Experts' Best Bets: Cheltenham Festival Day 1 tips with Enda McElhinney
Before becoming a Sports Journalist for Free Super Tips, Aaron spent three years studying Sports Journalism at the University of Sunderland while taking in the Black Cats' 'glory years' under Martin O'Neill. Now back in Northern Ireland he turns niche stats into predictions for FST, while he's one of the few people on this island who is equally comfortable at Windsor Park and the Aviva.
The Cheltenham Festival springs into life on Tuesday afternoon with the first of four magnificent days in the Cotswolds set to be headlined by the Champion Hurdle as top-class mares Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead and Golden Ace lock swords with The New Lion.
Alongside the feature are six more stunning races as the ‘greatest show on turf’ lights up the Gloucestershire countryside, with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle topping up the Grade 1 offering to three races.
We’ve got race-by-race tips from the Racing Post’s Enda McElhinney for all the day one action at Cheltenham.
All prices quoted are with bet365, where new customers can claim up to £30 in free bets to use on the Cheltenham Festival. You can also back our biggest tips of the day below, while the rest of our hand-picked accumulators are available over on our Cheltenham Festival tips page!
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 1 Experts’ Best Bets
1.20 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Experts’ Best Bet: Mighty Park
A dozen-strong field line out in the opener and it’s a belter on paper. Nicky Henderson’s Old Park Star sets the standard with Talk The Talk not far behind and El Cairos a possible major-improver, but the same goes for Mighty Park. He won his maiden by a whopping 38-lengths at Fairyhouse and it’s decent form. The Willie Mullins camp haven’t done much to keep a lid on their high opinion of him and he could be something special.
2.00 – Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Experts’ Best Bet: Kopek Des Bordes
As with the Supreme, it’s Henderson vs Mullins here with Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes. Similar vibes all round, as Lulamba has three chase wins and has done more on track but Kopek, winner of the Supreme on this card last year, was sublime in his chasing debut at Navan in November, beating a good yardstick out of sight, and all dispatches suggest his homework has been electric.
2:40 – McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
Experts’ Best Bet: Winston Junior
A smart but winless performer on the Flat for Jessica Harrington, Winston Junior got off the mark at the third time of asking over timber at Ascot in January and he did so in the manner of a 4YO with plenty more to offer. His second here in December behind Minella Study had some misfortune about it and could be very solid form. A mark of 131 is pleasing and the booking of Jack Kennedy is a real positive.
3:20 – Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
Experts’ Best Bet: Hyland
Generally a race that Britain excels in. Top-weight Iroko and stablemate Jagwar give Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero a strong hand but Hyland could be one that goes well for Nicky Henderson. He is a three-time course winner, two of those chasing at this trip, and this mark is fair based on his close-up Ascot fourth in December. The short break since looks in his favour and he’s player in first-time cheekpieces that could spark a big run.
4:00 – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)
Experts’ Best Bet: The New Lion (NAP)
Golden Ace defends this crown but faces a major challenge to retain. Fellow mares Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead are respected but not without frailty and it could be that the most upside is held by The New Lion, winner of the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle here last season and yet to be defeated when staying on his feet (one fall). He won here on Trials Day and a more honest gallop in this race could bring about a career-best for Dan and Harry Skelton’s challenger.
4:40 – Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
Experts’ Best Bet: Downmexicoway
Henry de Bromhead’s fortunes typically improve in the spring and the 25-time Cheltenham Festival winner could get on the scoresheet with Downmexicoway now. He made good progress with figures of 121 over fences from August-November, his second in a Grade 3 at Tipperary now reading well, and last month’s Irish Arkle was asking a lot but should leave him ripe going back into a handicap with a nice weight of 11st 5lb.
5.20 – National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase
Experts’ Best Bet: Guard The Moon
Guard The Moon is a work in progress over fences but has won two-from-three and showed positive stamina-traits in his Windsor win in January. He could excel over this marathon trip and the pace of the race over three-and-three-quarter-miles will possibly help eliminate his tendency to make a mistake. Sam Twiston-Davies’ partner could go well off a mark of 137 and has an each-way shout.
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