Dan Skelton Cheltenham 2026 day one runners blog: 'I think he will do so again'

Esteemed trainer Dan Skelton has six runners on day one of Cheltenham Festival 2026. He previews them all, including his favourite in the Champion Hurdle, in his latest Ladbrokes blog.

• Mydaddypaddy – Cheltenham - 1.20 race odds

• The Mighty Celt – Cheltenham - 2.40 race odds

• The New Lion - Cheltenham - 4:00 race odds

• Madara, Riskintheground & Boombawn - Cheltenham - 4.40 race odds

Mydaddypaddy – 1.20 Cheltenham

Cheltenham is here! We start with a nice chance in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Mydaddypaddy who comes into it looking great. It was frustrating to have the hurdles out at Christmas time in the Formby when he perhaps wasn’t at his best in terms of getting the result we wanted. This will be a fast run race on nice ground; and we couldn’t be happier with the situation we are in. We are very aware that this is super deep but his work has been good and it’s time to stop talking and get out there now. It will be an intriguing race and we will give it our best. We have a lot of respect for so many in this race and it should be a great race.

The Mighty Celt – 2.40 Cheltenham

The Mighty Celt has had one run for us up at Haydock and finished third. That was a nice run, and this type of fast run race will really suit him. He has loads of runs under his belt from France and he should go and run well. Obviously there are horses here with fancier form and shorter prices but this horse knows how to run well in big races and I think he will do so again. 

The New Lion – 4pm Cheltenham

What a pleasure to be able to run The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle. We’ve obviously had this race in mind all year and to be here now is brilliant. His work has been good in the build up to this and he got the all-important clear round in the International last time and quickened up really well. I don’t see that we have anything lacking and now it’s just a case of whether all his components are enough to win a Champion Hurdle. I feel they are. Harry and I couldn’t be happier. We have to give three good mares 7lbs and we have a lot of respect for any horse good enough to be in a Champion Hurdle. Everything is crossed for a big run here.

Madara, Riskintheground, & Boombawn – 4.40 Cheltenham

We run three in the Plate which has been moved to Tuesday. Harry rides Madara, a horse who had a late start to the season due to a leg injury last year. He ran really well last time at Kempton, the handicapper didn’t put him up, and he comes back to a track he’s run well at before. The cheekpieces go back on and he has a big chance.

I think Boombawn and Riskintheground are probably a little high in the handicap, but what these horses do know, is how to run well in big races. They have a history of it with lots of experience and the better ground will suit the pair. They are not without each-way chances. It’ll be hard because obviously there are a lot of progressive horses in a race like this, but at the same time, these horses know how to do it. 

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.