The opening race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival, the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, attracted 25 confirmations on Friday.
The Grade 2 event was moved to the beginning of Thursday in 2025. It saw a big field contest the race last season too, with 23 in total, a figure which could be matched this season.
Both of the leading contenders for the race were confirmed at the six-day stage. They are Bambino Fever and Oldschool Outlaw, who met at the start of the season when the latter was victorious.
Bambino Fever arrives with the taller reputation, however. She won last season’s Champion Bumper under Jody Townend, giving Willie Mullins a 14th win in that race. Mullins also won the first five editions of this race, though is without a win since Concertista in 2020.
Oldschool Outlaw was purchased by JP McManus earlier this term. That came after her debut hurdles win over Bambino Fever and she has since followed up in Grade 3 company at Fairyhouse. It will be a case of Mullins vs Gordon Elliott if both make it to post.
Strong line-up for novices’ handicap chase
The Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase was run under its guise for the first time last season. It replaced the open Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase and was won in grand style by Caldwell Potter.
He is trained by Paul Nicholls, as is Regent’s Stroll, a long-term fancy for this year’s race. The expensive purchase represents similar connections and his campaign has been geared around the race.
The 2026 renewal of the race has some strong contenders elsewhere, however. They include Koktail Divin, a hugely impressive winner at Leopardstown after Christmas. Henry De Bromhead has kept him fresh for this race.
Meanwhile, a Grade 1 winner may contest the race too. Sixmilebridge caused an upset in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown. However, Fergal O’Brien has since nominated this race as his likelier Cheltenham destination.
33 eligible for Pertemps Final
The Pertemps Final, the series finale in a qualifying set of staying handicap hurdles, has seen 33 through to the final confirmation stage.
Chief among those confirmations is Supremely West for Dan Skelton. His charge has been a longstanding favourite for this handicap, though also of interest was the confirmation of Impose Toi. The Stayers’ Hurdle contender has also qualified for this race with a win at Aintree. He would be top-weight by a considerable margin.
36 could head for Kim Muir
The Kim Mir Challenge Cup is the final race on Thursday. It is also one of only two races left exclusively for amateur jockeys.
Jeriko Du Reponet has fallen far enough down the weights to contest this race. He is the top-weight in the handicap off a mark of 145. The cut-off for the race is at 24 runners, meaning Gericault Roque, formerly placed in the Ultima Handicap Chase, is the last horse guaranteed a run.