The first Cheltenham meeting of 2026 takes place on New Year’s Day, the biggest meeting of the day and a traditional kick off for racing fans to enjoy.
With a few changes to the schedule at the course, we have the Relkeel Hurdle on this day now, as well as a big handicap, to add a bit more depth than what we’ve previously had.
Here’s a look at the biggest races on the day.
Cheltenham 12:50 pm
Skipping the first race of the day, the second is a novice chase where I really like the look of Regent Stroll, who was only seen just over two weeks ago, and should be a warm favourite to take this.
That was his second chase start, the first he finished third in a hot contest, before winning last time in a match race against Jeriko Du Reponet. Of course, it’s incredibly difficult to weigh up match races, but he jumped well and has plenty of top-quality hurdle form in the book from last season.
I think he’s capable of being back here in March, and I think he can gain a course win to further his credentials for that by winning this.
Cheltenham 1:25 pm
Eight runners set to go to post here, and this looks very competitive. You can probably give a small chance to them all. However, at the top of the weights, Does He Know is the pick, hopefully he’s a big enough price to back each way.
A winner on his only start of the season, that came in a Haydock handicap which did fall apart a bit, but he could not have been more impressive, winning by 17 lengths.
Up 6lb for that, I think it’s fair and could have been more given the distance of his win, but I think the quality of the race has been taken into account, so it’s not pushed him out of winning again, or at least being competitive.
This is tougher, but at an each-way price, I think he can go well off top weight here.
Cheltenham 2:00 pm
Another competitive handicap, and one that’s a much higher-quality race, too. It’s the outsider of the field that I’ll take a chance on, with big prices available for Matata from the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies yard.
This is a horse that’s been running in much better company. He ended last season finishing third in a Grade Two, beaten two lengths, and third in a Grade One behind Jonbon at Aintree in his previous run.
So far this season, three runs, twice in handicaps and once in a Grade Two, he’s been respectable, finishing third in two of those. But it’s the handicap mark that catches my eye. He’s slipped down the weights to 154. He was rated 163 at the start of 2025.
This does open the door for him to run well in a handicap, and at a massive price, he could just do that.
Cheltenham 2:35 pm
In the Relkeel Hurdle, I have to say I’m really excited about where Kabral Du Mathan can go this season, but at the prices, and given what he’s shown so far, I have to take him on here.
Strong in handicaps for Paul Nicholls last season, he won a big handicap with ease for Dan Skelton on his first start for a new yard. He’s talented, but has done it all in handicaps; graded company is a different game altogether.
Rated the same on figures, and with good graded experience, including a win in this race last season, I’ll side with Lucky Place for Nicky Henderson.
There’s every chance that Kabral Du Mathan improves past him, but at the prices, I’d much rather take the odds-on offer about the proven campaigner here.
Cheltenham New Year’s Day Tips
- 12:50 pm – Regent Stroll
- 1:25 pm – Does He Know (EW)
- 2:00 pm – Matata (EW)
- 2:35 pm – Lucky Place