The eyes of the sporting world descend on Cheltenham on Tuesday. Racing’s premier meeting has once again attracted stellar fields to take home the most coveted prizes.
Our in-house tipster Joe Napier has picked out our opening day lucky 15 tips for Cheltenham 2026. They include a livewire selection in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Cheltenham Festival Racing Tips (Tuesday 10 March)
The Cheltenham Festival gets underway on Tuesday. All four of our lucky 15 tips run at the big meeting as we look to make a fast start.
1.20 Cheltenham – El Cairos (1pt win – 9/1)
This is a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle brimming with potential. As such, flying in the face of proven form, El Cairos may just be the star turn to emerge. The six-year-old has been reported as the fastest horse Jack Kennedy has ever ridden and has demonstrated a blistering turn of foot. He did not get much luck late when fifth in the Champion Bumper of 2025 and is yet to step up in class as a novice hurdler. However, he surely would have done but for falling at the last at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. He was in the process of a devastating hurdling debut, and was very well-backed. Gordon Elliott kept him in maiden company at Thurles in January, during which he nearly went at the last again. However, he won on the bridle, his ceiling is far from unclear, and he is worth chancing.
2.00 Cheltenham – Lulamba (1pt win – 7/4)
Conversely, for all the potential in the world that Kopek Des Bordes possesses, Lulamba should be the Arkle favourite. He will probably excel over further than this trip in time. However, his experience should stand him in good stead, while he is far from a slow horse. He won over just shy of 2m in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase without breaking a sweat. Subsequently, he won the Game Spirit Chase in open company, some effort for a five-year-old. He did that conceding 1lb to most of his rivals too due to a Grade 1 penalty. Following the tried and tested route of Sprinter Sacre and Altior, he can be Nicky Henderson’s latest star 2m chaser.
4.40 Cheltenham – Madara (1pt win – 9/2)
This is not a handicap that Dan Skelton has won yet at the Cheltenham Festival. He may do so this year with Madara though, who caught the eye at Kempton last time out. The seven-year-old was progressive for Sophie Leech two seasons ago. He also ran well on his first two starts for Dan Skelton at the end of 2024. On both occasions, he was unlucky over this trip, once on the Old Course, once on the New. Subsequently, he missed over a year, but after a pipe opener at Wetherby, he was a staying on second when not given a hard time by Harry Skelton last month. He should now be spot on to prosper, and still only a seven-year-old, there is potentially much more to come.
5.20 Cheltenham – Iceberg Theory (1pt win – 9/1)
With Conor Stone-Walsh taking off 3lb, Iceberg Theory can extend Paul Nolan’s very useful record at Cheltenham. His runners at Prestbury Park would have you more than 25 points up for a level stake, and he had the winner of the Kim Muir 12 months ago. Iceberg Theory looks to have been saved for this since a power-packed win in a Cork handicap in November. He saw out the 2m5f trip very well, as he had 3m1½f at Wexford on chase debut last March. That win came after 185 days off, so there are no concerns about him arriving here fresh. Ground quicker than soft looks to suit, he shapes like a thorough stayer, and could easily remain ahead of the handicapper under these conditions.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Cheltenham Festival, Tuesday 10 March
1.20 Cheltenham – El Cairos (1pt win – 9/1)
2.00 Cheltenham – Lulamba (1pt win – 7/4)
4.40 Cheltenham – Madara (1pt win – 9/2)
5.20 Cheltenham – Iceberg Theory (1pt win – 9/1)
GG Lucky 15 – Cheltenham Festival, Tuesday 10 March
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Cheltenham – first race 13:20
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Tuesday 10 March, which include selections at the Cheltenham Festival.
When were Tuesday’s Lucky 15 tips for Cheltenham published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Cheltenham were published at 3.12pm on Monday 9 March.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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