Cheltenham — Results from Friday 13 March 2026
Cheltenham staged a testing card on Friday, the ground described as Good to Soft on the chase courses and Soft (Good to soft in places) for the hurdles after watering on Wednesday. There were a number of big-priced surprises and a clear standout in the feature: Gaelic Warrior stamped his authority on the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup by going clear from two out, while Apolon De Charnie produced a shock 50/1 victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. Several high-profile pulled-ups and falls underlined how demanding the ground had become as the day progressed.
Key moments
Apolon De Charnie (50/1) produced a determined late surge in the Triumph Hurdle to collar Maestro Conti and hold on, finishing about 1½ lengths to the good. Wilful (14/1) took the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle after leading before the last and driving on. Dinoblue (11/8) made all in the Liberthine Mares’ Chase, repelling late pressure from Only By Night. Johnny’s Jury (20/1) came from the rear to take the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, while Gaelic Warrior (11/4) asserted in the Gold Cup, pulling clear inside the final two fences. Barton Snow landed the Princess Royal Challenge Hunters’ Chase and Air Of Entitlement (10/1) rounded off the card in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. There were notable non-runners and horses deemed unsuited by their connections, and a number of pull-ups and falls—reminders of how testing the course was by late afternoon.
Notable incidents
Several runners were pulled up in the feature novice and staying hurdle contests, including multiple representatives from the leading yards. Balko D’Ange and Telepathique were among fallers on the day. Connections pointed to the ground as a factor where horses were declared unsuitable or were struggling as the card wore on.
Latest winners
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Trainer / Jockey | Winning Margin / Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:20 | JCB Triumph Hurdle (G1) | Apolon De Charnie | 50/1 | W P Mullins / Mr P W Mullins | 1½ lengths — edged right late, kept on |
| 14:00 | William Hill County Hcp Hurdle (Premier Hcp) | Wilful | 14/1 | Jonjo & A J O’Neill / Jonjo O’Neill Jr | 3 lengths — led before last, ridden out |
| 14:40 | Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (G2) | Dinoblue | 11/8 | W P Mullins / Mark Walsh | 1¾ lengths — led 4 out, ridden out |
| 15:20 | Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (G1) | Johnny’s Jury | 20/1 | Jamie Snowden / Gavin Sheehan | 1½ lengths — came from rear, led near finish |
| 16:00 | Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (G1) | Gaelic Warrior | 11/4 | W P Mullins / Paul Townend | 8 lengths — went clear from 2 out |
| 16:40 | Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase | Barton Snow | 9/2 | J J O’Shea / Mr Henry Crow | neck — led late, always doing enough |
| 17:20 | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hcp Hurdle | Air Of Entitlement | 10/1 | Henry De Bromhead / Patrick M O’Brien | 2¾ lengths — led final 110yds, hung right but kept on |
Summary: the card produced a mixture of expected and surprise results — feature glory for Gaelic Warrior, a shock in the Triumph Hurdle from Apolon De Charnie at long odds, and bold late rides to take the staying novice and competitive handicaps. Trainers and connections will now assess recovery and targets from a demanding Cheltenham surface.
Cheltenham Tips and Today’s Races
If you’re looking for the best tips for Cheltenham, make sure to check out our free through-the-card tips, as well as our top tips section, which includes our NAP of the day.
Our racecards are also available for every meeting each day, which show all the key information you need for Cheltenham or any other racecourse across the UK & Ireland. Key information on our racecards include which stall the horses are drawn in, their form, who their trainer is and which jockey is riding etc.
Cheltenham Race Results
You can also check out all the latest results from previous meetings at Cheltenham. Looking at previous results can prove informative, particularly when looking at previous Cheltenham Festival renewals.
Racecourse Guide
The home of National Hunt racing, Cheltenham offers the supreme test for chasers and hurdlers. The Cheltenham Festival each March provides one of the world’s greatest sporting spectacles featuring 28 races over four days, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle. In addition to the Festival, Cheltenham also stages twelve other quality days of racing and is a track that suits horses with a combination of guts and stamina.
There are three different courses at Cheltenham – the Old Course, the New Course and the Cross Country course, which is laid out inside the main track. The Old Course is slightly sharper than the New Course, and tends to favour strong travellers more than what they do on the New Course. The New Course hurdles track has just two flights in the final seven furlongs, which provides more emphasis on stamina.
Dining, Hospitality & Facilities
For a finer, premium experience there are plenty of hospitality options available. Restaurant options on non-Festival racedays vary by fixture; at the November Meeting, for example, they include:
- Festival Restaurant
- National Hunt Room Restaurant
- Gold Cup Restaurant
For the 2027 Cheltenham Festival, there are a huge eleven restaurants to choose from:
- The Mandarin Restaurant
- Chez Roux Restaurant
- Cleeve Suite Restaurant
- Stein’s
- Final Fence Restaurant
- Four Eighty Restaurant
- Gold Cup Restaurant
- Horseshoe Pavilion Restaurant
- Moscow Flyer Restaurant
- Panoramic Restaurant
- The Horse & Groom
If you’re part of a bigger group and are looking for a bit more privacy Cheltenham racecourse also offers private boxes for hire. Boxes take a minimum of 10 guests and each has its own balcony overlooking the final furlong and the Winning Post.
Tickets
There are three different enclosures to choose from at Cheltenham. A separate Tattersalls ticket is only sold for the Festival and the November Meeting Saturday; on all other racedays Club and Tattersalls are sold together as a single Club/Tatts ticket:
- Best Mate Enclosure (cheapest option) – positioned opposite the grandstand and offers excellent views of the racecourse. Worth noting there is no access to the Pre-Parade and Parade Ring with this enclosure).
- Tattersalls Enclosure (Mid-range option) – Access to the Pre-Parade and Parade ring, with superb views of the racecourse from the Grandstand. Wide range of bars and eateries to choose from, plus access to the Shopping Village during the November Meeting and the Cheltenham Festival).
- Club Enclosure (Premier Enclosure) – Access to all public areas and spectacular views of the racecourse, with viewing available right next to the Winning Post among the options on offer. Club tickets give you entry to the widest selection of food and drink areas, as well as the option to enjoy the Hall of Fame.
The Effect of the Draw
With Cheltenham being a National Hunt course, there are no stalls and therefore no draw bias. It is worth noting however, that Cheltenham racecourse is seen to suit galloping horses.
Contact and Location
Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH. United Kingdom.
Official Website: https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/
Local Knowledge
Taxis
- Starline Taxis (1.5 miles away)
Tel: +44 1242 250250 - Andy Cars (1.4 miles away)
Tel: +44 1242 262611
Places to Stay
- Ellenborough Park (0.8 miles away)
Southam Road, Cheltenham GL52 3NJ, UK
Tel: +44 1242 545454 - Hotel du Vin Cheltenham (1.7 miles away)
Parabola Road, Cheltenham GL50 3AH, UK
Tel: +44 1242 370584 - Clarence Court Hotel (1.2 miles away)
Clarence Square, Cheltenham GL50 4JR, UK
Tel: +44 1242 580411
Places to Eat
- Simpsons Fish & Chips (1.2 miles away)
73-75 Priors Road, Cheltenham GL52 5AL, UK
Tel: +44 1242 521964 - Nando’s (1.4 miles away)
Unit 2, The Brewery Quarter, St Margaret’s Road, Cheltenham GL50 4EQ, UK
Tel: +44 1242 220082 - The Royal Oak (0.8 miles away)
The Burgage, Prestbury, Cheltenham GL52 3DL, UK
Tel: +44 1242 522344