Ireland are expected to arrive at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival with a strong team that could once again dominate the encounter.
Leading trainers Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry De Bromhead all have big chances in the week’s key races.
Since its inauguration in 2014, Ireland have won nine of the 13 renewals of the Prestbury Cup, beating the home team (Great Britain) for the trophy. In 2025, Ireland beat Great Britain 20-8, their biggest margin of success since 2021.
High hopes in the Champion Hurdle
Lossiemouth looks set to carry Ireland’s big hopes in the Champion Hurdle from day one of the meeting. The star mare is the 2/1 favorite of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival Betting Odds for the sport’s premier hurdles competition.
With 13 wins from 16 starts over hurdles, Lossiemouth is likely to be one of the most popular players. Tips for Cheltenham for the 2026 Champion Hurdle. She has triumphed in both of her races this season, with victories at Grade 1 level in the Morgiana Hurdle (Punchestown) and the December Hurdle (Leopardstown).
Lossiemouth wins a NINTH grade
Brighterdaysahead simply CAN’T catch the December Hurdle
pic.twitter.com/Es7yAyLzsc
– ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 29, 2025
Lossiemouth has won all three of his appearances at the Cheltenham Festival. She won the Triumph Hurdle in 2023, while in 2024 and 2025 she proved too good for her rivals in the Mares’ Hurdle. Success this year would be his biggest victory yet at the meeting.
Irish horses dominate Gold Cup photo
The first two horses of the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025 will renew their rivalry in the flagship race of the meeting this year, and it could be one of the duels of the week. Inothewayurthinkin, trained by Gavin Cromwell in County Meath, and Galopin Des Champs, trained by Willie Mullins in County Carlow, are preparing for another crack at the Gold Cup.
Inothewayurthinkin prevailed on his debut in the 3m2f competition in 2025. He relished the steep Cheltenham track, adding to his triumph in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the 2024 meeting. If he manages to defend his crown for his Irish trainer, he will become only the fourth horse to win consecutive renewals this century.
Two-time winner Galopin Des Champs is also no stranger to Gold Cup success, taking the top prize in 2023 and 2024. Mullins is confident of another strong performance from his horse. At 10 years old, he will become the oldest winner of the race since Cool Dawn in 1998 if he regains his crown.
High hopes in Stayers Hurdle and Champion Chase
Bob Olinger and Rachael Blackmore!
He is STILL undefeated at Cheltenham and wins the @paddypower The Survivor’s Obstacle
pic.twitter.com/6jH0i1sE8F
– Cheltenham Racecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 13, 2025
Teahupoo has been the standout runner in the 3m hurdles division this season, and he will line up in the Stayers’ Hurdle as Ireland’s hot favourite. Gordon Elliott’s runner finished second in the Championship race in 2025, but he wants to do better.
On the second day of the meeting, the Marine Nationale led the field for the Queen Mother Championship Chase. He will face fellow Irishman Majborough in the 2m pursuit competition.
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival will take place from Tuesday 9th of March and Friday the 12thth of March. There are 28 races during the week, with a championship competition scheduled for each day.
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