Cheltenham Festival 2026: Day 3 - 5.20 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Preview
Simon Winter
We’ve reached the penultimate day 3 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, where the action concludes with the 5.20 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup, which is the last of seven races on Thursday, 12th March.
Contested on the New Course at the famous Gloucestershire venue, this renewal has been one for the stayers, with 20 of the past 25 winners running around three miles (or more) in their last race before prevailing.
Last year, Daily Present was something of a surprise winner for trainer Paul Nolan off a starting price of 12/1, though 12 of the last 15 winners came from the top six in the market.
In this 2026 Kim Muir preview, we’ll profile the race itself as well as some of the horses to look out for. It’s worth noting that you won’t be able to watch this one on TV, however, logged-in users can follow all of the action at LiveScoreBet and Virgin Bet.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Preview
Feature | Class 2 at 5:20 PM with prize of £36,233 for the winner |
Race Type | Chase for 5-year-olds+ |
Distance | 3m 2f |
Obstacles | 21 |
There are several informative trends to consider before placing any wagers on the Kim Muir. First, look to the weights. Every single winner of the race since 2009 has carried 11 stone or more, while a further six of those carried a minimum of 11st 9lb.
Winning form hasn’t been a prerequisite for the Kim Muir either. Only two of the last 22 winners of the event managed to triumph in their previous run before Cheltenham.
The Kim Muir also tends to favour younger horses and since 1992, only four horses older than nine have delivered the goods.
Below, we’re going to spotlight some worthwhile entries for the 2026 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup, but remember to browse LiveScoreBet’s Cheltenham betting offers for enhanced prices.
2026 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Tips
The favourite: Jeriko Du Reponet
Plenty of punters have been hitching their wagons to Jeriko Du Reponet in the ante-post markets for a while now and it is clear that Nicky Henderson has been plotting carefully for this race. The 7-year-old should cope with the trip comfortably, though there are some question marks over the smoothness of his jumping.
Henderson has managed to drop Jeriko Du Reponet's rating below the 145-mark, while jockey Derek O'Connor should be in the saddle. Still, there are probably better options for this one.
One to watch: Prends Garde A Toi
Gordon Elliott’s charge has competed over fences six times this season, winning once at Naas in the Beginners Chase back in December.
A run to fourth at the Grand National Trial at Punchestown when last seen in February impressed, especially when you consider that Prends Garde A Toi carried top weight through that taxing gauntlet over a trip of 3m3½f. The stamina he showed there suggests the 7-year-old should have little trouble keeping pace at the Kim Muir.
Long shot: Gericault Roque
David Pipe’s Gericault Roque is loitering with menace down in the bigger prices and looks like a more than solid each-way prospect. He’s missed plenty of racing over the past couple of seasons, though the 10-year-old was a close second behind Montregard at Ascot in February and could raise his game again here.
Pipe was considering entering this horse in the National Hunt Chase on day one, however, he has held him back for the Kim Muir, which feels like the right call. His run to second at Ascot last month was on good to soft ground and similar conditions on Thursday should suit again.
Our pick – Waterford Whispers
Waterford Whispers was second in the Martin Pipe in 2024 and looked the part when running to third in a very competitive Leopardstown Handicap Chase when last seen.
Like Jeriko Du Reponet, Waterford Whispers is JP McManus-owned, and though he still hasn’t gone beyond 2m 6f, the good to soft conditions on Thursday could suit. He will need to prove his stamina, but I think he could stay the trip.
Trained by Henry De Bromhead, this is the horse’s only entry for the week and he could be better value than the favourite, despite being unexposed over fences.
