2026 Cheltenham Festival Review: Stars, flops and ones to watch

A week has passed since the curtains drew down on Cheltenham 2026 and eyes are already looking towards the future in National Hunt circles.

However, before this year's Festival becomes a distant memory, Races Now's Harry Fowler recaps a pulsating weeks and picks out a few star performers from a fantastic four days of jumps action.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 review

Another year, another Cheltenham Festival gone by – 28 races of pure class and, most importantly, competitive racing.

I was there every day of the meeting, and I felt there were many positives throughout, which in our sport, isn’t always the most common feeling. The racing was brilliant, with novice hurdles well-filled almost across the board, and the general atmosphere felt busy but not too overwhelming. Ultimately, you’d always prefer a lively crowd with atmosphere over empty stands.

Lossie and Star light up Tuesday

Day one saw Old Park Star take the Supreme in the opening race. There was a bit of controversy with the bump in the run-in, where Mydaddypaddy was hampered.

At first, I thought Skelton’s runner in third was unlucky, but in truth I don’t think it affected the result – it just possibly cost the Skelton horse second place.

Old Park Star stayed on very nicely and looks like a future two-and-a-half-mile type. A British 1-2-3-4 brings plenty of excitement going forward on these shores.

In the Arkle, all the pre-race talk was about Kopek Des Bordes or Lulamba, but it was Kargese who took the race.

I’m surprised to see people suggesting Kopek Des Bordes wouldn’t have won without his mistake at the last. I think he’ll take plenty of beating in next year’s Champion Chase.

Kargese is a top-class mare, and her Cheltenham form is admirable; she’ll most likely be Champion Chase-bound next year. As for Lulamba, he didn’t quite look himself and never really threatened, but he could be a huge player in next year’s Ryanair.

In the Champion Hurdle, the dice was rolled and connections were rewarded as Lossiemouth made it four from four at the Cheltenham Festival.

What a mare she is. She clearly loves Prestbury Park. Some of her two-mile runs have been a bit flat, but she was anything but last week. Brighterdaysahead showed that Cheltenham isn’t the issue – she’s just not as good as Lossiemouth at this track.

Upsets aplenty on Wednesday

Day two began with King Rasko Grey winning the Turners in good style at a big SP, especially considering the Mullins–Townend combination. He looks another smart prospect for Willie Mullins.

No Drama This End, the big talking horse (with his Denman links), was pulled up as nothing really went his way. I think we’ll next see him over three miles at Aintree, where I’d expect a much better showing. An eye-catcher in the race was Zeus Power, who made nice headway from an unfavourable position. One to keep on side, I suspect.

The Brown Advisory went to the all-the-way leader Kitzbuhel, who showed real toughness under a brilliant ride from Harry Cobden. A tilt at next year’s King George must surely be on the agenda, given this win and his easy success in the Kauto Star at Kempton over Christmas.

Romeo Coolio went off favourite but never really got going, making mistakes at his fences – perhaps previous hard races have taken their toll for him. Final Demand looked more like the horse we expected earlier in the season, and better ground seems to suit him.

The feature race, the Champion Chase, centred around Majborough, but he did what many feared he might – made too many mistakes, costing himself any chance.

Il Etait Temps was the winner, and considering what happened to him at Ascot last time, that was a remarkable bounce-back performance. I think both Majborough and Il Etait Temps could head for the Ryanair next year, and 33/1 about the latter looks a big price.

Boilover in Stayers on feel-good Thursday

Thursday featured three Grade 1 races following the move of the Mares’ Hurdle, which really improved the day.

The first saw Wodhooh once again show her class, making it two from two at the Festival. I can see her winning this race again in the coming years – if anything, a step up in trip could suit her. Jade De Grugy ran well in second back over hurdles and will likely return to fences next year; 10/1 for the Mares’ Chase is interesting at this stage.

The Stayers’ Hurdle followed and looked set to be a classic, and it delivered.

Kabral Du Mathan looked to have the race at his mercy before failing to see it out. Ballyburn ran his usual race before flying home and perhaps being a touch unlucky, but in the end it was fifth time lucky for the veteran Home By The Lee.

It was a result that typified the special attraction of Cheltenham, really. Seeing a popular horse finally get his day in the sun when it was arguably least expected.

The Ryanair, the feature race of the day, was overshadowed by the withdrawal of last year’s winner Fact To File, with Willie Mullins citing quick ground. Heart Wood, last year’s nine-length runner-up, won in stylish fashion, while Jonbon maintained his remarkable record of never finishing outside the top two, coming home second again.

Wonderful Warrior lights up bittersweet Friday

The fourth and final day was all about the Gold Cup – the feature race of the week. It was set up to be a blockbuster, featuring the King George form, the Betfair Chase winner, the Irish National winner, and last year’s champion.

Gaelic Warrior, third in the King George, produced a monster performance to win comfortably. He’s always shown immense talent, though he can sometimes be his own worst enemy.

Inothewayurthinkin ran a huge race to finish third despite being detached at times, and he looks like a horse who wants even further. Some more quiet rides, a tilt at next year’s National could be the way forward.

However, the race was marred by the tragic loss of a legend of the National Hunt scene and Cheltenham Festivals – Envoi Allen. A sad end to a pulsating week of action.

Harry Fowler's Cheltenham 2026 takeaways

Performance of the week – Gaelic Warrior

Biggest disappointment – Bambino Fever

Best ride – Harry Cobden on Kitzbuhel / Henry Crow on Barton Snow

One to take out of the week – The Mighty Celt (Jump Allen would be the obvious one, but he’s hardly gone unnoticed)

Favourite performance – Wodhooh

Bet for 2027 – Il Etait Temps for the Ryanair – 33/1 at time of writing