festival. Some do not see the track again after running at Christmas time, however there is an argument that rather than keeping them fresh, it‘s giving them a disadvantage. Horses which have run at the Dublin Racing Festival in early February have done very well of late, as will others which have run just a few weeks before Cheltenham.

Get Good Value

It‘s one thing finding a horse you believe has a great chance, but you need to get value for money. Ensure your horse is a reasonable price and that you are betting with the best bookmakers. Also keep an eye on the bookmakers‘ offers as some will enhance the odds on certain runners or offer money-back concessions if your horse finishes second to the favourite.

FAQs: Cheltenham ante-post tips

What is Cheltenham ante-post betting?

Ante-post betting is placing a bet prior to the declarations of a race. Keen racing bettors will seek out better value by placing a bet in advance when the odds are, in most cases. bigger than the day of the race. The Cheltenham Festival is a popular festival for ante-post betting as punters can back their selections at big prices up to 365 days before the Festival kicks off.

Where can I find the best Cheltenham ante-post tips?

You can find the Cheltenham ante-post tips on this page and look out for our Cheltenham Preview show coming in February 2026.

Who is the ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

Inothewayurthinkin is favourite to land this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second time for Gavin Cromwell.

Who is the ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle?

The Champion Hurdle favourite is Sir Gino for trainer Nicky Henderson, the rising star has looked back to his best when seen winning at Christmas.