British hopes rise ahead of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham begins a busy run of trials and key meetings ahead of the March festival, and several British-trained horses currently figure among early favourites for major races.

Cheltenham stages an eight-race Trials Day this weekend, starting a 15-day run of key meetings and trials that lead into the March festival. The meeting comes amid a renewed sense of optimism about British jump racing, following strong recent attendance at Cheltenham and improved early betting for several big races. Trainers are using the next three weekends to finalise entries and sharpen fitness for festival targets. Attention is focused on whether current form will translate into a stronger British showing in March. Key details: - Cheltenham's New Year's Day meeting drew a record crowd of 44,000, the meeting reported. - There are currently five ante-post favourites for Grade One races trained in Britain, though one entry is a double-count across two events. - Several high-profile British-trained contenders feature in early Gold Cup betting, while Willie Mullins's Galopin Des Champs is reported as the narrow favourite. - Named horses mentioned as in contention include Nicky Henderson's Old Park Star, Lulamba and Sir Gino, Paul Nicholls's No Drama This End, Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man, Haiti Couleurs and Grey Dawning. - Upcoming meetings at Cheltenham, Doncaster, Leopardstown, Newbury and Warwick over the next three weekends are expected to influence final festival form. Summary: The next three weekends of trials and high-profile meetings will provide clearer evidence of British trainers' prospects at the March Cheltenham Festival. Dublin Racing festival and results from the named fixtures are likely to alter market positions and perceived chances, so a definitive view on whether British form has turned is undetermined at this time.