Which Horses Could Become First-Time Cheltenham Festival Winners in 2027?

With the 2026 Cheltenham November Meeting taking place this weekend, attention is already turning towards the horses who could become first-time winners at the 2027 Cheltenham Festival next March.

The November Meeting returns to Cheltenham Racecourse from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November, featuring three days of competitive National Hunt racing, including the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Shloer Chase and Greatwood Hurdle.

Several promising horses will be looking to strengthen their Cheltenham Festival credentials this weekend, including Dan Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan, who is preparing for a potential clash with 2026 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Old Park Star.

With the 2027 Festival taking place from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th March, we take a closer look at eight horses who could secure their first victory at the prestigious four-day meeting.

Kabral Du Mathan – Arkle Challenge Trophy

Dan Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan is among the leading contenders for the 2027 Arkle Challenge Trophy and could strengthen his claims at this weekend’s November Meeting.

The six-year-old is entered for Saturday’s Grade 2 Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase, where he could face Nicky Henderson’s Old Park Star, who won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

Kabral Du Mathan finished fourth in last season’s Stayers’ Hurdle but has since made an impressive transition to fences, recording a comfortable 19-length victory on his chasing debut at Perth in October.

Saturday’s contest would provide a considerably tougher examination of his jumping against several promising novice chasers.

A victory at Cheltenham would strengthen his credentials for the Arkle in March, although the early-season competition suggests this could be one of the Festival’s most interesting novice divisions.

Love Me Tender – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Willie Mullins’ Love Me Tender has emerged as a leading contender for the 2027 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle following an impressive start to his career over obstacles.

The four-year-old recorded a dominant 20-length victory on his hurdling debut at Listowel in September before securing another convincing success at Naas on Sunday 8th November.

Ridden by Paul Townend, Love Me Tender defeated Bartholomew by 15 lengths in the Grade 3 Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle, maintaining his unbeaten record over hurdles.

Despite those performances, Mullins has acknowledged that his jumping still requires improvement, particularly after several mistakes during his latest victory.

With further experience expected before March, Love Me Tender could establish himself as one of Ireland’s leading hopes for the Festival’s opening race.

Mets Ta Ceinture – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Dan Skelton’s Mets Ta Ceinture could return to Cheltenham in March after producing an encouraging performance at the 2026 Festival.

The mare finished second in the Champion Bumper, demonstrating her ability to compete against some of the most promising young National Hunt horses.

Having previously shown considerable potential in France, Mets Ta Ceinture is now preparing to begin her career over hurdles.

Skelton has highlighted her speed as a major strength and believes that races around two miles should suit her well.

The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle could provide an opportunity to improve on her previous Festival appearance, although her performances during the winter will determine whether she develops into a leading contender.

Witches Familiar – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Willie Mullins could provide strong competition for Mets Ta Ceinture through Witches Familiar, another promising mare expected to feature prominently in the novice hurdle division.

The Rich Ricci-owned runner has made an excellent start to her hurdling career, recording victories at Ballinrobe, Galway and Gowran Park.

Her latest performance saw her secure a comfortable ten-length victory in Grade 3 company at Gowran, maintaining her unbeaten record over hurdles.

Witches Familiar has impressed connections with her ability to settle during races before quickening when asked, qualities that could prove valuable in competitive Grade 1 contests.

The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle has already been identified as a potential long-term target, setting up the possibility of an interesting clash with Mets Ta Ceinture in March.

Mydaddypaddy – Champion Hurdle

Another horse hoping to improve on a previous Cheltenham Festival performance is Dan Skelton’s Mydaddypaddy.

The five-year-old finished third behind Old Park Star in the 2026 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, demonstrating considerable promise against high-quality opposition.

Skelton has since outlined plans to target the Champion Hurdle, although the gelding is expected to move over fences later in his career.

Mydaddypaddy was due to make his seasonal return at Aintree on Saturday 7th November but was withdrawn because of unsuitable ground conditions.

His trainer remains confident that further improvement is possible as the horse develops, with experience against established hurdlers likely to be important throughout the winter.

A potential Champion Hurdle appearance would represent a significant step up in class, particularly with defending champion Lossiemouth expected to return.

He’s On Fire – Arkle Challenge Trophy

Willie Mullins has another exciting novice chase prospect in He’s On Fire, who impressed during a short but successful novice hurdling campaign last season.

The gelding recorded a 20-length victory at Carlisle in February before following up with a 12-length success in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in April.

His performances suggested considerable ability, although he remains relatively inexperienced compared with some of the more established Festival contenders.

Mullins has recently indicated that He’s On Fire is expected to follow the Arkle route this season, potentially putting him on course for a meeting with Kabral Du Mathan in March.

With the Irish trainer boasting an outstanding record at Cheltenham, He’s On Fire will be an interesting horse to follow as the novice chase campaign develops.

Royal Infantry – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

Dan Skelton’s Royal Infantry could emerge as a contender for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase after recording consecutive victories over fences.

The seven-year-old began his campaign with success at Hexham in October before producing another encouraging performance at Aintree on Friday 6th November.

Stepping up to three miles and one furlong, Royal Infantry defeated Klimt Madrik by two and a half lengths, showing improved stamina and jumping throughout the contest.

His performances have brought him into consideration for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, one of the leading staying novice contests at the Cheltenham Festival.

Although Royal Infantry will need to improve further against stronger opposition, his early chasing performances have provided Skelton with plenty of encouragement.

Irish Panther – Queen Mother Champion Chase

Irish Panther is another horse who could make his mark at the 2027 Cheltenham Festival following an impressive victory at Naas on Sunday 8th November.

Trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty, the nine-year-old defeated highly regarded Willie Mullins runner Kopek Des Bordes by ten lengths in the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase.

Kopek Des Bordes entered the contest as a heavily backed favourite but was unable to match Irish Panther, who secured a convincing victory.

The result has brought Irish Panther into consideration for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, although he would face considerably stronger opposition in the Festival’s leading two-mile chase.

With reigning champion Il Etait Temps among the expected contenders, Irish Panther will need to demonstrate that his recent performance was no one-off.

November Meeting Could Provide Early Clues for the 2027 Festival

This weekend’s Cheltenham November Meeting represents an important early opportunity for several horses to demonstrate their potential ahead of the 2027 Festival.

Alongside Kabral Du Mathan’s intended appearance in the Arkle Trial, Saturday’s JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial could identify an emerging contender for the Festival’s leading juvenile hurdle.

James Owen’s Charles Darnay is among the runners entered for the Grade 2 contest, while Emmet Mullins’ Dallas Star is due to feature in Friday’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Both horses will be looking to establish themselves against stronger opposition, with their performances potentially influencing their targets for the remainder of the season.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday and Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday will also provide important early-season form, with several runners potentially returning for handicap contests at the Festival.

While established stars will attract considerable attention throughout the weekend, the performances of younger and less experienced horses could prove particularly significant when assessing the leading contenders for March.

The 2027 Cheltenham Festival takes place from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th March, with Eventmasters offering exclusive hospitality experiences across all four days.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Cheltenham November Meeting?

The 2026 Cheltenham November Meeting takes place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November at Cheltenham Racecourse. The three-day meeting features the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Shloer Chase and Greatwood Hurdle.

Which horses could become first-time winners at the 2027 Cheltenham Festival?

Kabral Du Mathan, Love Me Tender, Mets Ta Ceinture, Witches Familiar, Mydaddypaddy, He’s On Fire, Royal Infantry and Irish Panther are among the potential first-time Festival winners.

Which potential Cheltenham Festival contenders are running at the November Meeting?

Kabral Du Mathan is entered for Saturday’s Arkle Trial, while Charles Darnay and Dallas Star are also among the promising horses expected to feature during the three-day meeting. Final participation remains subject to declarations and withdrawals.

When is the 2027 Cheltenham Festival?

The 2027 Cheltenham Festival takes place from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th March at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Can November Meeting winners go on to win at the Cheltenham Festival?

Yes. The November Meeting features several important novice races and competitive handicaps that can provide early indications of a horse’s potential ahead of the Cheltenham Festival in March. However, success in November does not guarantee victory at the Festival.