The FOUR Cheltenham Festival Races JP McManus Hasn’t Won

In recent times there isn’t a bigger owner at the Cheltenham Festival than JP McManus – the legendary Irishman has fired in 84 winners at the biggest jumps meeting on the planet – with many more to come. 

However, there are still FOUR Cheltenham Festival races that have eluded JP McManus – we reveal which ones and see if he’s got a chance of breaking any of these ducks in 2026

The FOUR Cheltenham Festival Races JP McManus HASN’T Won 

From the current batch of 28 Cheltenham Festival 2026 races there are only FOUR that JP McManus is still to get his hands on.

Including one of the main Championship races and both the mares hurdles events.

These are the Cheltenham Festival races JP McManus is yet to win.

The ARKLE NOVICES’ CHASE Has Eluded JP McManus

It’s hard to think that JP McManus hasn’t won the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase as yet – as he’s had some top chasers over the years.

Fakir d’Oudairies was second to Put The Kettle On back in 2020, while Jonbon was also runner-up in 2023 to El Fabiolo.

And many thought he could break his Arkle duck in 2025 with Majborough, who was sent off as the 1/2 favourite for the day one race.

However, the 5 year-old (at the time) made several costly jumping errors in the race and was eventually touched off into third by Jango Baie and Only By Night (watch below).

Meaning the Arkle is still a race that’s eluded JP McManus at the Festival.

And it looks like staying this way in 2026 too.

As JP doesn’t look to have anything with a serious chance in the 2026 Arkle Novices’ Chase.

With the betting dominated by Lulamba and last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes.

McManus Is Still To Win The CHAMPION CHASE

Another of the big Cheltenham races that has so-far bypassed JP McManus is the Champion Chase – the feature contest on day two.

In 2024, he went close to breaking his duck when Gentleman De Mee ran second to Captain Guinness, while Defi Du Seuil disappointed in 2020 as the beaten 2/5 favourite.

However, in JP’s defence he’s not actually had many runners in the Champion Chase.

Since 2015, he’s only had FIVE head to post – Mr Mole 8th (2015), Hell’s Kitchen Dsq (2019), Defi Du Seuil 4th (2020), Gentleman Dee Mee 2nd (2024) and Jonbon (2025).

And, like the Arkle, many felt the 2025 would the year he broke his duck in the Champion Chase – with 5/6 favourite Jonbon.

But he also made some jumping errors and was eventually beaten 18 lengths by Marine Nationale, who heads the betting again in 2026.

The wait continues.

With his main hopes of grabbing a first win in the race coming with last season’s Arkle third Majborough (7/1) and Jonbon again (25/1).

McManus Yet To Win Both Mares Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival

The other two races that have eluded JP McManus are the Mares’ Hurdle and Mares’ Novices Hurdle.

However, in his defence these are not races he often targets at the meeting.

Last year (2025), he saw Joyeuse finish 6th in the Mares’ Hurdle to easy winner Lossiemouth.

While his Karoline Banbou ran 4th in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

JP McManus Broke His Duck In The Plate Handicap Chase in 2025

Despite there still being FOUR Cheltenham races that he’s not won – JP McManus did manage to break his duck in one contest in 2025.

As heading into the 2025 Festival, he was yet to win the Plate Handicap Chase.

However, he put that right in 2025 when the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero runner Jagwar powered home (watch below).

Jagwar is one of the 2026 Cheltenham favourites for the race again at 10/1.

Plus is also high up the market in the Ultima Handicap Chase – with both races on day one (Tuesday).

How Many Winners Did JP McManus Has At The Cheltenham Festival in 2025?

In total JP McManus has won 84 Cheltenham Festival races (and counting).

With his very first coming in 1982 with Mister Donovan.

His 50th winner was Buveur D’Air and his 80th in 2025 when The New Lion took the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle.

He added SIX more winners to his tally in 2025.

JP McManus Cheltenham Winners 2025 💚💛

JP McManus Has Won The Champion Hurdle NINE Times

Away from the Cheltenham Festival races that JP McManus is yet to win – at the other end of the spectrum, the Champion Hurdle has been a very kind race for the Irish owner.

He’s mopped up nine successes in the big day one feature over the years – more than any other owner in the race.

With Istabraq’s trio of wins between 1998 and 2000 the big highlight.

With his most recent win in the race Epatante in 2020 (watch below).

JP McManus Champion Hurdle Winners

Inthewayurthinkin Joined Synchronised As JP’s Only Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners

The biggest race at the Cheltenham Festival is, of course, the Gold Cup – run on the final day.

It’s a race that JP McManus ticked off back in 2012 when the Jonjo O’Neill-trained and AP McCoy-ridden Synchronised stayed on the best up the Cheltenham hill.

With former winners Kauto Star and Long Run beaten that day.

He then has to wait 13 years for his next Gold Cup winner.

Which came last season in 2025 when Inothewayurthinkin saw off two-time winner Galopin Des Champs (see below).

This 8yo will be back in 2026 to defend his Gold Cup crown, with the layers making him around 7/1 to follow up.

JP McManus Will Have a New Retained Rider From May 2026

It was also announced in January, that top owner JP McManus will have a new rider later this year.

After he revealed that long-standing pilot Mark Walsh will be standing down – with Harry Cobden the JP McManus retained jockey.

But this arrangement won’t start until May 2026 – meaning Walsh can still look forward to big McManus Festival rides like Fact To File and Inothewayurthinkin.

When Is The Cheltenham Festival 2026? 🗓️

This year’s Cheltenham Festival 2026 dates will see the four-day meeting run from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March.