As the countdown to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival begins, anticipation is already building around a new generation of equine stars ready to make their mark.
With the National Hunt season heating up, punters will be looking closely at potential headline-makers — and those taking advantage of Cheltenham free bets will no doubt be eyeing these four horses who could light up Prestbury Park in March.
The New Lion
Potential target: Champion Hurdle
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Day one of the Festival could belong to The New Lion. The Dan Skelton-trained star was one of the standout novices last season, winning four times on the bounce over hurdles — including the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he impressively held off The Yellow Clay.
Now stepping into open company, the JP McManus-owned gelding is the early 4/1 favourite for the Champion Hurdle. He’s set to clash with established elite hurdlers like Lossiemouth, State Man and Constitution Hill, but his rate of progression suggests he could well roar loudest of all. With an electric turn of foot and a tough attitude, The New Lion looks every inch a future Festival champion.
Kopek Des Bordes
Potential target: Arkle Chase
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes announced himself as one of last year’s brightest prospects when landing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in fine style. Sent off the 4/6 favourite, the five-year-old justified the hype by comfortably holding William Munny at bay to secure Mullins his record-extending win in the Festival opener.
Now switching to fences, Kopek Des Bordes will likely be aimed at the Arkle — a race his trainer has dominated, winning six of the last 10 renewals. Currently the 7/2 market leader, the French-bred looks to have all the attributes of a top-class two-mile chaser: slick, nimble, and blessed with an engine that can outstay and outjump rivals in the heat of battle. Expect him to be one of the stars on Tuesday.
Final Demand
Potential target: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Trainer: Willie Mullins
A dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles last term, Final Demand showcased class and consistency throughout his novice campaign. Victories at Leopardstown and Punchestown confirmed his place among Ireland’s best young hurdlers, though his third-place finish — over five lengths behind The New Lion in the Turners’ — hinted that his future may lie over fences.
That theory will be tested this season, and given his scope, pedigree, and fluent jumping style, there’s every reason to think he’ll thrive. Priced at 3/1 for the Brown Advisory, Final Demand looks to be a major contender to extend Mullins’ Festival record even further. If he takes to chasing as expected, he could be one of the banker bets of the week.
Sir Gino
Potential target: Champion Chase
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
There’s no doubting Sir Gino’s raw talent — he’s unbeaten in six starts under rules — but his journey hasn’t been straightforward. He missed the 2024 Triumph Hurdle due to a virus in Nicky Henderson’s yard, and a planned chasing campaign last season was disrupted when he was forced to deputise for Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
He eventually got his chasing career underway with a polished win in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton, only for injury to end his season prematurely. Now, back in light work, Sir Gino remains a fragile but fascinating prospect. Henderson has made no secret of his admiration for the horse, and if he makes it to Cheltenham sound, he’ll be a major player in the Champion Chase market.
