Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival: Day 2 Schedule and Odds
The second day of the Cheltenham Festival brings with it a host of Grade 1’s as well as several exciting handicaps.
Wednesday is unique in the sense that it plays host to the only race run on a different course, as well as the only race not to feature any jumps! Aside from that we have high-class novice contests, big handicaps and Grade 1 championship action.
Here’s the schedule for day two in 2026.
Wednesday 11th March 2026
Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The Turners Novices’ Hurdle is one of the classiest novice hurdles in the racing calendar. Run over two-miles-and-five-furlongs, it is not just a test of speed, nor just stamina, but a combination of all factors that make a great middle-distance hurdler. Winners such as Istabraq and Faugheen have gone on to be Champion Hurdlers, while the likes of Samcro and Envoi Allen have used at as the perfect stepping stone for successful chasing careers.
In 2026, Mighty Park heads the Non-Runner Money Back betting at 10/3 for the formidable JP McManus and Willie Mullins pairing. The main British challenge comes from Paul Nicholls’ star novice No Drama This End, who at 4/1 could well be Ditcheat’s best chance of a winner this year.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Next up is another Grade 1, this time for the novices over fences. This is one for those proper staying chasers in the making, as the three-miles-and-one-furlong trip round Cheltenham is a proper stamina test. Potential Gold Cup hopeful Fact To File won this back in 2024 for Willie Mullins, who has saddled three of the past six winners.
It’s no surprise to see another of his battalion at the top of the market here, but Final Demand is hardly a shoo-in at 7/2. He blew out at the Dublin Racing Festival and will face strong opposition here, most notably the potential inclusion of Romeo Coolio, who is 4/1 NRMB but by no means certain to line up. The Big Westerner is a 5/1 chance and she has strong credentials, including a second in the Albert Bartlett last year.
Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
The Coral Cup is always one that punters look forward to as one of the biggest betting races of the Festival. It’s a handicap well renowned for trainers attempting to plot a specific horse for it, with two-time winner Langer Dan the most notable example.
It’s no surprise that the betting is still wide open at this stage, with I Started A Joke and Roc Dino the market principles at 10/1 apiece. Nicky Henderson’s Iberico Lord has been an enigmatic type and could well pop up again here at 12/1.
Cross Country Handicap Chase
Then it’s time for Cheltenham’s most unique contest, the Cross Country. This race is a real spectacle for punters, as the horses take to the X-Country course, tackling its twists, turns, banks and water jumps.
Last year’s winner Stumptown is the 5/2 favourite, but he’ll have to shoulder a big weight which could bring others into play. Gordon Elliott knows how to win this race, saddling repeat winners such as Tiger Roll and Delta Work, and Favori De Champdou leads his charge at 10/3 after winning over course and distance on Trials Day.
Champion Chase (Grade 1)
The feature race on the day is the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase. This race has been the scene of some great Cheltenham moments, from Sprinter Sacre’s comeback in 2016 to Marine Nationale’s poignant victory last year.
Marine Nationale is at the forefront of the betting once again at 9/4, but Majborough’s romp in the Dublin Chase means that he is the 6/4 favourite for Willie Mullins. Another previous winner could line up in Captain Guinness, who is a 50/1 chance.
Grand Annual Handicap Chase
Following on from the Champion Chase is one of the most helter-skelter races of the week, the Grand Annual. Run over a sharp two miles on the Old Course, this is a fast-paced test of speed and jumping ability, with a fair bit of luck involved. It’s had its fair share of big-priced winners, with just one winning favourite in the last 10 renewals.
Three horses share favouritism as it stands, with Be Aware, Vanderpoel and David’s Well all priced at 8/1. Jazzy Matty is 10/1 to defend his crown and make it three Festival victories in four visits.
Champion Bumper
Wednesday ends with the other unique contest of the week, the Champion Bumper. This is where young up-and-comers can really announce themselves on National Hunt racing’s biggest stage before they even jump an obstacle. The likes of Cue Card, Champagne Fever, Envoi Allen and Facile Vega have all won this on their way to becoming Grade 1 winners over obstacles.
Willie Mullins has dominated the race since he first won it in 1996, with a total of 14 winners since the race’s inception in 1992. He has the favourite again this year with Love Sign D’aunou priced at 9/2, with second favourite The Irish Avatar (8/1) also part of the Closutton team.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
