For fans of racing we’re certainly gearing up to an exciting time of the year. With the Cheltenham Festival just days away now, Grand National just around the corner and all of this neatly leading into the Newmarkets Guineas Festival (1000 and 2000 Guineas) there is much to look forward to, so whether you’re looking to bet big on a favourite, chance your arm on an outsider or just watch from the comfort of your own home, let’s have a quick preview of what lies ahead.
Cheltenham Festival
Taking place from 10th – 13th March this unmissable national hunt spectacular draws on the best of the best from the jump racing world (it’s no co-incidence that Tuesday is called ‘Champion Day’ ). There are seven races each day with the likes of Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Thursday (for the Irish interest!) and of course Cheltenham Gold Cup Day where top jockeys and trainers will be vying to create a space for themselves in the racing history books. The 2026 Gold Cup may well be one of the more closely contested, with Fact to File, Jango Baie, The Jokebox man and Gaelic Warrior all in the 4 to 5-1 range. Perhaps the next two in the betting are what makes the race though, namely Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin both at 7-1. Galopin Des Champs won the Gold Cup in both 2023 and 2024, being beaten in 2025 by Inothewayurthinkin , so the race is building up to be quite the rivalry.
Grand National
If there’s one race that even those with a passing interest in racing can’t wait to watch it’s the Aintree Grand National. Held on Saturday 11th April 2026 at 4PM and free to air on ITV, office sweepstakes and those with deep pockets alike will all be tuning into every second of the action. Gamblers who typically only have an eye on online slots for instance, will be having a punt on horses based on their name or form and feeling every bit the same excitement as they do when the slots reels spin. With a field of 34 horses starting the race, how many will manage to traverse the gruelling course this time I wonder. Current favourite to win is Iroko at 7-1, followed by I am Maximus at 10-1 and Grangeclare West at 12-1. I am Maximus was second last year (behind Nick Rockett ) and winner in 2024, so much like the Cheltenham Gold Cup there is a rivalry narrative to the race. This time though Nick Rockett is 28-1, so not one of the favourites on account of extra weight, minor injury and mixed recent form.
Guineas Festival
An early indicator of possible future successes in the likes of the Derby, the Guineas Festival (featuring two classics in the form of the 1000 and 2000 Guineas) is always one to watch too. The best and brightest three year olds give it their all in these highly competitive match ups, and enthral on course crowds and those at home in the process. The 2000 Guineas takes place on Saturday 2nd May with Bow Echo and Gstaad joint first favourite at time of writing. The 1000 Guineas (restricted to fillies only) currently sees a clear favourite in Precise at 5/2. Finishing last season with four straight wins with two group one wins, and being trained by Coolmore’s top team will all factor into that being the case. Good luck is you’re placing a bet!