Cheltenham Festival 2026: Betting and Trends for Day 2

We're a week away from the Cheltenham Festival kicking off, and there is still some value to be found in the markets. So, let's take a look at the betting markets and some trends for each race on Day Two of the festival.

Ladies Day Betting Tips

Below, you can find the trends and insights for the seven races on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. The odds were correct at the time of writing.

Turners Novices Hurdle Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

In the Turners, we are looking for a horse within the top six of the betting market, and there has ben a fantastic record recently for six-year-olds. The Irish have dominated in the past few festivals, whilst winning LTO is also nearly a must.

So, with the trends out of the way. Let's take a little look at the market.

This is a difficult race to really comb through, largely because there are so many strong options for punters to consider. Additionally, there are some that could be heading elsewhere.

At the top of the market, No Drama This End is Paul Nicholls' latest hope to win this race, which has eluded him for so long. Winner of the Challow Hurdle in December, he holds an unbeaten record over hurdles and holds strong claims.

However, this will be the strongest race that he has taken to, and even with The New Lion ending the Challow curse last year, I'd be wary about backing him.

Mighty Park is, despite it looking like he would be heading to the Supreme Novices Hurdle on Day One, now back in the mix for the Turners, it seems - ah, the joys of Cheltenham. Regardless of that, he holds strong claims and looks to be well poised here, but again, the fact that he has only had one run this season is a bit of a concern.

Talk The Talk could head here, but it seems more likely that he lines up on Tuesday instead of here.

Skylight Hustle, trained by Gordon Elliott, looks to have a real chance. He has won his last two races convincingly, whilst only losing to Thedeviluno in November - his first run of the season - and at 6/1 he holds strong claims.

Finally, my last of interest here would be King Rasko Grey, who looks to be tremendously suited for this race. He came a strong third behind Talk The Talk at the DRF, and I believe he would have a very strong chance here, especially with Willie Mullins stating that he will only improve.

Brown Advisory Novice Chase Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

Here we are looking for a seven-year-old, under the price of 10/1, with the trends looking favourably on shorter price horses. Additionally, it is worth looking away from French-bred options. Of course, Willie Mullins' runners in this race should also be respected.

At the time of writing, Final Demand tops the market here, but it has not been without complication. For months, the market had him at Evens, but since his run at the DRF, he has drifted to 7/2, which is understandable.

There has been little said about the seven-year-old since, except that the run was too bad to take concern with, which does not offer much confidence, admittedly.

Second in the market is The Big Westener, who would have to defy the odds to win, given no mare has won this race since the turn of the century. However, she undoubtedly holds a strong claim here, and he win against Jade De Grugy LTO was impressive.

Kaid d'Authie sits third odds-wise, and presumably this will be Mark Walsh's ride in the race. He was impressive when beating Final Demand at Leopardstown, but you'd have to be wary about the trend with French breds.

Wendigo and Western Fold have both had strong seasons too, the latter finishing behind Kaid d'Authie at the DRF, but I'd be keener to back the latter, considering, in my eyes, its form is a little stronger. Looking a bit further out in the markets, Oscars Brother has a very solid chance at 12/1.

In terms of a selection here, I think I'd be leaning slightly towards Western Fold, who could be a nice E/W punt, as well as being a decent win option. Final Demand was really questionable LTO, and if he can put that behind him, I think he wins comfortably.

Nevertheless, I cannot really overlook the form of Gordon Elliott's horse right now.

BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

For this, we are looking for a rating under 147, and a horse at seven years old or below. Additionally, this is not a race for the favourites, so it is one to steer clear of here, with big prices normally coming out on top!

This is a bit of a minefield race, and it could go in several ways. The volatility of the market, at the moment, is ridiculous too, with Dan Skelton getting Kateira from a 50/1 shot to a 10/1 price, thanks to some insight in his yard tour. Though she has now settled back.

Skelton had success recently with the late Langer Dan, winning the race - formerly known as the Coral Cup - twice in a row. So, it is understandable why the market has reacted so much to his comments about the mare.

Heading the options currently is Storm Heart, who has been campaigned lightly this season, running twice and winning both times. As a result, his mark is a little higher than people may have hoped it to be. However, he has looked convincing on heavy ground over shorter trips, so he should be able to make good of the ground at Cheltenham.

I Started A Joke follows at 12/1, and his weight is a big eye opener at 10-10. His preparation for this race has been heavy, running five times, winning once and placing on two other occasions. He certainly holds a chance if he steps up in trip well.

Given the stats for this race, it is worth taking note of a few other prices, and the Nicky Henderson duo, Iberico Lord and Jingko Blue, could be worth keeping an eye on. Both are bigger prices currently, and whichever Nico De Boinville chooses would be a decent guess as to who has a bigger chance.

Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

In the Cross Country, we are looking for an Irish-trained horse aged between 8 and 10 - which is most of the market in fairness. After the BetMGM Cup, too, it may be a relief that this race is one more favourable for punters.

At the time of writing, the market is headed by Stumptown, and it would be difficult to go against Gavin Cromwell's here. Last year's winner comes into the race off top weight again, and there is a pretty hefty difference in the standings.

Indeed, he will have a five-pound disadvantage this season, though his weight has not been lowered from 11-10. Last year, he won comfortably, taking the race by seven lengths, and it seems difficult to oppose him this year.

Nevertheless, there is competition from Favori De Champdou, who leads the Gordon Elliott pursuit. He has been campaigned for this race strongly, appearing no fewer than five times this season, including two runs over cross-country tracks.

It is worth noting that he fell LTO at Cheltenham, over the cross-country track, so it may be a concern for punters.

Desertmore House could also be a really intriguing one, and he has a 22-pound advantage over Stumptown, a potential gift from the handicapper. Despite this rating from the BHA, he holds a better RPR rating than the favourite, so the difference in quality may not be so big.

5/1 could look to be a great price, but it will definitely take a lot to topple the king of Cheltenham's Cross Country track.

Queen Mother Champion Chase Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

The headline race on Day Two sees a slight preference for eight-year-olds, but as long as they are between 7 and 10 years old, the stats look favourable. A 2/3 run season is the sweet spot is seems, with a rating of 159 and above also something to note.

Close your eyes here, too, but this is known as a bit of a graveyard for favourites.

Well, had this been written any earlier, we'd have been able to ignore half of this. That is because a week before Cheltenham, Marine Nationale, one of the favourites for the festival for some, was pulled from the race.

It, as a result, looks to be a somewhat underwhelming lineup here, and Majborough has shot even further into favouritism as a result. The Willie Mullins-trained horse was superb at the DRF with cheekpieces on, and if he can perform on better ground, it may well be a penalty kick for punters.

In most places, you can get below Evens on him now. If you got a bigger price, you are laughing!

Where else do you go then? Does L'Eau du Sud win? Il Etait Temps? Quilixios? It is a bit of a minefield of a race, and it looks set to be a weak renewal. You can pick holes in pretty much every horse in the race, which explains why the second favourite is 6/1; it is a tough one, indeed.

For me, I think it is as simple as Majborough, but I could well be proven wrong.

Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

In the Grand Annual, we are looking for a lightly campaigned horse, rated between 138 and 150. Additionally, if they are owned by JP McManus, it is a big tick in the box, so it is no surprise that he sits in with the favourites here (again).

With the favourite being 7/1, it says all you need to know about the openness of this race, and it is tough to really pick between.

Be Aware is the leading choice for the market currently, and it seems difficult to imagine this changing before the festival, unless some big money comes in for other options. Running four times this season, he has worked rather well against some good horses, especially considering he is still a novice.

Ben Pauling has two of interest in Vanderpoel and Mambonumberfive, and both could go well on the day, and it will be key to see who Ben Jones is booked to ride, considering his form over fences. The stats point favourably towards the former, whilst the latter may have ran too much.

We cannot go without mentioning last year's winner, Jazzy Matty, who arrives in this year's renewal with an extra 8 pounds. I think it may be too big an ask for him this time around, unfortunately.

Finally, Inthepocket has to be mentioned, given the stats point well in his favour, and he is owned by JP McManus. His record this season has been rather poor, especially in comparison to how he has fared in recent years. Could this be a bit of a plot job?

Weatherbys Champion Bumper Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race and then move on to the analysis.

The final race on Day Two is the Champion Bumper, and there are a few more trend to look at. Here, we are looking for Irish-trained horses - notably trained by Willie Mullins - aged either five or six. Additionally, it is a race to stay away from the favourite.

So, if you have backed Love Sign d'Aunou, it may be a bit of a confidence blow for you... The gelding is a current 9/2 shot for Rich Ricci and Willie Mullins, and his run last time out was undeniably impressive. If trends are set, he will be there to perhaps break them.

It is no surprise that Mullins owns three of the first four favourites, and The Irish Avatar and Quiryn have both had a lot of support recently, but you would imagine that the favourite is his best chance in the race.

Bass Hunter is considered the best chance of the English trainers, currently sitting at 14/1 in the market, which says it all really.

However, I've got a bit of an Each Way fancy in what can be a minefield of a race, and that is Mets Ta Ceinture, who Dan Skelton is looking to unleash at the festival. Currently priced at 20/1, this filly has not run in the UK yet, having come from France earlier in the season.

Nevertheless, she was purchased for €710,000, and she already holds 'black-type' status, thanks to placing in a grouped race at Saint-Cloud, where she finished behind one of the biggest prospects in French racing.

I think there are definitely worse picks here.