The big day arrived and Cheltenham Festival 2026 got underway with a thrilling opening Tuesday at Prestbury Park.
We heard our first roar at the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and from then on it was non-stop action on Tuesday, before three more races of action-packed racing.
Champion Day, as the opening day is known, is highlighted by the feature race of the day -- The Champion Hurdle, a race that is sure to excite once more.
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Tuesday's racecard
All times GMT
1.20 p.m. The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m abt 1/3f
Winner: Old Park Star 15/8F (J: Nico de Boinville, T: Nicky Henderson, O: Gordon & Su Hall)
2.00 p.m. The Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1) Abt 2m
Winner: Kargese 7/1 (J: Danny Mullins, T: Willie Mullins, O: Kenny Alexander)
2.40 p.m. The McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap) 2m abt 1/2f
Winner: Saratoga 10/1 (J: Mark Walsh, T: Padraig Roche, O: JP McManus)
3.20 p.m. The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 1f
Winner: Johnnywho 18/1 (J: Richie McLernon, T: Jonjo & AJ O'Neill, O: JP McManus)
4.00 p.m. The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m abt 1/2f
Winner: Lossiemouth 7/5F (J: Paul Townend, T: WIllie Mullins, O: Rich Ricci)
4.40 p.m. The Sun Racing Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap) 2m abt 4f
Winner: Madara 3/1F (J: Harry Skelton, T: Dan Skelton, O: Bryan Drew and Friends)
5.20 p.m. The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Novices' Handicap Steeple Chase) (Class 2) 3m abt 6f
Winner: Holloway Queen 12/1 (J: James Bowen, T: Nicky Henderson, O: Unique Financial Racing Partnership)
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Going and weather at Cheltenham on Tuesday
The wet winter is finally giving way to some sunshine and dry spells and as a result the going has improved from Soft to Good to Soft.
And there's good news for racegoers with Tuesday set to stay mainly dry with highs of 11°C and a low of 7°C.
However, there is a chance of a shower in the early afternoon and there is due to be some rain overnight into Wednesday which could soften up the ground for Ladies Day.
Champion Hurdle race info
The Champion Hurdle is the biggest race of the first day of the Cheltenham Festival and it has helped burnish the legends of some of the most iconic horses in the sport.
The race is run over 2 miles and 87 yards and is only for horses aged four years old and up, with eight hurdles separating them from the start line and the finish.
As the biggest race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, it is one that captures the attention of horse racing lovers across the globe.
When: Tuesday, March 10 at 4 p.m. GMT
Where: Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire
Champion Hurdle odds
Note: Odds are courtesy of Bet365 and are correct as of Tuesday March 10. They are subject to change.
Lossiemouth (13/8)
Jockey: Paul Townend, Owner: Sussanah Ricci, Trainer: Willie Mullins
The New Lion (11/4)
Jockey: Harry Skelton, Owner: JP McManus, Trainer: Dan Skelton
Brighterdaysahead (9/2)
Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Owner: Gigginstown, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Golden Ace (12/1)
Jockey: Lorcan Williams, Owner: Ian Gosden, Trainer: Jeremy Scott
Poniros (16/1)
Jockey: Danny Mullins, Owner: Tony Bloom, Trainer Willie Mullins
Alexei (18/1)
Jockey: Brendan Powell, Owner: Brocade Racing, Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Tutti Quanti (25/1)
Jockey: Harry Cobden, Owner: Colm Donlon, Trainer: Harry Cobden
Anzadam (28/1)
Jockey: Patrick Mullins, Owner: Marie Donnelly, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Workahead (80/1)
Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe, Owner: Barry Maloney, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Who are the favourites?
High-class mare Lossiemouth heads the market after she was confirmed to have a go at stepping up in trip for a tilt at Champion Hurdle glory and not defend her Mares crown.
She now has three Festival wins under her belt (also winning the Triumph Hurdle in 2023) and is a major Willie Mullins target for the week.
Dan Skelton's The New Lion follows her after winning five of his six starts over hurdles. His form this season has convinced many that he is ready for the two-mile test.
Brighterdaysahead could prove a shrewd pick but her defeat by Golden Ace when odds-on favourite in the Mares' Novice Hurdle two years ago still has some feeling wary. She was impressive in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time out, though, beating Lossiemouth, so has the pedigree to trouble her more-fancied rivals.
Golden Ace is the defending champion but she perhaps benefitted from some falls and some below-par showings from rivals last year -- the 8-year-old looks like she might need plenty to go her way once again if she's to defend her title.
What is the Champion Hurdle prize money?
There's more than a quarter of a million pounds on offer in Tuesday's feature race.
2026 place-by-place breakdown:
Winner: £253,215
2nd: £95,400
3rd: £47,745
4th: £23,850
5th: £11,970
6th: £5,985
7th: £2,970
8th: £1,530
Total: £450,000
Who has won the Champion Hurdle in recent years?
Last year, Golden Ace came from relative obscurity to capitalise on State Man's final flight fall to end the favourites' five-year winning streak. Can she triumph once again?
2025: Golden Ace -- 25/1
2024: State Man -- 2/5F
2023: Constitution Hill -- 4/11F
2022: Honeysuckle -- 8/11F
2021: Honeysuckle -- 11/10F
2020: Epatante -- 2/1F
2019: Espoir d'Allen -- 16/1
2018: Buveur d'Air -- 4/6F
2017: Buveur d'Air -- 5/1
2016: Annie Power -- 5/2F
2015: Faugheen -- 4/5F