With less than two months to go until the pinnacle of Britain’s jump racing calendar, we’re tracking the leading trials for significant Cheltenham Festival betting moves.
Fresh clues are emerging all the time and these Prestbury Park hopefuls made a big impression on the BOYLE Sports traders and punters alike over the weekend.
Cheltenham Market Movers
Cheltenham Festival Market Movers
Supreme Hurdle
Supreme Hurdle Favourite Old Park Star Shines In Haydock Romp
Nicky Henderson had won three of the past four renewals of the Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle, notably with Jonbon in 2022, but none lit up Haydock quite like Old Park Star.
Given a positive ride by Nico de Boinville, the six-year-old travelled strongly out in front, jumped superbly and kept on well to pull 18 lengths clear of a decent yardstick in dual Sandown scorer Hurricane Pat.
Old Park Star had previously romped home by a dozen lengths at Cheltenham and was initially cut to 5/2 favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle back at Prestbury Park on March 10, before being backed into 9/4.
Who Will Win The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle At The 2026 Cheltenham Festival?
Henderson , who has won the festival curtain-raiser five times, including strikes with Altior, Shishkin and Constitution Hill in the past decade, beamed: “You couldn’t fault him really.
“I was surprised and impressed at Cheltenham and I’m relieved and impressed today. He hasn’t just gone away and won it, he has moved up a peg again.”
De Boinville commented: “He was so professional. Not many win like that, so I’m delighted, and ground doesn’t seem to bother him. I really like this horse.”
Which Horse Made The Biggest Betting Statement Last Weekend?
Ryanair Chase
Ryanair Chase Looms as Jonbon Bounces Back With Ascot Triumph
Henderson was also celebrating at Ascot, where Jonbon returned to winning ways in the Clarence House Chase to secure an 11th Grade One success.
Partnered by super-sub James Bowen, the 10-year-old wore down Thistle Ask late on following the fall of odds-on market leader Il Etait Temps.
Who will win the 2026 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
Jonbon has been a runner-up on three past visits to the Cheltenham Festival but is 7/1 to go one better in this year’s Ryanair Chase after Henderson reported that a step up in trip is on the cards.
However, the Ascot Chase could be that next port of call and the Seven Barrows maestro said: “It would then be quick to Cheltenham, so do you then skip that? I don’t know and we’ll just have to see how he is.
“If he’s not back for the Ascot Chase, you can take it he will probably go straight to the Ryanair you would think.”
Champion Chase
Connell Bullish Over Marine Nationale Champion Chase Repeat
Jonbon also remains in the Queen Mother Champion Chase market at 10/1, but connections of last year’s winner Marine Nationale are confident of coming out on top again in that two-mile contest.
Reflecting on the Clarence House Chase, owner-trainer Barry Connell said: “I can’t see any of those horses having a chance at Cheltenham in March – I couldn’t see it before the race and couldn’t see it afterwards either. I think if we jump a clear round, we win.”
Who will win the Champion Chase at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival?
Marine Nationale is 6/4 to retain his Cheltenham title and Evens to prevail in Leopardstown’s Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival on February 1 next up.
Connell reported his stable star is in “savage form” and added: “We couldn’t have him in better shape.”
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