In its current format, the Cheltenham Festival takes place in the first half of March. It carries on for four days, with one of them often coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day. Each race day hosts 7 races, so a total of 28 races are held during the Festival.
In this article we will break down all Cheltenham 2026 racecards, review the schedule and other key elements, and take a look at the headline races.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Racecards Overview
This year the Cheltenham Festival will be held between Tuesday, 10 March and Friday, 13 March. The four days of the Festival are:
- Champion Day (Tuesday, 10 March)
- Ladies Day (Wednesday, 11 March)
- St. Patrick’s Day (Thursday, 12 March)
- Gold Cup Day (Friday, 13 March)
Each day includes some of the most prestigious National Hunt races in the country. The 28 races that take place during the Cheltenham Festival are evenly distributed per day. Of course, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the pinnacle of the entire meeting.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 racecards include daily information on the races, start times for each, runners, their physical form, jockeys, and ground conditions (going). Often, race cards will also include horse odds, that is, how bookmakers see their chances of winning the race they participate in.
Knowing this information and how to correctly interpret it enhances both the day at the track experience and Cheltenham betting experience.
Cheltenham 2026 Racecards by Festival Day
Once they are released, Cheltenham racecards will provide you with all the necessary information about the horse racing fixture. Frequently, the race schedule is released earlier, with the lists of runners and their jockey announced closer to the event date.
Day 1 – Champion Day Racecards (Tuesday)
The daily race card for the Champion Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 is as follows:
Tuesday, 10 March
Going: soft
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE SKYBET SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about half a furlong
(2m 87yds) |
4YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 2:00 pm | THE SINGER ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles
(1m 7f 199yds) |
5YO+ £200,000.00 |
| 2:40 pm | THE MCCOY CONTRACTORS JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (Registered as the FRED WINTER JUVENILE HURDLE) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about half a furlong
(2m 87yds) |
4YO £80,000.00 |
| 3:20 pm | THE TRUSTMARQUE ULTIMA HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Three miles about one furlong (3m 1f) | 5YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 4:00 pm | THE UNIBET CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about half a furlong
(2m 87yds) |
4YO+ £450,000.00 |
| 4:40 pm | THE SUN RACING PLATE HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about four furlongs
(2m 4f 44yds) |
5YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 5:20 pm | THE PRINCESS ROYAL NATIONAL HUNT CHALLENGE CUP NOVICES’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Three miles about six furlongs
(3m 5f 201yds) |
5YO+ £100,000.00 Rating 0-145 |
Day 2 – Ladies Day Racecards (Wednesday)
The daily race card for the Ladies Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 is as follows:
Wednesday, 11 March
Going: soft; cross country: soft (heavy in places); old course hurdle: soft, old course chase: soft
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE TURNERS NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (Registered as The BARING BINGHAM NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about five furlongs
(2m 5f) |
4YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 2:00 pm | THE BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (Registered as The BROADWAY NOVICES’ CHASE) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Three miles about one furlong
(3m 1f) |
5YO+ £200,000.00 |
| 2:40 pm | THE CUP HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about five furlongs
(2m 5f) |
4YO+ £110,000.00 |
| 3:20 pm | THE GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY STEEPLE CHASE (A LIMITED HANDICAP) (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Three mile five furlongs and 56 yards (3m 5f 56yds) | 5YO+ £75,000.00 |
| 4:00 pm | THE BETMGM QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles
(1m 7f 199yds) |
5YO+ £400,000.00 |
| 4:40 pm | THE DEBENHAMS JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles
(1m 7f 199yds) |
5YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 5:20 pm | THE WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER (IN MEMORY OF SIR JOHNNY WEATHERBY) (A STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE) (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about half a furlong
(2m 87yds) |
4-6YO £80,000.00 |
Day 3 – St Patrick’s Day Racecards (Thursday)
The daily race card for the St. Patrick’s Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 is as follows:
Thursday, 12 March
Going: soft
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE RYANAIR MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) (Registered as THE DAWN RUN MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about one furlong
(2m 179yds) |
4YO+ £105,000.00 |
| 2:00 pm | THE JACK RICHARDS NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) (Registered as The GOLDEN MILLER) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about four and a half furlongs
(2m 4f 127yds) |
5YO+ £125,000.00 |
| 2:40 pm | THE CLOSE BROTHERS MARES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Registered as The DAVID NICHOLSON MARES’ HURDLE) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about four and a half furlongs
(2m 4f 56yds) |
4YO+ £125,000.00 |
| 3:20 pm | THE PADDY POWER STAYERS’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About three miles
(2m 7f 213yds) |
4YO+ £325,000.00 |
| 4:00 pm | THE RYANAIR STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Registered as The FESTIVAL TROPHY) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about four and a half furlongs
(2m 4f 127yds) |
5YO+ £375,000.00 |
| 4:40 pm | THE PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About three miles
(2m 7f 213yds) |
5YO+ £110,000.00 |
| 5:20 pm | THE ROSCONN GROUP FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP AMATEUR JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Three miles about two and a half furlongs
(3m 2f 70yds) |
5YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 0-145 |
Day 4 – Gold Cup Day Racecards (Friday)
The daily race card for the Gold Cup Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 is as follows:
Friday, 13 March
Going: soft
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1)(Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about one furlong
(2m 179yds) |
4YO £150,000.00 |
| 2:00 pm | THE WILLIAM HILL COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about one furlong
(2m 179yds) |
5YO+ £110,000.00 |
| 2:40 pm | THE MRS PADDY POWER MARES’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Registered as THE LIBERTHINE MARES’ STEEPLE CHASE) (Grade 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about four and a half furlongs
(2m 4f 127yds) |
5YO+ £130,000.00 |
| 3:20 pm | THE ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1)(Grade 1) (Registered as The SPA NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About three miles
(2m 7f 213yds) |
5YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 4:00 pm | THE BOODLES CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Three miles about two and a half furlongs
(3m 2f 70yds) |
5YO+ £625,000.00 |
| 4:40 pm | THE FESTIVAL CHALLENGE CUP OPEN HUNTERS’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | Three miles about two and a half furlongs
(3m 2f 70yds) |
5YO+ £50,000.00 |
| 5:20 pm | THE MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Two miles about four and a half furlongs
(2m 4f 56yds) |
4YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 0-145 |
How to Read Cheltenham Racecards
Cheltenham racecards are not just a timetable for the race day. They include a lot of information that will help bettors make informed decisions on which horse they want to back and what kind of betting market they should place their wager on.
Race time: Knowing the race time, you know when the final runners will be confirmed and what the window in which any horse can be declared a non-runner is.
Horse number: This is a number assigned to the horse for the race. It doesn’t reflect its odds or chances to win, but is rather helping viewers identify each horse in a fast moving race. Punters also use these numbers when placing horse racing bets.
Jockey: A lot of the horse’s behaviour on the track depends on which jockey leads it in the race. You can find this information on the race card and check both the jockey’s recent performances and historical record at this particular race.
Trainer: Each trainer has their individual style of preparing a horse for a race. They also have historical records of performing in various races.
Weight: On Cheltenham racecards, weight is usually indicated next to the horse’s name and is given in stones and pounds (for example, 9-7, i.e. 9 stones and 7 pounds). This includes the saddle, equipment, additional weights if necessary, and the jockey. Punters need this information because weight can affect the acceleration, work differently in different ground conditions, and have a strong impact over longer distances.
Official rating: Official rating (OR) shows the horse’s ability level. It directly determines the weight a horse should be carrying in a handicap race. Horses with higher OR are considered better, thus are assigned more weight in correlation 1 OR point equals to 1 pound. Keep in mind that official rating can change depending on the previous race results: increase if the horse finished impressively, drop if it showed poor results, and stay the same if it ran as expected. That’s why it is an evaluation of past performances rather than guaranteed future results.
Form figures: Form figures show the recent performances of the horse, helping the punters decide if they see it as capable of a good result in the current race. They are arranged from the oldest to the latest. Each number indicates the place in which the horse finished the race, with 0 indicating 10th place or below. A dash “-” in this string means a season break. Letters also reflect various outcomes, like “fell” or “unseated rider”. These are more common in jump racing.
Key Races at Cheltenham Festival 2026
Each race conducted at the Cheltenham Festival holds incredible value and prestige for the winners. As reflected in the Cheltenham racecards, each day also features a headline race that stands out as the highlight of the schedule. It is usually the most prestigious contest of the day and, as a rule, carries the highest prize money.
The following key races are featured as the headline races for each day of the Cheltenham Festival 2026:
Champion Hurdle
- Date: Tuesday, 10 March – Champion Day
- Time: 4:00 pm
- Classification: Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race
- Distance: about 2 miles and 1/2 furlong (2 miles and 87 yards or 3,298 metres)
- Number of obstacles: 8 hurdles
- Horses: male and female horses aged four years or older
- Prize money: £450,000.00
- Established: 1927
- Latest winner: Golden Ace (7 years old)
- Latest winning jockey: Lorcan Williams
- Latest winning trainer: Jeremy Scott
Queen Mother Champion Chase
- Date: Wednesday, 11 March – Ladies Day
- Time: 4:00 pm
- Classification: Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase
- Distance: about 2 miles (1 mile 7 furlongs and 199 yards, or 3,199 metres)
- Number of obstacles: 13 fences
- Horses: male and female horses aged five years or older
- Prize money: £400,000.00
- Established: 1959
- Latest winner: Marine Nationale (8 years old)
- Latest winning jockey: Sean Flanagan
- Latest winning trainer: Barry Connell
Stayers’ Hurdle
- Date: Thursday, 12 March – St. Patrick’s Day
- Time: 3:20 pm
- Classification: Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race
- Distance: about 3 miles (2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards, or 4,785 metres)
- Number of obstacles: 12 hurdles
- Horses: male and female horses aged four years or older
- Prize money: £325,000.00
- Established: 1912
- Latest winner: Bob Olinger (10 years old)
- Latest winning jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- Latest winning trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Gold Cup
- Date: Friday, 13 March – Gold Cup Day
- Time: 4:00 pm
- Classification: Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase
- Distance: about 3 miles 2½ furlongs (3 miles 2 furlongs and 70 yards, or 5,294 m)
- Number of obstacles: 22 fences
- Horses: male and female horses aged five years or older
- Prize money: £625,000.00
- Established: 1924
- Latest winner: Inothewayurthinkin (7 years old)
- Latest winning jockey: Mark Walsh
- Latest winning trainer: Gavin Cromwell
When Are Cheltenham 2026 Racecards Released?
The earliest entries for this year’s Cheltenham Festival were released on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 and included initial runners for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Ryanair Chase.
The remaining Cheltenham racecards were released step by step in the period between 13 January and 24 February 2026. Here is the full timeline:
January 6, 2026
- Cheltenham Gold Cup
- Queen Mother Champion Chase
- Ryanair Chase
January 13, 2026
- Champion Hurdle
- Mares’ Hurdle
- Stayers’ Hurdle
January 20, 2026
- Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
- Turners Novices’ Hurdle
- Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
- Triumph Hurdle
- Arkle Challenge Trophy
- Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
February 10, 2026
- Mares’ Chase
- Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
February 17, 2026
- Ultima Handicap Chase
- Coral Cup
- Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
- Pertemps Final
- Plate Handicap Chase
- Kim Muir Handicap Chase
- County Hurdle
- Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
- Grand Annual Handicap Chase
- National Hunt Chase
- Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase
- Cross Country Handicap Chase
February 24, 2026
- Champion Bumper
- Hunters’ Chase
These Cheltenham racecards include early declared runners. The final declarations, i.e. the confirmed runners, will be announced within the 48 hour window for each race. Trainers still retain the right to withdraw a horse for various reasons after that, for example, unfavourable ground conditions or health issues. Officially, they can do it up until 1.5 hours before the start of the race, but later withdrawals are also allowed.
It is important for bettors to keep the possibility of morning-of-race changes in mind because they can significantly affect the odds and the outcome of the race.
Other morning-of-race changes include ground and weather conditions, jockey changes (for example, due to injury or health issues), weight and equipment changes.
Cheltenham Racecards FAQ
Where can I see Cheltenham 2026 racecards?
All major bookmaking platforms that offer horse racing markets will include Cheltenham Festival 2026 racecards. You can check them out on 7bet, alongside the offered odds.
When are final runners confirmed?
Final runners are confirmed 48 hours before the race starts. Non-runners can still withdraw before the start of the race due to ground conditions or health issues.
How many races are at the Cheltenham Festival?
In the current format, Cheltenham Festival annually hosts 28 races. They are evenly distributed over the four days of the event, making it 7 races per day.
Do Cheltenham racecards include odds?
Yes, Cheltenham racecards include odds. They also provide useful information on the horse’s physical form, jockey colours, trainer details, ground conditions, horse’s official rating (OR), and more.
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