Cheltenham Festival
Analysing Gordon Elliott’s Best Chances At The 2026 Cheltenham Festival
As we head into the 2026 Festival, Gordon Elliott stands on a total of 41 winners at the March showcase meeting, dating back to 2011.
This haul of winners has made him the second most successful Irish trainer in the history of Cheltenham Festival, with only Willie Mullins above him in the table.
When he landed the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle with Wodhooh last year, he just overtook Fulke Walwyn’s tally of 40 wins.
The win also took him up to fourth place in the all-time rankings of Cheltenham trainers, with Paul Nicholls on 50, sitting just above him.
So what will be in store for the Gordon Elliott at the Cheltenham Festival 2026? We assess five of his leading lights here:
Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – Brighterdaysahead
Brighterdaysahead flopped in last year’s Champion Hurdle, but her recent win at the Dublin Racing Festival makes her a major player once more.
Elliott said at a recent press conference: “It is an open Champion Hurdle with three or four horses at the top of the betting that could win it, but she’s in good form and I couldn’t be happier with her.”
Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Teahupoo
Teahupoo stamped his authority on the staying division with a dominant performance in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, and holds every chance of recapturing the Stayers’ Hurdle crown he won at Cheltenham in 2024. He is proving to be a popular pick in our betting markets.
The Robcour-owned gelding has firmly established himself as an elite staying hurdler and will be aiming to secure his legacy as a multiple winner at The Festival.
Cross Country Chase (Handicap) – Favori De Champdou
The Cullentra House handler has often excelled with his runners in this discipline, with the likes of Tiger Roll and Delta Work making this race their own for many consecutive Festivals.
Elliott now has a new star in this division in the shape of Favori De Champdou who ran out a decisive winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase here in January.
He could well receive enough weight from Stumptown to beat him on his own “stumping” ground.
Arkle/Brown Advisory – Romeo Coolio
Third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last March, Romeo Coolio is four from four over fences thus far, which includes a trio of wins at Grade 1 level. He is currently well fancied to add a Cheltenham win to his page.
“We’re going to keep everything up in the air for the moment. We have the Arkle and the Brown Advisory,” Elliott said.
“I don’t think three miles will be a problem at all, just whether it’s the right thing to do at this stage of his career or not I’m not sure”.
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – Oldschool Outlaw
Oldschool Outlaw must be one of Elliott’s best chances of the entire meeting in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Elliott said: “I was impressed with Oldschool Outlaw the last day. She has a good attitude. I liked the way she quickened from the last to the line.
“She’s obviously beaten Bambino Fever already and while she’ll have come on ours will have as well. I think she’s improved at home, she’s improving the whole time. She’s a nice mare.”
How will close rival Willie Mullins fare at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival? Follow the latest updates at William Hill ahead of this year’s Festival.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
