The men’s downhill and mixed doubles curling are on the schedule on the first full day of competition. Watch Olympic Morning starting at 5:15 a.m. ET / 2:15 a.m. PT
The Cheltenham Festival returns today as the National Hunt jump racing season gathers pace with the four-day bonanza of horseracing goodness one of the highlights of the sport’s calendar.
The Festival begins with Champion Day before Ladies Day and then St Patrick’s Thursday, with Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday.
The British trainers will also be looking to overcome a decade of Irish dominance in the Prestbury Cup as they aim to restore some pride after a 20-8 defeat last year.
You can find all the latest Cheltenham odds and free bet offers with Independent Sport in the build-up to the big week, but here is the schedule and race card:
Advertisement
(Getty Images)
When is 2026 Cheltenham Festival and what races are included?
The Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday 10 March and concludes on Friday 13 March. Fans can expect 28 races over the course of four days, with seven races per day, including 13 races run over fences across the week, 13 over hurdles plus a bumper (flat race) and a cross-country chase.
The shortest run is a little under two miles, while the longest races almost reach four miles. Fans will look out for 13 of the races run at Grade 1 standard, while five are run as Grade 2s, six Grade 3s and the other four being Listed.
Advertisement
The first race is scheduled for 1:20pm GMT each day, with the final race starting at 5:20pm.
How can I watch the Cheltenham Festival on TV and is there a live stream?
You can watch the first six races of each day at the Cheltenham Festival with ITV1, while full coverage of the Festival, including the final race of each day is available through a Racing TV subscription.
Both ITV and Racing TV provide live streams for the coverage through their apps and websites, while fans can of course tune on via the traditional television broadcast.
Advertisement
(Davies Davies for The Jockey Club/PA Wire)
Tuesday 10 March – Champion Day
*Please note race conditions and timings are subject to change
1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m½f| 8 hurdles | Old Course
Advertisement
1. Old Park Star 15/8F; 2. Sober Glory 9/2 3. Mydaddypaddy 6/1
India vs Chinese Taipei (Photo from @IndianFootball on X)
NEW DELHI: India crashed out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after losing 1-3 to Chinese Taipei in a crucial group-stage match on Tuesday. The result ended India’s campaign despite the team dominating large portions of the game and creating several chances but failing to convert them.India needed to win by at least two goals to keep their hopes alive, especially after earlier defeats to Japan and Vietnam. Although Japan beat Vietnam 4-0 in the other match, India could not produce the required result.Chinese Taipei took the lead early in the 12th minute after a defensive error. A poor back pass from Sanju left goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu out of position, allowing Y H Su to score into an empty net. India responded with attacking intent and eventually equalised in the 39th minute, when Manisha Kalyan unleashed a powerful long-range strike to score India’s only goal.However, just before half-time, Chinese Taipei regained the lead in dramatic fashion. After Pyari Xaxa handled the ball in the box, a penalty was awarded. Although Y Y Hsu struck the post, the rebound deflected off Panthoi and rolled into the net, putting India behind again.India pushed hard in the second half and created several opportunities but failed to finish them. Their attacking efforts left gaps at the back, which Chinese Taipei exploited in the 77th minute when Yu-Chin Chen ran through the defence and scored the third goal after rounding the goalkeeper.India had a few late chances through Sanfida and Manisha, but the Chinese Taipei goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep them out. The defeat meant India exited the tournament despite qualifying for the competition on merit for the first time and putting up a spirited performance.
Lossiemouth one of the ‘best backed’ horses of the day
Time for the main event of day one at 4pm – the Champion Hurdle.
Lossiemouth has generated a lot of hype – with BOYLE Sports stating that the seven-year-old mare is ‘one of the best backed horses of the day’.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BOYLE Sports, said: “Birthday boy JP McManus has already been in the winners’ enclosure twice today, but punters have been keen to take on The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle. Lossiemouth has been all the rage in the betting and is one of the best backed horses of the day.”
Advertisement
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:53
WATCH: Johnnywho upsets favourite Jagwar
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:41
Advertisement
3.20 – Handicap Chase results
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:39
Winning jockey Richie McLernon ‘thrilled’ with Johnnywho
Richie McLernon is speaking to ITV: “I thought the ground was a little quick. Everything just unfolded for me. Jumped when I need him to, he answered every call. Absolutely thrilled.”
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:33
Advertisement
JohnnyWho wins Handicap Chase
Jagwar making ground on Quebecois over the final hurdle, but it is Johnnywho that takes the Handicap Chase! Quebecois gave it all but clearly did not have the outright pace on the final run-in.
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:28
Advertisement
3.20 – Handicap Chase
Quebecois has opened up a gap again ahead of the final three jumps. Margaret’s Legacy makes a mistake on the third-last jump, costing the challenger.
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:27
3.20 – Handicap Chase
The final open ditch is navigated well by the entire field. Three hurdles to go, with Quebecois still first.
Advertisement
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:26
3.20 – Handicap Chase
Eight fences to go, and Quebecois does not want to relinquish a lead held all race. Jagwar is edging towards the front, but the favourite has work to do.
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:25
Advertisement
3.20 – Handicap Chase
Still Quebecois in the lead, opening up a bigger gap over Margaret’s Legacy. Knight of Allen almost buckles but recovers well, at the cost of falling way off the group.
Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:24
Advertisement
3.20 – Handicap Chase
Jagwar remains a way off the leaders with 12 fences to go. We still have a full field.
Chelsea legend John Terry has showered special praise on Blues summer signing Joao Pedro, claiming the player is one of the best strikers in the Premier League.
Pedro, 24, hit the ground running at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after departing Brighton & Hove Albion in a £60 million deal last July. He scored three times in the Club World Cup, helping the Blues lift the trophy in the process.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
The Brazilian has maintained his fine form in the ongoing 2025-26 season as well, finding the back of the net 18 times in 39 games across competitions for Chelsea. He has also laid out nine assists for his new teammates so far.
Advertisement
After Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior labelled Pedro a ‘world-class striker’ earlier this week, Terry has echoed a similar sentiment about the former Watford star. The 45-year-old former Blues captain said on TikTok (h/t Metro):
“Big praise from Liam Rosenior this week for Joao Pedro who has been in excellent form and we are very lucky to have him. He’s scoring goals but the variety of goals he scores, he scores goals with his left foot, he scores goals with his head. He shows great composure one-on-one where he does that little dink over goalkeepers as well.”
Likening Pedro’s playing style to Blues icon Didier Drogba, he added:
“I think his link-up play has been excellent as well, it’s got better and better week after week and that’s only going to grow and improve as he grows and gets a little bit older. It just enables you to hit him. We had the same when Didier played as well. You can hit him when you’re under a little bit of pressure and get yourself up the pitch and in the opposition half.”
Lauding the Brazilian’s work rate off the ball, Terry concluded:
“I love that he does the dirty work as well. When strikers are prepared to do the dirty work, it makes everyone else’s job a little bit easier and he’s often the one setting the tone in games as well. I’m expecting loads more to come from him, he’s certainly up there with the best strikers in the league this year.”
How have other Chelsea strikers performed?
Apart from Joao Pedro, Chelsea also signed another striker in Liam Delap in 2025. Subsequently, the Blues sent Nicolas Jackson on loan to Bayern Munich, and sold Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan last summer.
Advertisement
Delap, 23, has struggled to find his feet amid Pedro’s excellent run of form. He has netted just three goals in 34 overall matches for his new side since leaving Ipswich Town for around £30 million last June.
On the other hand, Marc Guiu has only made 12 appearances across competitions for the west London outfit this season, scoring just two goals.
Last week’s visit to Newcastle United represented United’s first loss under Carrick following William Osula’s injury-time winner. Despite the Englishman’s limited experience at elite level management, he’s demonstrated his capability to lead the football giants thus far.
Nevertheless, the United board has yet to determine who will occupy the managerial position come summer. Several candidates have been touted for the role, amongst them Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi and Luis Enrique.
Reports suggest the Spaniard’s future in Paris remains uncertain amid suggestions he won’t be extending his contract, with Patrice Evra believing the 55-year-old represents the perfect manager to restore United to glory.
The former France international told Stake: “I’m not talking to the Man Utd board or Sir Jim Ratcliffe but in my honest opinion, with no disrespect to PSG or Nasser Al-Khelaifi, but Luis Enrique would be a dream coach for Man Utd.
“I love the man, I love his philosophy, what he went through in his personal life and overcame it shows his personality. The job he’s done at PSG by bringing them a Champions League without Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe or Neymar, it’s a fantastic job.
Advertisement
“Players would have to work really hard to play for Man Utd, they’ll have to run a lot and I think Enrique would bring that.” However, Wayne Rooney believes appointing Enrique would represent a familiar mistake United have previously committed.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, the club legend said: “I think with Luis Enrique, I’ve been there and we’ve tried different managers. We tried [Jose] Mourinho and [Louis] van Gaal. Then we tried the likes of [Erik] ten Hag and [Ruben] Amorim and they don’t work. I just think Carrick makes sense. I felt that from the minute I knew he was going in. He’s a real calming influence.”
Rooney maintained that retaining Carrick would enable the club to maintain continuity rather than pursuing another prominent name for the managerial position. He continued: “I think we’re sometimes quick to overlook what’s right here in front of us and say, ‘We’ve got this manager from Turkey or Spain who is going to come in and do this.’
Advertisement
“But actually they’ve got no interest in the football club. At least this will give the foundations for the club to keep building. The infrastructure will be back at the football club.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
Barcelona have finally met the requirements to open their fourth stand at Camp Nou, and will be able to increase their capacity. Thus far they have been playing with a capacity of 46,400 fans and three stands open, due to the fact that the safety standards set by the City Council had not been met behind the Gol Nord stand.
The club had originally briefed that they would be able to reopen the fourth stand for their first home game in 2026 in mid-January, but as has been the case throughout the project, progress has been beset by delays. Now though, the City Council have given the green light to activate the final phase of their reopening plan, referred to as ‘1C’, following their latest inspection.
Barcelona granted 1C licence for Spotify Camp Nou
The capacity will be increased by about 16,000 fans, an increase of around a third of the stadium, and by proxy a rise in revenue too. MD say that the new capacity until the end of the season will be 62,700. Their plan is to reopen the fourth stand for their home game against Sevilla this Sunday (16:15 CEST), which coincides with election day. Joan Laporta and Victor Font are vying for the presidency, and the vote will take place on Sunday.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Barcelona hope for UEFA approval against Newcastle United
England have made only one change against France as they bid to avoid their worst ever finish in the Guinness Six Nations by selecting Ollie Chessum at blindside flanker.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has remained loyal to the overhauled backline that misfired in the 23-18 defeat by Italy in Rome with Fin Smith continuing at fly-half for Saturday’s visit to Paris.
Instead, Borthwick has tinkered with his back row by installing Chessum at six and moving Guy Pepper to openside at the expense of Sam Underhill, who drops to the bench for the climax to the Championship.
Underhill was propelled to the starting XV at the Stadio Olimpico when Tom Curry suffered a tournament-ending calf injury during the warm up, but against France he will act as a replacement as part of a six-two split between forwards and backs.
By starting Chessum, Borthwick is strengthening England’s line-out and giving his pack greater ballast to take on France’s giant forwards.
Advertisement
The 25-year-old Leicester captain has played the bulk of his rugby for club and country in the second row and his most recent international appearance at blindside was in the 2024 Six Nations.
Underhill and Marcus Smith will win their 50th caps for England if they appear off the bench.
Nine changes in personnel and a further three positional switches were made against Italy, but gutting the team failed to have the desire effect as England crashed to an historic first defeat by the Azzurri in 33 encounters.
An 18-10 lead was established in the third quarter but the hosts scored 13 unanswered points to pile pressure on to Borthwick, who received a vote of confidence from the Rugby Football Union on Sunday.
Advertisement
However, chief executive Bill Sweeney’s statement made no mention of Borthwick being safe until the 2027 World Cup, when his contract ends, instead suggesting he has the summer tour to save his job.
The 46-year-old head coach will remain in place after the Six Nations, when an investigation will be launched into another disappointing Championship which they are likely to finish in fifth place.
If they lose to France, they will have completed the tournament with only one victory – against Wales in the opener – in what will be their worst Six Nations performance.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” Borthwick said.
Advertisement
“England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
England team: E Daly (Saracens); T Roebuck (Sale), T Freeman (Northampton), S Atkinson (Gloucester), C Murley (Harlequins); F Smith (Northampton), B Spencer (Bath); E Genge (Bristol), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester), M Itoje (Saracens, capt), A Coles (Northampton), O Chessum (Leicester), G Pepper (Bath), B Earl (Saracens).
Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie (Sale), B Rodd (Sale), T Davison (Northampton), C Cunningham-South (Harlequins), S Underhill (Bath), H Pollock (Northampton), J van Poortvliet (Leicester), M Smith (Harlequins).
Chessum, who began on the bench in the historic defeat to Italy, but had started in the second row in the other games this championship, has been moved into the back row and will start in the No 6 jersey.
By having the 25-year-old as a flanker, Borthwick adds heft, carrying power and a lineout option to the back row, while also allowing captain Maro Itoje and the improving Alex Coles to be lock partners once again.
Ollie Chessum moves into the back row for England (Reuters)
The England coach has preferred a ‘three sevens’ philosophy in the make-up of his back row to this point, with some combination of Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock starting as the flankers either side of Ben Earl – playing as a No 8 but with the profile of a more traditional No 7.
Advertisement
Pepper has been given the nod to start at openside flanker against France, with Underhill and Pollock as options on the bench after Curry suffered a calf injury in the warm-up before the Italy game.
The selection of Chessum is only the second time since the start of 2025 that Borthwick has opted for a “big six”, with the other being Chandler Cunningham-South’s presence in that jersey against the USA last summer.
The coach has resisted the temptation to rip up the entire starting XV once again, having made a record nine changes between the losses to Ireland and Italy, despite not getting the result he would have hoped against the Azzurri – instead watching his side fall to a first ever defeat to the Italians.
Advertisement
Chessum’s presence in the back row is intended to help relieve England’s lineout woes (AFP via Getty Images)
England now face the daunting task of trying to beat a wounded France side in Paris to avoid a first-ever one-win campaign in the Six Nations. Les Bleus looked to be cruising towards a grand slam until they ran into a mesmerising Scotland outfit in Edinburgh last week and suffered a 50-40 defeat where the scoreline distinctly flattered Fabien Galthie’s side.
The English backline is unchanged from Rome, given a shot at redemption, meaning Ben Spencer and Fin Smith resume their half-back partnership, Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman will have a chance to build their link-up in the centres and the back three will consist of Cadan Murley, Tom Roebuck and Elliot Daly.
Up front, Chessum is the only alteration to the starting XV, so Jamie George starts at hooker once more with Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes flanking him. Two-time British and Irish Lion Luke Cowan-Dickie, Bevan Rodd and Trevor Davison are the front-row replacements, with Underhill and Marcus Smith in line to win their 50th caps when they come on.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” said Borthwick. “England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
Advertisement
Of the two 50-cappers, Borthwick added: “Reaching 50 caps is a special achievement and a reflection of the consistency both Sam and Marcus have shown in an England shirt. They have both worked extremely hard for this milestone and it’s a credit to them and the people who have supported them along the way.”
France will be hoping to bounce back from their Scotland disappointment and can still win the Six Nations title, knowing that a bonus-point win in Le Crunch will be enough to seal the crown.
England XV to face France (Saturday 14 March, 8.10pm GMT): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Alex Coles; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Tommy Freeman, 14 Tom Roebuck; 15 Elliot Daly.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.
NEW DELHI: Two days after captaining India to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, Suryakumar Yadav is still absorbing the magnitude of the achievement, which has placed him alongside greats like Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, all of whom led India to ICC trophies.Soon after returning from Ahmedabad, where India national cricket team clinched a record third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title on Sunday, Suryakumar reflected on the team’s successful campaign and its future ambitions.
Suryakumar Yadav receives grand homecoming after India’s T20 World Cup win
“It feels good to win 24 and 26 back-to-back. It is a very special feeling. When we won in 2024, we thought it would be so special to do this again at home in 2026,” Surya told PTI Videos at his residence.“The next target is to win the Olympic gold in 2028. The team has a good momentum. If India wins the T20 World Cup in the same year, it will be great.”On being compared to the likes of Rohit and Dhoni, he added: “It feels good to join that elite company. I am slowly feeling it. It is a very special feeling to be talked about among such great people. I will try to do the same in the future and help India more trophies.”Rohit was the captain when India ended an ICC trophy drought with victory in Bridgetown during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in June. Dhoni, meanwhile, led India to triumphs in the ICC World Twenty20 2007, ICC ODI World Cup 2011 and ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.Before them, Kapil Dev guided India to its first major global title when the team won the 1983 ODI World Cup.
A popular Man Utd X account dedicated to the club’s academy is fearing closure after being reported for a breach of copyright.
A social media account dedicated to covering Manchester United’s academy fears it could be closed down after videos of the Under-18s’ win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday were removed for copyright breaches.
The Academy Arena account has more than 68,000 followers on X and keeps people up to date on developments across United’s age-group sides. On Saturday, the account posted videos from the 5-2 win against Nottingham Forest, including both of JJ Gabriel’s goals, taken directly from MUTV.
Advertisement
They have since been taken down and the owner of the account has received communication from the club that they believe will lead to its closure.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Posting a message on X, the account said: “Today [Monday], I received communication from the club that leads me to believe that my account may be taken down due to DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) strikes.
“The correspondence also contained other comments unrelated to copyright, which I will not be sharing.”
Advertisement
A DMCA strike is a formal penalty issued by an online platform, in this case X, when a user violates copyright law by using material they do not own. Many social media platforms have policies which mean three strikes in 90 days can lead to an account being permanently terminated.
A United source said the issue was a standard process related to the use of the club’s intellectual property, which in this case was the match footage. The videos of Gabriel’s goals were taken directly from MUTV coverage of the fixture at Carrington.
It is understood United are looking to take a stronger approach to such breaches, but insist it is not specifically related to a crackdown on academy footage or social media accounts focusing on the club’s academy.
In the message posted on X, the owner of the Academy Arena account said, “I didn’t want to disappear without saying thank you. The support I’ve received since creating this account in 2022 has been overwhelming. Thinking back to the start makes me feel very nostalgic and brings back good memories. Over the years, I think we’ve managed to build a positive community together and I am proud of that.
Advertisement
“To this day, covering the academy remains a hobby of mine because I’m passionate about it. Hopefully I can continue doing so. This isn’t necessarily a goodbye, just a chance to show my gratitude to all of you.”
