Cheltenham Festival Day 1: Results & Highlights | RTE Sport

The opening day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival delivered a compelling mix of racing action, with Lossiemouth emerging victorious in the Champion Hurdle. The event, a cornerstone of the jump-racing calendar, also saw significant attendance shifts as thousands of fans opted to follow the action from Spain rather than at Prestbury Park itself.

Lossiemouth Claims Champion Hurdle Title

Lossiemouth, the 7-5 favorite, secured a popular win in the Champion Hurdle, finishing ahead of Brighterdaysahead (7-2) and The Recent Lion (3-1). Alexei finished fourth at 22-1. The victory marks a strong start to the festival for connections, and a notable achievement for jockey Paul Townend.

A Festival Transformed: The Rise of the ‘Costa del Cheltenham’

While the roar of the crowd at Cheltenham Racecourse was palpable, a significant number of racing enthusiasts chose a different venue to experience the festival this year: the Costa Blanca region of Spain, particularly Benidorm. This trend, dubbed the ‘Benidorm Bellow’ by some, is driven by the rising costs associated with attending the festival in person.

Travel retailer On the Beach reports a 65% increase in bookings to Benidorm for the week of the Cheltenham Festival compared to last year, with hotels experiencing a 225% surge in reservations. Fans are drawn to the combination of sunshine, cheaper food and drink, and a more relaxed atmosphere, free from the large crowds and queues typically associated with the Cheltenham Festival.

Other Notable Results from Day One

Beyond the Champion Hurdle, Day One of the Cheltenham Festival featured several other exciting races. Madara secured victory in the Plate Handicap Chase for the Skeltons. Johnnywho triumphed in the Ultima, while Saratoga won the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. In the Arkle, Kargese, trained by Willie Mullins, proved victorious. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle saw a British 1,2,3 finish with Old Park Star taking the top spot.

The shift in viewing habits raises questions about the future accessibility of major sporting events. While the Cheltenham Festival remains a prestigious and highly anticipated event, the financial barriers to attendance are clearly influencing how fans choose to engage with the sport. The appeal of a more affordable and relaxed experience in a warmer climate is proving increasingly attractive, potentially reshaping the traditional landscape of festival attendance.

The festival continues tomorrow with Ladies Day at Prestbury Park, featuring seven more races. The event is also being broadcast on ITV1 and Racing TV, allowing fans both in the UK and abroad to follow the action.

The opening day has set the stage for a thrilling week of racing, with Lossiemouth’s victory providing a memorable highlight. However, the broader narrative of changing fan behavior and the rise of alternative viewing locations adds another layer of complexity to this year’s Cheltenham Festival.