Cheltenham Festival 2026 – Day 1: Inside The Mind Of The Legacy Racing Team.

Cheltenham is finally here and, for anyone involved in racing, it’s one of the most exciting weeks of the year!

At Legacy Racing, we thought we’d have a bit of fun and see how our own team stacks up against the experts when it comes to race predictions.

Making their selections are Chairman Mike, who has years of experience in the Racing Industry. Racing Manager Juan, who enjoys detailed analysis. Operations Manager, Claire who makes her picks with her father, Ron “Chopper” Harris. And lastly our Head of Socials & Marketing, Abby who picks based on something she likes or has ‘vibes’ for.

Quite a variation! Now it’s time to see who comes out on top — and who earns the bragging rights.

13:20 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Mike (Chairman) – Mighty Park

I always like the opener at Cheltenham and this looks like a horse with plenty of ability. The Supreme can be frantic but I like the way Mighty Park goes about things. He looks straightforward and the type that should handle the occasion.

Juan (Racing Manager) – Old Park Star

The Supreme is usually run at a relentless gallop and that can catch inexperienced novices out. For me you want a horse that can travel strongly through the race, conserve energy early and still quicken after the last.

Old Park Star has shown that sort of profile so far. He looks to have a good cruising speed, which is important because they go hard from the start in this race. If he can settle and sit just behind the pace, the climb up the Cheltenham hill could really suit him. Horses that travel well and still find off the bridle often go very close in this race.

Claire – Mighty Park

I’ve gone with Mighty Park here. I was looking through the race with my dad, Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris, and we both liked the look of him. Dad has always loved racing and he enjoys helping me look through the runners at the big festivals.

Abby – Old Park Star

This one was simple. I like horse names with ‘Star’ in them because my nickname is the Spanish word for star… so that feels like a good omen.

14:00 – The Arkle

Mike – Kopek Des Bordes

This horse has looked very good this season. He jumps well, travels well and that’s exactly what you want in an Arkle horse.

Juan – Kopek Des Bordes

The Arkle is usually about speed and efficient jumping rather than pure stamina. The horses that win this race tend to jump quickly and keep their momentum going throughout.

Kopek Des Bordes has looked very sharp over fences this season. His jumping has been neat and economical, which is important at Cheltenham where any mistake can cost you several lengths. He also travels strongly through his races which suggests the pace of the Arkle should suit him.

If he gets into a good rhythm early and keeps jumping the way he has been, I think he’ll take a lot of beating and could just get the better of Lulamba.

Claire – Jax Junior

I’m taking on the favourite here with Jax Junior. Dad liked the look of him away from the big two in the race and I’m hoping this might be one where we can spring a bit of a surprise.

Abby – Kopek Des Bordes

I like the navy and pink silks. Sometimes the colours are all the analysis you need.

14:40 – The Fred Winter

Mike – Madness D’Elle

The Fred Winter is always a tricky race but this one looks like it could be nicely treated and might run a big race.

Juan – Mustang Du Breuil

This is always a fascinating race because these juveniles are still improving and the handicapper doesn’t always have the full picture yet.

Mustang Du Breuil looks like the type who could still be progressing and this race often rewards horses that improve for a strong pace. With such a big field, settling early and handling the hustle of a Festival handicap is important.

He looks like he travels well in his races and if he gets a clear run through the field I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still moving strongly turning for home.

Claire – Glen To Glen

I’ve gone with Glen To Glen here. The stable has done well in this race and I both thought he looked interesting in the stable's bid for a hat-trick.

Abby – The Mighty Celt

I vaguely remember hearing the jockey’s name mentioned somewhere which probably means he’s quite good… so I’m going with that logic.

15:20 – The Ultima

Mike – Jagwar

This looks like the type of horse that could run a big race in a staying handicap like this. He travels well and looks like he’ll stay the trip.

Juan – Blaze The Way

The Ultima is traditionally one of the toughest handicaps of the week. You need stamina, solid jumping and a horse that keeps responding when pressure is applied.

Blaze The Way looks like he ticks a lot of those boxes. He’s been running consistently and shapes like a genuine stayer, which is important because the climb to the line at Cheltenham can really expose any weakness in stamina.

In races like this, jumping rhythm is also key. If a horse can travel comfortably and avoid losing ground at the fences they often move into contention without using too much energy. If Blaze The Way gets into that rhythm he could be finishing stronger than many of them.

Claire – Handstands

I liked the look of Handstands here and Dad agreed he might be the type to enjoy a tough race like this.

Abby – Stolen Silver

I had to ask our Racing Manager about claiming riders and weights… but after that explanation I still went with good vibes.

16:00 – Champion Hurdle

Mike – Brighterdaysahead

The Champion Hurdle is always a special race and I like the look of this one. Tough and talented.

Juan – Lossiemouth

The Champion Hurdle demands a very complete horse — you need pace, balance and the ability to quicken off a strong gallop.

Lossiemouth has shown she possesses all of those qualities. She’s already proven her class at the highest level and she handles Cheltenham well, which is always a big factor at the Festival.

She travels strongly in her races and when you combine that with her ability to quicken when asked, she becomes very dangerous in a race like this. If it’s run at a true pace, her tactical speed could allow her to strike at the right moment.

Claire – Brighterdaysahead

I’ve sided with Mike here. Dad always enjoys the big feature races at Cheltenham and we both liked the look of Brighterdaysahead.

Abby – Lossiemouth

At this point I feel like I should probably pick a fancied runner so I don’t lose this competition completely.

16:40 – Plate Handicap Chase

Mike – Madara

This looks like a solid horse for this type of race and could go well if things fall right.

Juan – OMoore Park

The Plate is another competitive handicap where small margins make a big difference. Horses that arrive in form and still look fairly treated by the handicapper often go close.

OMoore Park has been running consistently and looks like a horse that might still be improving over fences. That’s often the key in this race — finding a horse that might still have a little bit more to offer than its current rating suggests.

If he settles into a good early position and conserves energy through the middle stages, I can see him gradually working his way into contention turning for home.

Claire – Down Memory Lane

I like the name and sometimes that’s all the reasoning we need.

Abby – Dee Capo

Good vibes. That’s the full analysis.

17:20 – National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase

Mike – Holloway Queen

A younger horse with plenty of potential and these staying races can sometimes suit that type.

Juan – Iceberg Theory

This race is usually a real stamina test and it’s often run at a strong pace which stretches the field quite early.

Iceberg Theory looks like a horse who should relish a proper staying test. He shapes like he’ll stay well and that ability to keep galloping when others are getting tired can be a big advantage in these races.

In marathon contests like this it’s often about conserving energy early and then staying on strongly in the final mile. If the pace is honest, which it usually is, it could play right into his strengths.

Claire – Guard The Moon

I’ve finished the day with Guard The Moon. Dad liked the look of him when we were going through the race together so I’m trusting his judgement on this one.

Abby – Holloway Queen

I like the name and the horse is a bit younger which might help over a long distance like this.

Who Will Come Out on Top?

By the end of Day 1 we’ll see whether the experience of Chairman Mike, the detailed analysis of Racing Manager Juan, the good-vibe selections from Abby, or Claire double act with father Ron, tops the leaderboard.

One thing is certain — Cheltenham always delivers drama.

We’ll be back tomorrow with Day 2 and the Legacy Racing leaderboard!