The Cheltenham Festival 2026 delivered its usual mix of excitement, huge crowds, and high-stakes betting as day two of the prestigious meeting unfolded at Cheltenham Racecourse. One of the biggest talking points ahead of Wednesday’s racing card is the bold selection of a 66/1 outsider, Zeus Power, tipped as a potential shock contender in the opening Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle.
The four-day festival, running from March 10 to March 13 in Gloucestershire, brings together the best National Hunt horses from Britain and Ireland to compete in 28 elite races over hurdles and fences. With thousands of fans packed into the grandstands and millions watching around the world, day two promises a packed schedule highlighted by the prestigious BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Zeus Power emerges as the headline 66/1 outsider
Among the most eye-catching tips ahead of Wednesday’s racing is Zeus Power, trained by Joseph O’Brien. The improving novice hurdler is considered a fascinating longshot in the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at 1:20, with odds around 66/1 making him the biggest-priced pick among expert selections.
Zeus Power has shown steady improvement since switching to hurdles. He secured an impressive maiden victory at Thurles in December where he displayed fluent jumping and strong finishing ability. The six-year-old followed that performance with another strong run at Navan, defeating the well-regarded Lazare De Star in a competitive novice hurdle.
While stepping into Grade 1 company is a major jump in class, the longer trip and strong pace expected in the race could play to his strengths. In a field of more than 20 runners, the improving horse has the potential to surprise at huge odds and could reward punters looking for a value bet.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase: Kaid D’Authie tipped as major contender
The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at 2:00 is another key race on the card and has attracted a strong field this year. One horse attracting significant attention is Kaid D’Authie, trained by Willie Mullins.
The six-year-old produced a standout performance at the Dublin Racing Festival where he defeated Final Demand in a Grade 1 contest. That victory demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level over fences.
Kaid D’Authie has continued to improve with each start over fences and his strong jumping technique combined with stamina makes him a serious contender for Wednesday’s race. Many analysts believe the step up in distance could unlock even further improvement, potentially allowing him to follow in the footsteps of previous Mullins-trained winners.
Champion Chase headline race creates major betting interest
The highlight of the day is the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4:00, widely regarded as one of the most exciting two-mile races in jump racing.
Recent history shows the race has been notoriously difficult for short-priced favourites. Several heavily backed runners such as Defi Du Seuil, Chacun Pour Soi, Shishkin, El Fabiolo, and Jonbon have all been beaten despite starting at very short odds in previous renewals.
This trend has encouraged many bettors to look for value alternatives. One of the most intriguing selections is Il Etait Temps, another runner from the powerful Willie Mullins stable.
The eight-year-old boasts top-class form, having beaten high-profile rivals including Jonbon and Gaelic Warrior earlier in his career. Although he has previously been beaten at Cheltenham and fell in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot earlier this season, trainer adjustments and the removal of a hood could help him return to peak form.
If he performs at his best level, Il Etait Temps has the raw ability to challenge any horse in the field.
Additional day-two betting tips
Alongside the headline selections, several other runners have been tipped as strong betting opportunities for Wednesday’s races.
- Shuttle Diplomacy (13:20) – A 25/1 outsider who impressed after a strong performance at Naas and could improve further over a longer trip.
- Kaid D’Authie (14:00) – Progressive novice chaser expected to perform strongly in the Brown Advisory.
- Jingko Blue (14:40) – Trained by Nicky Henderson, the seven-year-old could be well handicapped after an encouraging run earlier in the season.
- L’eau Du Sud (16:00) – Considered a strong contender in the Champion Chase after impressive previous form including a dominant Cheltenham victory.
- Inthepocket (16:40) – A horse with strong Grade 1 form who could benefit from a drop in handicap rating.
Cheltenham Festival atmosphere and global appeal
The Cheltenham Festival remains one of the biggest events in the horse racing calendar. Known for its passionate crowd and the famous roar that greets the first race each day, the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the week.
Day one, known as Champion Day, features the Champion Hurdle and sets the tone for the entire meeting. Day two continues the excitement with top-level novice races and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The festival will culminate on Friday with the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, where the best staying chasers compete for one of the most coveted trophies in the sport.
For the full festival schedule and race information, visit the official Cheltenham Festival page. Racing fans can also follow race updates, cards, and results via Sky Sports Racing.
Final outlook for day two
With several competitive races and a number of potential value bets, Wednesday’s Cheltenham card looks set to deliver plenty of excitement. While favourites will still attract heavy support, the presence of big-priced contenders such as Zeus Power highlights the unpredictable nature of festival racing.
If the outsider manages to hit the frame—or even pull off a shock victory—it could become one of the biggest stories of Cheltenham Festival 2026.
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