English/Ire
ITV Insights - 10th March 2026
The team are back to preview all the action from ITV on Tuesday, live from the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle – Grade 1 – Cheltenham – 1.20
Talk The Talk arguably brings the best form into the contest and is unlucky not to be a dual Grade 1-winning novice. He might well win for Joseph O'Brien, but Nicky Henderson hasn't been shy about the regard that he holds Old Park Star in, and he might just have that x-factor. Henderson's charge looked mighty impressive when making it three from three over hurdles in Grade 2 company at Haydock and, as well as being top-rated, he brings winning course form to the table.
Old Park Star
Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase – Grade 1 – Cheltenham – 2.00
There are question marks around the big two in the market with Kopek Des Bordes heading here after just one run over hurdles, while there's a strong suspicion that Lulamba might be better over further. Of the two I'd probably just favour the former, but at the prices, Jax Junior could be an interesting alternative, especially as the conditions continue to dry. He's not got the flashy profile over those ahead of him in the market, but he does jump well and has experience on his side. Lucy Wadham's seven-year-old would need to take another decent step forward here but can be considered in the 'without' markets.
Jax Junior
McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (Registered As The Fred Winter) – Class 1 – Cheltenham – 2.40
The Mighty Celt could be going under the radar here despite an eye-catching third-place finish behind the reopposing Manlaga in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock. Held up off the pace, he kept on nicely in the closing stages without being asked for maximum effort and the switch to this big-field scenario might well just bring out the best of him, with Harry Skelton almost certain to adopt exaggerated hold-up tactics. He was placed in Grade 2 company on testing ground in France last season, but there's certainly hope in his pedigree that a better surface may suit.
The Mighty Celt
Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – Class 1 – Cheltenham – 3.20
JP McManus looks to hold a strong hand here and it will be disappointing if Jagwar isn't able to put up a bold bid. A commanding winner of the Plate here twelve months ago, he's been unlucky not to score in two subsequent outings back here, finishing an eye-catching third in the December Gold Cup before going down by a head to one getting plenty of weight in January. This step up to beyond three miles ought to be right up his street and whilst a mark of 152 demands more, he certainly looks open to further improvement.
Jagwar
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy – Grade 1 – Cheltenham – 4.00
The New Lion deserves plenty of respect, but he'll have to be at the top of his game to beat an on-song Lossiemouth, who in receipt of 7lb, surely has every chance of gaining her Champion Hurdle. She's been denied a chance in the Tuesday feature throughout her career thus far, but it speaks volumes that the Mullins team believe now's the time to strike. Rich Ricci's prolific mare comes alive at Prestbury Park (4-4, 3 in Festival races), while Willie Mullins is eleven from seventeen with favourites sporting first-time cheekpieces. She never looked to travelling within herself when beaten by the reopposing Brighterdaysahead last time but back at her favoured venue and with new headgear, she can come out on top.
Lossiemouth
Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) - Class 1 – Cheltenham – 4.40
History dictates you must run to an RPR of 150 plus to win this, which is exactly what Down Memory Lane did when scoring at Navan last time out. Formerly sent off just 2/1 to beat L'Eau du Sud in the Grade 1 Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase, Gordon Elliott's eight-year-old remains very lightly raced in big-field handicap chases and he heads to the Festival on the back of an extremely smooth success in a Listed handicap at Navan last start. He was ridden with bundles of confidence last time and an 8lb rise in the weights from the British handicapper might well underestimate him still.
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