Jaysella’s Cheltenham Festival Racecard for Tuesday 10th March 2026

Jaysella’s Cheltenham Racecard for Tuesday 10th March with Guest Insights from Caroline

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 1.20
Old Park Star
I cannot get away from Old Park Star for the Supreme, and whatever they will all tell you about how his last win wasn’t against the strongest field, it was impressive enough for me. You can only beat what’s put in front of you they say, but Old Park Star won the Rossington Main at Haydock Park in such sublime style, it probably wouldn’t have mattered what else lined up. However good the Irish string is, Nicky Henderson has a brilliant record in this, and I can’t wait to Old Park Star rock up in this. Caroline, you have been warned!

Mighty Park (nb)
Well, what an opener, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. So thank you Jaysella for your selection, but I’ll have to be taking yuzz on, as both Talk The Talk and Mighty Park are going to be very hard to beat. Willie Mullins has just a good a record as Nicky Henderson in Cheltenham Festival’s first Grade One, but when Mighty Park came home in a maiden at Fairyhouse, and Willie Mullins likened him to the great Faugheen everyone took notice. I reckon that’s good enough for me, so one-nil to Ireland in the Prestbury Cup Jaysella? With Talk The Talk also flying the flag, this one’s got the Tricolour on it I think, so good luck whatever flag you wave!

Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2.00
Lulamba (nb)
Just about the most exciting novice chaser over two miles this side of the Irish Sea, Lulamba can beat the best of the Irish in Kopek Des Bordes and Kargese. It’s Kopek Des Bordes belated return to action that makes me blink twice before risking my hard earned cash, and it should do so for you, cos this is an ultra competitive Arkle, and they’re ain’t gonna be no places to hide. That could be the only chink in the armour of Lulamba, that he’ll need time to get into top gear, but when he does, he’s coming home strong up the hill. I’m cheering him home already!! Kargese is a classy mare, and won’t be far away, but it’s got to be Lulamba all day long! Caroline?

Kargese (nb)
Oh, Bejaysus, this is the tricky one for sure! All the money has been on Kopek Des Bordes, and after that brilliant win in the Supreme Novices here last year that is no surprise, but as Jaysella says, there must be some doubts after a bit of an interrupted campaign. Quality he is, but this is the very best level of Championship racing, where there is no margin for error, even if the Master of Closutton sprinkles all his magic over the hot favourite. So, and call me out if I’m wrong, but proven Cheltenham winner Kargese ticks all the boxes, a perfect preparation, weight in hand, no pressure of the expectation and Danny Mullins on board. Yes, despite all the hype over Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba, I do think Kargese can spring the surprise with lots in her favour.

McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2.40
Manlaga
Right then kids, we’ve been ‘aving this one out me and Caroline. Thing is, we both agree that the winner’s gonna be in the green and gold hoops of JP McManus, but we can’t agree on the colour of the hat! Typical problem for the girls to have, right? So I’m on the white cap of Manlaga and Caroline’s got the green cap with the white star of Saratoga. Why am I on Manlaga? Well, she looked a decent enough Juvenile to me at Doncaster back in January, despite being beaten 3/4 of a length by Max Comely’s Manganese, but made no mistake next time at Haydock Park, so with her top of the ground action once she hits top gear should have more to come on drying ground. That’s the theory anyway, let’s see Caroline make her case for!

Saratoga
Thank you Jaysella, and let me assure yuzz all there’s just a slight difference of opinion here, nothing more! Anyhows, I’ll be telling you this fact, Saratoga was runner-up to Highland Crystal in a Rated Hurdle at Naas the last day, and that’s a contest that has produced plenty of winners of this Juvenile Hurdle, so without Highland Crystal I’m going on Saratoga. In truth, I was on Highland Crystal for that Naas contest, but Saratoga has to be sure been aimed at this. Anything can happen in these Juvenile races, so each way chances exist for Ole Ole, Hardy Stuff and Pourquoi Pas Papa, but Sarotoga can win this for me.

Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3.20
Hyland
I’m taking a big chance here, but I reckon that if Hyland is getting back to his old form, he could be the one to take this Handicap Chase. Go back to last season and he won a couple on the bounce here, and the key to that for me was good ground, so with a reduced handicap mark and first-time cheekpieces, plenty to like in my book. I’ve gotta say, with Iroko here before going to start as one of the favourites for the Grand National, Myretown maybe having lost his way and much the same story for Ben Pauling’s Handstands, this race could be there for the taking. I know hot favourite Jagwar has been aimed at this, but I reckon if Hyland can make it a battle up the hill, he wins. Caroline?

Jagwar
Pains me to say so, but the home team look to have this in the bag before the off. I don’t think there’ll be any other races this week where Jack Kennedy is riding a Gordon Elliott runner at 40/1! But, there’ll be no secret that Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s Jagwar has been set up for this race, and to my mind he’s the easiest to back of all in the Handicap races. And I do agree with you Jaysella, Hyland on good ground could be the big danger, but it’s Jagwar that’s getting my vote.

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 4.00
Lossiemouth (nap)
The race of the day for me, and Caroline – you’ll be loving me more than ever when I tell you Lossiemouth is winning this! For me, The New Lion is all about stamina for this two mile charge, so if there’s plenty of early pace on then that should play into the hands of Dan Skelton’s star hurdler, but in Lossiemouth he meets a three time Festival winner that really knows how to rise to the big occasion. Now, Brighterdaysahead is a class act, but this quicker ground might just tarnish her obvious quality and, call me out if I’m wrong on this, but Brighterdaysahead does do her best on the flatter tracks. The race of the day, but Lossiemouth is winning this! Do you agree Caroline?

Lossiemouth (nap)
Yes I do Jaysella, and I just know yuzz all be flying the flag for Lossiemouth. I will say that Cheltenham is her playground, and although I get that The New Lion is top class, and unbeaten apart from the one fall in the Fighting Fifth, but quicker ground at this level means Harry Skelton has to stay with the pace, so no room for any mistakes. I’m thinking the The New Lion is always going to be going further after this, so cannot afford Lossiemouth any lead, and that’s where this Champion Hurdle will be won and lost. The easiest forecast of the day I think, Lossiemouth to show The New Lion home!

Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4.40
Madara
Now, while Dan Skelton is at the top of his game, and with so much depth in his yard for the Championship races, don’t forget what a canny operator he is in the Handicaps. So, I reckon that Madara has been aimed at this, and since coming over from France in 2023 he’s run here more than at any other course, so I think this has been the target all along this season. Good to soft ground is just what he wants, and this looks a workable mark. I’m expecting Harry to switch him off at the back for the first circuit, and really make his move coming down the hill on the second. Gordon Elliott’s Down Memory Lane will be my each way punt, if that’s your thing, though needs to be spot on in the jumping department, but Jack Kennedy is in the hot seat to make sure of that. Caroline?

McLaurey
Thanks Jaysella, and I do I agree with you about Down Memory Lane – a clear round could see him right in the mix. But, you know, I think that Emmet Mullins has been making this McLaurey’s target and he could be well placed from this mark. I’ll be thinking the drying ground has to be in his favour, and having been kept at around two miles for his last three starts, this longer trip may help too. I’d also take a hard look at Ben Pauling’s No Questions Asked as an each way gamble, considering the form of the yard’s chasers this season, but I’ll take McLaurey for the win.

National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase 5.20
Backmersackme
I’ll always be on the lookout for a clever bit of placing from Emmet Mullins, and it ain’t no surprise to me to see Backmersackme right at the top of the ante post market. He ran a bit of a blinder when second to Three Card Brag here back in October, so with just two runs at Leopardstown since, I reckon he’s been laid out for this as a Spring target. He won a Grade 3 Handicap Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival, and that was over 2 mile 5, so should have plenty left in the tank for this marathon. Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith’s Grand Geste is a free running type that could well get into a good rhythm and will be my each way angle, so let’s see what Caroline fancies.

Kurasso Blue
Thank you Jaysella, and as always this is wide open race to close Tuesday’s proceedings. And I do like to think you’ll need an unexposed one to win this, so Gordon Elliott’s Kurasso Blue is the one I keep coming back to. For all that, I don’t think the the Handicapper has given him any margin for error, but Jack Kennedy is on board and to me he’s a really tempting each way price at around 18/1 on Monday. Just a five year old, so I take it on trust he’ll see out this trip, but Kurasso Blue gets my vote.