Here are our Cheltenham Day 1 tips as we preview all seven races on Cheltenham Tuesday for you.
The waiting is finally over, and we’re ready to post our Cheltenham Festival predictions for day one, with selections for all seven races on Tuesday for punters to consider.
Three Grade One contests feature on the opening card, with the curtain-raising Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle Trophy among those races helping to build up the atmosphere ahead of the highly coveted Champion Hurdle.
Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Tips
13:20 Tip
13:20 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Talk The Talk
Joseph O’Brien’s charge would already be a dual Grade One scorer but for a stumble after the last at Leopardstown over Christmas, when he looked to have the measure of eventual victor Skylight Hustle.
Talk The Talk made no mistake back there at the Dublin Racing Festival, even though he had to work hard for a short-head success over Ballyfad.
That was on heavy ground that really did not seem to his liking, and back on a better surface in the Cotswolds, the five-year-old can flash home to claim Supreme Novices’ Hurdle glory.
14:00 Tip
14:00 Arkle Challenge Trophy – Lulamba (NAP)
Kopek Des Bordes could set a hot pace early on in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase, but preference is for Nicky Henderson’s more experienced runner to come through at the finish.
Lulamba was beaten just a neck in last year’s Triumph Hurdle and having subsequently made amends by comprehensively reversing that form with Poniros at the Punchestown Festival, he has made a seamless switch to fences this term.
Following impressive victories at Exeter and Sandown, Henderson opted to take the same route he took with Altior in pitching Lulamba into open company for the Game Spirit at Newbury, where he duly rose to the challenge in fine style.
14:40 Tip
14:40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Saratoga
Padraig Roche produced Brazil to win the 2022 Fred Winter and can repeat the trick with this well-related gelding, who is similarly owned by JP McManus and posted an eye-catching best effort yet when second to Highland Crystal last time out.
15:20 Tip
15:20 Ultima Handicap Chase – Konfusion
There was so much to like about his convincing victories at Newcastle and Wetherby that we’re prepared to forgive a Haydock third last time out.
We believe this Yorkshire raider is worth at least an each-way interest in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
16:00 Tip
16:00 Unibet Champion Hurdle – Golden Ace
Jeremy Scott’s mare capitalised on the falls of Constitution Hill and State Man to stun the Cheltenham crowd with her 25/1 Champion Hurdle success 12 months ago and is taken to retain that title.
This year’s renewal has an open feel to it, with The New Lion not overly impressive in his trial, Brighterdaysahead yet to show her best at the track and Lossiemouth having been beaten by that rival last time.
Golden Ace bounced back from a shock defeat on her seasonal bow at Wetherby to win a second Grade One at Newcastle, when her sure-footedness again came to the fore as others faltered in the Fighting Fifth.
Although no match for the sadly absent Sir Gino when second in the Christmas Hurdle, she relishes the test Cheltenham provides, having won three of her four starts here, and can be relied upon to put up a good show at what appears a sensible price.
16:40 Tip
16:40 Plate Handicap Chase – Madara
Dan Skelton has had to be patient with this seven-year-old since picking him up 16 months ago.
But Madara has always looked to have a big win in him and everything will hopefully fall into place in the Plate Handicap Chase.
17:20 Tip
17:20 National Hunt Chase – Iceberg Theory
Paul Nolan’s charge was really unexposed prior to being put over fences this term and has begun to show his true potential with wins at Limerick and Cork.
Iceberg Theory could still have even more to offer and his style of racing suggesting a leap to three miles and six furlongs should not be beyond him in the National Hunt Chase.
Cheltenham Tuesday Predictions
Cheltenham Day 1 Predictions – 2026 Cheltenham Festival
13:20 Supreme Novices' Hurdle: Talk The Talk
14:00 Arkle Challenge Trophy: Lulamba (NAP)
14:40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Saratoga
15:20 Ultima Handicap Chase: Konfusion
16:00 Champion Hurdle: Golden Ace
16:40 Plate Handicap Chase: Madara
17:20 National Hunt Chase: Iceberg Theory
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