Last Updated on 04/03/2026 by Andy Clark
Dan Skelton is one of the most important British trainers at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. Since his first winner in 2016, Skelton has built a reputation for extracting maximum performance from his horses at the biggest meetings, and 2026 could be his best Festival yet. With eleven winners to his name and a string of live chances across all four days, his yard deserves close attention from ante-post punters looking for British value in a market that the Irish heavily dominates.
For full race-by-race ante-post tips across all 28 Festival races, see our Cheltenham Festival tips hub. For the free bets to back these selections with, see our Cheltenham free bets guide. If you’re backing any of the Skelton runners ante-post, our non-runner no bet guide covers which bookmakers protect your stake if your selection doesn’t line up.
One of Britain’s top trainers, Dan Skelton, is no stranger to Cheltenham Festival success, although he has a bit to go to match the exploits of Willie Mullins. Nevertheless, Skelton has sent out 11 Festival winners since his first in 2016, when Superb Story landed the County Hurdle, just three years after the trainer went it alone, having spent nine years working under Paul Nicholls.
While Skelton might not have the firepower of the likes of Mullins, Gordon Elliott or Nicky Henderson he nevertheless gets plenty out of those horses he does have, and 2026 could be his best year yet at the Cheltenham Festival with several live chances of success.
Here we take a look at a few of the Skelton big guns and live outsiders who will be out to land Cheltenham Festival glory.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Mydaddypaddy (10/1)
Full Day 1 tips and analysis →
Winner of two bumpers and also his hurdling debut at Haydock, the highly regarded Walk In The Park gelding met with a surprise defeat at Aintree back in December behind Idaho Sun.
While far from ideal, he had excuses for that reversal, having been the subject of a health scare in the days leading up to the race, while low sun at racetime led to several hurdles being omitted and the race developing in a way he likely found against him. That said, he travelled and jumped well, and he looked all over the eventual winner but was unable to go past him. The winner is no slouch, finishing fifth in the Champion Bumper, and despite the defeat, he boasts solid claims with a full complement of hurdles to jump and a much stiffer track than Aintree’s flat and speedy layout.
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Champion Hurdle – The New Lion (2/1)
Won the Turners Novices’ Hurdle twelve months ago, taking his unbeaten record to five in the process. However, his season got off to a bad start when falling in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, and although he won the International Hurdle here in January, his performance looked laboured.
That said, it was a slowly run race, and he did quicken up quite well, so he’ll likely cope well enough with the speed demands of the race. Whether he can sustain a higher cruising speed throughout is a slight unknown, as they tend to go quite quickly throughout; his stamina for further will help him, though, as winners need to stay well while also travelling at speed. The record of Turners’ winners stepping into the Champion Hurdle is poor, however, with Faugheen being the last to do the Turners/Champion Hurdle double.
Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase – Madara (4/1)
Winner at the course back in 2023 for Sophie Leech and joined Team Skelton after a brief spell with Karl Burke. The Doctor Dino gelding has yet to win for Skelton in four attempts, but he has twice filled the runner-up berth here and at Kempton, latest when beaten by Issam.
Despite the near miss, his handicap mark remains unchanged, and he arrives relatively fresh after just two runs. Suited by the track, having won here before, and he might still have scope to improve over fences, given he’s still only a seven-year-old.
Turners Novices’ Hurdle – Bossman Jack (20/1)
Full Day 2 tips and analysis →
Finished third on his seasonal/hurdles debut but has been impressive in winning two lower-grade contests, most recently at Chepstow. He still looked green that day and will continue to improve; form was meanwhile boosted by the fourth winning next time, and he could play a prominent role if finding further progression, although he’ll almost certainly need to improve.
BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle – Kateira (14/1)
Full Day 2 tips and analysis →
Skelton has won this race four times, so he knows what it takes, and the Kayf Tara mare boasts big claims. A winner at Wetherby, beating Golden Ace, she has gone off the boil somewhat, although her latest run at Ascot was better than it appears at face value.
She will turn out in the Cup off what looks a winnable mark, although it is a slight worry that most of her racing has come on tighter, flatter tracks than Cheltenham.
Queen Mother Champion Chase – L’Eau Du Sud (9/2)
Four-time winner over fences last season, losing his unbeaten record in last season’s Arkle, although Skelton has since admitted the Lord Du Sud gelding might not have been as fresh as he’d have liked.
He got off the mark in great fashion back here in November, when he readily saw off Jonbon and possibly the race came too soon at Sandown next time, when finishing a well-beaten third.
He has been kept fresh for this since that run, and he has an excellent record when plenty of time has passed between his races, so he goes to Cheltenham with every chance, especially now Marine Nationale has been scratched from the race.
Grand Annual – Be Aware (7/1)
Finished eighth in last season’s BetMGM Cup but already looks a better chaser than hurdler, winning at the first attempt over fences and then racking up a trio of runner-up finishes, including here in a Grade Two.
Most recent run saw him run down late by the progressive No Questions Asked, and he had chased home Lulamba and July Flower respectively in earlier runs. That form is perhaps reflected in his mark. While favourites don’t have a good record in this race, he’s expected to put in a solid run; and while this is always a competitive contest, he can go close.
Mares’ Hurdle – Take No Chances (14/1)
Finished third in the race twelve months ago and filled the same spot behind Lossiemouth again at Aintree, and her season-ending run at Sandown was perhaps one race too many.
The Milan mare has improved for her seasonal debut, finding the podium on all three starts at up to three miles, going closest in Wetherby’s Bet365 Hurdle won by Strong Leader, and she was beaten just over one length by Potters Charm at Windsor when last seen.
Back against her own sex, she’s expected to put up a bold showing and no surprise if she makes the frame again, while her chances of victory will greatly increase if one or both of Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead head down the Champion Hurdle route.
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – Kabral Du Mathan (11/2)
Formerly with Paul Nicholls and 2-2 over hurdles following wind surgery and a switch to the Skelton team, most recently winning the Relkeel Hurdle here on New Year’s Day. Possesses a potent turn of foot, and while he has stamina to prove, Dan Skelton thinks he’ll stay well.
He wouldn’t want the ground to be too testing and freshened up after a break, he can make his presence felt for all he’ll face a tough task taking on defending champion Bob Olinger and 2024 winner Teahupoo.
Pertemps Network Final – Supremely West (9/2)
Form figures don’t scream confidence, but he did turn in a solid first performance for this yard following his switch from Dr Richard Newland when finishing five lengths’ third to Ma Shantou here in October.
The Westerner gelding hasn’t matched that level in three runs since, although possibly the trip at Aintree when last seen was too sharp. Back up in trip, he is 2lbs lower here than his last winning mark, and if anyone can get him back to form, then it is Dan Skelton, so he has to be respected.
JCB Triumph Hurdle – Maestro Conti (15/2)
Full Day 4 tips and analysis →
Winner in France and 2-2 for Dan Skelton following his switch, winning at Kempton over the Festive Period and then doubling up here in January with a defeat of One Horse Town. Those wins came on vastly contrasting underfoot conditions, so he’s clearly versatile, and he’s reportedly been working really well.
With course form to call upon, he rates as one of the main Skelton hopes for a Festival winner, and he should make his presence felt.
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Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase – Panic Attack (5/1)
Formerly with David Pipe, the Canford Cliffs mare has really got her act together over fences this term, and she’s now 4-4 in chases for Dan Skelton, the latest coming when taking a Listed event at Newbury under a big weight, giving 4lbs and a 14-length beating to Molto Bene.
She has also won the Paddy Power Gold Cup here and added the Coral Gold Cup to her record over significantly further than this trip, although the lesser yardage for this contest holds no fears and she’s proven highly versatile.
Arguably Team Skelton’s best chance of a winner, she’s sure to go close and it’ll take a good one to beat her.
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup – Grey Dawning (14/1)
Won the 2024 Turners Novices’ Chase and the flying grey has largely acquitted himself since, often running well in defeat, although pulled up in the 2024 King George VI Chase having had a hard race at Haydock. Got back on track at Kelso in Listed company and chased home Gaelic Warrior at Aintree since.
This season, he won the Betfair Chase in grand style before posting another solid run behind Spillane’s Tower in the Cotswold Chase, making a mistake at a crucial time, which arguably cost him, although he battled back well.
He should be in the mix again, but stamina for this trip has to be taken on trust with the punishing climb to the finish sure to expose any chinks in that department.
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – A Pai De Nom (8/1)
Thriving on racing, taking his record to four wins from six starts this term with victory over further than this at Newbury in February, beating Alentejo. He’s also won here earlier in the season and posted a very good third to Iberico Lord in the Lanzarote Hurdle.
Still progressing, he could have more to offer and may have been let in lightly for this off his current mark, given the levels of improvement he’s been showing to date, and he could well round off an excellent Festival for Team Skelton.
Back a Dan Skelton Runner at Cheltenham
Skelton’s strongest hand of the four days is arguably on Friday — Panic Attack in the Mares’ Chase is arguably his best individual chance of a winner, and Maestro Conti in the Triumph gives him a live shot in one of the day’s Grade 1s. The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday is the highest-profile runner, and one that Johnny Dineen called his best bet of the entire meeting at Paddy Power’s preview night.
For the free bets to back the Skelton team with, see our Cheltenham free bets guide. For ante-post protection — particularly relevant for horses like L’Eau Du Sud who have had interrupted preparation runs — see our non-runner no bet guide.
Day by day:
- Cheltenham Day 1 Tips – Supreme, Plate, Champion Hurdle
- Cheltenham Day 2 Tips – Turners, BetMGM Cup, Champion Chase, Grand Annual
- Cheltenham Day 3 Tips – Mares’ Hurdle, Stayers’, Pertemps
- Cheltenham Day 4 Tips – Triumph, Mares’ Chase, Gold Cup, Martin Pipe
Read more:
- Willie Mullins Cheltenham 2026 – The Closutton team’s Festival hopes race by race
- Cheltenham Festival Tips Hub – Our own ante-post selections across all 28 races
- Cheltenham Pundit Tips – Ruby Walsh, Tom Segal, Mick Fitzgerald and more
Odds correct at time of writing. Prices will move — always check current quotes before betting. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
Brian joined the team a couple of years ago but he has a long background in writing horse racing content and betting tips. Having worked for a number of publications in the past, such as RacingTips, Brian made the move to thatsagoal and is the main content writer across flat and National Hunt racing.