Joe Tizzard Cheltenham 2026 day one runners blog: 'The Olympics of our sport'

Joe Tizzard has two runners on day one of Cheltenham Festival, which the Coral ambassador has called the horse racing 'olympics' in his latest Coral blog.

Joe Tizzard Cheltenham day one runners blog - March 10, 2026

Joe Tizzard Cheltenham day one runners schedule

• 4.00 race odds - Cheltenham - Alexei

• 5.20 race odds - Cheltenham – First Confession

Here we go, the Olympics of our sport, and there really isn’t a better description than that to describe how important the Cheltenham Festival is.  It’s something we build up to since last year really, and touch wood, all the preparation has gone well and my job is nearly done.

First thing to say is we didn’t declare Rock My Way for the Ultima, instead we’ll wait for the Midlands National on Saturday.  It looks a very competitive renewal of the Ultima, and our fellow will appreciate the longer trip at Uttoxeter anyway, so we’re happy with that decision.

4.00: Champion Hurdle - Alexei

Alexei is a first Champion Hurdle runner for the yard, so that’s a real privilege.  When Dad [Colin] had the licence he won a Gold Cup, Ryanair and Stayers’ Hurdle, and we’ve gone close in a Champion Chase, so it’s great to complete the set of runners in the Championship races, I hope it shows the wider racing world that we’re not just about training chasers, albeit we like those as well!

With Lossiemouth declared for this race rather than the Mares’, all the runners that could have turned up are here, so it’s a proper Champion Hurdle and I respect all the opposition and am under no illusions this is a proper race.  That said, I’m really excited to have a runner, I think he’ll love the conditions, he proved in the Greatwood he handles the track well, and he's done nothing but improve all season. 

He booked his place here by winning the Kingwell last time, that was important as it was his first run in a graded race rather than in handicap company, which I hope we've now left behind.  I’m not saying we’re going to win it, but Golden Ace showed last year anything is possible, and I do believe this fellow will travel nicely through the race, and he’ll get us excited turning for home.  Then we’ll find out how good he is, and whether that’s enough to be in the shake-up or not.

As I say, it’s a privilege to have a runner in this race, we’re not here to make up the numbers, as a yard, we strive to have these Grade 1 runners, and Alexei has very much earned the right to be here.  

5.20: National Hunt Challenge Cup – First Confession 

Our second runner on the opening day is First Confession in the National Hunt Chase, a race Rock My Way was second in last year at a similar sort of price this fellow will be, and at those odds I think he’s got a great each-way chance.  He’s stepping up in trip, which I think will help him, and I hope he can sit in the first half dozen or so, get his jumping into a nice rhythm, and travel nicely through the race.

We took him to Carlisle last time for a nice confidence booster, that was over shorter but as I say I think he’s ready for a step up in trip, it should just mean they go a sensible pace which will help his jumping.  It’s typically competitive as you’d expect, but I really do see him having a lively each-way chance.    

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