Racingpost Cheltenham Preview

The Racing Post Cheltenham Festival preview returned with a packed panel featuring David Jennings alongside Pricewise tipster Tom Segal, Paul Kealy, Unibet’s Ed Nicholson and legendary trainer Nicky Henderson. With the 2026 Festival fast approaching, the discussion quickly turned to the key races on the opening day and the panel’s strongest betting angles.

From the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle through to the Champion Hurdle, several horses stood out as potential selections, making it possible to build a strong Cheltenham Lucky 15 from the early insights.

Nico De Boinville believes Old Park Star could give Seven Barrows the perfect start to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival after naming the exciting novice as his best chance of a winner during a Racing Post preview panel.

The leading jockey admitted it was disappointing that the brilliant Constitution Hill will not line up in the Champion Hurdle this year, but he is still looking forward to seeing the superstar parade in front of the crowd on the opening day. De Boinville said watching Constitution Hill run at Kempton from the sidelines was a strange experience, describing him as the fastest horse he has ever ridden over obstacles and likely the quickest he will ever sit on.

While the Champion Hurdle will take place without the two time winner, attention quickly turned to the opening race of the meeting and the Supreme Novices Hurdle. De Boinville did not hesitate when asked for his strongest Festival fancy, naming Old Park Star as the horse he believes can deliver a victory for the yard.

The Seven Barrows jockey made it clear he expects the novice to come into the race with a major chance, suggesting the team would love to get their Festival week up and running early. Old Park Star has already established himself as one of the leading British contenders in the Supreme market and confidence from the stable rider will only strengthen that position.

De Boinville also highlighted Bold Endeavour as a horse who could be well handicapped for the Pertemps Final later in the week. The experienced hurdler has been aimed carefully at the staying handicap and could represent a strong chance if he makes the line up.

Discussion during the preview then moved to the Turners Novices Hurdle where Nicky Henderson suggested Active Innocence could prove a lively contender if the race cuts up. Henderson believes there is little between Active Innocence and Old Park Star in ability, which raised eyebrows given the big difference in their current betting prices.

With several of the leading market rivals potentially heading elsewhere, Henderson indicated Active Innocence could start favourite if the race loses some of its main contenders. That possibility has already caught the attention of punters searching for value in the early markets.

The panel also analysed the Brown Advisory Novices Chase where opinion was divided on the chances of Final Demand. Several members suggested the favourite may be vulnerable after recent defeats, while others highlighted improving contenders such as Wendigo and Six Mile Bridge as potential dangers.

Attention later turned to the Queen Mother Champion Chase which has been shaken up by the absence of last year’s winner Marine Nationale. Majborough now heads the market and many expect him to start very short if he jumps cleanly. However, several panellists warned that the race has a long history of short priced favourites getting beaten if their jumping falters under pressure.

With the Festival fast approaching, the preview offered plenty of clues for punters. But for De Boinville the key message was simple. If Old Park Star delivers in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, Cheltenham 2026 could begin in perfect fashion for the Henderson team.

The Cheltenham Festival preview panel turned its attention to the Stayers’ Hurdle with strong opinions emerging about the race and its leading contenders. The discussion centred on the idea that speed often wins races rather than pure stamina, with Tom Segal arguing that punters should not be afraid to side with classier horses stepping into unknown territory rather than proven stayers who lack the same level of ability.

Segal suggested that Kabral Du Mathan could be a major contender if he proves he stays the trip, pointing out that taking a chance on a talented horse at a price can often be the better betting strategy. His argument was that many races are decided by the quickest horse in the field rather than the one with the most stamina, meaning punters should not automatically favour grinding stayers over horses with a higher level of class.

There was less enthusiasm for the market leader Teahupoo, with several members of the panel expressing doubts about the favourite. Some questioned whether the course suits him, while others felt the drying ground could make life more difficult. That uncertainty has encouraged bookmakers to try and attract support for the favourite, with boosted odds being offered in the betting market.

The conversation then turned to other potential contenders in the race. Ma Shantu emerged as a popular choice among some analysts after his impressive victory in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham. His ability to finish strongly up the famous hill and his excellent course record were highlighted as major positives for the staying contest.

Trainer Nicky Henderson also discussed the chances of Impose Toi, explaining that conditions played a big role in his previous defeat at Cheltenham. He indicated the horse was not suited by the soft ground on that occasion and believes he could be far more competitive if the Festival surface rides quicker. Henderson suggested that if the ground turns in his favour, the horse could easily reverse form with some of his rivals.

While opinions differed on the likely winner, the overall consensus from the panel was that the Stayers’ Hurdle looks more competitive than last year’s renewal. Several runners arrive with strong form and proven stamina, meaning the race could develop into one of the most open contests of the Festival.

Attention then switched to the Ryanair Chase where the presence of Fact To File dominated the conversation. Many believe the powerful chaser could be the best horse in training and that if he lines up in the race he may simply be too good for his opposition. Some panel members even suggested he could win the Gold Cup if connections chose that route.

Despite that confidence, questions remain about the final field for the race. Several of the leading names hold alternative entries elsewhere during the week, which means the Ryanair could cut up significantly at the final declaration stage. That uncertainty has made it difficult for punters to commit strongly to each way bets at this stage.

The panel also analysed the Pertemps Final where Henderson’s Bold Endeavour was put forward as a lively outsider. The experienced hurdler has slipped down the handicap after a lengthy absence and the trainer admitted the horse has returned to training in good shape. However Henderson warned that the horse does not find winning easy and suggested he might be better viewed as an each way contender rather than a confident selection.

Later in the discussion the focus shifted to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where opinions were split across a wide open field. Henderson’s runner Django Bay was strongly supported by several panel members who believe the horse has the class required to win the race if he stays the distance. His Arkle victory last season and strong performances this year have convinced many that he could develop into a top class staying chaser.

Others pointed to Haiti Couleurs as a major danger after his impressive victories in both the Welsh National and the Denman Chase. His relentless finishing style and proven stamina have marked him out as a genuine Gold Cup contender if the race turns into a true test of staying power.

With several runners arriving with strong Festival form and multiple contenders priced closely in the betting, the panel agreed that this year’s Gold Cup looks one of the most competitive renewals in recent memory. If the leading contenders all line up, the famous race could produce a thrilling finish up the Cheltenham hill.