The Cheltenham Festival 2026 explodes into life on Today with Champion Day – seven races packed with Grade 1 fireworks, novice stars, and handicap puzzles that always deliver drama.
Despite the festival starting this afternoon, ante-post markets still offer superb value, especially where Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) is widely available across bookmakers.
I’ve crunched the latest odds, trainer quotes, gallop reports, and sectional data to pinpoint the strongest plays.
These are the horses I’m backing myself – no filler, just sharp, reasoned selections built for the unique Cheltenham test.
Cheltenham Tuesday Ante-Post Betting Tips – Champions Day
- Old Star Park @ 9/4
- Lulamba @ 19/10
- La Luna Artista @ 10/1
- Iroko @ 7/1
- The New Lion @ 9/4
- Madara @ 5/1
- Brave Fortune @ 16/1
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (13:20)
- Best Bet: Old Park Star @ 9/4 (NRNB) Each-Way Alternative: Mydaddypaddy @ 10/1
Nicky Henderson’s string has had mixed fortunes this winter, but Old Park Star looks a Supreme winner in waiting.
His crushing Haydock Grade 2 victory in January produced a standout timefigure and left a high-class field toiling.
The six-year-old travels strongly, jumps with real fluency, and has the tactical speed to handle the Old Course.
Henderson’s record in this race is legendary, and recent reports suggest the horse is bouncing at home.
Main threats include Willie Mullins’ Mighty Park (progressive but unproven at this level) and the exciting Talk The Talk.
At 9/4, Old Park Star remains the clear pick for many shrewd judges.
For insurance, Mydaddypaddy’s upward curve at double-figure odds makes him the ideal each-way play.
Arkle Chase Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (14:00)
- Best Bet: Lulamba @ 19/10
This shapes as one of the races of the entire Festival – a mouth-watering clash between established chasers and explosive novices.
Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba heads my card: unbeaten over fences, a dominant Newbury success against older horses, and jumping that has visibly sharpened with racing.
Henderson’s Arkle record speaks for itself, and this son of Blue Bresil has the pedigree and attitude to cope with the step up.
Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes (last year’s Supreme hero) is the big unknown – one scintillating chase win at Navan and reportedly schooling like a dream.
He could be anything, but I prefer the banked experience of Lulamba at the current prices. A proper titanic battle awaits.
Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (14:40)
- Each-Way Play: La Luna Artista @ 10/1
The first big handicap of the week is notoriously tricky, but Jane Williams’ La Luna Artista ticks every box.
Her recent Adonis Juvenile Hurdle success at Kempton was visually impressive, and the handicapper has been kind with a mark of 125.
She’s already shown she handles Cheltenham (course winner earlier in the season), stays the trip well, and will relish the likely good-to-soft ground.
Connections have this as their sole Festival target, and the each-way terms (1/4 odds, 4-5 places) make her a standout at double figures.
Glen To Glen is the Joseph O’Brien alternative if you want bigger prices, but La Luna Artista is the one I’m loading up on.
Ultima Handicap Chase Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (15:20)
- Best Bet: Iroko @ 7/1
The Ultima has become a springboard for future stars (Corach Rambler, anyone?).
Iroko looks perfectly handicapped off his current mark: he stays the 3m1f trip strongly, jumps with enthusiasm, and has been campaigned with this race in mind all season.
Dan Skelton’s yard is in red-hot form, and the each-way price still offers plenty of juice.
Market leader Jagwar (around 5/1) is respected, but Iroko’s profile screams “Festival winner in the making.”
One of the most reliable bets on the entire Tuesday card.
Champion Hurdle Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (16:00)
- Best Bet: The New Lion @ 9/4
- Value Play: Lossiemouth @ 5/2 (each-way)
With Constitution Hill diverted to the Flat and Sir Gino sidelined, the Unibet Champion Hurdle has opened into a fascinating contest. Dan Skelton’s The New Lion has taken over as clear favourite for good reason – progressive form on all ground, a rock-solid temperament, and a yard flying high.
Yet I’m still very taken with Willie Mullins’ warrior Lossiemouth at 5/2.
She adores Cheltenham, boasts multiple Grade 1 wins, and if the ground eases she’ll be extremely tough to pass.
Brighterdaysahead remains a live danger but can be quirky around here.
My strategy: win money on The New Lion, each-way cover on Lossiemouth. Too competitive to go single-handed.
Sun Racing Plate Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (16:40)
- Each-Way Play: Madara @ 5/1
Dan Skelton strikes again in the Plate. This progressive seven-year-old has been knocking loudly on the door in strong company and looks ideally suited to the 2m4f trip and Cheltenham fences.
Versatile on ground and with the right racing style for the track, Madara is the type that often pops up at big Festivals.
Plenty of each-way value remains, and Skelton’s recent record in similar races adds serious confidence.
National Hunt Chase Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (17:20)
- Each-Way Play: Brave Fortune @ 16/1
The closing National Hunt Challenge Cup (amateur riders) is a stamina test over 3m6f.
Paul Kealy and Racing Post experts highlight Brave Fortune as a standout at double-figure odds – a progressive novice chaser with the ideal profile for this marathon.
Amateur riders add an extra layer, but this horse’s staying power and sound jumping make him a solid each-way proposition while the price holds.
Tuesday Cheltenham Ante-Post Acca 2026
For a blockbuster acca covering the day’s highlights:
• Old Park Star (Supreme)
• Lulamba (Arkle)
• The New Lion (Champion Hurdle)
• Iroko (Ultima)
Current combined price hovers around 25/1 – 30/1 across the major firms. Land this and Champion Day will feel very special indeed.
Why Bet Ante-Post on Tuesday Cheltenham Festival 2026?
Ante-post betting locks in bigger prices before the Festival frenzy pushes favourites shorter on the day.
NRNB protection removes the biggest risk, while the three big Grade 1s on Champion Day traditionally see the heaviest market contraction.
Ground is currently forecast good to soft – ideal for most of these contenders – and with the roar expected to be louder than ever, now is the moment to strike.
Final Thoughts & Smart Cheltenham Betting Advice for Tuesday 2026
Champion Day 2026 is stacked with quality from the first roar at 13:20 right through to the last.
Ante-post remains the smartest route while NRNB is in play – shop around (Betfair Exchange for best prices, Sky Bet and Paddy Power for enhanced places on handicaps).
Key tips: stick to NRNB, consider ground conditions daily, and don’t ignore each-way in the big handicaps.
The atmosphere on Tuesday 10 March will be electric – get your bets down early, enjoy every moment, and may the best horses win.
