It’s the greatest show on Turf and Cheltenham’s winning-most rider & top TV pundit zips through card for the opening day of the four-day fiesta.
We’re all champing at the bit for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and who better than the Festival’s winning-most jockey and Paddy Power ambassador, Ruby Walsh, to run the rule over the opening day’s action?
We’ve put all of Ruby’s tidy Tuesday picks on March 10 into one handy place, while also putting together one of Paddy’s iconic cheat sheets.
So, who are you with and against, Ruby?
Cheltenham Day 1 Betting Tips
13:20 Leader d’Allier
14:00 Kopek Des Bordes (NAP)
14:40 Glen To Glen
15:20 Resplendent Grey (each-way)
16:00 The New Lion
16:40 Downmexicoway
17:20 Newton Tornado
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
A smaller field than expected, but this still looks a deep Supreme. I have a few concerns about some of the market principals, and I like the look of Leader d’Allier. He has the ideal profile, he’s a solid jumper and he should see this trip out strongly.
Kopek Des Bordes surprised me with how nimble he was over fences at Navan, and he looked very impressive when I saw him schooling at Fairyhouse. They even let me sit on him one day, and I got off with a big smile on my face. He’s a proper racehorse and my best bet on day one!
Saratoga has been on plenty of punters’ minds, but I’m siding with Glen To Glen. He was a very decent performer on the Flat, and the drying ground should really suit him. He looks to be on a fair mark and has a solid chance for Joseph O’Brien.
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I’ve gone off Jagwar, who I thought might develop into a graded performer this season. Instead, I’m taking a chance on Resplendent Grey at a big each-way price. He gets blinkers on for the first time, which will be a huge help to him. He was placed at the Festival last year, the drying ground should suit, and with Sean Bowen booked, he looks a solid value play.
Lossiemouth will sport cheekpieces for the first time in an attempt to help her keep up with the early pace. She’s better suited to more steadily run races over this trip, and Brighterdaysahead could set a frantic gallop, which just puts me off her. It could set up perfectly for The New Lion if he can keep his jumping together. He just gets my vote.
I was siding with Downmexicoway, whether he turned up here or in the Grand Annual. He was beaten 23 lengths in the Irish Arkle, but that margin could have been much closer. He’s on a lovely mark, and it’s Downmexicoway all the way for me!
It’s Newton Tornado for me in the last. Rebecca Curtis was keen for Paul Townend to take the ride, but he respectfully declined. She’s very strong on his chances, and she knows how to get one ready for this race, having won it twice before, including last year’s renewal. I’m hoping she can go back-to-back and end day one with a winner.
Cheltenham Day 1 Betting Tips
13:20 Leader d’Allier
14:00 Kopek Des Bordes (NAP)
14:40 Glen To Glen
15:20 Resplendent Grey (each-way)
16:00 The New Lion
16:40 Downmexicoway
17:20 Newton Tornado
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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