Cheltenham 2027: What Races Are On Each Day
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The Cheltenham Festival 2027 runs over four days in mid-March 2027. Each day has a headline race and a full card of Grade 1, Grade 2, and handicap contests. Here is what Irish punters need to know about each day's programme.
Day 1: Champion Day (Tuesday)
Champion Day opens the festival with the two most prestigious hurdle races of the week. The Champion Hurdle is the centrepiece, alongside the Arkle Trophy for novice chasers and the Supreme Novices' Hurdle for first-season hurdlers.
| Race | Grade | Distance | What to Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Novices' Hurdle | 1 | 2m ½f | Fastest novice hurdler; Irish raiders dominate |
| Arkle Trophy Chase | 1 | 2m | Top 2m novice chaser; speed essential |
| Champion Hurdle | 1 | 2m ½f | Championship hurdle; each-way value at 6/1+ |
| Mares' Hurdle | 1 | 2m 1f | Mullins-dominated; check market leaders early |
Day 2: Ladies Day (Wednesday)
Wednesday features the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle for staying novices, the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, and the Queen Mother Champion Chase over 2m — the festival's premier speed chase.
Day 3: St Patrick's Day (Thursday)
The biggest day for Irish supporters, Thursday features the Ryanair Chase (a Grade 1 for chasers who may not stay 3m+), the Stayers' Hurdle over 3m, and the Pertemps Final handicap hurdle — a race with strong ante-post value.
Day 4: Gold Cup Day (Friday)
The festival climax. The Cheltenham Gold Cup over 3m 2½f is the most prestigious steeplechase in the world. The card also features the County Hurdle handicap and the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
| Day | Headline Race | Other Key Races |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday (Champion Day) | Champion Hurdle | Supreme, Arkle, Mares' Hurdle |
| Wednesday (Ladies Day) | Queen Mother Chase | Ballymore, Brown Advisory, Coral Cup |
| Thursday (St Patrick's Day) | Ryanair Chase | Stayers' Hurdle, Pertemps Final |
| Friday (Gold Cup Day) | Cheltenham Gold Cup | County Hurdle, Albert Bartlett |
Dates for Cheltenham Festival 2027 are expected to be announced by Jockey Club Racecourses in autumn 2026. Typically held the second week of March.
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