Cheltenham Festival Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Tuesday including Champion Hurdle fancy

• Katie Midwinter has a number of selections on Champion Hurdle Day

• The 2026 Cheltenham Festival begins in style on Tuesday

• Nap of the week runs in the Arkle Novices' Chase

• For the latest Betfair Racing odds click here

• Bet £10 get £10 on racing multiples every day of Cheltenham Festival

• Check out our Betfair Tipsters' Best Bets for the Festival

• Read our in-depth guide to the first day of the Cheltenham Festival

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Cheltenham Day 1 Superboost is a Winner! 

The Cheltenham Festival got off to a flyer for more than 31,000 Betfair customers who celebrated a winner with our day one Superboost!

That huge number of punters were on the Betfair Sportsbook's Superboost as Old Park Star won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in a thrilling finish to the day's opening race.

We boosted a top four finish for Nicky Henderson's hurdler from 2/71.29 to even money. 

Keep your eyes peeled for more as we will be back with another Betfair Superboost for day two at the Festival dropping later this afternoon.

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An exciting first day of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 is ahead of us, with many familiar names lining up including former Festival winners, as well as the opportunity for new champions to be crowned, particularly with the thrilling opening race for the speedy novice hurdlers. Constitution Hill sadly won't be lining up to regain his Champion Hurdle crown, but he will be present and the crowds are certain to flock around the parade ring to catch a glimpse of the superstar.

The feature race on the card, the Champion Hurdle, is an intriguing and open contest which is certain to split opinions. The New Lion, Lossiemouth, and Brighterdaysahead are tough to split, whilst reigning champion Golden Ace is certain to have her supporters, without forgetting young improvers in the likes of Alexei, the supplemented Tutti Quanti and last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros.

I'm most looking forward to the Arkle Novices' Chase, as my best bet of the week Kopek Des Bordes lines up in only his second start over fences. He'll need to be at his best on his return to repel the challenge of rivals which include the talented Lulamba, but is arguably the most exciting youngster at the Festival this year, who could have a bright future ahead of him.

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Supreme Novices' Hurdle, 13:20, Cheltenham - Back Talk The Talk @ 9/25.50

Five-year-old chestnut Talk The Talk finished strongly from a difficult position when narrowly beating two exciting prospects in Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey at Leopardstown when last seen. It looked an unlikely result, but the Joseph O'Brien-trained contender displayed great speed and talent to prevail, landing a first Grade One in the process.

In his penultimate start, Talk The Talk fell at the last when looking likely, but not definite, to beat Skylight Hustle at the top level. He had previously won a Grade Three at Fairyhouse following a Limerick maiden, improving as he gains experience, and could take another step forward at Cheltenham.

Well-bred, related to a number of black-type achievers including Goshen, luckless in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle, dual Grade Two winner Elimay, as well as Delmegan, Talk The Talk has shaped as though he has a bright future ahead of him with a number of good performances. He's been able to get himself out of trouble, learning plenty along the way, which should hold him in good stead in this tough assignment.

A likeable performer who has already shown grit and determination, as well as a high level of ability, Talk The Talk warrants plenty of consideration, holding solid claims in this Grade One contest under JJ Slevin.

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Read my 1-2-3 runner guide to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle here

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Arkle Novices' Chase, 14:00 - Back Kopek Des Bordes @ 6/42.50

Kopek Des Bordes made a great start to life over fences with a convincing 13-length success over now 145-rated Lovely Hurling at Navan in November, winning the race previously won by the likes of Facile Vega and Footpad for team Closutton.

That is his only chasing appearance to date, having been off since, missing assignments at Christmas and the Dublin Racing Festival.

The lack of further experience over the larger obstacles is a slight concern, as is coming into the race off the back of a 113-day break, however, he could be too classy for his rivals. He has already shown a great amount of ability in winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at last year's Festival, impressing at odds of 4/61.67 to win the opener, having previously inflicted a 13-length defeat upon his rivals at Leopardstown.

A hugely exciting prospect over fences, Kopek Des Bordes appears the perfect specimen to dominate this two mile chasing division. He's enthusiastic, fast, and possesses a huge amount of ability, with the scope for further progression in future.

Unexposed coming into the race, his lack of experience may not be enough to hamper his chances, and, if able to get into a good rhythm, settle, and travel well in the early stages, he could be exceptionally tough to beat.

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Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle, 14:40 - Back The Mighty Celt E/W @ 33/134.00

Making his second appearance for Dan Skelton in his second run following wind surgery, The Mighty Celt is an interesting contender from a rating of 131.

Purchased for €145,000 last autumn, the son of Walk In The Park had previously beaten the talented, sadly ill-fated Precious Man by four-lengths in an Auteuil hurdling event on debut, before finishing second and third in respective Listed contests, then chasing home subsequent Grade One winner Leopard Du Berlais in a Grade Two. He stayed on nicely at Haydock when last seen in his first run for 90 days, catching the eye in third behind the promising Manlaga with Pourquoi Pas Papa in second.

Having already shaped with great promise, The Mighty Celt is a name to note in this handicap hurdle for the juveniles. He's an exciting prospect who already has experience in tough races, and should be up for the challenge against less experienced rivals here.

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Ultima Handicap Chase, 15:20 - Back Hyland E/W @ 8/19.00

From a mark of 143, Hyland is in with a good chance of making the frame in the Ultima for Seven Barrows.

The Nicky Henderson-trained grey, who once finished second to The Jukebox Man in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, is 4lb lower than when chasing home Katate Dori at Kempton last year, and on the same mark as when beaten only a length-and-a-half by Deep Cave at Ascot in his latest run. He appears on a rating from which he can be competitive, and should be suited by this race with proven course-and-distance form having recorded two victories here as a novice chaser.

Hyland also won at the track in a 20-runner handicap hurdle, and, bar a disappointing effort when sent off at 33/134.00 in the Pertemps Network Final, has usually run well when lining up at Prestbury Park. A likeable performer whose best days could be yet to come, the nine-year-old makes each-way appeal in the hands of Nico de Boinville at odds of 8/19.00.

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Ultima Handicap Chase, 15:20 - Back Search For Glory E/W @ 25/126.00

Search For Glory could only manage seventh to Myretown in last year's Ultima, but wasn't far off making the places and, from a 2lb lower mark with more experience in his favour, holds each-way claims once again.

The Gordon Elliott-trained contender has shown plenty of class throughout his career to date. He's a dual Grade Three winner and has featured in multiple Grade One contests, including when third to Impaire Et Passe at Limerick last season.

Only narrowly denied at Grade Two level by stablemate Stellar Story, a Grade One winner at the Cheltenham Festival, Search For Glory has always shaped with promise and has begun living up to his name, just denied glory in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown when second to Favori De Champdou in his penultimate start.

The search for glory continues for the gelding, who is winless since the beginning of last term, but, from a workable enough mark here under familiar partner James Smith, he is one to consider and could improve on last year's effort for the Cullentra team.

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Champion Hurdle, 16:00 - Back Lossiemouth @ 2/13.00

Unbeaten at Cheltenham with four wins to her name, including three Grade One victories at the Festival, Lossiemouth will have her first try at the Champion Hurdle in this year's renewal as connections confirmed the intention to run her in the race on Saturday night.

Equipped with first-time cheekpieces, which could help sharpen her up a bit over this trip, the seven-year-old will need to be at her best to reverse form with Brighterdaysahead from the Dublin Racing Festival, but if there's any venue she's likely to do that, it's at Prestbury Park. Tuesday's feature contest is an open race this year with the lack of a Constitution Hill or State Man in the line up, but it's fiercely competitive all the same with the likes of The New Lion and Poniros, both winners at the meeting last year, as well as reigning champion Golden Ace in contention.

Lossiemouth may just have too much in her locker for her rivals, however, and could prove classy enough to land the prestigious trophy for her owners who have previously won the contest twice with Faugheen and Annie Power respectively. 

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Read my 1-2-3 runner guide to the Champion Hurdle here

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Champion Hurdle, 16:00 - Back Workahead E/W @ 33/134.00

On recent form, Workahead will need to show significant improvement to pose a threat in a competitive Champion Hurdle, however, his earlier runs would suggest he is far from a forlorn hope and, in only his sixth start, cannot be completely ruled out.

The point winner finished third to Grade One winner Jasmin De Vaux on hurdling debut last season, before beating subsequent Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up William Munny, now rated 156, in comfortable fashion by seven-lengths at Leopardstown.

Sent off at odds of 15/28.50, he couldn't make an impression at the Cheltenham Festival, but had his excuses and hasn't been seen much since. He may have needed his return to action at Naas in January, on the back of a 320-day break, and improved to finish second to Storm Heart in a Gowran Park Grade Three when last seen.

Both of his latest runs have come in heavy conditions, and, although plenty of further improvement is required, he could end up much better than his current rating suggests, which wouldn't give him an awful lot to find with some of his fellow contenders. If a few of the fancied runners fail to run to the best of their abilities, the unexposed Workahead could pick up some of the pieces late on and make the frame. 

Workahead is difficult to rule out on his record to date, considering he has shown snippets of potential brilliance, and there could be plenty more to come from him.

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Plate Handicap Chase, 16:40 - Back Zurich E/W @ 8/19.00

Course-and-distance winner Zurich put in an excellent performance to win at the Showcase Meeting in October at the track. Although two of the more fancied runners fell in the contest, favourite Kdeux Saint Fray and Newton Tornado, the Henry de Bromhead-trained contender still beat four subsequent winners as well as Crest Of Fortune and Double Powerful.

In his subsequent start, Zurich could manage only third over 2m3f at Doncaster, sticking to the task well late on behind winner Jordans Cross, a subsequent Cheltenham winner now rated 10lb higher on a mark of 140, as well as Go West, a now 7lb higher rated performer on a rating of 139 who has won at Musselburgh since.

With the form of his latest run having been franked, as well as there being substance to his course win earlier in the term, Zurich is a name to note in this competitive handicap for team Knockeen. He's making only his eighth start over the larger obstacles, having generally performed with consistency as a chaser, showing progression and steady improvement since making his debut for his current yard in December 2024. 

There could be plenty more to come from Zurich, and a mark of 134, 9lb higher than his previous win, may not be high enough to hamper his chances.

Making each-way appeal, Zurich could put in a competitive effort with valuable course form in his favour, and warrants each-way consideration for a team that knows how to saddle Festival winners.

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National Hunt Chase, 17:20 - Back Union Station E/W @ 18/119.00

Gavin Cromwell-trained Union Station is capable of showing further improvement over fences but has already amassed some valuable experience in his eight runs over the larger obstacles to date. He was only narrowly denied a maiden success at Leopardstown in his penultimate start when second to Kish Bank, and, whilst further improvement is needed, he is on an upward trajectory, unexposed over this marathon trip.

Last spring, Union Station did shape with promise over the staying distances when upped to an extended 3m4f at Leopardstown. He was beaten only by Brandt on that occasion, pulling eight-and-a-half-lengths clear of third-placed Iris Emery, staying on well from the rear of the field, making late gains.

There should be more to come from the seven-year-old, who has the scope for further progression. There are plenty of stayers in the family, including the likes of Tidal Bay, Ok Corral, Brewster and Buck Rogers, and this gelding shouldn't be overlooked at odds of 18/119.00.

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National Hunt Chase, 17:20 - Back Will Do E/W @ 18/119.00

Third to Haiti Couleurs in the race last year, Will Do put in a good performance to make the frame at odds of 12/113.00 for Gordon Elliott. He returns from a 5lb higher mark with a year of experience in his favour, and, despite failing to make an impact in both of his latest runs, could be worth keeping onside.

At Fairyhouse in November, the son of Walk In The Park was only narrowly denied by Better Times Ahead in the Porterstown Handicap over 3m6f, beaten by a winner who went on to be narrowly denied by Now Is The Hour in a Gowran Park Grade Three and is now rated 14lb higher on 136.

Will Do is 8lb higher than on that occasion, but remains of interest from his current rating under Danny Gilligan with proven course-and-distance form as well as strong staying credentials to his benefit.

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Back Talk The Talk (13.20 Supreme), Kopek Des Bordes (14.00 Arkle) and Lossiemouth (16.00 Champion Hurdle) in a treble 

Betfair is offering Bet £10 Get £10 on Racing Multis each day of the Cheltenham Festival, and the multi that makes the most appeal on Tuesday is a treble of Irish raiders in the form of Talk The Talk, Kopek Des Bordes and Lossiemouth.

Talk The Talk, opting for the Supreme rather than the longer trip of the Turners, comes into the opening race of the 2026 Festival holding leading claims following redemption at Leopardstown when last seen. He showed great acceleration to get himself out of trouble on that occasion, and has already amassed valuable experience which should hold him in good stead.

The nap of the week is Kopek Des Bordes, who, despite having a lack of experience over the larger obstacles, looks a potential superstar in the making. He was impressive in winning last year's Supreme, and was electric in his sole start as a chaser to date. Possessing a huge amount of talent and ability, he could put in an emphatic performance if able to settle and getting into a good rhythm.

Lossiemouth has a great record at Cheltenham and the addition of headgear could sharpen her up over this minimum distance in the feature on the first day of the meeting. She's a formidable mare who is worthy of taking her chance in this race, and has the ability to reverse form with Brighterdaysahead who beat her at the Dublin Racing Festival.

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