Cheltenham Festival 2026 together with your Daily Star: insights and ideas for EVERY race, FREE 2026 racing information and packed pullouts
The Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching and The Daily Star is the place to be to keep up to date with all the best action – here’s everything you need to know about our coverage
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Sean Bowen riding Glengouly (blue/yellow) clear the last to win The Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Racecourse on December 13, 2025 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
The famous roar will herald the start of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival on March 10, 2026, and we’ll be with you for every thrilling moment. Four days of fabulous sport will see the best national hunt horses from Britain and Ireland lock horns- and we’ve got everything you need to make sure this is the most epic Cheltenham yet! Take a look at what you can expect from your favourite racing paper:
- Friday 6 March: Essential 2026 Racing Pocket Guide inside your paper. Keep this fold-down guide with you throughout the year to make sure you never miss a meet.
- Sunday March 8: 12 page preview pullout
- Monday March 9: 24 page preview
- Tuesday March 10→ Friday March 13: An incredible 12 page pullout every day of the Cheltenham Festival
Some experts are predicting there will be a fightback by the UK horses this year in the face of recent Irish domination. But Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott will lead an incredibly strong challenge from the Emerald Isle. The Cheltenham Gold Cup has a wide open feel with Mullins having three of the top five in the betting in dual winner Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior. However Harry Redknapp’s pride and joy The Jukebox Man heads a strong British challenge, which also includes Haiti Couleurs and champion jockey Sean Bowen seeking his first festival winner.
The Champion Hurdle is also there for the taking with last year’s winner Golden Ace hoping to spring another surprise, while the Queen Mother Champion Chase has a strong favourite in Majborough. Nicky Henderson could outshine the Irish on day one with the favourite Old Park Star in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Lulamba in the Arkle Trophy, while Dan Skelton fields his strongest ever team across the week. And in his final Cheltenham as No 1 jockey to Paul Nicholls, Harry Cobden will be desperate to sign off with a winner on No Drama This End in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle before starting his new job for JP McManus.
Don’t miss out – pick up your Daily Star from Saturday March 7, 2026 for your perfect companion to this year’s festival. Plus join the Star Punter’s club – our FREE newsletter for insights direct from our tipsters during Cheltenham and beyond.
