Cheltenham Showcase Saturday: Horses and Races to Watch

The Cheltenham Showcase Meeting continues on Saturday 24th October, with Willie Mullins, Dan Skelton and Gordon Elliott among the leading trainers targeting success on the second day of the 2026/27 season opener.

Seven races are scheduled at Cheltenham Racecourse, headlined by the £100,000 William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase, with several established performers and promising National Hunt prospects among the entries.

Saturday’s programme also includes a Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle qualifier and the Masterson Holdings Hurdle, offering an early opportunity to assess horses who could feature prominently throughout the new jumps season.

Diamond Dealer Among Contenders for £100,000 Handicap Chase

The feature race of Saturday’s card takes place at 2:55pm, with Dan Skelton’s Diamond Dealer among the entries for the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong.

The seven-year-old has won three of his five starts over fences, most recently winning a competitive handicap chase at Kelso in March. Saturday’s contest represents another significant test of his progress, with several more experienced chasers also entered.

Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore could be represented by Myretown, who won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, while Jonjo and A J O’Neill’s Mt Fugi Park arrives following consecutive victories.

Irish trainer Henry de Bromhead also has The Short Go entered. The nine-year-old finished fourth in this race twelve months ago, and De Bromhead has an impressive recent record in the contest, having won it with Whacker Clan in 2023 and Senior Chief in 2024.

Willie Mullins Sends Mr Hollywood to Cheltenham

Willie Mullins could have an interesting contender in Saturday’s 1:45pm William Hill Extra Places Every Day Novices’ Hurdle, with six-year-old Mr Hollywood entered over approximately three miles.

The former Flat performer finished second in the 2023 German Derby before switching his attention to National Hunt racing. He secured his first victory over hurdles at Galway in July, narrowly defeating Jeroboam Machin in a competitive 20-runner contest.

Gordon Elliott has both Flying Ace and Newbrook Diamond entered, while Olly Murphy could be represented by Road To Wembley. Flying Ace has won his last three races and could provide one of the strongest challenges to Mullins’ runner.

Pertemps Qualifier Offers Early Route Towards Cheltenham Festival

Saturday’s 2:20pm Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle carries added importance, with the race forming part of the qualifying series for the Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2027.

Dan Skelton has Ace Of Spades among the entries, while Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies could saddle Gowel Road and The Egyptian Ginge. The latter has won his last three races and arrives with recent winning form, while Gowel Road brings considerable experience at Cheltenham.

The race could provide an early indication of which staying hurdlers may become contenders for the Festival final on Thursday 18th March.

Masterson Holdings Hurdle Features Promising Four-Year-Olds

The 3:30pm Masterson Holdings Hurdle is another contest worth following, with several promising four-year-olds entered over just beyond two miles.

Jane Williams’ La Luna Artista is among the more interesting contenders after winning the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton in February. The filly subsequently finished third in a competitive handicap at Sandown and returns with the opportunity to build on her first season over obstacles.

Adrian Keatley’s Indian River, Harry Derham’s One Horse Town and Lord Byron, trained by Faye Bramley, are also entered. Indian River finished third in the Grade 1 Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree in April, while Lord Byron was runner-up at Punchestown, giving the contest considerable depth.

Irish Challengers Target Saturday’s Novices’ Chase

There could be further success for Irish trainers in the 4:05pm William Hill Price Boosts ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase, with Henry de Bromhead’s Butch Cassidy and Gordon Elliott’s Chanceawetmorning among the entries.

Both six-year-olds arrive following consecutive victories over fences, and Saturday’s race over three miles and one furlong could establish how they compare against another competitive field.

The British-trained opposition includes Paul Nicholls’ Quebecois, Dan Skelton’s Saracen Beau and Derryhassen Paddy for Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore.

Cheltenham’s New Season Continues

Saturday’s action begins at 1:10pm, with the final race scheduled for 4:40pm. The card concludes with a National Hunt Flat Race, providing another opportunity to identify younger horses who could develop into promising hurdlers later in the campaign.

Following The Showcase, racing returns to Cheltenham for The November Meeting from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November, followed by The Christmas Meeting in December.

Racegoers looking to experience the remainder of the campaign can explore official Cheltenham Racecourse hospitality packages with Eventmasters, including options for the Cheltenham Festival 2027.

Cheltenham Showcase Saturday 2026 FAQs

When is the second day of the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting?

The second day takes place on Saturday 24th October 2026, with seven races scheduled at Cheltenham Racecourse.

What is the main race on Saturday at Cheltenham?

The William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase takes place at 2:55pm. The Class 2 contest is run over approximately three miles and one furlong and carries a total prize fund of £100,000.

Is Willie Mullins represented at Cheltenham on Saturday?

Willie Mullins has Mr Hollywood entered in the 1:45pm novices’ hurdle, following the six-year-old’s victory at Galway in July.

When is the next Cheltenham meeting after The Showcase?

The November Meeting takes place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November 2026, featuring three days of National Hunt racing at Cheltenham Racecourse.