Top Irish Contenders to Watch at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival

Ireland is poised to highlight its top equine athletes and esteemed trainers at the Cheltenham Festival, striving for a groundbreaking performance.

The upcoming Cheltenham Festival 2026 is generating excitement as Ireland prepares to bring a formidable lineup of horses to this prestigious event. With a reputation for excellence at Cheltenham, the Irish team, led by renowned trainers such as Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry De Bromhead, is eager to continue their successful streak.

Since the inception of the Prestbury Cup in 2014, Ireland has claimed victory in nine out of thirteen editions, showcasing their dominance over Great Britain. In 2026, Ireland triumphed with a remarkable score of 20-8, marking their largest margin in the competition’s history.

This record sets a high bar for the upcoming festival.

Champion Hurdle: Lossiemouth’s promising prospects

On the opening day of the festival, all eyes will be on Lossiemouth, who is emerging as a strong contender in the Champion Hurdle.

As the current favorite with odds of 2/1, this exceptional mare has proven her mettle with an impressive record of thirteen wins from sixteen hurdle races. Notably, she has secured victories at the highest level in both the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown and the December Hurdle at Leopardstown this season.

Lossiemouth’s track record at Cheltenham is equally impressive; she has won three times at the festival, including the Triumph Hurdle in 2026 and back-to-back victories in the Mares’ Hurdle in 2026 and 2025. A win this year would mark a significant milestone in her career.

Gold Cup showdown: A battle of titans

The spotlight will also shine brightly on the feature race of the festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The rivalry between Inothewayurthinkin and Galopin Des Champs is set to reignite, promising a thrilling contest. Inothewayurthinkin, trained by Gavin Cromwell, claimed victory in the 2026 Gold Cup, while Galopin Des Champs, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, has previously won the race in both 2025 and 2024.

Inothewayurthinkin’s victory in 2026 marked a significant achievement, and if he manages to defend his title, he will become only the fourth horse to win consecutive Gold Cups in this century. Meanwhile, Galopin Des Champs, at age ten, seeks to make history by becoming the oldest winner since Cool Dawn in 1998.

Stayers Hurdle and Champion Chase: More Irish hopes

In addition to the Gold Cup, Irish trainers are also focusing on the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Teahupoo, another standout from Gordon Elliott’s stable, is poised to be the favorite in the Stayers’ Hurdle. After finishing second in the previous year’s championship race, he is expected to improve and vie for the top spot this time around.

On the second day of the festival, Marine Nationale will represent Ireland in the Champion Chase, facing off against fellow Irish competitor Majborough in a thrilling 2-mile showdown.

Anticipation for the festival

Scheduled from March 9 to March 12, the Cheltenham Festival will feature a total of twenty-eight races, with each day showcasing a championship contest. As the countdown to this iconic event continues, anticipation builds for both trainers and fans alike.

With a rich history of success and a strong lineup of competitors, the Irish team aims to leave a lasting mark at the Cheltenham Festival 2026, further solidifying their status as a powerhouse in the equestrian world.