Some of Ireland’s leading trainers recently opened up their yards for pre-Festival briefings and we’ve picked out five Cheltenham 2026 tips which stand out from those stable tours.
Cheltenham 2026 Irish Fancies
Brighterdaysahead
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD Champion Hurdle @ 5/2
Cheltenham has not been a happy hunting ground for Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old, who was beaten by Golden Ace in the 2024 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and finished only fourth behind the same rival in last season’s Champion Hurdle. However, Elliott believes there are valid excuses for both defeats and is determined to make it third time lucky following an impressive victory over Lossiemouth at the Dublin Racing Festival.
“It is an open Champion Hurdle with three or four horses at the top of the betting that could win it, but she’s in good form and I couldn’t be happier with her,” said the trainer.
Mighty Park
MIGHTY PARK Turners Novices’ Hurdle @ 4/1
The annual guessing game over where Willie Mullins will run his star novice hurdlers has begun but we’re hoping this son of Walk In The Park steps up to two and a half miles for the Turners . Mighty Park romped home by an incredible 38 lengths in a 16-runner Fairyhouse maiden on his first start under rules and is bred to stay, being a half-brother to three-mile Grade One winners Might Bite and Beat That.
Mullins beamed: “Your gut tells you he has to be a hell of a horse to do what he did – any horse that wins by 38 lengths must have a huge engine, you’re into Faugheen territory when you do things like that.”
Marine Nationale
MARINE NATIONALE Champion Chase @ 9/4
Barry Connell remains confident his pride and joy can bounce back from a distant second behind Majborough at the Dublin Racing Festival on testing ground and repeat last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase success. Marine Nationale sauntered to a sensational 18-length victory last March to make it two from two at Cheltenham , having previously stormed up the Prestbury Park hill to land the 2023 Supreme in fine style.
“He’s been to Cheltenham twice, he’s won twice and hasn’t come off the bridle twice,” declared Connell . “I think we’ll see a different horse again in March. That is not just my opinion, that is backed up by the form book when you look at what he does when he goes there every year.”
Gaelic Warrior
GAELIC WARRIOR Ryanair Chase @ 5/4
The Rich Ricci -owned eight-year-old has had an excellent campaign, edging out Fact To File in the John Durkan before gutsy placed efforts in the King George and the Irish Gold Cup. Dropping back down in distance for the Ryanair Chase would make sense at Cheltenham , where Gaelic Warrior won the 2024 Arkle following a couple of runner-up efforts over hurdles at the previous two Festivals.
“I thought Gaelic Warrior’s run the last day at Leopardstown was ideal for the Ryanair myself, the way he ran his race,” commented Mullins . “He’s a horse that does run well in Cheltenham .”
Teahupoo
TEAHUPOO Stayers’ Hurdle @ 13/8
The classy nine-year-old took this prize home in 2024 and looks in good shape to recapture his crown after finishing second to Bob Olinger 12 months ago. Elliott , who has 41 Festival wins to his name already, is also set to send over a strong second string in Honesty Policy but there is no questioning the Cullentra House pecking order.
He declared: “ Teahupoo probably sets the standard and for me Honesty Policy is the young gun coming behind them. They’re two nice horses, but Teahupoo has the form and I wouldn’t swap him.”
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