Wednesday marks the return of Ladies Day after a seven-year absence from the Festival, in which we will see the usual array of fascinators and other stylish garments taking over Cheltenham.
On the course itself, though, there is plenty to get stuck into, with three Grade 1 races and the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase.
With the Turners Novices' Hurdle and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase kicking things off, it is likely to be another day to remember on Cheltenham's hallowed turf.
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Wednesday's racecard
All times GMT
1.20 p.m. The Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m abt 5f
Winner: King Rasko Grey 11/1 (J: Paul Townend, T: Willie Mullins, O: Greg & Audrey Turley)
2.00 p.m. The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m abt 1f
Winner: Kitzbuhel 11/1 (J: Harry Cobden, T: Willie Mullins, O: Joe & Marie Donnelly)
2.40 p.m. The BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap) 2m abt 5f
Winner: Jingko Blue 9/2F (J: James Bowen, T: Nicky Henderson, O: Countrywide Park Homes Ltd)
3.20 p.m. The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase 3m abt 51/2f
Winner: Final Orders 7/1 (J: Conor Stone-Walsh, T: Gavin Cromwell, O: C M D Syndicate)
4.00 p.m. The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) Abt 2m
Winner: Il Etait Temps 7/1 (J: Paul Townend, T: Willie Mullins, O: Hollywood Racing & Barnane Stud)
4.40 p.m. The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap) Abt 2m
Winner: Martator 66/1 (J: Charlie Deutsch, T: Venetia Williams, O: Camilla Norton)
5.20 p.m. The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (In Memory of Sir Johnny Weatherby) (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) 2m abt 1/2f
Winner: The Mourne Rambler 15/2 (J: Colin Keane, T: Noel Meade, O: Phillip Polly)
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Going and weather at Cheltenham on Wednesday
Some badly needed spring sunshine has seen the going at Prestbury Park improve from Soft to Good to Soft but with rain forecast the night before, that could change.
Showers and sunny spells are forecast until 11 a.m. but with a little luck the racing will be able to take centre-stage on Wednesday.
Highs of 11°C are forecast with a nighttime low of 7°C.
Champion Chase race info
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the most prestigious race for National Hunt two-mile chasers and is one of four championship races held across the Cheltenham week.
Open to horses aged five and over, it is run over 1 mile, 7 furlongs and 199 yards, making it one of the shortest races of the festival, but there is plenty of drama packed into the steeplechase course.
As the main race of the second day of the festival, the Champion Chase is always one to relish.
When: Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. GMT
Where: Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire
Champion Chase odds
Note: Odds are courtesy of Bet365 and are correct as of Tuesday March 10. They are subject to change.
Majborough (5/6)
Jockey: Mark Walsh, Owner: Robcour, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Il Etait Temps (3/1) ~
Jockey: Paul Townend, Owner: Hollywood Racing & Barnane Stud, Trainer: Willie Mullins
L'Eau Du Sud (11/2)
Jockey: Harry Skelton, Owner: Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson, Hales, The Late J Hales, Trainer: Dan Skelton
Quilixios (14/1)
Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe, Owner: Cheveley Park Stud, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Irish Panther (16/1)
Jockey: Kieren Buckley, Owner: Jennifer Coyle & Brian P Whelan, Trainer: Eddie & Patrick Harty
Found A Fifty (33/1)
Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Owner: Bective Stud, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Saint Segal (50/1)
Jockey: Ciaran Gethings, Owner: Culverhill Racing Club V, Trainer: Jane Williams
Captain Guinness (50/1)
Jockey: Jordan Gainford, Owner: Declan Landy, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Libberty Hunter (66/1)
Jockey: Sean Bowen, Owner: Mr & Mrs William Rucker, Trainer: Evan Williams
Brookie (125/1)
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Owner: Abigail Rugg, Trainer: Anthony Honeyball
Who are the favourites?
The Irish look likely to dominate this race with Willie Mullins' Majborough the clear favourite following his impressive win at Leopardstown where he beat 2025 winner Marine Nationale -- who will not defend his title this year -- by 19 lengths.
Another Mullins-trained contender Il Etait Temps is ready to pounce, but while his win over Jonbon in the Tingle Creek Chase underlined his ability, his fall in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot has punters a little wary.
British hopes look likely to rest with L'Eau du Sud. He comfortably won the Shloer Chase in November -- run over the same distance (and course) as the Champion Chase. But the step up in quality here looks likely to prove his undoing -- L'Eau du Sud finished a remote third behind Champion Chase rivals Jonbon and Il Etait Temps in the Tingle Creek.
What is the Champion Chase prize money?
The winner of Wednesday's feature race will take home close to £250,000.
2026 place-by-place breakdown:
Winner: £225,080
2nd: £84,800
3rd: £42,440
4th: £21,200
5th: £10,640
6th: £5,320
7th: £2,640
8th: £1,360
Total: £400,000
Who has won the Champion Chase in recent years?
Marine Nationale came through the field to beat second-placed Jonbon by 18 lengths, but the nine-year-old bay gelding won't be returning to defend his crown.
2025: Marine Nationale -- 5/1
2024: Captain Guinness -- 17/2
2023: Energumene -- 6/5F
2022: Energumene -- 5/2
2021: Put The Kettle On -- 17/2
2020: Politologue -- 6/1
2019: Altior -- 4/11F
2018: Altior -- EvsF
2017: Special Tiara -- 11/1
2016: Sprinter Sacre -- 5/1
2015: Dodging Bullets -- 9/2