BOOM or BUST – Cheltenham Festival 2026: Part 1

OLD PARK STAR (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle)

Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and was an extremely impressive winner of the Grade 2 Supreme trial event at Haydock last time out. Nicky Henderson has won this race five times in the past and there’s every chance this improving youngster will hand him another if he can progress again. When looking through the other potential candidates, I’m struggling to find anything on par with him at the moment. Perhaps the next month or so will reveal more though, as my gut feeling is telling me that he will find one or two too good on the day. BUST.

SIR GINO (Champion Hurdle)

An absolute brilliant racehorse, who has yet to be beaten and could cement his position at the top of the market if successful on Trial’s Day at the weekend, where he is expected to take on The New Lion. He’s already thumped good horses over hurdles and fences and he seems to be the sort of horse who could win over whatever trip he is given. He destroyed last season’s champion Golden Ace by nine lengths in the Christmas Hurdle following a year on the sidelines and I have an inclination that he could be the star of the show on the opening day of Cheltenham in March. BOOM.

NO DRAMA THIS END (Turners Novices’ Hurdle)

Hyped up to the next Denman, he has a long way to go to live up to the expectation, but he’s unbeaten over hurdles and continued his rise through the ranks when taking the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle. The fact that he’s also won two Grade 2s (including at Cheltenham on hurdles debut) in addition to that latest big success marks him down as a serious player come March. All four previous winners of the Challow Hurdle for Paul Nicholls have come up short in the Turners but that could change this time. He is only going to get better and better and is worth his place at the top of the market. Great chance, BOOM.

BAMBINO FEVER (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle)

The best of the best in bumpers last season, winning all four outings, including wins at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festival. She suffered an unexpected defeat when second on hurdles debut but bounced back to score at Navan. The more I look at this race, the more I think it is hers to lose. Her valuable experience of the course will be an asset and she has so much more to come. If she puts in a fluent round of jumping, then I think she will be too good for her opponents. Something else will need to be top-class to upset her so at this moment in time, she’s a BOOM.

TEAHUPOO (Stayers Hurdle)

This race looks like it’s going to be another fantastic renewal and although the likes of Honesty Policy and Impose Toi have more to offer over three miles being leading contenders, I am struggling to see TEAHUPOO beaten this year. I know he will meet the conqueror of last season Bob Olinger again, but he was given a superb ride last season and Gordon Elliott’s star has looked an even better horse this campaign. The nine-year-old is at the peak of his powers and was a very good winner at Leopardstown when last spotted. The 2024 winner has every chance of regaining the crown. BOOM.