Cheltenham Festival 2026: Henry de Bromhead’s Heartwood edgees out John Bon to win the Ryanair Chase

White Noise produced the shock of the day in the Mares ‘Novices’ Hurdle as the 40-1 shot crossed the line in first place.

Odds-on favorite Bambino Fever made a mistake when clearing an obstacle over the hill and failed to return to the competition.

Emotional jockey Tom Bellamy told ITV it was a life ambition of his that had been fulfilled to ride the winner at Cheltenham.

“I’ve waited for this day my whole life. I can’t believe it, I’m speechless,” Bellamy said.

“I’m really about to cry here. I came out of school to watch Cheltenham; and now I can’t believe I’m here.”

McManus claimed his first winner of the day in the Novices’ Chase when the 9-1 chance Meetmebythesea came home convincingly ahead of Golden Dancer on 25-1.

“He was good out there today. He jumped very well,” coach Ben Bowling told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

“It looks like he has a little time left at the end. Hopefully he has a little more to come.”

“It means a lot to everyone, but training a winner here for one of the greatest men in the industry [McManus] It means a lot to us. “It’s an important win.”

Jack Kennedy rode the short-priced favorite Wodhooh to victory in the Mares’ Hurdle in what was trainer Gordon Elliott’s first win at this year’s Festival.

Home By The Lee, a 33-1 outsider, won the Stayers’ Hurdle from Ballyburn and Bob Olinger.

Trainer Joseph O’Brien told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra that the horse was “tough as nails”.

Harry Skelton rode the 10-3 Grade 1 shot West to an easy handicap victory in the penultimate race of the day.

Shane Cotter guided 22-1 chance Ask Brewster over the line in the final race of the day.

Heading into the final day of the 2026 Festival, Great Britain trails Ireland 11-10 in the Prestbury Cup – a competition which is scored on the nationality of winning trainers.