Cheltenham Festival 2026: What time do the Day One races on Champion Day – Tuesday, March 10 begin?

Seven races are scheduled for Day One of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival also known as Champion Day. The feature race of the day is the Unibet Champion Hurdle, a two-mile Grade 1 race. This takes place on Tuesday, March 10 at 4pm (GMT).

1.20pm: The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m abt 1/3f

2.00pm: The Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1) Abt 2m

2.40pm: The McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap) 2m abt 1/2f

3.20pm: The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 1f

4.00pm: The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m abt 1/2f

4.40pm: The Sun Racing Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap) 2m abt 4f

5.20pm: The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase) (Class 2) 3m abt 6f

All race timings are subjected to potential change.

CLICK HERE to view the scheduling of all four days at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.