Cheltenham Festival Day 1 - Races + Guide for Tuesday 10 March 2026

About Cheltenham Festival Day 1

Known as "Champion Day", day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival is perhaps the most eagerly awaited day of racing in the whole calendar. The famous Cheltenham roar as the runners line up for the first race - the Supreme Novices Hurdle - is always a spine tingling moment as punters and racing fans gear up for four days of pulsating action.

The course opens its gates at 10:30am giving racegoers ample time to savour the atmosphere before the first race at 13:20 and a Preview Show is hosted in the Parade Ring before racing for those who want to get clued up on the runners and riders. Below we give a little bit more information about the races taking place.

Race 1 - Supreme Novices Hurdle

A Grade 1 race for novices run on the Old Course over 2 miles and 87 yards during which 8 hurdles will be jumped. Last year's race was won by Kopek Des Bordes - trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend.

Race 2 - Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase

A Grade 1 race for novice chasers run over just shy of 2 miles with 13 fences to be jumped. It was won by Jango Baie last year for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico De Boinville.

Race 3 - Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle

Officialy titled the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle but known as the "Fred Winter", this is a Premier Handicap Hurdle race run over 2 miles and 87 yards with eight hurdle to be jumped. Puturhandstogether won last year's race trained by Joseph O'Brien and ridden by Mark Walsh. 

Race 4 - Ultima Handicap Chase

The Festival Handicap Chase known as the Trustmarque Ultime Handicap Chase this year, is a 3 mile 1 furlong handicap with 20 fences jumped around the Old Course. Myretown was victorious last year for trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Patrick Wadge. 

Race 5 - Champion Hurdle

Te first of the 'Championship' races during the week, the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle is the most prestigious hurdle race in the national hunt calendar. It is run over 2 miles 1/2 furlong with eight hurdles jumped on the Old Course. Golden Ace was a shock winner in a dramatic race last year, trained by Jeremy Scott and ridden by Lorcan Williams.

Race 6 - Plate Handicap Chase 

The Trustatrader Plate is a handicap chase run over 2 miles 4 furlongs with 17 fences jumped. Jagwar won the 2025 Plate ridden by Jonjo O'Neill Jr and trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero.

Race 7 - National Hunt Chase

The NH Chase is a Class 2 Novice Handicap Chase run over a marathon 3 mile 5 furlong trip. Previously restricted to amateur jockeys, this year's race will be open for professional jockeys to contest. In 2025 Haiti Couleurs was victorious for trainer Rebecca Curtis and jockey Ben Jones.