CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2026 - FRIDAY

13:20 CHELTENHAM

I’m not convinced any trainer should have nine of a field of twenty, even if it’s not handicap skullduggery but Willie Mullins sets us a poser within the race here. The impressive-looking Proactif looked strong and professional in winning his second start and first for the Closutton maestro.

Highland Crystal and Tuesday’s smart winner Saratoga pulled well clear at Naas and with the fillies’ allowance she looks good each-way value though she is one of a few who might benefit from the predicted rain.

PROACTIF (WIN)

HIGHLAND CRYSTAL (E/W)

written by Alan Morris

14:00 CHELTENHAM

It's hard to be overly confident in a race with over 20 runners but Joyeuse is the only one that I'm convinced is worth backing and with the rain falling just in time she's got plenty in her favour. She can be forgiven her latest run in a Grade 2 and now back to handicap company and hailing from the top yard of Nicky Henderson she can add to the tally of owner JP McManus.

The most likely dangers hail from the major yards of Mullins and Skelton with Karbau, Murcia, Tellherthename and Sinnatra sure to throw down a challenge.

JOYEUSE (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock

14:40 CHELTENHAM

Willie Mullins has been simply brilliant so far at Cheltenham and he sends out Dinoblue and Spindleberry here, Dinoblue was very impressive when winning this race last season and has come back this season looking very good too. Spindleberry has climbed the rankings smartly this season before looking outclassed when up into an open Grade 1 last time, back down in class and trip which will help and looks a huge threat to the stablemate. Panic Attack has rolled back this years this season and looked better than ever when winning two top handicaps, question marks over the drop back in trip up in grade. Diva Luna has looked very good this season and is a previous Aintree bumper winner so is capable of a big run. Only By Night represents a shrewd yard who have had a winner, went very close to winning an Arkle last season when splitting two very good horses, last time it looked like she was crying for a step up in trip and she's very dangerous to the market leaders and should hit the frame at the very least.

ONLY BY NIGHT (E/W)

written by Liam Hall

15:20 CHELTENHAM

Doctor Steinberg could be tough to beat for the all-conquering Willie Mullins yard, but J’ALON D’OUDAIRIES could be worth an each-way nibble in opposition to the favourite.

Third to Jasmin De Vaux and Romeo Coolio - both G1 hurdles winners - in the 2024 Champion Bumper, the No Risk At All gelding missed the entirety of the 24/25 season. He has come back looking a very smart sort who should continue to improve after just three hurdles starts, his form reading 221, and his breakthrough hurdles victory at Naas last month has seen both the runner-up and third horses home win since.

He’s a point-to-point winner so this stiffer test of stamina should suit him and while his half-length defeat to Frankie John at Leopardstown over Christmas leaves him a bit to find with Doctor Steinberg on their respective form he may well continue his improvement hereand put up a big performance at a decent price, especially if there’s any rain.

J’ALON D’OUDAIRIES (E/W)

written by Brian Healy

16:00 CHELTENHAM

With the ground looking highly unlikely to deteriorate at this stage, it looks likely that jumping and travelling will be the qualities required in this years Gold Cup.

Jango Baie certainly fits that criteria, however, staying three miles in a King George is no guarantee he will get home.

Gaelic Warrior seems to have the ability to handle all ground conditions, along with The Jukebox Man.

Grey Dawning and Haiti Couleurs are both admirable horses, but potentially lack the class required.

It’s a wide open event, and with the main protagonists going at it, it would be no surprise to see Jack Kennedy smuggle Firefox into the race late on. He’s unexposed as a stayer, will relish good ground, and he could certainly outrun his odds.

FIREFOX (E/W)

written by Matt Polley

16:40 CHELTENHAM

2022 National Hunt Cup winner STATTLER was thought good enough to run in a Gold Cup and Grand National in his younger days and Faye Bramley’s charge can win this for connections.

Formerly with Willie Mullins, the eleven-year old ran out a comfortable victor at Fakenham last month, although needing every yard around that tight track and a return to a much stiffer track will certainly prove more suitable.

He’s still a classy sort who is unexposed in hunter chases and he’ll relish the better ground. Proven here and if he can bring the sort of class that saw him win the National Hunt Cup and place in Grade One company during his pomp for Willie Mullins then he’ll be difficult to keep out of the frame and I expect him to go close with Patrick Mullins a top jockey booking for this assignment.

STATTLER (WIN)

written by Brian Healy

17:20 CHELTENHAM

The finale of the meeting is always a head-scratcher. Act Of Authority found only Wodhooh too good in this last year and he is interesting. He will not want anymore rain through. Andashan has been going well in handicaps and his win at Newbury suggests he could go well today. However, Gordon Elliott likes to win this race and Wendrock could be his chance. He was sixth in the Fred Winter last year and came from a mile back at Leopardstown, over this distance. He has more to offer.

WENDROCK (WIN)

ANDASHAN (E/W)

written by Kieran McHugh