LIVECheltenham Festival Day 2: Follow all the latest race updates, results and reaction
Paul Townend on Champion Chase winner Il Etait Temps: "There was a lot of work put into this horse after Ascot. It shows how tough this lad is after the fall he took. Such a courageous horse." Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
5:30pm We'll be back tomorrow for Day 3
1. The Mourne Rambler 15/2
2. Mets Ta Ceinture 14-1
3. Bass Hunter 8/1
Classic winning rider 🤝 Champion Flat jockey 🤝 Champion Bumper winner
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 11, 2026
Colin Keane guides The Mourne Rambler to victory in the @weatherbysltd Champion Bumper @tuvastables 🏆 pic.twitter.com/X5HPjNlzz3
5:24pm The Mourne Rambler wins the Champion Bumper for Noel Meade! Irish champion flat jockey Colin Keane rides a winner at Cheltenham.
5:20pm They are off in the Champion Bumper.
4:58pm The last race of the day is the Champion Bumper at 5:20pm. Gordon Elliott will be hoping for a first Festival winner with favourite Keep Him Company.
1. Martador 66/1
2. Jazzy Matty 8/1
3. Break My Soul 20/1
4. Release The Beast 10/1
😅 Official photo 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/qBDnSzWPSk
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 11, 2026
4:47pm Martador - 66/1! - came from way off the lead to win.
4:46pm Martador confirmed as a winner by a few nose hairs. Jazzy Matty so close to defending the race for Cian Collins.
4:44pm Very close finish in the Grand Annual between Martador and Jazzy Matty. It's a photofinish.
4:41pm They are off in the Grand Annual.
WHAT. A. FINISH! 🤯
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2026
Martator wins the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase 🏆
BY A WHISKER! #ITVRacing | @VenetiaWRacing pic.twitter.com/NQAx2ep05a
4:33pm Willie Mullins on the Champion Chase: "(Majborough) was jumping very well. He jumped the first one down the back well. And then he sort of took off too early at one of the ones on the back. And I said, 'Well, this is going to be a repeat of last year'. And then he made that mistake of the third last.
"But all the time, I could see Paul (Townend on winner It Etait Temps) not trying to keep up with the pace. And I said, 'They're going too fast, if Paul is not trying to keep up'. It's fantastic to have a pilot like Paul that knows they're going too fast - he has the clock on his head.
"He said, 'I'll try to get them on the way up the hill'. And it did. As he was coming down the hill to third last, I could see Paul getting more confident in the saddle.
"He just picked his place coming around the last bend and then just jumped the last two. And we all got a heart attack at last. But but Paul had him in the right position.
"That bit of confidence that he had not to follow the pace was crucial to me in winning the race."
"He's a very frustrating horse. You can't win a race jumping like that."
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2026
A word from the losing jockeys in the Queen Mother Champion Chase 🎙️#ITVRacing | @MCYeeehaaa pic.twitter.com/qR2fi5If62
4:24pm Majborough jockey Mark Walsh on his ride's performance: "He's a very frustrating horse. You can't win a race jumping like that."
4:23pm They are considering watering the course ahead of Day 3.
4:21pm Willie Mullins says he knew Majborough was going too fast in the Champion Chase when he saw Paul Townend, who rode winner Il Etait Temps, not going with the pace.
4:17pm The Grand Annual Chase is up next at 4:40pm. Dan Skelton's Be Aware is the 4/1 favourite. Last year's race was won by Jazzy Matty, trained by Kerry native Cian Collins. He will run again and is second favourite at 13/2.
1. Il Etait Temps 5/2 2F
2. Libberty Hunter 50/1
3. L'eau Du Sud 13/2
🏆 Il Etait Temps wins the Queen Mother Champion Chase! 🏆#ITVRacing | @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/GCfdTg58iS
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2026
4:06pm Paul Townend on riding the winner: There was a lot of work put into this horse after Ascot. It shows how tough this lad is after the fall he took. Such a courageous horse. He just found his rhythm.
4:04pm Il Etait Temps wins the Champion Chase! Just too many mistakes from Majborough. The winner - another for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins - nearly came unstuck at the last but managed to get his nose off the turf.
4:03pm Another Majborough mistake. Still standing though. Quilixios leads.
4:02pm Some dodgy jumping from Majborough over the last two fences. Still in the lead. They are four out.
4:00pm They are off in the Champion Chase! Not a great start from Majborough but he is in the lead now.
3:57pm The parade in front of the stand is over and they are head to post.
3:54pm Attack. Attack. Attack. That is what Ruby Walsh says is needed for Majborough to romp home. And also some equine company as he assaults Prestbury Park.
3:49pm Majborough jumps like a snooker table says one bookie. Still has him at odds on. Willie Mullins thinks the faster ground will suit the horse. Also says that if Il Etait Temps looks good going to the start, he will go well.
3:46pm Majborough is the short-priced favourite for the Champion Chase:
Majborough – 10/11
Il Etait Temps – 3/1
Leau Du Sud – 6/1
Irish Panther – 14/1
Quilixios – 16/1
Found A Fifty – 25/1
Captain Guiness – 40/1
Saint Segal – 40/1
Libberty Hunter – 66/1
Brookie – 100/1
3:43pm Nice tribute to Michael O'Sullivan on ITV now. It's a year since he died, and a year since Marine Nationale's poignant victory in the Champion Chase.
3:39pm The big race of the day - the Champion Chase - is up next at 4pm. Can anyone stop stop Willie Mullins' Majborough? Ruby Walsh doesn't think so.
1: Final Orders (Gavin Cromwell) – 7/1
2: Favori De Champdou (Gordon Elliott) – 2/1F
3: Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell) – 13/2
3.29pm: Final Orders and Conor Stone-Walsh do far more than just hang on. He finds an extra gear over the last and powers on to finish with some to spare over Favori De Champdou.
"It's UNREAL!"
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2026
A day to remember for Conor Stone-Walsh 👏❤️#ITVRacing | @conorstonewalsh | @gavincromwell1 pic.twitter.com/ijPCfjmv05
3.26pm: Pied Piper has fallen. Heading for the business end of proceedings now. Final Orders still leads.
3.24pm: Final Orders leads the field from Favori De Champdou with 15 fences still left to jump. They're quite well bunched.
3.21pm: We're off in the Glenfarcas Cross Country Chase. Just the 31 fences to jump.
3.16pm: A Cheltenham racecourse statement on HMS Seahorse after the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle:
"HMS Seahorse was immediately attended to by a team of expert vets during our third race of the day, but sadly sustained an injury when falling at the final hurdle and could not be saved. Our heartfelt condolences are with connections."
3.06pm: Here's Darren Norris' take on the 3.20 at Cheltenham. He's backing Favori De Champdou.
"It could be a wonderful Wednesday for Gordon Elliott as Favori De Champdou, an impressive winner over course and distance on Festival Trials Day in January, has strong claims in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, a race his trainer has won five times."
Favori De Champdou – 7/4
Stumpton – 7/2
Desertmore House – 7/1
Final Orders – 7/1
Vanilier – 7/1
Pied Piper – 10/1
The Goffer – 16/1
Fakir Doudairies – 16/1
Conflated – 28/1
Latenightpass – 33/1
2.53pm: Here's Nicky Henderson's view on Jingko Blue:
"When he's good, he is VERY talented" 💪
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2026
Nicky Henderson praises Jingko Blue 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/PB1O7Ozr5c
1: Jingko Blue - 9/2F
2: Franciscan Rock – 50/1
3: Storm Heart - 5/1
4: Ballyadam - 40/1
2.47pm: It's Jingko Blue who wins it! Here's how he did it:
“I wasn’t planning on making the running, but it worked out for me,” said winning jockey James Bowen.
Jingko Blue takes the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle 🏆
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2026
Special mention has to go to Ballyadam 👏 pic.twitter.com/s9IxzMLr3Z
2.46pm: The Yellow Clay had been well placed but he has fallen at the third-last!
2.43pm: Jingko Blue leads from Franciscan Rock. Six to jump.
2.41pm: We're off and running in the BegMGM Cup. Clean start for all 24.
2.39pm: Jingko Blue has moved ahead of Storm Heart and into favourite right before the start.
Storm Heart – 4/1
Jingko Blue – 5/1
Kateira – 8/1
Iberico Lord – 9/1
The Yellow Clay – 9/1
Puturhandstogether – 10/1
Kopeck De Mee – 11/1
Forty Coats – 14/1
Bunting – 16/1
Guard Duty – 25/1
Bar – 25/1
2.00 Brown Advisory Novices Chase
1 Kitzbuhel (H Cobden) 11-1
2 Final Demand (Paul Townend) 7-2
3 Salver (Caoilin Quinn) 25-1
Also: 9-4 Fav Romeo Coolio, 18-1 Oscars Brother 4th
Non Runners: 9, 16. 14 ran
2:13pm Wille Mullins says: "Hell of a performance. Thought Final Demand would have his measure coming up the hill, but what a performance."
2:10pm Harry Cobden has been copping grief for his ride on No Drama This End in the first, though Ruby thought he did nothing wrong. Highs and lows. "It's funny how 40 minutes changes your life," he says. That's another for Willie Mulllins. Another 11/1.
2:09pm Kitzbuhel has won it from Final Demand
2:08pm Harry Cobden has Kitzbuhel opening a gap …
2:07pm Kaid Dauthie has fallen. Romeo Coolio going backwards..
2:05pm Kitzbuhel leads the way over the water jump, with Western Fold and Final Demand well placed behind …
2:03pm: THEY'RE OFF IN THE NOVICES'.
1:55pm Darren on Kaid Dauthie
Romeo Coolio – 5/2
Final Demand – 4/1
Kaid Dauthie – 5/1
Wendigo – 6/1
Koktail Divin – 7/1
Western Fold – 10/1
Kitzbuhel – 12/1
Oscars Brother – 14/1
Salver – 20/1
Argento Boy – 40/1
Bar 40/1
NR - Predators Gold, The Big Westerner
1:52pm Here's the report on the opener from
King Rasko Grey gained ample compensation for his near-miss at Leopardstown last month when handing Willie Mullins a record-extending eighth Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Sent off at 11-1 and the choice of Paul Townend from a host of Closutton contenders, King Rasko Grey was third in a blanket finish to a Grade One over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival but thrived for the step up in trip at Prestbury Park.
In a race where Paul Nicholls’ 5-2 favourite No Drama This End could never make his presence felt and was ultimately pulled up, it was Nicky Henderson’s Act Of Innocence who carried British hopes on his shoulders heading into the home straight locked in battle with the Mullins raider.
However, he proved no match for the talented six-year-old, who relished every yard of the Cheltenham hill to come home two and a half lengths clear to give Townend his 40th Festival winner and also provide a welcome tonic for owner Audrey Turley after Galopin Des Champs was ruled out of the Gold Cup.
1:45pm Nico de Boinville at the heart of this drama. He tells ITV that maybe Declan "should look in the mirror". Small bit of a needle there.
"Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville is not very nice" 👀
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2026
"I'm an amateur, I'm coming over riding in front of my kids. HORRIFIC" 😯
Declan Queally is NOT HAPPY with Nico de Boinville 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ZooWaL1PDI
1:44pm Declan Queally not happy with what went on at the start. "Being abused by an English rider, not very nice. I'm an amateur, coming over here riding in front of my kids. Horrific."
1:41pm Next up is the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at 2pm. Remember The Big Westerner is out due to the ground, while Predators Gold is also out with lameness.
1 King Rasko Grey 11/1
2 Act of Innocence 101
3 Zeus Power 50/1
4 Soldier Reeves 150/1
1:32pm Willie Mullins couldn't believe it was 11/1 price. "you'll never have a banker at Cheltenham but he was one I thought would be 2/1, 3/1."
1:31pm A 40th Festival winner for Townend on King Rasko Grey. “I love this horse, he’s still a little babyish but they’ve brought him on a lot, he can be great. Hopefully he can replicate half of what Galopin [Des Champs] has done.”
1:29pm King Rasko Grey wins it. Paul Townend for Willie Mullins. An eighth win in the race for Mullins.
1:27pm Favourite a long way back as it quickens up. Skylight Hustle leading.
1:25pm They got under way about four minutes late. Handy pace early doors. Favourite No Drama This End tipping away in the middle.
1:23pm Ruby says it's a joke there's not a flyaway tape. One horse taking the moment to relieve a bit of pre race nerves in a torrent of urine. THEY'RE OFF
1:20pm Start will be delayed as the starter tries to get them into some kind of order. AP says it's not a great look.
1:16pm If he was a bookmaker he'd take him on, says Ruby of the Paul Nicholls trained favourite.
1:12pm Fave No Drama This End owner Max McNeill was up til 4 last4 night, he says, fretting. "This is our cup final." This would be the biggest moment of his life, he underplays it.
1:07pm Darren's on Ballyfad here, with King Rasko Grey next best.
1pm: Here's the latest prices on the first, the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at 1:20pm
No Drama This End – 5/2
Sober – 7/1
King Rasko Grey – 9/1
Act Of Innocence – 9/1
Sortudo – 9/1
Skylight Hustle – 10/1
Ballyfad – 11/1
Ill Sort That – 14/1
Bossman Jack – 14/1
Shuttle Diplomacy – 28/1
28/1 bar
NR: Came From Nowhere
12:55pm Darren Norris shares his thoughts from the course. Thought he might be wearing cheekpieces.
12:52pm Any big breaks for the small stables today, wonders Colm Greaves.
12:50pm Here's a chat with Ruby explaining the difference outside the rails at Cheltenham.
12:44pm Bit of Gold Cup news. Defending champion Inothewayurthinking will wear first-time cheekpieces in Friday’s blue riband. Mark Walsh stays loyal to Inothewayurthinking so, with Jack Kennedy partnering the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox, Harry Cobden will ride Spillane’s Tower.
12:41pm Good afternoon on Day 2. Bit of news in from Darren at the course: The Big Westerner is out of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase due to the drying ground, Predators Gold will also miss the race due to lameness.
Champion Chase is the Day 2 feature with the Willie Mullins-trained Majborough favourite. Though favourites have come unstuck in this one. That's off at 4pm. Here's Ruby's thoughts. We'll be bringing you all the action live here.
Here's our man from the racecourse with the latest
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One), 2m 5f
2pm: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade One), 3m 80y.
2.40: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap), 2m 5f.
3.20: Cross Country Handicap Chase, 3m 6f 37y.
4pm: Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade One), 1m 7f 199y.
4.40: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 1m 7f 199y.
5.20: Champion Bumper (Grade One) – 2m 87y
Here's Darren's verdicts for today. And here's his considered views on Day 2
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