Cheltenham Festival runners: 12 in Supreme & 7 in Arkle as Tuesday fields announced

Runners were declared on Sunday morning for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. The final fields saw 12 declared for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and seven for the Arkle Challenge Trophy.

The big names all feature in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runners list. Chief among those is Old Park Star, who has thrilled with his performances so far this season for Nicky Henderson.

The six-year-old was a hugely impressive winner at Haydock in Grade 2 company last time out. This will be his toughest assignment so far, but he races for a yard that does so well with two-milers.

The British challenge for the 2026 Supreme is stronger than it has been in many seasons. That is despite the absence of Idaho Sun, as both Mydaddypaddy and Sober Glory are also part of the field.

Mydaddypaddy was briefly the ante-post favourite for this race in December. He was beaten at Aintree on his first Grade 1 start when hurdles were omitted. He is a strong traveller though, so should hold his own, as will the doughtier Sober Glory, who won with authority at Newbury last time out.

Mighty Park “has the pace for Supreme” – David Casey

Having been left out of the confirmations for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on Thursday, Mighty Park was left with one destination. He takes up that declaration to be Willie Mullins’ leading contender for the 2026 Supreme.

Given rave reviews since his astonishing 38-length debut success, he will have many more questions to answer here. However, Mullins’ assistant David Casey believes he has the minerals.

Speaking to the Press Association via Racing TV, Casey said: “It probably wasn’t the strongest of races (on debut), but to do what he did was impressive. He has enough pace for the Supreme and he’s a big player.”

El Cairos has also been declared for Gordon Elliott. Fifth in last season’s Champion Bumper, he has made mistakes at the final flight on both hurdling starts. That cost him the race when falling at Leopardstown after Christmas, but he possesses a swift turn of foot, with Jack Kennedy suggesting he is the fastest horse he has ridden.

Two-time Grade 1 winner Talk The Talk is also declared, despite his Turners option. It is a Supreme with significant depth this season.

Kopek Des Bordes vs Lulamba is on

The eagerly-awaited clash between Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba goes ahead in the Arkle.

A true Britain vs Ireland duel, Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson’s novices have tall reputations. The former has raced just once over fences, but won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last season. Lulamba has been busier, winning in open company latest.

They are joined by five rivals, with Kargese nearest in the market. She chased home Romeo Coolio last time, who skips this race for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

2026 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Runners

2026 Arkle Runners