Cheltenham 2026

This is just a page to record bets for this years Festival plus a little write up about each pick which I will gradually add to over the next few weeks. This year really cutting back on number of bets and sticking to the races I've historically done well in - so you can rule out all the novice races - I don't do them in France so why do them here!

Tuesday

Wednesday

Cross Country Karre D'As 16/1 ew NRNB a fascinating but odd entry from David Cottin who trained Easysland to win this as a 6 yo but that horse had plenty of XC experience whereas KD has none! A top 4 yo and then 5 yo chaser in France winning 2 x G3 and probably would have won a G2 in December but unseated at the big fence @ Auteuil. The fact that she has performed so well @ Auteuil with all that course throws up suggests to me this challenge should be fine. Rated 159.5 in France but you have to probably take quite a few lbs off it will be interesting to see what the handicapper gives her. She is a big price on Betfair but is also entered in the Mares Chase but I have read this race is her first choice.

Thursday

Friday

Gold Cup Inothewayurthinkin 16/1 or 14/1 ew NRNB - hasn't been at his best this season (understatement) but neither was he the last two years. In 2024 he bolted up in the Kim Muir having been backed off the boards and then last year obviously in the Gold Cup he was well backed on the lead up and showed his liking again for this C/D. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him backed again and turn up as a different horse.