Cheltenham 2026: A Champion in the making and a 40/1 Turners tip

The National Hunt season is in full flow and it's time to make a couple of additions to the antepost book for Cheltenham 2026.

It's two Willie Mullins inmates - including a 40/1 shot set to appear over the weekend - who get the nod.

I've seen enough. It's time to get MAJBOROUGH onside.

I'm a massive fan of Willie Mullins' five-year-old, who's been the apple of his trainer's eye since he arrived at Closutton, and I can't let him go unbacked for the Champion Chase after a couple of notable form boosts in recent weeks.

Firstly, it was Only By Night landing the G3 Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas a fortnight ago. Gavin Cromwell's mare was a whisker in front of the selection in the Arkle - we'll discuss that shortly - and 14 lengths behind him at the Punchestown Festival the following month.

Then, L'Eau Du Sud goes and hacks up in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham's November Meeting last weekend, beating Jonbon by 15 lengths under a motionless Harry Skelton. The seven-year-old was just behind Majborough in the Arkle.

There's no doubt in my mind that Majborough is the one to take out of the Arkle. The 2024 Triumph Hurdle hero made a serious mistake at the second last - one that would have stopped most horses in their tracks - and it's testament to his immense amount of ability that he almost got back up to win. That shouldn't be underestimated.

Of course, that raises a question about his jumping. Is he good enough? Will it catch him out again?

I agree with his trainer that he's not as bad as is made out. He did very little wrong on debut and up until the turn for home in the Arkle, he jumped great. He doesn't like going right handed, as was evident at Punchestown at the end of the season, but that's not an issue at Cheltenham.

Crucially, he's five-turning-six and has only seven starts to his name - four over the bigger obstacles. He's open to so much improvement, including in the jumping department. I expect to see a more polished Majborough this season.

He could make this division his own. I like Marine Nationale, the reigning champ, but it was a poor renewal last year. I'm not convinced his Supreme was all that either. Sir Gino, who's only jumped fences in public once, almost lost his life over the summer and it's no guarantee he'll be as good if and when he returns. Il Etait Temps has failed to fire at Cheltenham three times now. I've already explained why I believe Majborough to be ahead of L'Eau Du Sud.

The Hilly Way at Cork in a few weeks is the intended target for Majborough to begin his 2025/26 campaign and it's odds-on he'll make a winning return. In the meantime, one of Il Etait Temps and L'Eau Du Sud, who are set to clash in the Tingle Creek, will be beaten. Marine is unlikely to be seen before Christmas.

He could easily be favourite by that point, so if like me you're keen on his chances in the Champion Chase, I suggest taking a price now.

Okay. How about a game of Willie Mullins bingo?

Every man and his dog seems to think it's the Albert Bartlett or nothing for SORTUDO, but I wouldn't be so sure.

Could he end up there? Of course. However, I think that's doing the five-year-old son of Authorized a disservice.

His performance at Fairyhouse in April is up there among the best of last season's bumper crop. Yes, even Cheltenham heroine Bambino Fever and Green Splendour, who landed the Grade 2 at the Aintree Grand National meeting.

Sortudo pulled 12 lengths clear of I'll Sort That in County Meath, becoming the first and only horse to beat Declan Queally's five-year-old this year. He'd got the better of a couple of smart types - namely Theflyingking and Strong Link - in bumpers prior to Fairyhouse and this term he's 3-3 over hurdles, including a Grade 3 scalp at Navan last weekend.

The rest of the selection's form holds up too. There's no disgrace in going down to the likes of Carrigmoornaspruce and Colcannon, while his seventh in the Champion Bumper speaks for itself.

He shaped like a stayer in March and his trainer has name-dropped the Bartlett in one or two stable tours, but I don't think he's necessarily a plodder in need of three miles. I think the 2m5f in the Turners would be just fine.

Interestingly, he's set to start his hurdling career over two miles at Cork on Sunday. Assuming he does the business in what looks a decent race, what next? I don't think he's quick enough for Grade 1s over the minimum trip but they could try him in the Future Champions over Christmas, or perhaps he'll be kept for the Lawlors Of Naas over 2m4f in the new year? I've been wrong before, but I don't think they'll be in a rush to step him up to three miles.

There's plenty of water to go under the bridge but at a huge price, I'm willing to chance the Turners. Industry-best odds of 40/1 - he's generally 33s - are an insult to his ability.

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