Last Updated on 09/05/2026 by Andy Clark
Ciaran Murphy is a seasoned horse racing analyst with a keen eye on the Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets. A passionate follower of National Hunt racing, he has spent years studying trends, form, and betting strategies to uncover value in novice hurdles, chases, and Championship races. Known for combining insightful analysis with practical betting advice, Ciaran provides readers with expert previews, tips, and market commentary to give them an edge ahead of every Cheltenham Festival.
Wednesday 11th March is Ladies Day at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, and it is widely regarded as the strongest card of the week. The seven races include the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle, the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase — one of the five Championship races of the Festival — and the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. Our tipster Ciaran Murphy has covered every race with full ante-post analysis and our Cheltenham day 2 tips.
For the historical stats underpinning each race, see our Cheltenham Day 2 Trends page, which covers trainer records, price patterns, age profiles and horses to avoid for all seven Wednesday races. For free bets to back these selections with, see our Cheltenham Festival free bets guide. If you’re betting ante-post, check which bookmakers offer non-runner no bet protection before placing — Betfred offer NRNB on all 28 Festival races as standard.
Cheltenham Day 2 2026 Ante-Post Tips
The excitement continues at the Cheltenham Festival 2026, and Wednesday 11th March promises another action-packed day of world-class horse racing. Whether you’re a seasoned punter or following the Festival for the first time, Ciaran’s Day 2 tips combine expert opinion, form analysis and value-hunting to give you a genuine edge before the off.
Read More: Get the Cheltenham Day 2 Trends for every race on Wednesday →
1.20pm – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle | MIGHTY PARK (12/1) & ACT OF INNOCENCE (14/1)
Tip by Ciaran Murphy | Written 30th January 2026
Wednesday’s first race unusually sees a short-priced English-trained favourite sitting proudly and in splendid isolation at the head of the market. In fact, only No Drama This End can boast a single-figure price in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle odds. Regardless of how good you think he is, and at the last count he was the 6th horse to have carried the ‘best since Denman’ tag, he simply has to be taken on at the prices.
I do actually think he is a classy horse (not a bold claim for a 7/2 Cheltenham favourite) and indeed he carried some of my money to 9th place in the Champion Bumper last year after putting a highly touted Skelton horse firmly in his place on his racecourse debut. Yet, that rival has yet to be seen this year, leaving the substance of the form open to question. Additionally, the old cliche of hurdling and bonuses is one that I think you can reasonably apply in this case.
At the head of the market, I am very surprised that 12/1 is still available for MIGHTY PARK. Wearing the green and gold, being trained at Closutton and winning his maiden hurdle eased down by 38 lengths doesn’t add up to a double figure price in my eyes. Additionally, Willie seemed very taken with the performance, labelling it ‘special’. And it’s not hard to see why.
An RPR of 145 on his first completed hurdle start puts him only behind Envoi Allen and Samcro for previous Turners winners and ahead of all but Constitution Hill for winners of the Supreme (ahead of the likes of Douvan and Shishkin). That is fairly esteemed company, and I think the price is inflated by a lack of clarity on what his target will be (although Willie was good enough to let us know that he had booked his Cheltenham ticket). I don’t see these connections being in a rush to take on Old Park Star, and his pedigree would suggest an extra half mile won’t inconvenience him, and as such, I am happy to put him up as my opening race day 2 tip.
At this stage, I wouldn’t put anyone off a big price play. ACT OF INNOCENCE (14/1) moved from Nicholls to Nicky Henderson at the start of the year and on his hurdling debut, was very impressive in dispatching a race fit Sinnatra, who easily won next time out. The reason we are getting such big odds (which were even bigger post-race) is as a result of losing out to his old trainer and Minella Yoga, but he gave 20 pounds to that horse, who wouldn’t be out of place in a Triumph Hurdle, and still only lost out by a length. With Old Park Star seemingly the first string Supreme Novices’ Hurdle choice for the owner/trainer combination, I think we can be confident of a run, and I can’t see a world where he isn’t at least half this price on the day.
2.00pm – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | THE BIG WESTERNER (10/1) & WESTERN FOLD (20/1)
Tip by Ciaran Murphy | Written 30th January 2026
The first graded chase of the day is for the long-distance novice chasers, all of whom will aim to catapult themselves into next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup picture. None more so than short price favourite Final Demand, who solidified his place at the top of the market with a visually impressive debut at my local track, Navan.
While his jumping that day was undoubtedly breathtaking (especially for his first time fencing over rules), the subsequent runs of the second, Wingman, haven’t exactly boosted the form. At Christmas, he didn’t sparkle, yet he managed a comfortable win. Yet again, at 5/4 I need all boxes ticked, and I have a major black mark against him.
Last year, in the preceding race, he was beaten (and arguably outstayed) by both The New Lion and The Yellow Clay, the latter of whom has badly let down the form. There is also a worry that he may simply not like the Cheltenham track. He is a worthy favourite and undoubtedly a good horse, but again, I’ll be taking him on with my two Cheltenham day 2 betting tips for the Brown Advisory.
Of the 2, a very strong preference is for Henry De Bromhead’s mare THE BIG WESTERNER (10/1). Despite always looking like she would (as most do from the stable) improve for fences, she found only a former Champion Bumper winner and strong stayer too good in the Albert Bartlett. Jumping 20 fences rather than 12 hurdles will only help her case. She lost out on her seasonal debut, but last time out, she was well on top of fellow mare, the Grade 1 winning Jade de Grugy. Despite some saying she is better on soft ground, she handled the track and ground perfectly well last year, and I think she is highly likely to turn up here rather than the open Mares Chase.
The second selection, at a bigger price, is one that I can’t take sole credit for. In a recent video, the shrewd Tony Keenan pointed out that the reigning Galway Plate champion is actually still a novice and eligible for the race. WESTERN FOLD (20/1) is already rated 157 over fences and has strong form tying in with Savills Chase winner Affodale Fury. With the likes of Galvin, Gordon Elliott has shown an ability to freshen up a novice chaser from an early-season start to win first time up at the Festival, and I’m hoping that the pattern repeats here.
2.40pm – The BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle | IBERICO LORD (14/1, each-way)
Tip by Brian Healy | Written 28th February 2026
Nicky Henderson has won this three times since 2014, and the Seven Barrows trainer can strike in this race for the first time since 2020 with IBERICO LORD 14/1 (each-way), who bounced back to winning form with victory in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton.
The Cokoriko gelding had been out of sorts in previous runs, and he was winning for the first time in two years since beating L’eau Du Sud in the Betfair Hurdle when running out a four lengths’ victor over Double Powerful back in January.
He had largely campaigned over shorter trips but looked appreciative of a stiffer test of stamina when ending his barren run at Kempton, and his subsequent 8lbs rise in the weights for that victory leaves him still potentially well-treated on his past hurdles form.
His Kempton victory was impressive, jumping and travelling really well throughout and quickening up after the last to score by four lengths, and the third horse boosted that form next time with a win at Newbury.
He has a previous win here, which is a plus and thoroughly unexposed at this longer trip, we may not have seen the best of him yet, for all his form figures suggest he might not be the most consistent, and his task now is to back up that Kempton performance.
3.20pm – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | THE GOFFER (10/1)
Tip by Brian Healy | Written 28th February 2026
THE GOFFER (10/1) has a decent record in cross-country races, and although he’s yet to actually win on,e he’s often thereabouts, so Gordon Elliott’s charge could be worth chancing to better last season’s fourth in this race.
The Yeats gelding also finished fifth to Chianti Classico in the 2024 Ultima, and after a slow start to his last campaign, he enjoyed a more fruitful second half despite failing to win.
Fourth to Stumptown from 4lbs higher twelve months ago, he posted a solid third to Gentleman De Mee next time at Aintree and rounded off the season with a good fifth to Busselton at Punchestown in the La Touche Cup.
He kicked off the current season with a point-to-point victory at Umma House and he has posted runner-up finishes at Punchestown either side of finishing seventh at Down Royal in a hunters’ chase won by Its On The Line and while he’ll most likely be running from out of the weights again in this contest he’s well up to making his presence felt given his past performances in cross-country events.
4.00pm – The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase | L’EAU DE SUD (10/1) & QUILLIXIOUS (16/1)
Tip by Ciaran Murphy | Written 30th January 2026
Even before Il Etait Temps blew out last time out, I was happy to take him on based on his previous Cheltenham form. Now seemingly destined to go straight to the Festival on the back of that fall, I am not inclined to change my mind, even with significantly more favourable odds. That disappointing display left defending champion Marine Nationale clear at the top of the betting. While he certainly has a great chance, he is another whose odds are skinny enough in my eyes at 6/4.
Despite a couple of poor showings this year and a clambering for a step up in trip, I do think Majborough will run a big race. His jumping will need to be significantly better, but perhaps a change in tactics will see that come to fruition. That being said, while I would have been tempted to put him up prior to the Clarence House, another knock-on effect of that race was his shortening to 5/1, which is short based on what he has achieved.
At this stage, I would suggest two horses for a bet on the day 2 feature race. Towards the top of the market, I think L’EAU DE SUD (10/1) is certainly worth considering. He has won at course and distance this year, and the Arkle form from last year also looks strong. A look further back at festival form is also encouraging when you consider that the only horse better than him in the County Hurdle has subsequently been competitive in 3 Melbourne Cups. There probably isn’t a better target trainer in the business at the moment than Dan Skelton, and he will go there fresh, and I would think a fair bit shorter than his current odds.
Additionally, at 16/1 is the previous festival winner QUILLIXIOS (16/1), who represents a trainer who has a proven track record in the race. Whether he would have beaten the winner when coming down at the last in last year’s renewal is questionable, but either way, the disparity in price is simply too great. He had a slight hold up at the start of the year, but will make his seasonal debut at the Dublin Racing Festival, where any sign of life should leave him spot on for a big performance at the big one in March.
4.40pm – The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase | BE AWARE (8/1)
Tip by Brian Healy | Written 28th February 2026
Favourites don’t have the best record in this – only 1 of the last 12 favourites have won – and it can pay to look further down the betting, paying particular attention to those with past Cheltenham form.
Despite the poor record of favourites in the race, I’ve nevertheless landed on BE AWARE (8/1) from the Dan Skelton camp, and the Martaline gelding looks a chaser with plenty of scope to improve further.
Runner-up to Burdett Road in the 2024 Greatwood Hurdle and third behind Fiercely Proud at Ascot next time, he ran well in defeat here in the Coral Cup last term behind Jimmy Du Seuil; but he’s taken his form up a level since being switched to fences with a win at Stratford on his chase debut followed by a trio of silver medal finishes in Graded company including here in November and when chasing home Lulamba at Sandown.
He might have won at Windsor when last seen, but raced keenly and a mistake at three out and two out probably took enough out of him to let No Questions Asked gain a late victory. That was a solid run nonetheless, despite the defeat, and his jumping might be attributable to the softer ground. His jumping previously had been very good, and back on a quicker surface come March, he might well do better in that department.
A rating of 147 doesn’t look too prohibitive, given he would be bringing some top notch Graded form into a handicap and with plenty of scope for improvement to come, given he’s only a seven-year-old with just a handful of chase starts under his belt, then a big performance wouldn’t come as a huge surprise.
5.20pm – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper | BROADWAY TED (18/1)
Tip by Brian Healy | Written 28th February 2026
Willie Mullins has monopolised this race in recent seasons, winning six of the last eight, and Love Sign d’Aunou looks the Closutton number one carrying the Ricci silks.
The five-year-old won a point-to-point before posting a facile victory on his bumper debut at Naas back in January, scoring by a wide margin. The ground that day was bottomless, and with the field behind him heavily strung out, then the form of the victory has to be treated with some caution.
While he could conceivably be anything and fully entitled to improve for that experience, the Goliath Du Berlais gelding has to back up that performance, and he might be worth taking on with one which has a bit more experience.
Gordon Elliott hasn’t won this since Envoi Allen struck in 2019, but Cullentra House has a typically strong entry, and BROADWAY TED (18/1) could prove the pick of the Elliott battalion.
The Getaway gelding looked a useful recruit when making a winning debut at Ayr back in December, and he readily backed up that impression with victory in a Grade Two bumper at Leopardstown next time, coming from off the pace, travelling well before knuckling down to gain the verdict in a photo, having still looked green.
That run suggested there’s more to come from him, and the race he won at Leopardstown has thrown up subsequent Champion Bumper winners Envoi Allen and Facile Vega; while Kilcruit and Appreciate finished runner-up in their Champion Bumper runs, having also won the Leopardstown race, so it is a good pointer to Wednesday’s Festival closer. The ground was heavy for both his wins, and it is unlikely he’ll encounter conditions quite as testing come Festival Wednesday. But if he handles the conditions, then it isn’t hard to envisage a big performance from the five-year-old who ought to be suited by how the race will develop.
Cheltenham Day 2 2026 Race Schedule
The racing gets underway at 1.20pm on Wednesday 11th March, running through until the early evening.
| Time | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m 5f | Hurdle |
| 2.00pm | The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) | 3m | Chase |
| 2.40pm | The BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) | 2m 5f | Hurdle |
| 3.20pm | The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Limited Handicap) | 3m 5½f | Chase |
| 4.00pm | The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) | 2m | Chase |
| 4.40pm | The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) | 2m | Chase |
| 5.20pm | The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) | 2m | Flat |
Cheltenham Day 2 Free Bet Offers
The bookmakers will be out in full force on Ladies Day, and there are some excellent offers available across all seven races. We always scour the bookies for the best odds and you’ll find our most trusted bookmakers below.
If you already have accounts with the main bookmakers, our Cheltenham existing customer offers guide has the Day 2 price boosts, extra places and daily specials. For non-runner protection on your ante-post bets, see our non-runner no bet guide — Betfred offer NRNB on all 28 Festival races as standard. The BetMGM Cup and Grand Annual are both large-field races where extra places from bookmakers can add significant each-way value.
Cheltenham Day 2 Trends and Key Stats
For the full historical stats covering all seven Ladies Day races — trainer records, price patterns, age profiles and horses to avoid — see our dedicated Cheltenham Day 2 Trends page.
Key patterns to be aware of for Wednesday:
- The Turners Novices’ Hurdle has a strong record for Irish-trained horses — Mullins and Elliott dominate, and the race has produced some of the finest staying novices of the last decade
- The Brown Advisory favours horses who will go on to be genuine Gold Cup contenders — it has an excellent record for horses rated 155 or above going into the race
- The BetMGM Cup is one of the most competitive handicaps of the week — form from the Lanzarote Hurdle and the Betfair Hurdle has a strong record
- The Champion Chase has a history of punishing short-priced favourites — only four of the last ten market leaders have won
- The Champion Bumper is almost entirely owned by Willie Mullins — he has trained six of the last eight winners
Full trends, trainer stats and horses-to-avoid analysis for every race: Cheltenham Day 2 Trends →
What Are Other Pundits Predicting for Cheltenham Day 2?
There’s a wealth of horse racing expertise out there to make the most of alongside our own Cheltenham day 2 tips. You’ll find top picks from Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman, Mick Fitzgerald, Tom Segal and Kevin Blake — all with the latest odds and best places to back them on our Cheltenham pundit tips page.
Cheltenham Day 2 2026 FAQs
What is the feature race on Cheltenham Day 2?
The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4.00pm is the headline race on Wednesday. Run over approximately two miles, it is one of the five Championship races at the Festival and the definitive test for the best two-mile chasers in training. Marine Nationale is the defending champion heading into 2026.
What races are on at Cheltenham on Wednesday?
Day 2 features seven races: the Turners Novices’ Hurdle (1.20pm), the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (2.00pm), the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (2.40pm), the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (3.20pm), the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (4.00pm), the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (4.40pm) and the Weatherbys Champion Bumper (5.20pm).
What is the Turners Novices’ Hurdle?
The Turners Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 novice hurdle run over approximately two miles five furlongs on the Old Course. It is the opening race on Day 2 and regularly attracts the best staying novice hurdlers of the season. Previous winners include Faugheen, Envoi Allen and Samcro — horses who all went on to win at the very highest level.
What is the BetMGM Cup?
The BetMGM Cup is a premier handicap hurdle run over approximately two miles five furlongs, typically attracting a large field of 20-plus runners. It is one of the most competitive handicaps of the week and a race where each-way value is regularly found at bigger prices. Extra place offers from bookmakers are particularly worth using for this race given the field size.
What is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase?
The Cross Country Chase is a unique race at Cheltenham run over approximately three miles five and a half furlongs on a specially designed course featuring banks, ditches and unusual obstacles not found in conventional jump racing. It is a specialist contest dominated by Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins, and famously won multiple times by Tiger Roll.
What is the Champion Bumper?
The Weatherbys Champion Bumper is the only Flat race at the Cheltenham Festival, run over approximately two miles on the New Course. It is a Grade 1 contest for National Hunt Flat horses who have not yet run over hurdles or fences. Willie Mullins has a dominant record in the race, training six of the last eight winners.
Which trainers have the best record on Cheltenham Day 2?
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott dominate the Grade 1 novice races on Day 2, with Mullins particularly strong in the Turners and Champion Bumper. Nicky Henderson has a strong record in the two-mile chasing division. For the handicaps — the BetMGM Cup and Grand Annual — the field opens up more, making them better each-way propositions.
Is the Cross Country Chase worth betting on?
It depends on your appetite for specialist racing. The Cross Country is a fascinating race but a difficult one to assess using conventional form — horses need specific experience of the course and obstacles. Gordon Elliott’s horses with prior cross-country experience are always worth following. For the trends data on this race, see our Day 2 Trends page.
Where can I find free bets for Cheltenham Day 2?
Our Cheltenham free bets guide covers every new customer offer available for the 2026 Festival. For existing customers, our Day 2 offers page has the daily price boosts, extra places and money back specials.
Should I bet ante-post or on the day for Cheltenham Day 2?
Ante-post betting gives you bigger prices but carries the risk of your horse not running — unless your bookmaker offers non-runner no bet protection. Betfred, bet365 and several others offer NRNB on all Cheltenham races. See our NRNB guide for the full breakdown of which firms to use and which to avoid for ante-post bets.
More Cheltenham 2026 Tips
Cheltenham Festival Tips Hub – Overview of all 28 races across all four days.
Cheltenham Day 1 Tips – Champion Day preview including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle and Champion Hurdle.
Cheltenham Day 3 Tips – St Patrick’s Thursday preview including the Ryanair Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle.
Cheltenham Day 4 Tips – Gold Cup Day preview including the Triumph Hurdle, County Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Cheltenham Day 2 Trends – Full historical stats for all seven Ladies Day races.
Cheltenham Free Bets – Every new customer offer for the 2026 Festival.
Cheltenham Existing Customer Offers – Day 2 price boosts and daily specials for existing customers.
Non-Runner No Bet Guide – Which bookmakers protect your ante-post bets if your horse doesn’t run.
Cheltenham Extra Places – Which firms are paying extra places on BetMGM Cup and Grand Annual day races.
Ruby Walsh Cheltenham Tips – Festival selections from one of the greatest Festival jockeys of all time.
Mick Fitzgerald Cheltenham Tips – Strong on chasing races, particularly Champion Chase day.
Tom Segal Cheltenham Tips – Pricewise ante-post selections.
Odds correct at time of writing. Prices will move — always check current quotes before betting. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Full terms apply to all free bet offers.