Cheltenham Festival 2026: Champion Hurdle runners, odds and free tips
8 hours ago
STRATFORD
9 March 2026
Monday 9th March
DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Dragonboosts Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) Racecard
- Channel:
- Distance: 2m 6f 7y
- Going: Soft
- Runners
- 9
- Type
- Hurdle
- Surface
- Turf
- Weather
- Cloudy
Selection
No myracing analysis available for this race
-
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Racecard
No.(Draw)
Runner
Best Odds
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
Placed at Southwell (6-4 fav) when last seen over three months ago; stays 2m6f; key player
-84123
Age: 6
Weight: 11-12
OR: 95
Days: 97
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Dec 25 | Sth Southwell | 20.5f GS | 5HcH | 12-0 t | 3/8 | Always A Reason (2¼L) | 6/4F | 94 | 92 |
| 15 Oct 25 | Wor Worcester | 20f Gd | 5HcH | 11-4 t | 2/12 | Jorebel (nk) | 9/2 | 89 | 92 |
| 31 Aug 25 | Wor Worcester | 20f Gd | 5HcHM | 10-11 t1 | 1/10 | Sea Thrift (5½L) | 4/1 | 83 | 92 |
| 16 Jul 25 | Utt Uttoxeter | 23.5f Gd | 5HcHM | 10-12 | 4/16 | Cinderello (11L) | 14/1 | 84 | 76 |
| 7 May 25 | Fon Fontwell | 22f Gd | 5HcH | 10-13 | 8/10 | Ferret Jeeter (39L) | 11/1 | 85 | 59 |
| 5 Apr 25 | Ncs Newcastle | 23.5f Gd | 5HcHM | 11-3 | 2/9 | Heather Honey (6L) | 6/1 | 84 | 82 |
Runner-up on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m4f; beaten nearly 10l); something to build on.
-77792
Age: 5
Weight: 11-9
OR: 92
Days: 24
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 26 | Chp Chepstow | 19.5f Sft | 5HcH | 11-6 | 2/11 | Inion Tiogair (9½L) | 11/2 | 93 | 93 |
| 29 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Hy | 4MdH | 11-1 | 9/17 | Pourquoi Pas Papa (30L) | 100/1 | - | 83 |
| 12 Jan 26 | Her Hereford | 16f Sft | 4NvH | 10-12 | 7/12 | Vol Royale (19½L) | 12/1 | - | 90 |
| 10 Dec 25 | Her Hereford | 16f GS | 4MdH | 10-13 | 7/12 | Soomaroy (30L) | 66/1 | - | 91 |
| 22 Oct 25 | Wor Worcester | 16f Gd | 5NHF | 10-10 | 7/12 | Saint Jeannais (16½L) | 18/1 | - | 95 |
| 9 Mar 25 | War Warwick | 16f Gd | 5NHF | 10-1 | 8/14 | Destination Dubai (29L) | 40/1 | - | 75 |
Hot Recent Form Jockey - 6 wins from 21 in the last 14 days (29%)
Hasn't kicked on over hurdles (0-4), pulling up on handicap debut at Hereford (2m4f, soft)
2-066P
Age: 5
Weight: 11-3
OR: 86
Days: 56
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jan 26 | Her Hereford | 19.5f Sft | 5HcHM | 11-3 | PU/13 | Jamaicaine () | 14/1 | 89 | - |
| 31 Dec 25 | War Warwick | 21f GS | 4NvHM | 11-0 | 6/12 | Indannya (28L) | 50/1 | - | 82 |
| 14 Dec 25 | Sth Southwell | 20.5f GS | 4MdHM | 11-4 | 6/8 | Strong Run (28L) | 22/1 | - | 83 |
| 20 Nov 25 | War Warwick | 19f GS | 4NvHM | 10-13 | 10/10 | Dream Shadow (29L) | 12/1 | - | 81 |
| 17 Apr 25 | Chl Cheltenham | 17f Gd | 2NHFM | 10-8 | 2/18 | Poetisa (nk) | 14/1 | - | 95 |
Beaten 42l, 78l and 83l in 2m maiden/novice events; focus elsewhere.
589
Age: 6
Weight: 11-1
OR: 84
Days: 24
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 26 | Chp Chepstow | 16f Sft | 4NvH | 11-2 | 9/14 | Bossman Jack (83L) | 250/1 | - | 45 |
| 14 Jan 26 | Nby Newbury | 16.5f GS | 3NvH | 11-2 | 8/11 | Sober Glory (78L) | 150/1 | - | 51 |
| 18 Dec 25 | Exe Exeter | 16.5f Hy | 4MdH | 10-13 | 5/12 | Blowers (42L) | 80/1 | - | 71 |
Beaten 36l in a 1m7f maiden at Wincanton (heavy; 150-1) six weeks ago; unlikely candidate.
P60
Age: 5
Weight: 10-9
OR: 78
Days: 39
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Hy | 4MdH | 10-6 h | 12/17 | Pourquoi Pas Papa (36L) | 150/1 | - | 70 |
| 8 Jan 26 | Tau Taunton | 16.5f Gd | 4MdH | 10-8 h1 | 6/9 | Onlyforfrankie (47L) | 150/1 | - | 68 |
| 30 Dec 25 | Tau Taunton | 19f Gd | 4NvH | 10-0 | PU/13 | Religous Cross () | 50/1 | - | - |
Sent off at a whopping 300-1 in a 2m4f Ffos Las maiden (beaten 66l) latest; lowly rated.
P-69
Age: 5
Weight: 10-8
OR: 77
Days: 60
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jan 26 | Ffo Ffos Las | 20f Sft | 4MdH | 11-7 | 9/12 | Bobby's Nelson (66L) | 300/1 | - | 63 |
| 30 Nov 25 | Lei Leicester | 15.5f Sft | 3NvH | 11-0 | 6/6 | Smart Decision (38L) | 40/1 | - | 71 |
| 10 Mar 25 | Str Stratford | 18.5f GS | 34yH | 10-11 | PU/8 | Believitanducan () | 16/1 | - | - |
Tailed off on heavy ground at Exeter (2m) latest; makes handicap debut at a suitable level
59U5
Age: 6
Weight: 10-5
OR: 74
Days: 17
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Feb 26 | Exe Exeter | 16.5f Hy | 4NvH | 10-12 | 5/7 | Kapitein Kool (52L) | 125/1 | - | 55 |
| 29 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 21.5f Hy | 4NvHM | 11-3 | UR/11 | Coolanna () | 250/1 | - | - |
| 7 Jun 25 | Wor Worcester | 16f GS | 4NvH | 10-9 | 9/9 | Chelsea Annie (69L) | 100/1 | - | 19 |
| 28 May 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 17f Gd | 4NvHM | 11-0 | 5/6 | Sharp Glance (98L) | 80/1 | - | - |
Tailed off on handicap debut at Hereford (2m5f) just over a fortnight ago; unappealing.
680/05
Age: 8
Weight: 10-5
OR: 74
Days: 15
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 26 | Her Hereford | 21.5f Sft | 5NvHcH | 9-9 | 5/7 | On The Go (42L) | 28/1 | 78 | 41 |
| 23 Jan 26 | War Warwick | 19f GS | 4NvHM | 11-5 | 13/16 | Jackie Hobbs (58L) | 250/1 | - | 53 |
| 28 Apr 23 | Chp Chepstow | 19.5f GS | 4MdHM | 11-6 | 12/13 | Fortuna Ligna (75L) | 66/1 | - | 25 |
| 20 Feb 23 | Lin Lingfield | 16f GS | 4NvHM | 10-13 | 8/10 | Walk Of No Shame (66L) | 33/1 | - | 40 |
| 14 Jan 23 | War Warwick | 16f Hy | 5NHF | 11-1 | 6/6 | The Cox Express (68L) | 11/8F | - | 29 |
0-7; looks very limited in terms of ability; the least likely candidate.
/P0-96
Age: 7
Weight: 10-5
OR: 72
Days: 18
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 26 | Hun Huntingdon | 20.5f Hy | 4MdHM | 11-3 | 6/9 | Kom Tu Voudras (30L) | 300/1 | 45 | 59 |
| 27 Jan 26 | Chp Chepstow | 16f Sft | 4NvHM | 10-13 | 9/10 | Charisma Cat (77L) | 250/1 | 45 | 29 |
| 8 Nov 24 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f Gd | 4MdH | 10-8 h | 13/14 | Electric Mason (127L) | 300/1 | - | - |
| 24 Oct 24 | Lud Ludlow | 21.5f GS | 4NvHM | 10-11 h1 | PU/12 | Dameofthecotswolds () | 400/1 | - | - |
| 2 Apr 24 | Lud Ludlow | 16f Sft | 4NvHM | 10-11 | PU/6 | Easy Peasy () | 400/1 | - | - |
| 21 Mar 24 | Chp Chepstow | 16f Sft | 4NvHM | 10-11 | PU/11 | Love Tree () | 200/1 | - | - |
5
Cher Monsieur p
1
T: Neil Mulholland
0-3541
Age: 6
Weight: 11-0
OR: 83
Days: 53
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 26 | Ncs Newcastle | 20.5f GS | 5HcH | 10-7 | 1/16 | Drop Kick (nk) | 11/4F | 79 | 81 |
| 2 Dec 25 | Sth Southwell | 20.5f GS | 5HcH | 11-0 | 4/8 | Always A Reason (8¾L) | 17/2 | 80 | 73 |
| 5 Jun 25 | Ffo Ffos Las | 24f GS | 5HcH | 10-9 h | 5/7 | Ferret Jeeter (8L) | 5/4F | 81 | 76 |
| 17 May 25 | Utt Uttoxeter | 20f Gd | 5HcH | 10-10 h1 | 3/8 | Rock On Tommy (3¼L) | 15/2 | 81 | 76 |
| 16 Apr 25 | Ffo Ffos Las | 16f Sft | 5HcH | 11-5 | 11/12 | Rodney (34L) | 14/1 | 84 | 54 |
| 13 Nov 24 | Ban Bangor-on-Dee | 16.5f GS | 4NvH | 11-0 | 9/11 | Junker d'Allier (48L) | 200/1 | - | 66 |
Verdict
BALLYHIHO (nap) has an absence to overcome but should be suited by the drying conditions. Cher Monsieur is next best
Ballyhiho
Betting Forecast:
7/4 Cher Monsieur,
5/2 Ballyhiho,
7/2 Harbour Light,
10/1 Noble Grace,
12/1 Lily Grace,
14/1 Miss Jaffa Cake,
20/1 Eaststone Buck's,
25/1 Colby Mayfield,
Galactic Princess,
66/1 Don't Cheddar Tear
Relevant Tips
No tips currently available.
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