Cheltenham betting: 2026 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle contenders and tip

Cheltenham 2026 is upon us, and Coral has you covered with our preview and tip for the third race of the festival, the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

A high-class horse on the Flat for Coolmore, Saratoga is doing nearly as well having switched to hurdles for Padraig Roche in the JP McManus colours. His hurdling has improved with each of his three starts and he will be happy on whatever ground we get at Cheltenham on Tuesday. He looks to have been carefully campaigned for this race.

Faye Bramley’s Winston Junior was second at Cheltenham’s December meeting in a juvenile race and followed that up with a good win at Ascot in January. He’s been given time to freshen up since then and the fact that Jack Kennedy takes the ride could be a big indicator of the intended outcome. 

Another running for JP McManus is Manlaga, the filly, whose best results have come up against geldings. She was last seen beating Paul Nicholls’ runner Pourquoi Pas Papa and, with Henderson’s excellent record at Cheltenham, her ability to finish up the Cheltenham hill is unlikely to be in question.

It is telling that she is the stable’s first string, as they also run the talented Mustang Du Breuil in the same colours with James Bowen riding. 

Joseph O’Brien has been keen on his Glen To Glen in the press, a horse who was last seen beating 20/1 shot Ole Ole at Cork in a maiden hurdle. The track should be suitable for him, as he has the stamina and speed to win in more testing conditions. The employ of jockey JJ Slevin is a bonus. 

40/1 outsider Paddockwood might be worth just keeping an eye on in the market, as he makes his UK debut here today for Ben Pauling, who looks set for his best set of Cheltenham Festival results yet and this French winner could outrun his odds.

Coral’s big-race tip: Manlaga at 7/1

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.