Cheltenham Festival 2026 – Day 2: It's Hotting Up at Team Legacy

Cheltenham rolls straight into Day 2, and the competition inside Legacy Racing is already heating up!

After the opening day, the team are back with another set of selections as they try to outscore each other — and perhaps prove that their method of picking winners really is the best one.

Chairman Mike continues to lean on his years of experience in the racing industry to lead the way, Racing Manager Juan brings the detailed analysis but struck unlucky in the big handicaps, Operations Manager Claire once again teams up with her father Ron “Chopper” Harris as they look to have a change of luck, and Head of Socials & Marketing Abby sticks to her “vibes-based” system that has put her in prime position to challenge Mike.

This is how the team are looking after the first day, let’s see who they’ve gone for on day two!

13:20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle

Mike (Chairman) – Ballyfad

This looks like a progressive horse who could improve again here. These novice races can often take another step forward at the Festival and Ballyfad looks capable of doing just that.

Juan (Racing Manager) – No Drama This End

The Turners is run over a middle distance for novices and it usually rewards horses that combine stamina with a good cruising speed. The pace can be strong early, so being able to travel comfortably behind the leaders is often important.

No Drama This End looks like a horse who settles well in his races and travels strongly through the middle stages. That ability to move smoothly without using too much energy can be a big advantage in a race like this.

If he can hold a good position turning for home and still have plenty left after the final flight, the long Cheltenham run-in could give him the chance to stay on strongly.

Claire – Walks In June

I’ve gone with Walks In June here — mainly because my birthday is in June! Sometimes that’s reason enough, and Dad was happy to go along with it.

Abby – No Drama This End

I like the name and it’s also the favourite… which seems like a pretty good combination.

14:00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

Mike – Kaid D’Authie

This horse looks like he could suit a race like this. He’s shown some good ability already and if he jumps well he should run a big race.

Juan – Final Demand

The Brown Advisory is one of the key staying novice chases of the week and stamina is usually the deciding factor. Horses not only need to jump accurately but also conserve enough energy for the climb to the line.

Final Demand looks like the type of horse who could be well suited to that test. He travels well through his races and gives the impression he can maintain a strong gallop for a long time.

If he settles into a good rhythm over the fences early on and avoids making costly mistakes, I can see him still travelling strongly when the race begins to unfold after the final fence.

Claire – Final Demand

Dad has always followed the horses trained by Paddy Mullins and this was the one he picked out of the runners. I’m happy to trust his judgement here.

Abby – Final Demand

I like the name and the silks — sometimes that’s all the analysis you need.

14:40 – BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle

Mike – Storm Heart

The Coral Cup is always competitive but Storm Heart looks like he could be nicely placed to run well here.

Juan – Jingko Blue

The Betmhm Cup Handicap hurdle  is one of the most competitive handicaps of the Festival. With such a large field, positioning and race rhythm are incredibly important.

Horses that travel strongly within the pack and avoid getting caught too far back often move into contention without using too much energy.

Jingko Blue looks like a horse who travels well in his races, which is often exactly what you want in a big-field handicap. If he can stay within striking distance turning for home, the demanding finish at Cheltenham could allow him to keep finding when others begin to tire.

Claire – Chart Topper

This one was Dad’s idea. The name reminded him of when he appeared on Top of the Pops singing Blue Is The Colour, so we had to go with that!

Abby – Kateira

I backed the same jockey last time and it worked out pretty well… so I’m sticking with him again.

15:20 – Cross Country Chase

Mike – Stumptown

These races can suit horses that handle the unusual course well. Stumptown looks like the type who could take to it.

Juan – Vanillier

The Cross Country course presents a completely different challenge from the main track. The variety of obstacles means horses need to adapt quickly and keep their rhythm over fences they may not have encountered before.

Experience in long-distance races is often helpful because these contests can become a real stamina test as the field stretches out.

Last year’s third Vanillier has proven himself over marathon trips and that kind of staying ability can be a big advantage for a horse who had a very nice shake down at Punchestown last time.

Claire – Vanillier

Dad has followed Vanillier since previous Grand Nationals and thinks he’s a very capable horse over these types of trips.

Abby – The Goffer

It was between this one and another, but I asked what the RPR meant and picked the horse with the higher rating… which felt like very serious analysis from me.

16:00 – Champion Chase

Mike – Quilixios

This looks like a very talented horse and could be well suited by a fast-run two miles around Cheltenham.

Juan – Majborough

The Champion Chase is all about speed and precision. Over two miles the pace is relentless, so horses need to jump quickly and maintain their momentum between fences.

A single mistake can cost several lengths in a race run this quickly, which is why accurate jumping is so important.

Majborough looked very slick over fences last time, finally putting it all together and that efficiency could be a major asset If he keeps that fluency at pace, he has the kind of profile that will make an impact in this race with no Marine Nationale to spoil the party.

Claire – Captain Guinness

I’ve gone with Captain Guinness… because who doesn’t like a Guinness?

Abby – Majborough

It was a tough pick between this one and L’Eau du Sud, but I eventually sided with Majborough.

16:40 – Grand Annual Chase

Mike – Inthepocket

This looks like a horse with the right type of profile for a race like this and could run a big race if things fall right.

Juan – Ballysax Hank

The Grand Annual is usually one of the most competitive handicaps of the entire Festival and it often turns into a race where pace plays a huge role. With so many runners attacking the fences, the early tempo can be very strong.

Horses that can cope with that pressure and still jump cleanly tend to move into contention late in the race as others begin to tire.

Ballysax Hank looks like the type who could handle a strongly run race like this, with the trainer quite clearly mapping the campaign for this race today.

Claire – Release The Beast

I like the name and thought it sounded like a horse that might enjoy a big race like this.

Abby – Relieved Of Duties

I like the silks — simple as that.

17:20 – Champion Bumper

Mike – Keep Him Company

This looks like a horse with plenty of potential and these bumper races can often throw up future stars.

Juan – Bass Hunter

The Champion Bumper is always fascinating because these horses haven’t yet jumped hurdles, so raw ability and race temperament become the key factors.

The field often stays fairly compact before the race develops quickly in the straight, which means horses need to respond immediately when the pace increases.

Bass Hunter has shown the ability to travel smoothly in his races and that can be very valuable in a bumper. He beat Tally Ho Back last time in a listed bumper at Ascot and If he settles early and produces his effort at the right moment, he looks an exciting prospect for the future.

Claire – It’s Only A Game

We’ve finished the day with It’s Only A Game. Dad liked the name and thought it was a good reminder that this is all meant to be fun, a motto lived by when it came to football!

Abby – Broadway Ted

Everyone loves a bit of Broadway. That’s the logic behind this one.

Who will stake their claim for victory as we head into the final two days?

One thing is certain — there are plenty more twists and turns to come. We’ll be back tomorrow with the updated Legacy Racing leaderboard.