I don’t think this will take as much winning as in some years but the layers are finding it hard to name the favourite.

I think there’s some value in the on offer about Skylight Hustle, who can be backed each-way. Gordon Elliott’s charge took a big leap forward when he dotted up in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle (2m, yielding to soft) last November, before landing a Grade 1 over the same trip at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

He’s won a point, so this step up in trip should be very much a positive and I also think the drier conditions than we have all been anticipating will be a plus.

Cheltenham tip: Skylight Hustle (each-way)

As part of her role as Head of Ladies Day, Rachael Blackmore spent time with other female racegoers at Cheltenham’s November Meeting to find out what the experience is like on the other side of the rails.

Blackmore, 36, retired from the saddle in May last year and this will be her first Cheltenham Festival as a spectator.

She said: “It’s been really enjoyable meeting so many people and talking about what makes the Cheltenham Festival so special.

“The build up to this year’s event has been very different for me but I have loved the new challenge that this role has given me. Cheltenham has been a huge part of my life, some of my best memories are here and I am proud to have been able to work with the racecourse to share that magic with the public.

“Whether someone follows racing closely or has never been before, it’s such a brilliant day out and I believe it has so much to offer to everyone. It’s great to see more women deciding to come along to Ladies Day this year. To see numbers go from 25% to 33% is fantastic and hopefully it’s something that will continue to grow.”

Guy Lavender, the Chief Executive of Cheltenham Racecourse, spoke about the Ladies Day changes.

He said: “We wanted to make Ladies Day an occasion that felt welcoming and exciting for everyone, and the response we’ve seen has been incredibly encouraging. To see female ticket purchasers increase from 25% last year to 33% this year shows that the campaign is already making a real difference.

“Having Rachael at the heart of it has been fantastic. Her willingness to get out into the community, meet people and talk about The Festival has helped bring the Cheltenham experience to new audiences.”

Cheltenham Racecourse appointed Randox Grand National and Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Rachael Blackmore as Head of Ladies Day in November 2025.

The ambassadorial role was created to help encourage more women to attend the Cheltenham Festival and showcase everything a day at the races has to offer. As part of the campaign, Rachael took Ladies Day beyond the racecourse and into local communities, meeting members of the public at shopping centres in Oxford, Birmingham and Cardiff, where she spoke about The Festival to regular racegoers and newcomers alike, posed for photographs and encouraged more women to experience the magic of Cheltenham.

At The Festival itself, the campaign has also brought new experiences for racegoers attending Ladies Day.

Today at the Cheltenham Festival is known as Ladies Day.

It has been changed back to a previous title after five years and an attempt to make it sound gender-neutral.

Last year, day two fo the Festival was known as Style Wednesday.

In an attempt to boost female attendance numbers Cheltenham Racecourse have also made Rachael Blackmore an ambassador for Ladies Day this year.

The Jockey Club released this statement yesterday: “Cheltenham Racecourse has seen a significant increase in female racegoers attending the second day of The Festival in 2026, following a campaign led by trailblazing jockey Rachael Blackmore to promote the return of Ladies Day.

“New figures show that 33% of ticket purchasers for Ladies Day at The Festival are female, compared with 25% in 2025, highlighting the impact of a campaign focused specifically on introducing more women to the Cheltenham Festival experience.”

The Met Office has forecast cloudy and dry conditions on day two of the Festival. Monday’s weather saw some mist and fog and a smattering of rain, while expected rain on Tuesday never arrived. That means racing conditions are ideal and should remain so with disruptions unlikely.

Early Wednesday morning in Cheltenham saw some fog in the air but the sun also peeking through.

Here’s the full weather forecast:

You can secure access to the first three days of the festival through a daily Club Enclosure ticket from £103.50, while Friday is sold out.

Tattersalls tickets will cost from £73.80 on each of the first three days but again Gold Cup day has sold out.

The cheapest way to experience the festival is through the Best Mate enclosure with a day ticket for the first three days priced from £54.

All details can be found with tickets available to purchase through the Jockey Club here.

Here’s how they came home in yesterday’s races at Cheltenham:

1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

1. Old Park Star 15/8F; 2. Sober Glory 9/2 3. Mydaddypaddy 6/1

2.00: Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

1. Kargese 7/1; 2. Kopek Des Bordes 11/8; 3. Lulamba 11/10F

2.40: McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap)

1. Saratoga 10/1; 2. Winston Junior 5/1; 3. Klycot 40/1

3.20: Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

1. Johnnywho 18/1; 2. Jagwar 3/1; 3. Quebecois 10/1

4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

1. Lossiemouth 7/5F; 2. Brighterdaysahead 7/2; 3. The New Lion 3/1

4.40: Sun Racing Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap)

1. Madara 3/1F; 2. Will The Wise 10/1; 3. Moon D''orange 25/1

5.20: National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase) (Class 2)

1. Holloway Queen 12/1; 2. King Of Answers 22/1; 3. One Big Bang 11/1

Yesterday, hundreds of festivalgoers coming from Bristol Temple Meads were delayed due to a trespass incident near Cheltenham. Trains were stuck for more than an hour, before the incident was cleared, two hours before the first race.

I understand the trespasser was an animal welfare protester, who walked onto the track at a level crossing at Gloucester, and then began to walk up the tracks toward Cheltenham Spa.

No animal welfare group has claimed responsibility, so it may have been a lone protester.

Yesterday, a racehorse died at the annual festival after suffering a fatal injury. The death of Hansard prompted The League Against Cruel Sports to call for a boycott of the festival.

Plenty of horses were out early on the gallops this morning, including the Henry de Bromhead and Gordon Elliott-trained groups