Coral’s Cheltenham Trials Day horse racing review

With Cheltenham Festival 2026 right around the corner, Trials Day took place this past weekend, and Coral reviews all of the action.

12.05 - Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase

Winner: Jordans Cross 7/1

With the winner tipped here in the Coral Cheltenham Trials Day Preview, Anthony Honeyball’s Jordan’s Cross (7/1), the first race started the day off as it would continue, with the favourite, Kdeaux Saint Fray, beaten.

12.40 - JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle 

Winner: Maestro Conti 5/2

Race two saw the first of two winners of the day for Team Skelton, as 5/2 shot Maestro Conti crossed the line two lengths ahead of One Horse Town. Favourite Minella Yoga (2/1F) was beaten three lengths.   

1.15 - Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase

Winner: Donnacha 12/1

JP McManus’ well-fancied Jagwar ran to his credit, but could not get past 12/1 Donnacha, who beat the market leader by just a head, in a duel to the finishing line. The pair were 10 lengths clear of the rest.

1.50 - Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase

Winner: Favori De Champdou 9/1

The first of two Irish raiders to win at Cheltenham on Saturday, this Gordon Elliott-trained 11-year-old went clear in the final stages to win over eight lengths ahead of the favourite, J’Arrive De L’Est, at a price of 9/1. 

Favouri De Champdou is now 6/1 second favourite for the Cheltenham Festival Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. 

2.25 - Cotswold Chase

Winner: Spillane’s Tower 11/4

The second Irish winner on the day, Spillane’s Tower returned to chasing in strong enough style to beat Evens favourite Grey Dawning by five lengths. 

He is now 14/1 from 66/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Grey Dawning is 10/1 out to 20/1.   

3.00 - International Hurdle

Winner: The New Lion 9/4

While favourite Sir Gino pulled up injured, the Dan Skelton-trained The New Lion battled on to win a length and a half in front of Nemean Lion and Brentford Hope, bringing in the double for his trainer and rider. 

The New Lion is now 11/4 from 4/1 for the Champion Hurdle.

3.35 - Cleeve Hurdle

Winner: Ma Shantou 5/2

Impose Toi was Evens to win this, but Emma Lavelle’s Ma Shantou was receiving six pounds and won going away, seven lengths ahead of the favourite. 

Ma Shantou is now 6/1 from 50/1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle, while Impose Toi is out to 8/1 from 5/1. 

4.10 - AIS Novices’ Hurdle

Winner: Kripticjim 14/1

After a delayed start and with low visibility, the Joe Tizzard-trained Kripticjim won in a photo-finish, beating Taurus Bay by a nose. The favourite, John McConnell’s Heads Up, was beaten over 27 lengths. 

For those interested in a retrospective look, you can check out Coral's in-depth Cheltenham Trial's Day 2026 previews piece, with tips for each of last Saturday's races.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.