The Cheltenham Festival, scheduled for March 2026, is shaping up with notable developments in jockey roles and race favorites. 1 jockey for JP McManus. JP McManus is the most successful owner in Cheltenham Festival history with 84 winners, and he has horses in the top two in the betting for more than half of the 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival.
Harry Cobden will take over as the first jockey for JP McManus at the end of May. Barry Geraghty compares wearing JP McManus' colors to how Brazilian footballers feel walking out in the World Cup. Mark Walsh won the Gold Cup 12 months ago with Inothewayurthinkin, adding to the competitive backdrop.
In other race news, Narciso was ruled out of the JCB Triumph Hurdle due to injury. According to sources, Sir Alex Ferguson has had winners at the Cheltenham Festival in the past two years, and Sir Alex Ferguson's Maestro Conti is tipped by Dan Skelton as a contender in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. Sir Alex Ferguson won big at Cheltenham last year on day three with Caldwell Potter in the Jack Richards Novices Chase, and Caldwell Potter was bought by Sir Alex Ferguson as part of a syndicate for £630,000 in 2024, the most expensive jump horse at a public auction.
4 million in earnings. For the Champion Bumper, Jody Townend won the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last year with Bambino Fever, and Jody Townend believes The Irish Avatar is the one to beat in the Champion Bumper. Jody Townend hopes to ride in the Champion Bumper again this year, possibly on Quiryn or Heldam.
According to sources, Willie Mullins has three of the first four in the market for the Champion Bumper, headed by Love Sign d'Aunou at 4/1. In other events, Bambino Fever is a red-hot favorite for the Mares Novice Hurdle, and Doctor Steinberg is the favorite for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. Jody Townend says Kopek Des Bordes is a 6/4 favorite for the Arkle and has been doing everything right at home.
Galopin Des Champs will miss this year's Cheltenham Festival due to a setback, and Galopin Des Champs is ruled out for the remainder of the season. According to sources, Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior are joint-favorites for the Gold Cup at 7/2. AP McCoy would choose to ride Majborough in the Champion Chase if given the choice, and Majborough is one of the most favored contenders for the Champion Chase after the withdrawal of Marine Nationale.
AP McCoy believes Winston Junior would be extremely difficult to beat in the Fred Winter if he runs. The festival continues to draw attention with these key storylines and competitive fields.