I’ve been building towards getting stuck into the Willie Mullins-trained Storm Heart, who is one of the few horses I’ve had on the tracker all campaign.

His level of form is up there with any of the field. He’s been winning on very testing ground but he did land a Flat race on good when trained in France and he may have been winning in spite of conditions in Ireland, rather than because of them.

Cheltenham best bet: Storm Heart

I do like Romeo Coolio, who I think looks the business and has generally jumped impeccably so far. I’d say that, from what I’ve seen of him, he’ll have it to prove over this far. If you’re intent on backing him, I’m not going to put you off, but I’ve already put up Wendigo ante-post for this, and I’m happy enough with that voucher.

I sided with Jamie Snowden’s gelding in last year’s Albert Bartlett, when he ran a cracker and was just out of the frame. He’s made up into a nice staying novice chaser this term and keeps on improving.

His forte looks to be stamina and I think he’ll be a huge player when they begin to climb the hill for the final time. This could be his moment.

Cheltenham tips: Wendigo – (each-way)

I don’t think this will take as much winning as in some years but the layers are finding it hard to name the favourite.

I think there’s some value in the on offer about Skylight Hustle, who can be backed each-way. Gordon Elliott’s charge took a big leap forward when he dotted up in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle (2m, yielding to soft) last November, before landing a Grade 1 over the same trip at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

He’s won a point, so this step up in trip should be very much a positive and I also think the drier conditions than we have all been anticipating will be a plus.

Cheltenham tip: Skylight Hustle (each-way)

Guy Lavender, the Chief Executive of Cheltenham Racecourse, spoke about the Ladies Day changes.

He said: “We wanted to make Ladies Day an occasion that felt welcoming and exciting for everyone, and the response we’ve seen has been incredibly encouraging. To see female ticket purchasers increase from 25% last year to 33% this year shows that the campaign is already making a real difference.

“Having Rachael at the heart of it has been fantastic. Her willingness to get out into the community, meet people and talk about The Festival has helped bring the Cheltenham experience to new audiences.”

Cheltenham Racecourse appointed Randox Grand National and Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Rachael Blackmore as Head of Ladies Day in November 2025.

The ambassadorial role was created to help encourage more women to attend the Cheltenham Festival and showcase everything a day at the races has to offer. As part of the campaign, Rachael took Ladies Day beyond the racecourse and into local communities, meeting members of the public at shopping centres in Oxford, Birmingham and Cardiff, where she spoke about The Festival to regular racegoers and newcomers alike, posed for photographs and encouraged more women to experience the magic of Cheltenham.

At The Festival itself, the campaign has also brought new experiences for racegoers attending Ladies Day.

Today at the Cheltenham Festival is known as Ladies Day.

It has been changed back to a previous title after five years and an attempt to make it sound gender-neutral.

Last year, day two fo the Festival was known as Style Wednesday.

In an attempt to boost female attendance numbers Cheltenham Racecourse have also made Rachael Blackmore an ambassador for Ladies Day this year.

The Jockey Club released this statement yesterday: “Cheltenham Racecourse has seen a significant increase in female racegoers attending the second day of The Festival in 2026, following a campaign led by trailblazing jockey Rachael Blackmore to promote the return of Ladies Day.

“New figures show that 33% of ticket purchasers for Ladies Day at The Festival are female, compared with 25% in 2025, highlighting the impact of a campaign focused specifically on introducing more women to the Cheltenham Festival experience.”

The Met Office has forecast cloudy and dry conditions on day two of the Festival. Monday’s weather saw some mist and fog and a smattering of rain, while expected rain on Tuesday never arrived. That means racing conditions are ideal and should remain so with disruptions unlikely.

Early Wednesday morning in Cheltenham saw some fog in the air but the sun also peeking through.

Here’s the full weather forecast:

You can secure access to the first three days of the festival through a daily Club Enclosure ticket from £103.50, while Friday is sold out.

Tattersalls tickets will cost from £73.80 on each of the first three days but again Gold Cup day has sold out.

The cheapest way to experience the festival is through the Best Mate enclosure with a day ticket for the first three days priced from £54.

All details can be found with tickets available to purchase through the Jockey Club here.

Here’s how they came home in yesterday’s races at Cheltenham:

1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

1. Old Park Star 15/8F; 2. Sober Glory 9/2 3. Mydaddypaddy 6/1

2.00: Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

1. Kargese 7/1; 2. Kopek Des Bordes 11/8; 3. Lulamba 11/10F

2.40: McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap)

1. Saratoga 10/1; 2. Winston Junior 5/1; 3. Klycot 40/1

3.20: Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

1. Johnnywho 18/1; 2. Jagwar 3/1; 3. Quebecois 10/1

4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

1. Lossiemouth 7/5F; 2. Brighterdaysahead 7/2; 3. The New Lion 3/1

4.40: Sun Racing Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap)

1. Madara 3/1F; 2. Will The Wise 10/1; 3. Moon D”orange 25/1

5.20: National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase) (Class 2)

1. Holloway Queen 12/1; 2. King Of Answers 22/1; 3. One Big Bang 11/1