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.