It's day one of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 on Tuesday 10th March.
With three Grade ones including the Supreme Novices Hurdle, The Arkle Novice Chase and the Champion Hurdle being supported by competitive handicaps, it's a bumper day one of action from jumps HQ.
We've gone through all the live televised races to pick out our selections for the afternoon.
We've picked out three of our best bets - including our NAP of the Day - and combined them into a great looking accumulator tip for the first day of racing...
Old Park Star 5/2
Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles for Nicky Henderson and looks a real superstar horse considering the way he won last time out. It was by 18 lengths in a Grade 2 so he will be hard to beat here with even more progress on the cards. Could well get Nicky Henderson off to a flyer this Cheltenham Festival.
Lulamba 7/4
It could be the Nicky Henderson show early on into this Cheltenham as Lulamba will hopefully make it a quick-fire double after Old Park Star has won the opener. Was a leading juvenile hurdler last season and is now arguably an even better chaser. Has shown why he is a leading player in this year's Arkle and could well be hard to beat again.
Madness D'Elle 16/1
Looks a fascinating contender in here after showing rapid improvement since joining the powerful yard of Willie Mullins. The four-year-old has made an immediate impact over hurdles, finishing a close second on his Irish debut at Punchestown before going one better with an authoritative maiden hurdle victory at Gowran Park, where he travelled strongly and kept on well to score by nearly three lengths.
The Fred Winter often suits progressive juveniles who are still improving with racing, and Madness D’elle fits that profile perfectly, particularly given Mullins’ excellent record with young hurdlers at the Festival.
Leave Of Absence 20/1
Has solid graded form and proven stamina for this demanding three-mile test so looks a big player in this sort of race. He produced an impressive performance when winning over course and distance, beating a highly rated rival by nearly three lengths. With proven staying power, strong recent form against high-class opposition and a yard that targets these valuable handicap chases, Leave Of Absence looks the type who could travel strongly through the race before using his stamina to mount a serious challenge in the closing stages.
Lossiemouth 15/8
Seeing Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle is hugely anticipating and with cheekpieces being applied, she's fancied to reverse form with Brighterdaysahead. The grey Mare loves Cheltenham and this year's renewal of the Champion Hurdle isn't very strong so she could actually be too good for the rest here.
Peaky Boy 20/1
The eight-year-old has already shown plenty of ability earlier in his career, including two wins from two starts over hurdles and a victory in a bumper, highlighting the underlying talent he possesses and he's shown that over fences too. If he can bounce back from that latest run where he fell, jump fluently and settle into a good rhythm he looks a player at a price with cheekpieces going on.
We've put together some of the best bookmaker offers and promotions for Day One of the Cheltenham Festival below for you to claim your free bets for the day.
