For those punters who are into their stats and facts and base their predictions on those things, this cheat sheet is for you.
Having the facts from the past 25 years and more is a huge insight into what the right route is to go down. Obviously, it doesn't work out all of the time, but it's here to give you a better edge over the bookmakers.
If you have a couple in a race and you can't decide, this might be the key thing which helps you pick your horse, and hopefully, a winner.
Cheltenham 2026 – Ultima Handicap Chase
- Lucinda Russell is mustard – The Scottish-based trainer has won with her last three runners in the race (Corach Rambler, 2022, 2023, Myretown, 2025).
- Stick with the younger horses. 14 of the last 15 winners were no older than nine years old.
- Avoid the Irish-trainer horses. The Irish are incredibly 0 from 51 since 2006.
- There have only been two claimers who have won since 1990 (Brendan Powell, 2013 & Lizzie Kelly, 2018)
- Jumping is the aim of the game – 21 of the last 24 winners had fallen no more than once in their career.
- 10 of the last 13 winners were rated between 139 and 151.
Cheltenham 2026 – Champion Hurdle
- Before Golden Ace in 2025, we had five consecutive winning favourites.
- Mares can put it up to the males. Of the 12 runners in this race, five of them have gone on to win.
- Jezki was the last horse to win the Champion Hurdle whilst wearing headgear (2014).
- For the most part, being trained in Ireland or by Nicky Henderson is how you win this. 14 of the last 16 were trained by Henderson or in Ireland.
- The beaten favourite last time out is a big negative. Only one horse in the last 25 years has gone on to win this race after being a losing favourite on their previous run.
Cheltenham 2026 – Queen Mother Champion Chase
- No headgear-wearing winner since at least 1990.
- The powerhouse owner, JP McManus, is yet to win the Champion Chase.
- Since 2008, only Captain Guinness had yet to win a Grade 1.
- Odds-on favourite backers look away – This century, there have been 12 odds-on favourites, but only three went on to win.
- Previous Group 1 festival form is required – Nine of the last ten were already Grade 1 winners or placed.
Cheltenham 2026 – Stayers' Hurdle
- Emphatic Cleeve Hurdle winners are worth a second look. The last three 7L+ winners of the Cleeve Hurdle then went on to win this race.
- 26 of the last 30 winners were either winners or placed in a three-mile Grade 1 hurdle race.
- Headgear is a negative – Only Sire Du Berlais had won whilst using headgear since 1992.
- The Leopardstown Xmas Hurdle has produced four of the last five winners.
- It's a young man's game – 9 of the last 12 were aged six or seven. Only 8 have won while being nine or older since 1972.
- The last 24 winners had at least won a Grade 2.
Cheltenham 2026 – County Hurdle
- Backing Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins will provide winners – The pair have won 10 of the last 11.–
- Stay clear of the top weights. Only two winners of the race have been rated 150 or higher by the BHA.
- Ex-flat horses have a solid record. Six of the last ten winners were previously known as flat horses.
- Handicap debutants aren't as good as they look. Only four horses have turned up to the County Hurdle on their handicap debut and won since 1993…Willie Mullins has trained all four.
- 19 of the 22 winners were novice or second-season hurdlers.
- Ageing horses aren't backable – Horses over the age of nine are 0 from 40 in the last 18 years.
Cheltenham 2026 – Gold Cup
- No horse has done the King George/Gold Cup double since 2011.
- Staying fresh is key – 16 of the last 18 winners had no more than three runs that season.
- Supreme novice form is surprisingly good form. Those placed in the Supreme are six from seven.
- Only Native Riven since 2000 has won whilst wearing headgear.
- Stay away from heavy ground! Since 2000, no winner of the Gold Cup had run on official heavy ground during that season.
- Youngsters come to the fore – No winner of the race older than 8-years-old since 2016.
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