Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Races

The Cheltenham Festival Day 1 races include four Grade 1 races, a couple of handicaps and one of the Festival’s oldest races, the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup. We offer the latest odds, cards, results, specials and tips for every race.

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

Time	Race	Grade
13:20	Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle	Grade 1
14:00	Arkle Challenge Trophy	Grade 1
14:40	The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle	Grade 3
15:20	The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase	Grade 1
16:00	The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy	Grade 1
16:40	The Sun Racing Plate Handicap Steeple Chase	Grade 1
17:20	National Hunt Chase	Grade 2

Overview of Day 1 Races

The opening day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival once again promises a superb mix of novice talent, seasoned class, and fiercely competitive handicap action. From the traditional roar that greets the opening race to the stamina-sapping finale, Day 1 offers a varied and compelling programme that sets the tone for the rest of the week. Here’s a look at the races scheduled for Day 1:

1:20PM: The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race

• Distance: Two miles about half a furlong (2m 87y)
• Conditions: Open to horses aged 4 years and older, with a prize fund of £150,000. This Grade 1 contest opens the festival in thrilling fashion and is renowned for showcasing some of the most exciting novice hurdlers in training.

2:00PM: The My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Steeple Chase

• Distance: About two miles (1m 7f 199y)
• Conditions: Open to horses aged 5 years and older, with a prize fund of £200,000. This Grade 1 novice chase is a searching test of speed, accuracy, and bold jumping, and often highlights future stars over fences.

2:40PM: The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase

• Distance: Three miles about one furlong (3m 1f)
• Conditions: A Premier Handicap for horses aged 5 years and older, run for £150,000. This is one of the festival’s most competitive staying handicaps, demanding stamina, sound jumping, and tactical nous.

3:20PM: The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race

• Distance: About two miles three furlongs and 200 yards (2m 3f 200y)
• Conditions: Open to mares aged 4 years and older, with a prize fund of £124,200. This Grade 1 contest celebrates the best female hurdlers in training and has become a major feature of the opening day.

4:00PM: The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

• Distance: Two miles about half a furlong (2m 87y)
• Conditions: Open to horses aged 4 years and older, with a prize fund of £450,000. The feature race of Day 1, this Grade 1 hurdle is one of the most prestigious races of the entire festival and brings together the elite of the hurdling division.

4:40PM: The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race

• Distance: Two miles about half a furlong (2m 87y)
• Conditions: A Premier Handicap for 4-year-olds, with a prize fund of £80,000. Registered as the Fred Winter, this race gives younger hurdlers the chance to shine in one of the meeting’s most competitive handicaps.

5:20PM: The Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase

• Distance: About three miles six furlongs (3m 5f 201y)
• Conditions: Open to horses aged 5 years and older and rated 0–145, with a prize fund of £100,000. This demanding staying handicap chase closes Day 1 with a stern examination of endurance, jumping ability, and resolve.

Each race on Day 1 contributes to the unique character of the Cheltenham Festival. From the raw promise of novice hurdlers and chasers to the proven ability required in championship and handicap company, the opening day offers a compelling blend of drama, quality, and prestige.

Key Races to Watch on Day 1

Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival is packed with quality, but several races stand out for their history, prestige, and significance within the wider National Hunt season. Here are the key contests to keep a close eye on:

The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

The traditional festival opener is always one of the most anticipated races of the week. Run to the backdrop of Cheltenham’s famous opening roar, the Supreme is often fast, frantic, and full of future stars. It provides a first glimpse of the week’s emerging talent and is an essential watch for anyone following the top novice hurdlers.

The Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Steeple Chase

Named after one of the sport’s greatest legends, the Arkle is the ultimate test for top-class novice chasers with speed and precision at their core. This race demands slick jumping at pace and regularly produces horses capable of developing into championship performers. It is one of the purest spectacles of the entire meeting.

The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase

For those who enjoy the drama of a big-field handicap, the Ultima is one of the standout betting and sporting contests on Day 1. Run over a staying trip, it tests not just class but durability, patience, and tactical judgement. It is often fiercely competitive and can produce memorable finishes.

The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle

Now firmly established as a major race in its own right, the Mares’ Hurdle shines a spotlight on the best female hurdlers in training. It combines quality with depth and regularly features proven Grade 1 performers. Its growing prestige means it is now one of the most important races on the opening day card.

The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

The centrepiece of Day 1 and one of the defining races of the National Hunt season, the Champion Hurdle crowns the best two-mile hurdler in training. It is a race built on speed, agility, balance, and bravery, with no margin for error at championship pace. For many racing fans, this is the moment Day 1 truly revolves around.

Together, these races ensure that the first day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival delivers a powerful start to the meeting. Whether it is the excitement of unexposed novices, the tactical intrigue of the handicaps, or the brilliance on show in the Champion Hurdle, Day 1 offers top-class sport from start to finish.

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