Cheltenham Festival 2026: Champion Hurdle runners, odds and free tips
8 hours ago
PLUMPTON
9 March 2026
Monday 9th March
DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Extra Places "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) Racecard
- Channel:
- Distance: 2m 4f 116y
- Going: Good To Soft
- Runners
- 5
- Type
- Hurdle
- Surface
- Turf
- Weather
- Mostly cloudy
Selection
Selection
Selected At
Catchintsavo
Selected at:
5/4
Hit the frame in all three bumpers and landed a Ludlow maiden hurdle on soft ground in January before a very good third under a penalty at Ascot when last seen. This is a softer race. Should take beating.
Bookmaker
Offer
Best Odds
Bet Here
5/4
-
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Racecard
No.(Draw)
Runner
Best Odds
D
Distance Winner - Won before at this distance
Cold Recent Form Jockey - 0 wins from 15 in the last 14 days (0%)
Followed narrow Ludlow win with third in useful Ascot novice; leading contender
-30213
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 123
Days: 23
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Feb 26 | Asc Ascot | 19.5f GS | 2NvH | 11-7 t | 3/6 | Mondoui'boy (10L) | 11/2 | 123 | 121 |
| 15 Jan 26 | Lud Ludlow | 21.5f GS | 4MdH | 11-10 t | 1/13 | Seaniecon (nk) | 8/11F | - | 121 |
| 10 Dec 25 | Her Hereford | 19.5f GS | 4MdH | 11-4 t1 | 2/11 | Laguna Beach (1¼L) | 5/1 | - | 120 |
| 25 Oct 25 | Chl Cheltenham | 24f Gd | 2NvH | 11-0 | 10/13 | Conman John (46L) | 11/2 | - | 86 |
| 2 May 25 | Pun Punchestown | 19f Y | NHF | 11-7 | 3/22 | Soldier In Milan (5¼L) | 16/1 | - | 117 |
| 17 Mar 25 | Fon Fontwell | 13.5f Gd | 5NHF | 11-2 | 2/5 | Edward Sexton (1¾L) | 7/4 | - | 110 |
C
Course Winner - Won before at this course
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
Course bumper winner who began hurdling career with two promising Taunton runs; respected
6152
Age: 6
Weight: 11-0
OR: -
Days: 25
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 26 | Tau Taunton | 19f Hy | 4MdH | 11-6 | 2/8 | Innamorato (1¼L) | 5/6F | - | 112 |
| 17 Jan 26 | Tau Taunton | 19f GS | 4MdH | 11-6 | 5/13 | Harbour Island (8¾L) | 14/1 | - | 112 |
| 1 Dec 25 | Plu Plumpton | 18f Sft | 5NHF | 11-2 | 1/7 | Soldier Poet (1L) | 5/1 | - | 98 |
| 29 Oct 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 17f GS | 5MdNHF | 11-4 | 6/11 | Crest Of Stars (8¼L) | 40/1 | - | 95 |
Second in two Irish points in early 2024 but has struggled on all three hurdling starts
6PP
Age: 6
Weight: 11-0
OR: -
Days: 20
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 26 | Nby Newbury | 20.5f Sft | 3NvH | 11-2 | PU/6 | Swindon Village () | 66/1 | - | - |
| 13 Dec 25 | Lin Lingfield | 19.5f GS | 4NvH | 11-0 | PU/5 | Masked Man () | 10/1 | - | - |
| 9 Nov 25 | Ffo Ffos Las | 20f Sft | 4MdH | 11-4 | 6/10 | They Call Me Hugo (45L) | 8/1 | - | 84 |
Ran well when making the frame on first three hurdling starts and has a good chance here
233
Age: 5
Weight: 11-0
OR: 120
Days: 30
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 26 | War Warwick | 19f Hy | 4MdH | 11-9 | 3/7 | Just Golden (3¼L) | 3/1 | 120 | 116 |
| 16 Dec 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 20f Sft | 4NvH | 11-0 | 3/10 | Hold The Serve (11½L) | 6/4F | - | 116 |
| 23 Nov 25 | Wdr Windsor | 20f GS | 4MdH | 11-3 | 2/9 | Tiddesley Wood (2L) | 7/1 | - | 116 |
Seems unlikely to meet the fairly useful standard required on his debut
Form:
Age: 5
Weight: 11-0
OR: -
Days: -
6
Unknown Stranger
T: Jim & Suzi Best
Form:
Age: 5
Weight: 11-0
OR: -
Days: -
Verdict
Catchintsavo might find it tough to concede his penalty to PIPING ROCK, who has performed well on all three hurdling starts.
Piping Rock
Betting Forecast:
7/4 Catchintsavo,
13/8 Piping Rock,
9/4 Five Bar Gate,
40/1 Mymilkman,
Unknown Stranger,
50/1 Snowski
Relevant Tips
No tips currently available.
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