Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 2 Tips – Wednesday 11th March

Last Updated on 21/01/2026 by Andy Clark

The excitement continues at the Cheltenham Festival 2026, and Wednesday, 11th March promises another action-packed day of world-class horse racing including the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at 1.20pm, the Coral Cup at 2pm and the feature race of the day, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, at 4pm.

As one of the most prestigious events in the National Hunt calendar, Day 2 features key contests that attract top trainers, jockeys, and betting enthusiasts from around the globe.

Our expert Cheltenham tips cover every major race on the Day 2 card, including proven festival trends, form analysis, and value betting opportunities. Leveraging years of experience and statistical insights, we provide guidance you can trust to help navigate this thrilling day of racing. From the Queen Mother Champion Chase Cross Country, we break down the top contenders, highlight potential upsets, and identify the best bets for Cheltenham 2026.

Whether you’re a seasoned punter or following the festival for the first time, our Day 2 Cheltenham Festival tips combine expert opinion, data-driven analysis, and up-to-date odds to give you a competitive edge. Stay ahead of the crowd with our comprehensive preview of Wednesday’s racing action.

1.20pm – 2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Wednesday’s first race unusually sees a short-priced English-trained favourite sitting proudly and in splendid isolation at the head of the market by the name of NO DRAMA THIS END. 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.

At the head of the market, I am very surprised that 12/1 is still available for MIGHTY PARK (12/1 with bet365’s Cheltenham offer). Trainer Willie Mullins seemed very taken with his 38-length maiden hurdle win, labelling it ‘special’.

Outside Bets: At this stage, I wouldn’t put anyone off two big price each-way bets for our ante-post Cheltenham Festival 2026 tips on day 2, which I give in order of preference. ACT OF INNOCENCE (25/1) moved from Nicholls to Nicky Henderson at the start of the year and on his hurdling debut was very impressive.

Additionally, I was very taken by the performance of YOU PROOF (33/1) at Limerick over Christmas. He has travelled very powerfully in both his bumper and hurdle starts, something which would surely be more suited to mid-range trips.

Read our full preview and betting tips for the 2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle to get a full in-depth analysis, race trends and best bets.

2.00pm – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

Final Demand is the short price ante-post favourite for the Novice Chasers long distance race on Day 2, impressing at Navan last time out with a fantastic round of jumping. However, at 5/4, he is too short to bet on at this stage after being beaten at the Festival last year.

I have a very strong preference for Henry De Bromhead’s mare THE BIG WESTERNER (10/1). Jumping 20 fences rather than 12 hurdles will only help her case. and I think she is highly likely to turn up here rather than the open Mares Chase. 

The second day 2 tip for the 2pm race is WESTERN FOLD (20/1). He is already rated 157 over fences and has strong form tying in with Savills Chase winner Affodale Fury. Gordon Elliot can freshen up a Novice Chaser from an early-season start to win at the Festival and I’m hoping that is the case here.

Read our full preview and betting tips for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase to get a full depth analysis, trends and best bets.

2.40pm – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)

I am very interested if PUTURHANDSTOGETHER (33/1) is stepped up to 2 and a half miles after easily winning the Boodles juvenile handicap last year. He is by no means guaranteed to turn up here; he will carry my money, whatever race he goes for at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

3.20pm – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Limited Handicap)

4.00pm – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Il Etait Temps took a heavy fall in a recent race at Ascot and looks likely to go straight to the Queen Mother Champion Chase. However, I will be taking him on. 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. 

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.

Additionally, the previous festival winner QUILLIXIOS (16/1) represents a trainer who has a proven track record in the race. There will be more clues as to his chances in the upcoming Dublin Racing Festival.

Read our full preview and betting tips of the Queen Mother Champion Chase to get a full depth analysis, trends and best bets.

4.40pm – Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

In keeping with my policy of never writing a preview without tipping an Emmet Mullins horse, MCLAUREY is one to look out for. At the time of writing, he is about to make his 4th start over fences, the first being over a trip far too long, and thus qualifying for all open handicap chases. With that in mind, I’ll be keeping an eye out to see if he ends up in the Grand Annual, where I think he would go very close.

5.20pm – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)

Cheltenham 2026 Day 2 Tips

Join Betfred to get £50 in Cheltenham Free Bets:

1 Join Betfred using this link to the special offer

2 Register and place a £10 bet

3 Get £50 in Cheltenham free bets (5x £10)

Cheltenham Wednesday Bookies Offers

1

Bet £25 get a £30 Free Bet

9/10 Read Review

Claim Here

New Players Only. Free bet – one-time stake of £35, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. Min £20 qualifying bets, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Free bets and Bonuses are valid for 7 days. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+, Begambleaware, #AD

2

Bet £20 get a £10 Free Bet b20g10

8.6/10 Read Review

Claim Here

+18. New Customers Only. Sign up using promo code b20g10. Min deposit £20. Min bet £10. Min odds 1/2 (2.0). Free bet valid for 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware. #ad

3

Bet £5 get a £20 Free Bet

8.8/10 Read Review

Claim Here

18+ New UK & ROI Customers only. Min deposit £5. Min first £5 bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1x 20 free bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excl. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

4

Money back as CASH if your horse finishes 2nd (selected races)

10/10 Read Review

Claim Here

Bets must be Singles and only your first bet on the race will count. Selections must be odds of 3/1 or bigger to qualify. 4 or more horses must run in the race.

Cheltenham 2025 Day 2 Race Schedule

The races come thick and fast right across the festival, and after an action-packed Day 1, we move to a day which welcomes several Grade 1 races, including the incredibly popular Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase.

The racing gets underway at 1.20pm, with seven races running through to the early evening. You can find the full schedule for Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 below…

Key Trends to Watch on Day 2

Analyzing historical data from Cheltenham Day 2 can help identify patterns that often repeat:

• Favourites vs. outsiders: While favourites often perform well, Day 2 frequently produces high-profile upsets, particularly in novice events.
• Trainer performance: Certain trainers consistently target Day 2 races with strong contenders. Monitoring their festival strategies can reveal betting opportunities.
• Jockey experience matters: Festival-seasoned jockeys often outperform less experienced riders, particularly in fast-paced handicap races.

Betting Strategies for Day 2

To maximize returns on Day 2, consider these approaches:

1. Focus on novice races: Day 2 often features exciting newcomers. Look for horses showing consistent improvement in prep races.
2. Each-way and place betting: Many races are highly competitive, making value in each-way bets a smart option. Big fields in the Coral Cup and Cross Country Chase provide excellent oppotunities for each-way betting using the extra place betting offers available.
3. Track conditions: Cheltenham’s going can change quickly. Horses proven on soft, heavy, or good ground may outperform market expectations depending on the weather. Be switched on to the morning going report on Wednesday.
4. Stagger stakes: Avoid putting too much emphasis on a single race or favourite. The Cheltenham Festival is a marathon not a sprint for punters and Wednesday is always a tough betting card. Listen to our expert betting tips and keep stakes small.

Maximizing Value Across Day 2

Finding value is crucial for Day 2 success:

• Compare odds across bookmakers: Even small differences can make a big difference when backing multiple selections. This is also true for each-way betting – bookmakers will have extra places available but the odds will likely be shorter. Find a middle ground between extra places, and good value.
• Leverage historical trends: Past Day 2 results, trainer patterns, and jockey stats can reveal hidden opportunities.
• Monitor late changes: Withdrawals, track condition updates, and jockey swaps can significantly affect race outcomes.

Where Can I Bet On Cheltenham Festival Day 2?

There will be plenty of bookies offering great odds and extra places throughout Day 2 as the festival hots up and they try to grab your business.

Bookies bonuses such as the SBK Cheltenham sign-up offer and LiveScoreBet are ramping up their Cheltenham offering this year, and have some great odds and some fantastic special offers to enjoy, while there are of course many more bookies perfect for playing with at the festival.

What Are Other Pundits Predicting For Cheltenham Festival Day 2?

Throughout Cheltenham, we’ll be not only providing you with our best picks, daily NAP and lucky 15 picks, we’ll also be bringing you daily predictions from some of the best horse racing pundits out there too.

The likes of Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman and Kevin Blake offer their thoughts on all the races throughout the week, and you really won’t miss a thing with TAG. Our pundit tips page is jam-packed with their thoughts, as well as the best odds on them, meaning you can back their predictions with us in a matter of minutes.

Cheltenham Festival Wednesday FAQs