Kabral Du Mathan continues to impress for Dan Skelton
Matata lands second course win for Twiston-Davies team
Just one day of racing at Cheltenham remains before March
The New Year's Day Meeting at Cheltenham is done and that means there is just one more day of action at the Cotswolds course before The Festival itself in March.
Festival Trials Day will take place later this month and, from there, the countdown to the big meeting in March will intensify for National Hunt fans.
Trainer Dan Skelton turned the New Year with a pleasing winner and has been the story of the season.
Kabral Du Mathan sparkles but Festival ambitions in doubt
Dan and Harry Skelton combined to land the Relkeel Hurdle with Kabral Du Mathan as the ex-Paul Nicholls inmate remained unbeaten since switching stables.
After winning at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, the six-year-old featured prominently in the Stayers' Hurdle betting, a race he is 6/1 with LiveScore Bet to win, while some well-placed pundits have been claiming the Champion Hurdle back down at two-miles could be an option.
His trainer has suggested that favouring Fontwell's National Spirit Hurdle, then the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle over 2m4f could be the plan.
"We'll definitely enter for the Stayers', but on balance we think we're going to go for the National Spirit and then Aintree," he said.
"We just feel that at six years old, with quite a strong travelling type of horse, there's a question as to whether it's quite the best plan to ask him that bigger question at this age. It might not be the smartest move."
Asked if the Champion Hurdle could be an option, he added: "I think you're making a definite mistake there because we know he's improved for stepping up in trip.
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Matata showcases Ryanair potential
It was a family affair as Matata scored for joint-trainers Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies with Sam riding in the feature 2m4½f handicap chase.
The father and son based in nearby Naunton became dual licence holders at the start of the season but were 0-19 at Cheltenham's first three fixtures.
Matata is now a two-time winner over fences around Cheltenham and was fourth in the 2024 Arkle. He could return for the Ryanair this season.
Willy Twiston-Davies said: "This is very special. I think we've had five favourites here and I was beginning to think I was the curse.
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Bowen continues to thrive
Champion jockey Sean Bowen partnered a winner for James Owen as Solly's Gold landed the concluding bumper.
It capped a good Christmas for the Welsh Grand National-winning rider and there is little doubt that one of Bowen's big goals in 2026 will be to ride a Cheltenham Festival winner – something he has yet to do.
Haiti Couleurs secured the big prize at Chepstow over Christmas and is 14/1 with LiveScore Bet to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Herakles Westwood a stayer to reckon with
Herakles Westwood was seventh at The Festival last season as Haiti Couleurs won the National Hunt Cup and he thrived in big staying handicap chase to win for Warren Greatrex on his third Cheltenham start of the season.
He's still only rated 135 and while he was the fully meritorious winner under James Bowen, it was only by a half-length at the line so a big ratings-hike is unlikely. He could be aimed at something like the Kim Muir back here in March.
"He's some jumper, he's very honest and he stays forever," said Greatrex of a horse with a future in marathon chases.
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Step Ahead lands maiden success
Step Ahead was a market drifted in the opening maiden hurdle over 2m4½f but ran out a gutsy winner as the Skelton's Just Golden couldn't get by coming up the Cheltenham hill
It was just his second hurdles run and the River Don over 3m at Doncaster could be next for a young horse with a possible interest in the Albert Bartlett back here in March should be keep progressing.
The latest Cheltenham Festival odds are available on LiveScore Bet
