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Cheltenham
Cheltenham Festival 2026: Champion Hurdle runners, odds and free tips
The feature race on Day of the Cheltenham Festival is the Champion Hurdle and we have the runners, odds and free tips provided below.
1 Alexei
Jockey: Brendan Powell
Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Has improved massively this season, winning top handicaps at Ascot and here when landing the Greatwood by six lengths in November. Workmanlike when landing the four-runner Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton when last seen and is an each-way player here.
2 Anzadam
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Won his first four outings, but lost his way slightly since encountering top company, the highlight when a fortunate second to Golden Ace in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November. He raced too keenly in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown and the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. It’s difficult to warm to him for this assignment.
3 Poniros
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Trainer: Willie Mullins
The unknown quantity who may surprise. Was the shock 100/1 winner of the Triumph here last year when seeing off Lulamba on hurdle debut before finishing second to Lulamba in the Champion Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown. Looked in need of the run when staying on into third of five in the Irish Champion Hurdle and it would be no surprise to see him take a massive step forward here.
4 The New Lion
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Top-class hurdler, winning all five completed starts, including the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting last term. Likely would have won the Fighting Fifth but for a heavy fall two out on return, but made amends in a tricky tactical affair in the International Hurdle here last time. There’s question marks with regard to his jumping over this trip but he has a massive engine.
5 Tutti Quanti
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Imposing type will make a cracking chaser in time, but put in a tremendous performance when winning the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury by 15 lengths, going clear on heavy ground. He might not be as effective on quicker ground but connections have supplemented him for the race and he’s well worth his place in the field. Fascinating contender.
6 Workahead
Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Won a maiden at Leopardstown last season when seeing off last season’s eventual Supreme runner-up William Munny by seven lengths. However, he has regressed since, tailed off in that said Supreme, a well-beaten fourth in the Limestone Lad at Naas on return and a fair second in the Red Mills Trial when last seen. He is an unlikely winner.
7 Brighterdaysahead
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Very classy mare who won the Jezki Hurdle at Down Royal, the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown and the December Hurdle at Leopardstown last season. She bounced back from a couple of below-par runs when easily dispatching Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. She’s a massive player on that evidence but she nowhere near her best in two visits to Cheltenham previously so that raises concerns.
8 Golden Ace
Jockey: Lorcan Williams
Trainer: Jeremy Scott
Won last season’s Champion Hurdle, albeit has to go down as very fortunate as she was left clear after State Man’s fall at the last. Again was arguably a fortunate winner of the Fighting Fifth in November and arrives here on the back of a respectable second to Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. A model of consistency, this mare will crush you if you give her an opportunity to do so.
9 Lossiemouth
Jockey: Paul Townend
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Top-class hurdler, winning 13 of her 16 completed starts, including back-to-back victories in the Mares’ Hurdle here and last term also won the Aintree Hurdle when seeing off Wodhooh. She returned with a win in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November and beat Brighterdaysahead in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown. Well below her best behind that rival in the Irish Champion Hurdle, she is now fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and she should have too much for her rivals if she brings her A-game.
Verdict
Not the strongest of renewals in terms of sheer class but it’s a very competitive contest and Lossiemouth is fancied to come out on top. She was below her best in the Irish Champion Hurdle when last seen but if the cheekpieces have the desired effect, she is the one to beat.
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