Your cheat sheet to beat the bookies on day one at Cheltenham, JP McManus is primed for birthday success and Sir Anthony McCoy’s marathon problem: CHELTENHAM BREAKFAST

On Mar 10, 2026

Published: 07:00, 10 March 2026 | Updated: 07:04, 10 March 2026

Nobody wants to win at Cheltenham more than JP McManus and it will be fascinating to see how many times he hits the bullseye this week.

McManus’s green-and-gold silks are ubiquitous on racecourses and last year the Gold Cup was wrapped in those ribbons after Inothewayurthinkin bounded past Galopin Des Champs; he will be back to attempt to defend his crown on Friday.

Before then, however, McManus – if the balls fall right – could have had seven or eight winners. It might seem a fanciful thing to suggest one owner could land a quarter of a Festivals races but bookmakers are running scared of his horses’ potential.

Sir Anthony McCoy, who was once McManus’s retained rider, believes this is the best squad he’s ever sent to the Cotswolds and it is inconceivable that he won’t leave the course today, on what is his 75th birthday, without being applauded into first place.

Including The New Lion, whose chances in the Unibet Champion Hurdle will only be enhanced when his stamina kicks in on the 350-yard run in from the last flight to the line, McManus currently has nine horses who are priced at 4/1 and under.

Fact To File, in the Ryanair Chase, is shortest at 4/6 but do not be surprised if a second third string wins a race. Inthepocket, a classy novice hurdler, is being spoken about positively for Thursday’s Grand Annual Chase; you’ll do well to get 12/1 for him come post time.

The New Lion will be among JP McManus’ contenders to triumph at Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival Day 1 (Tuesday, 10th March)

SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE

Ruby Walsh: ‘There’s great strength in it. I’d want something bigger than 2/1.’

Lydia Hislop: ‘There’s plenty of pace on. It’s going to be well run and that’ll put some pressure on Talk The Talk’s jumping.’

Tony Mullins: ‘If you worry about anything’s jumping, El Cairos hasn’t shown any indication that he learned anything from day one to day two. Leader d’Allier was massively impressive the last day at Punchestown. He’s run eight times in his life and he’s only been beaten twice – and that was the twice he didn’t wear a tongue-tie.’

Johnny Dineen: ‘It’s a deep race and at least one or more will be better than Old Park Star.’

ARKLE CHASE

Ruby Walsh: ‘Kopek Des Bordes is the best horse in the race. I think he’ll win.’

Lydia Hislop: ‘At the prices, I’d back Kopek Des Bordes. He’s a good enough horse to win the Arkle off the back of one race. We know it’s not impossible and we know this is a good horse. The four quick early fences in pairs of two could get Lulamba and Romeo Coolio on the back foot. Steel Ally could hit the frame.’

Tony Mullins: ‘Kargese is a favourite of mine. She’s very good and tough. She’s not just a pacemaker, she stays there.’

Johnny Dineen: ‘I’d slightly favour Lulamba. He has that bit more experience. He’s a percentage call. Kopek Des Bordes has had a few niggles.’

JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE

Ruby Walsh: ‘The handicapper hasn’t missed Saratoga. He could well win it but I’d want better odds. Winston Junior has a chance but there’s talk of him running in the Triumph. La Luna Artista absolutely bolted up in the Adonis and she’d be the one for me.’

Johnny Dineen: ‘Mustang Du Breuil finished third against older horses in a Grade 2 at Kempton. He ran really well and finished off nicely. It’s in off 129 and has every bit as good a chance as those at shorter prices.’

ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE

Ruby Walsh: ‘I’ll be with Iroko. It’ll effectively be a limited handicap so he’s not going to be giving too much weight away.’

Lydia Hislop: ‘We know Iroko handles Cheltenham. It’ll be an ideal test. We know he’s a good horse and we haven’t always seen what he’s capable of. He’s going to win it, isn’t he?’

Johnny Dineen: ‘Jagwar and Iroko are smart horses. It’s a weak race and one of these two will win. If they both run, I’d go for Iroko.’

CHAMPION HURDLE

Ruby Walsh: ‘I always saw Lossiemouth as a two-and-a-half-mile mare. Brighterdaysahead will be reliant on the ground. She’ll want a good cut in the ground. There’s the odd issue jumping-wise with The New Lion, but he could be the best horse.’

Lydia Hislop: ‘I’d probably be inclined towards Brighterdaysahead because she’s the best horse in the race given the mares’ allowance. The horse that will run her race is Golden Ace. If you fancy a horse to finish in the first three, surely she does?’

Tony Mullins: ‘I don’t think Lossiemouth will win. I’ve never seen her as a champion hurdler. Golden Ace is the reliable one, but I think Brighterdaysahead will win.’

Johnny Dineen: ‘If I had to back one horse at the meeting at 2/1 or bigger, I’d go for The New Lion. If he avoids back luck, I think he’s a good thing in this race. He’s probably my best bet of the meeting.’

SUN RACING PLATE HANDICAP CHASE

Lydia Hislop: ‘Madara has the form from last season. He’s caught the eye both time this term, but he’s found in the market. Waterford Whispers still has potential to fulfil over fences so I think he’s better than his mark.’

Tony Mullins: ‘I’m hearing about Waterford Whispers coming back into form.’

Johnny Dineen: ‘Madara and Mclaurey are a cut above these. I’ll take a chance on Mclaurey.’

NATIONAL HUNT CHASE

Ruby Walsh: ‘Wade Out’s crying out for a trip. I’ve no worries about him staying. He’d be the one for me.’

Cheltenham Festival Day 1 NAPS

Ruby Walsh: Kopek Des Bordes (Arkle)

Lydia Hislop: Iroko (Ultima)

Tony Mullins: Brighterdaysahead (Champion Hurdle)

Johnny Dineen: The New Lion (Champion Hurdle)

McCoy prepares for marathon challenge

Sir Anthony McCoy pushed himself to extreme physical limits during his record-breaking riding career and often relished the pain he could endure. He loves a challenge, so you should not be surprised he is training for next month’s London Marathon.

He is running for the Matt Hampson Foundation, which provides help and support for those who have suffered life-changing injuries. McCoy met Hampson after his close friend and former weighing room colleague Graham Lee was paralysed in a fall at Newcastle in November 2023.

McCoy, who was in good spirits at the track on Monday, has been at Lee’s side ever since and you can be sure he will complete this for him, regardless of how much he hates the training. If you want to read more – or wish to offer some kind of help – there is a link here.

Sir Anthony McCoy training for the London Marathon in aid of the Matt Hampson Foundation

Who can challenge Mullins’ dominance?

One thing Cheltenham would benefit from over the coming days is winners coming from unexpected sources. It won’t be easy, given how well the Willie Mullins horses looked yesterday afternoon when they did laps of the paddock, but it isn’t impossible.

Anthony Honeyball has had a brilliant year, without ever getting the headlines he deserves, and he has been dreaming of success at The Festival. His representatives in handicap chases must always be given a second look and they always perform to their best.

It would also be worth keeping an eye on Faye Bramley’s runners and Winston Junior, here runner in the McCoy Contractors Four-Year-Old Hurdle, has attracted strong support. The booking of Jack Kennedy, Ireland’s reigning Champion Jockey, catches the eye.

Bramley has had some fine success this winter, a mare called Paggane and a gelding by the name of Glengouly have led the way, but a Festival winner elevates careers to a different level. She knows how to get a horse ready.

Cheltenham would benefit from winners coming from unexpected sources, but it won’t be easy, given how well the Willie Mullins horses (pictured) looked yesterday afternoon

Cheltenham is a time for dreaming!

Eagle eyes were everywhere around Cheltenham yesterday morning. No sooner had this reporter set off to walk the course, a red Land Rover pulled up alongside and asked to see accreditation. There was no issue once documentation had been seen but the conversation took an inevitable turn.

‘What do we fancy this week, then?’

You cannot move around town for ‘whispers’ and everyone has been reliably informed by someone the information they are receiving is the golden ticket; according to whom you are listening, there are at least four sets of connections who feel they have SkyBet Supreme Novices Hurdle in the bag.

This, essentially, is what Cheltenham is all about: dreaming, speculating, getting carried away. The very fact there are such diverse opinions and such strong confidence behind so many runners is an indication that anything can happen and so often does.

My main fancy for the week, for the record, is Act Of Innocence in the Turners Novices Hurdle. How about my inquisitors?

‘Oh, let me think – I got told one before,’ came the reply. ‘Bridge something?’

We can only hope it came back to his mind. There’s nothing worse than watching one win you were told to back!

Cheltenham Festival