Cheltenham Memories: Katie Midwinter looks back on recent standouts to search for 2026's stars

• Katie Midwinter's begins a Cheltenham series as we build to the 2026 Festival

• She look back at memorable races and winners in recent years

• And we get Katie's early fancies in current antepost markets

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Shishkin - 2020 Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Bidding for a third successive victory coming into his first Grade One assignment, Shishkin was sent off at odds of 6/17.00 in the opening race of his first Cheltenham Festival.

Things didn't go swimmingly well during the race for the Nicky Henderson-trained novice, but he dug deep, showing his tenacity and fight to narrowly prevail over Abacadabras.

It was an exciting start to the 2020 Festival, and featured a number of likeable performers who would go on to become old favourites such as Edwardstone, Asterion Forlonge, Fiddlerontheroof, as well as future Festival winners in Captain Guinness and Heaven Help Us, and, the close second Abacadabras. 

It was the beginning of a brilliant career for a top class performer, who would go on to land another five Grade One prizes during his career, in a race that is always highly anticipated and almost always features future superstars, with the famous Cheltenham roar further adding to the atmosphere and excitement.

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Katie Midwinter's verdict on the 2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Another Seven Barrows contender is the current favourite at the head of the antepost market for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. The yard has been represented by a number of stars in past renewals, including the likes of winners Altior and Constitution Hill, as well as Shishkin, plus 2022 runner-up Jonbon.

That horse is Old Park Star, currently 2/13.00 to win the Supreme. . Another hugely exciting prospect for the Nicky Henderson team. the six-year-old is currently unbeaten over obstacles in three starts over hurdles and has beaten his rivals by a combined distance of 33-lengths in scintillating fashion. 

His defeat of Hurricane Pat, who had previously beaten him in a Sandown bumper, was exceptional as he claimed Grade Two glory in the Rossington at Haydock recently, and, on form shown so far, he is the one to beat.

El Cairos is an intriguing contender as he's yet to prove his credentials in Graded company but has shaped with plenty of promise. He fell when in control of a Leopardstown maiden over Christmas but although he hasn't enjoyed a straightforward campaign to date, the £410,000 purchase in an exciting novice who could be tough to beat.

Mydaddypaddy held a big reputation going into the Formby at Aintree for which he was sent off as the 8/131.61 favourite. The omission of hurdles in the straight didn't suit, and it could be worth forgiving that run and keeping the faith in the five-year-old who was three from three prior to that runner-up effort behind Idaho Sun, who also warrants respect.

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Constitution Hill - 2023 Champion Hurdle

The first part of the 'Golden Hour' on the 14th of March, 2023, a magical day at Prestbury Park. The atmosphere in the crowd beforehand was palpitating as people packed around the paddock to catch a glimpse of the 4/111.36 favourite who had won the Supreme in such tremendous fashion by 22-lengths 12 months prior.

Unbeaten under Rules with five wins to his name, including four Grade One contests, Constitution Hill was the champion-in-waiting, and he delivered. A nine-length defeat of State Man in a classy and dominant performance cemented his place at the top of the hurdling tree. An 'I was there' moment.

Although recent seasons haven't been as kind to Constitution Hill, nobody can take away the magic of that Champion Hurdle success and his dominance over such formidable and talented rivals. He is the best hurdler I have ever seen in the flesh and that special victory will live long in the memory.

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Katie Midwinter's verdict on the 2026 Champion Hurdle

The complexion of this year's renewal has changed plenty during the course of the season to date. Constitution Hill suffered another fall on his return to action in the Fighting Fifth following State Man's injury which ruled him out for the season. Sir Gino, rerouted from chasing, sadly sustained an injury at Cheltenham last week, leaving Lossiemouth at the head of affairs in the current market.

Willie Mullins' grey mare is perhaps the most solid option in the current lineup. She does little wrong, with the only blemishes on her record a luckless defeat to Gala Marceau as a juvenile, in which things didn't pan out favourably, and a creditable second to Constitution Hill in last season's Christmas Hurdle, as well as a fall when the 8/111.73 favourite versus State Man at the previous Dublin Racing Festival. 

She lined up in the mares' race at last year's Festival, but has more than enough talent to be competitive in a Champion Hurdle, and is possibly the correct favourite at this moment in time. 

The New Lion is yet to prove himself completely at the top level over the minimum distance but is a classy performer who warrants respect. He was a good winner of the Baring Bingham over 2m5f as a novice last term, but fell late on in the Fighting Fifth and was less than convincing against Nemean Lion and Brentford Hope on Saturday. 

A stiff test of stamina would likely see him to best effect considering his proven capabilities over further, but in a division that has been perplexing in recent seasons, he is likely to hold leading claims and is capable of showing further improvement. 

Constitution Hill is set to revert to the Flat for a prep run ahead of a possible attempt at regaining his crown in the race. If he jumps, he shouldn't be beaten, but he has lost his air of invincibility and has had to overcome issues in recent years, too. He isn't the horse he once was and seems to have lost his confidence, but he is trained by a master in Nicky Henderson who has been able to bring horses back in the past, most notably Sprinter Sacre.

It would be some achievement and an unforgettable moment should Constitution Hill make a successful return at Cheltenham, and his current price would look extremely generous if he was to do that, but there are too many question marks to be confident in his chances currently, although he remains the best of the possible field on a going day.

There are other possible interesting contenders in the antepost market too, with the returning El Fabiolo an intriguing inclusion as well as the progressive Alexei.

Reigning champion Golden Ace has proven her win was no fluke by adding another Grade One to her record earlier this term, whilst Brighterdaysahead gave Lossiemouth plenty to think about when beaten only a length on her return from a 240-day break last month, and is far from a forlorn hope.

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Honeysuckle - 2023 Mares' Hurdle

In her final racecourse start, dual Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle was bidding to regain her Mares' Hurdle crown having lost her unbeaten record earlier during the campaign when beaten at Fairyhouse and again at Leopardstown. Teahupoo and State Man were the respective winners of the races in which Honeysuckle suffered the only defeats of her career, yet she had plenty of doubters as she came into her final Cheltenham Festival.

Constitution Hill had sent the crowd wild with his dominant display in the Champion Hurdle, but Honeysuckle lifted the roof off. The roar of the crowd as she drew alongside before nudging in front of Love Envoi was incredible. Everybody was cheering, people were crying (myself included), and it was such an emotional and special moment, it's hard to imagine it could ever be topped.

Cheltenham loves a winner for Henry de Bromhead, none more so than this one, and Rachael Blackmore was as strong as ever aboard her legendary partner. It was a fairytale moment that brings tears to the eyes just by remembering it, and surely one of the most magical races ever at the track.

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Katie Midwinter's verdict on the 2026 Mares' Hurdle

Wodhooh has emerged as the likeliest winner of this race should Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead line up in the Champion Hurdle, and she's deserving of her spot at the top of the tree currently, the one to beat after an exceptionally consistent career over obstacles to date.

Nine from ten over hurdles, with her only defeat coming when an excellent second to Lossiemouth in her first Grade One assignment at Aintree last term, the Gordon Elliott-trained mare was dominant in the final race of last year's Festival and has earned herself a career-high rating of 154. 

She could be capable of even better as a six-year-old who has the scope for further improvement, and the others, bar the aforementioned pair who may have different aspirations, all have to find plenty to match the level shown by the daughter of Le Havre.

Feet Of A Dancer enhanced her claims at Doncaster last week, landing Grade Two honours, but has a couple of lengths to find with Wodhooh, whilst others among the shorter priced contenders will likely hold each-way claims at best.

With so many unknowns surrounding the Champion Hurdle and two-mile hurdling division in general, it's hard to class Wodhooh as a banker in the current climate. However, should her two main market rivals in the antepost markets run elsewhere, it's hard to envisage her being beaten.

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Gaelic Warrior - 2024 Arkle Novices' Chase

There was plenty of talk over whether or not the enigmatic Gaelic Warrior would end up over the minimum trip at the Festival, or if he would put his stamina to good use over the further distance later in the week.

A good decision was made to run him in the Arkle wearing a first-time hood, and he put in an exceptional performance to beat a strong field including Found A Fifty and Il Etait Temps by eight-and-a-half-lengths.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding had been available at double-figure odds in antepost markets in the months prior to the Festival, appearing likelier to line up in a different race, but he proved his capabilities over two miles, showing great speed as well as strong staying ability up the Cheltenham hill, making a significant impression in an impressive win.

A versatile performer, Gaelic Warrior has won over an extended 2m3f, just over 2m6f and over 3m1f since that win, and was rated as high as 174 when lining up in the King George VI Chase last month, 17lb higher than when landing his first Cheltenham Festival success. He made it third time lucky following two second-placed efforts to Brazil and Impaire Et Passe respectively, justifying market support as the 2/13.00 favourite.

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Katie Midwinter's verdict on the 2026 Arkle Chase

The Arkle is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing races of the Festival, with the front three in the market, Lulamba, Kopek Des Bordes, and Romeo Coolio, all impressing this season. 

Current favourite Lulamba - 13/82.63 to win - is two from two over fences, with victories over Fingle Bridge and Be Aware to his name, including the Grade One Henry VIII Novices' Chase. He won comfortably on chasing debut at Exeter, doing little wrong, but four of the 12 fences were omitted and perhaps it's fair to say he didn't blow everyone away.

It was difficult not to be hugely impressed by his follow up effort at Sandown, however, beating a couple of formidable rivals in Be Aware, who had previously finished a length-and-a-half second to July Flower, and Lump Sum, as well as Alnilam. The five-year-old has plenty of speed to be highly effective over the minimum distance, but he has also shaped as though further could suit in time.

Kopek Des Bordes, on the other hand, looks every bit the enthusiastic, speedy two-miler, and he makes the most appeal on talent alone. He can be keen, hence the hood, but his liveliness makes him such a formidable opponent over this distance and, with a favourable trip, he will be difficult to beat.

A slight concern is the setback which kept him off over the Christmas period, however, if he returns in the same shape as on chasing debut at Navan, entitled to improve for that debut effort over the larger obstacles, Kopek Des Bordes will likely shorten further and it would be no surprise to see him go off favourite come post-time on the opening day of the Festival.

Romeo Coolio warrants plenty of respect and has already claimed Grade One honours over fences, beating Irish Panther, another to consider, by half-a-length at Leopardstown. Both demand consideration, as does the aforementioned July Flower, who holds each-way claims at her best.

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Galopin Des Champs - 2024 Gold Cup

The extremely likeable Galopin Des Champs had proved himself in the Cheltenham Gold Cup by pulling clear of Bravemansgame after the last 12 months prior, and was sent off as the 10/111.91 favourite to retain his crown in 2024. He did just that in good style, asserting his dominance in the staying chasing division by recording a three-and-a-half-length victory over Gerri Colombe, who pulled over nine-lengths clear of third-placed Corach Rambler.

The mighty Closutton champion failed in his attempt at three successive victories in the race last season, but is set to give it another try this term. It would be some feat if he could land a third, particularly after missing out in last year's race to Inothewayurthinkin.

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Katie Midwinter's verdict on the 2026 Gold Cup

It's set to be an open Cheltenham Gold Cup according to the market with Galopin Des Champs the current 5/16.00 favourite to regain his crown. He returned to action with a pleasing third at Leopardstown over Christmas in his first run following a 242-day absence, and should improve plenty for the outing.

Defending champion Inothewayurthinkin has struggled to make an impression so far this term, but the Gavin Cromwell yard hadn't been firing at the time of his runs and are in better form currently having seemingly turned a corner in recent weeks.

With proven form in the race, he's impossible to rule out. Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man are fascinating contenders on the back of pleasing runs by both in the King George VI Chase. The latter claimed victory on that occasion but there was little between them and they could both still be on an upward trajectory.

Grey Dawning's claims were not enhanced in the Cotswold Chase but Spillane's Tower's certainly were. Neither can be ruled out with any confidence and, on what was Trials Day, a reversal in form would be no surprise. Dan Skelton-trained Grey Dawning had been supremely impressive in the Betfair Chase prior to his recent Cheltenham run, and he should be able to be somewhat competitive going into the race fresh in March.

The most attractive betting proposition currently is Envoi Allen, who is certain to head to the race fresh. Despite being a 12-year-old, he hasn't been overly raced and is a formidable opponent on his day, particularly when returning from a break and in sounder conditions. In a decent ground Gold Cup, Envoi Allen would be difficult to completely oppose, and a price of 40/141.00 for a horse almost certain to line up represents value each-way.

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Honourable mention: The Conditional - 2020 Ultima Handicap Chase

The Conditional was a gutsy winner on the opening day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, digging deep to prevail in the Ultima for David Bridgewater. He tracked the leaders into the race before making his move in the straight, staying on gamely and tenaciously under Brendan Powell.

An extremely likeable horse who had landed a handicap chase at the venue the previous autumn, adding to his maiden hurdle success at Thurles for former trainer Martin Hassett, The Conditional displayed a great attitude in re-applied cheekpieces to deny the running on Kildisart. He was a special horse whose life was sadly cut short the following year, but his memory will live on forever following that magical Festival win.

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