Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue the men to watch in the Cross Country races
Dan Skelton continuing to enjoy a stellar season
Nicky Henderson shows no signs of slowing down
The two-day Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham on Friday and Saturday marked the final action of 2025 at Prestbury Park.
They race again on New Year's Day and, after that, only Festival Trials Day later in January comes before the most eagerly anticipated four days in racing in March.
The Cheltenham Festival countdown is a juggernaut that now dominates the National Hunt landscape more than ever.
With the latest Cheltenham action now in the books and 2025 all wrapped up in the Cotswolds, here are five takeaways and how they might impact at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival from Tuesday, March 10th to Friday, March 13th.
Donoghue the man for Cross Country challenge
Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue teamed up to land the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase for the second year running, this time with Final Orders.
Before the race, rider Donoghue featured on ITV Racing as he talked about the unique challenges of Cheltenham's Cross Country course.
It was to prove a winning insight from the best in the business as the pilot won over the famous banks, hedges and whiskey barrels for the eighth time.
Last year's winner Stumptown also represents Cromwell, but Final Orders will be called for the Cross Country in March.
"Keith is unbelievable over these fences, he is worth at least a stone on any horse around here. He loves it so much and the horses get such a tune out of him. I guess they gain in confidence and jump brilliantly for him," said Cromwell.
"Absolutely we'll come back here in March, why not."
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
O'Brien dreams of Festival glory
Gloucestershire-based trainer Fergal O'Brien is amongst the most popular handers around, but he is still waiting for a maiden Cheltenham Festival winner.
Sixmilebridge is marking himself down as a novice chase of real ability. He made it 2-2 over fences on Friday afternoon, seeing off well-touted rival Califet En Vol by 13-lengths.
He had beaten another smart sort in Derryhassen Paddy at Ayr last month and the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown on the final day of January is the next target.
Sixmilebridge could be back at Cheltenham for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase over three-miles in March and a winner for O'Brien would bring the house down.
Sixmilebridge to win the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at 20/1 with LiveScore Bet
No stopping veteran Henderson
Nicky Henderson may have turned 75 last week, but the Seven Barrows supremo remains as keen as ever to thrive.
He is an institution in the jumps racing game and 40 years will have passed since he trained River Ceiriog to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 1986 when March rolls around.
Flown (1992), Altior (2016), Shishkin (2020) and Constitution Hill (2022) have all won it since and Old Park Star is a contender of note after he brushed aside his rivals in the 2m1f novice hurdle that opened Friday's card.
Nico de Boinville was motionless on his back and he looks a contender for the Festival curtain raiser.
Old Park Star to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at 10/1 with LiveScore Bet
Skelton team having a season to remember
Dan Skelton was pipped at the post by Willie Mullins in the British trainers' championship in the spring, but he appears more determined than even to go one better in 2026.
Skelton and his brother Harry – former champion jockey – keep knocking in winners and they are closing in on the £2m barrier in prize money already – while Mullins ended the weekend with just £134,266 on his tally. This could be the year for Skelton.
He had three winners across two days at Cheltenham, signing off with Carlenrig in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and Nurse Susan in the Mares' Handicap Hurdle, adding north of £60k to the coffers.
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available with LiveScore Bet
Do not give up on Conman John
Conman John finished third in that Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle as Carlenrig prevailed in a dash after the last.
Derek Fox had attempted to make all on favourite Conman John and perhaps did not go quickly enough in front to really place the emphasis on stamina.
It is very early days for the Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore inmate.
The stable sent out Derryhassen Paddy to go well (third) in the Albert Bartlett last season and it is too soon to write off Conman John.
Conman John to win the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at 20/1 with LiveScore Bet
