Cheltenham Festival 2026 Runners: Declared Horses & Riders

What Are Cheltenham Festival Runners?

Cheltenham Festival runners are the officially declared horses that compete in each Festival race. The confirmed runners at Cheltenham Festival appear after declarations close, usually 48 hours before each race. They represent the final field rather than the earlier list of nominated horses. Declarations may also confirm the jockey, owner, allocated weight and equipment, including blinkers or a tongue tie.

The Festival follows three important stages:

• Entries - Horses receive nominations weeks or months before the Festival. Most races attract around 30–50 entries.
• Declarations - Trainers confirm the final runners around 48 hours before each race. Most races feature between 8 and 20 declared runners.
• Non-runners - Occasionally, a declared horse withdraws before the race. See Cheltenham non-runners today for the latest updates.

How Cheltenham Festival Declarations Work

Cheltenham runners reach this page after the official declaration process finishes. The confirmed Cheltenham runners and riders represent the final field for every Festival race. Entries open weeks or months before the meeting and include hundreds of horses across all 28 races. Declarations close around 48 hours before each race and confirm the definitive runners.

The full process also includes the five-day and forfeit stages before declarations. Those stages gradually reduce the number of possible runners. Declared runners appear here in race order across all four Festival days. You can also compare the final fields with the latest ante-post prices.

Cheltenham riders and runners can then be checked together once the declarations confirm the final field and jockey bookings for each race.

The declaration pipeline follows these steps:

• Entries - Trainers enter eligible horses weeks or months before the Festival.
• Forfeit stages - Connections withdraw horses that no longer target the race.
• Five-day stage - Remaining contenders stay in contention before final declarations.
• Declarations - Trainers confirm the official runners around 48 hours before each race.
• Race day - Any later withdrawals become non-runners.

When the 2026 Runners Are Announced

Cheltenham Festival 2026 runners reflect declarations made around 48 hours before each Festival race, held from 10–13 March 2026. Each declaration confirms the official field for the following race day. The final list replaces the earlier entry stage.

For example, Champion Hurdle declarations confirm on the Sunday before Tuesday’s race card. During Festival week, many bettors check Cheltenham runners tomorrow to see the next day’s declared fields. View the full race schedule here. The same declaration pattern applies across every Festival day.

Runners by Day - Champion Day, Style Wednesday, St Patrick’s Thursday, Gold Cup Day

Browse every day’s declared field alongside the latest markets on the best sports betting site in the UK. The Cheltenham Festival runners and riders appear by race and day as declarations arrive. The Cheltenham races runners table below updates throughout Festival week.

Champion Day opens the Festival with seven races, including the Champion Hurdle, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Challenge Trophy and Mares’ Hurdle. Tuesday declarations confirm on Sunday. Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson regularly feature across the opening card.

Style Wednesday centres on the Queen Mother Champion Chase alongside the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, Coral Cup and Champion Bumper. Wednesday declarations confirm on Monday before racing begins.

St Patrick’s Thursday features the Ryanair Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, Turners Novices’ Chase and Pertemps Final. Thursday declarations confirm on Tuesday, completing the official fields.

Gold Cup Day concludes the Festival with the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Triumph Hurdle, Foxhunter Chase and County Handicap Hurdle. Cheltenham Friday runners and Cheltenham runners friday appear after Wednesday’s declarations confirm the final fields.

Cheltenham Runners Tomorrow - Live During Festival Week

During Festival week, from 16–19 March 2027, runners at Cheltenham refresh here as each day’s declarations become official. Many visitors check Cheltenham runners tomorrow to view the next day’s confirmed fields before racing begins.

Each update follows the official declaration timetable and appears in race order. Cheltenham riders and runners for the upcoming race day will be displayed together as soon as the relevant declarations are confirmed. You can also sign up for notifications covering new declarations, jockey confirmations, withdrawals and late non-runners throughout the four-day meeting.

Sign Up for Cheltenham Festival 2027 Runners Notifications

Sign up for notifications when the Cheltenham Festival 2027 runners become available during early March 2027. You’ll receive updates for each day’s declarations and alerts about late non-runners throughout Festival week. The Cheltenham Festival 2026 runners archive remains available for form study before the next meeting. You can also explore the latest Cheltenham tips while waiting for the confirmed fields.