Cheltenham Festival 2026: Day 1: Tuesday - National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup Preview
Simon Winter
Day 1 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday, 10th March, closes with the National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup, a race that has undergone a major, recent facelift.
For the first 150 years or so of its history, this was a race restricted to amateurs only, however, the 2025 edition is open to the pros and it’s been downgraded from a conditions race to a novices’ handicap with a maximum rating of 145 for entries.
Still, that makes the 2026 iteration no less compelling and in this National Hunt Chase preview, we’ll pick out the horses that are worth tracking closely on Tuesday.
Remember, the final races on each of the four days of the Cheltenham Festival won’t be shown on ITV this year, however, logged-in users can stream the action live at LiveScoreBet.
National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup Preview
Feature | Grade 2 at 5:20 PM with prize of £51,440 for the winner |
Race Type | Steeplechase for 5-year-olds+ |
Distance | 3m 5f 201yd |
Obstacles | 23 fences |
Because of the major alterations made to this year’s race, previous trends and form for the National Hunt Chase are largely defunct, though there are still some pieces of history to draw inspiration from.
Previous experience over this trip has counted big before, with 16 of the previous 19 winners having triumphed in races over 3+ miles before enjoying success here. In addition, 13 of the last 16 winners of this renewal were previously successful at Cheltenham.
Rebecca Curtis's Haiti Couleurs won the 2025 race for connections as joint-favourite, and the Welsh trainer returns for another run at the title this year. More on that next.
When you’re done here, you can check out the latest Cheltenham betting offers, including LiveScoreBet’s range of free bet offers for this previewed race and more.
2026 National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup Tips
The favourite: Backmersackme
This talented 7-year-old gave trainer Emmet Mullins a winner at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown on February 1st with Sean Bowen on board. Bowen will be competing against Mullins this time, though Backmersackme retains plenty of popularity.
Mullins won this renewal in 2024 with Corbetts Cross before the race became a handicap and recent market movement, which has put Backmersackme ahead of Rebecca Curtis’s Newton Tornado, suggests Mullins could be quids in again.
One to watch: The Jukebox Kid
For a mid-range price (approx. 14/1), The Jukebox Kid could be another fancy to consider on Tuesday. Trainer Ben Pauling has already hinted that he plans to enter this horse in the Irish Grand National, however, he’s been confirmed for this Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase, and could feature prominently.
The 7-year-old impressed in back-to-back wins at Ascot in January and February and will arrive at Cheltenham chasing a hattrick. He has it in him to go close.
Long shot: Kurasso Blue
Kurasso Blue is down the field in terms of price for this one (approx. 20/1), however Gordon Elliott’s promising 5-year-old looks well-equipped to have a say.
He’s made an eye-catching start to his career over fences with a win at Punchestown in December and an excellent showing at Naas when last seen in January, chasing Flicker Of Hope to the post to finish second. Further improvement looks possible and he should relish the challenge at this distance.
Our pick - Wade Out
Olly Murphy still hasn’t broken his duck at the Cheltenham Festival, though he tries again this year and has been using his stayer Wade Out well over the season in anticipation of Tuesday’s National Hunt Chase.
Running off a mark of 144 was cutting it fine and while it’s load of 12 stone is the heaviest on the card, however, with dry ground expected, Wade Out could dip into his deep well of stamina. He probably has more in the tank than most of the others in the field and that could make the difference. The inclusion of Sean Bowen in the saddle also feels significant.
