The Cheltenham Festival Day 2 races are headlined by the Queen Mother Champion Chase, with a Grade 1 hurdles race, novices chase and National Hunt flat race also in the mix. We offer the latest odds, cards, results, tips and specials on every race.
Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
| Time | Race | Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20 | Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 2:00 | Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 |
| 2:40 | Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle | Grade 3 |
| 3:20 | Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | Class 2 |
| 4:00 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade 1 |
| 4:40 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Grade 3 |
| 5:20 | Champion Bumper | Grade 1 |
Overview of Day 2 Races
Day 2 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival continues the momentum of the opening day with another high-class card featuring top novice contests, competitive handicaps, a unique cross-country spectacle, and one of the most prestigious two-mile chases in the sport. From emerging staying chasers to elite speedsters, the second day offers plenty of variety and quality. Here’s a look at the races scheduled for Day 2:
1:20PM: The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race
- Distance: Two miles five furlongs (2m 5f)
- Conditions: Open to horses aged 4 years and older, with a prize fund of £150,000. Registered as the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle, this Grade 1 contest is a major target for the season’s leading middle-distance novice hurdlers and often features future staying stars.
2:00PM: The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase
- Distance: About three miles and 110 yards (3m 110y)
- Conditions: Open to horses aged 5 years and older, with a prize fund of £200,000. This Grade 1 novice chase is one of the most important staying contests for young chasers and provides a stern test of stamina, jumping, and class.
2:40PM: The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Race
- Distance: Two miles five furlongs (2m 5f)
- Conditions: A Premier Handicap for horses aged 4 years and older, run for £110,000. One of the most competitive handicap hurdles of the entire week, the Coral Cup regularly attracts a deep field of well-handicapped and progressive runners.
3:20PM: The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
- Distance: About three miles five furlongs and 56 yards (3m 5f 56y)
- Conditions: A limited handicap for horses aged 5 years and older, with a prize fund of £75,000. Run over Cheltenham’s specialist cross-country course, this race offers a very different challenge, featuring banks, rails, and unconventional obstacles that demand experience and adaptability.
4:00PM: The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase
- Distance: About two miles (1m 7f 199y)
- Conditions: Open to horses aged 5 years and older, with a prize fund of £400,000. This Grade 1 championship contest is the feature race of Day 2 and crowns the leading two-mile chaser in training.
4:40PM: The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
- Distance: About two miles (1m 7f 199y)
- Conditions: A Premier Handicap for horses aged 5 years and older, with a prize fund of £150,000. Traditionally run at a strong pace, this race is one of the festival’s most thrilling handicap chases and places the emphasis on speed, jumping, and tactical positioning.
5:20PM: The Weatherbys Champion Bumper
- Distance: Two miles about half a furlong (2m 87y)
- Conditions: Open to horses aged 4 to 6 years, with a prize fund of £80,000. This Grade 1 National Hunt Flat race closes Day 2 and provides a showcase for some of the most exciting young prospects yet to embark on hurdling or chasing careers.
Each race on Day 2 adds another dimension to the Cheltenham Festival. From novice hurdlers and staying chasers to experienced cross-country performers and elite two-mile specialists, the day delivers a well-balanced mix of championship quality and competitive depth.
Key Races to Watch on Day 2
Day 2 features several standout contests that are central to the Cheltenham Festival’s identity. Here are the races that look especially important on the second day of the meeting:
The Turners Novices’ Hurdle
Formerly known as the Baring Bingham, this race is one of the key novice hurdles of the season and often points the way toward future Grade 1 stars over middle distances and further. It tends to reward class, stamina, and fluent hurdling, making it a particularly informative contest.
The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase
This is a serious test for novice chasers with staying potential. Run over three miles, it is often a stepping stone to future Gold Cup contenders and gives racing fans an early look at which young chasers may go on to become leading lights in the staying division.
The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
The Coral Cup is always one of the most fiercely contested handicaps of the festival. With a large and competitive field usually expected, it is a race that combines betting intrigue with genuine quality, as well-treated runners attempt to take advantage of their mark on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
Unlike anything else seen during the week, the Cross Country Chase brings a fascinating change of pace to the Day 2 card. Its specialist course and unusual obstacles place a premium on agility, rhythm, and experience, making it one of the most distinctive spectacles of the entire festival.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase
The centrepiece of Day 2, the Champion Chase is one of the sport’s great championship races. Contested over two miles, it demands electric pace, flawless jumping, and sharp tactical execution. It is the ultimate test for speed chasers and one of the most prestigious prizes in National Hunt racing.
The Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Although it is run without hurdles or fences, the Champion Bumper is a race of major significance. It often features future stars of the sport and gives racegoers a glimpse of some of the most promising young National Hunt horses before they move on to obstacles.
Taken together, these races ensure that Day 2 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival offers a compelling blend of championship action, novice potential, specialist racing, and handicap drama. It is a card that appeals to both purists and casual fans alike, with quality on show from the opening race through to the final bumper.
FAQs
What is Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival called?
Day 2 is known as Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival. It takes place on Wednesday 11 March 2026 and combines a high-profile race programme with the occasion’s well-known social and style element.
What is the feature race on Cheltenham Festival Day 2?
The feature race on Day 2 is the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase. It is Cheltenham’s championship race for two-mile chasers and is the headline event on Wednesday’s card.
What time is the Champion Chase on Day 2?
The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase is scheduled for 4:00pm on Day 2 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
How many races are run on Day 2 of Cheltenham?
There are seven races on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival, beginning at 1:20pm and ending at 5:20pm. As always, official timings can still be subject to change.
What are the biggest races to watch on Cheltenham Day 2?
The standout races on Day 2 are usually the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, and above all the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The card also closes with the Champion Bumper, which is often watched closely for future stars.
Why is the Champion Bumper important?
The Weatherbys Champion Bumper is the festival’s leading National Hunt Flat race and often features some of the most exciting young prospects in training. Even though it is run without hurdles or fences, it is widely followed because many runners go on to become leading novice hurdlers and chasers in later seasons.
What makes the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase different?
The Cross Country Chase is unusual because it is run over Cheltenham’s specialist cross-country course rather than the standard chase track. It features a very different test from the rest of the week, with a layout and obstacles that place extra emphasis on experience, rhythm, and adaptability.
Is there a dress code for Cheltenham Ladies Day?
There is no formal dress code for Cheltenham Festival racegoers, including Ladies Day, but Cheltenham says smart dress is generally preferred. The racecourse also advises visitors to dress for the weather and wear suitable footwear, which is especially relevant in March conditions.
Where can I watch Cheltenham Festival Day 2 live?
Cheltenham says that almost all festival races are available free on ITV Racing. For online streaming, bet365 is also a strong option for horse racing fans, because for UK, Irish and French racing you can usually watch live with a funded account, without necessarily needing to bet on the specific Cheltenham race you want to watch. For a fuller breakdown of broadcasters, bookmakers, and streaming platforms, see our Cheltenham Festival streaming and TV guide.
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