Cheltenham Festival Day One Tips: Big value outside main Arkle duo?
The first day of the Cheltenham Festival is always one of the highlights of jumps season.
The Supreme – and the famous Cheltenham Roar – gets us underway at 13:20 while there's more Grade 1 action on the card with the Arkle at 14:00 and feature race the Champion Hurdle at 16:00.
We have selections and analysis for all seven races on Tuesday, including a couple of value bets in the handicaps.
Don’t forget to visit the BetMGM Cheltenham Festival Hub for all the latest odds, offers and tips as well as race day profiles and more.
Cheltenham 13:20 - Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Willie Mullins has a strong record in the Supreme and this year's first-string, Leader d'Allier (10/1) looks capable of having a big say.
He shaped with promise on his yard debut when not seen to best effect but made easy work of his subsequent maiden hurdle outing and there’s a good chance he'll appreciate a return to quicker ground having won his Grade 3 bumper in France on a decent surface.
Selection: Leader d'Allier
Cheltenham – 14:00 - Arkle Novices’ Chase
Holes can be picked in the form of the two favourites – Kopek Des Bordes (11/8 fav) and Lulamba (6/4) – and they could be worth taking on with Steel Ally (14/1).
He bolted up in graded company at Warwick last time and the way he finished that race suggests he’ll relish the Cheltenham hill.
Selection: Steel Ally
Cheltenham 14:40 - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Manlaga (11/2 fav) looked like a really nice prospect when winning at Auteuil in France and she shaped like she was in need of her return run when beaten less than a length.
She left that effort behind with a facile success at Haydock last time and the handicapper has given her a chance off a mark of 130.
Selection: Manlaga
Here. We. Go.@Meg_nicholls11's preview of day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival ⤵️
— BetMGM UK (@BetMGMUK) March 9, 2026
Cheltenham 15:20 - Ultima Handicap Chase
Jagwar (7/2 fav) has been shaping like he’ll relish a longer trip and he's been knocking on the door this season.
He pulled a long way clear of the third when just touched off at this venue last time – he looks like a worthy favourite with potential improvement on the cards.
Selection: Jagwar
Cheltenham 16:00 - Champion Hurdle
Lossiemouth (15/8 fav) has a fantastic record at Cheltenham – winning all four of her starts, including three Festival wins – and she's taken to reverse form with Brighterdaysahead (9/2), who is yet to produce her best at this track.
With Lossiemouth getting the mares' allowance and this race being the long-term target for her, she deserves to be the outright favourite for this.
Selection: Lossiemouth
Cheltenham 16:40 - Plate Handicap Chase
Dan Skelton really excels with his handicappers and Madara (7/2 fav) has become dangerously well treated on old form.
He was given too much to do at Kempton last time out but finished off his race well and he's run several big races at Cheltenham, including a course success.
Selection: Madara
Cheltenham 17:20 - Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase
Sean Bowen has a cracking chance on board Wade Out (9/1), who has some smart form to his name.
He won in Listed company at the November meeting and his form ties in with Wendigo, who looks like a top prospect and who runs later in the week.
First-time cheekpieces are a source of potential improvement as well as the step up in trip.
Selection: Wade Out
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change