Cheltenham Festival 2026: Champion Hurdle runners, odds and free tips
8 hours ago
TAUNTON
9 March 2026
Monday 9th March
DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Infernoboosts Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) Racecard
- Channel:
- Distance: 2m 104y
- Going: Good
- Runners
- 10
- Type
- Hurdle
- Surface
- Turf
- Weather
- Cloudy
Selection
Selection
Selected At
Knight Templar
Selected at:
9/1
Got off the mark over hurdles in a 2m juvenile at Kempton in December 2024 and won there on the Flat in January. Has been in good form on the Flat and is of interest now back over hurdles.
Bookmaker
Offer
Best Odds
Bet Here
9/1
-
60/1 Lulamba Or Kopek Des Bordes To Win The Arkle
New customer offer. Max stake £1. Lulamba to Win the Arkle (2:00) on Day 1 of Cheltenham. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Free bets are valid 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ New customer offer. Max stake £1. Kopek Des Bordes to Win the Arkle (2:00) on Day 1 of Cheltenham. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Free bets are valid 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ -
Get £30 In Free Bets When You Bet £5
New UK customers. Min £10 first deposit. Place a bet of £5 at min odds of 2.0 and get £30 in Free Bets within 48 hours. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. -
Bet £10, Get £40 In Free Bets
New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Register with FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £20 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment exclusions & T&Cs Apply. -
Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bet Multiples
Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get 3x £10 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Apple Pay or Debit Card will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+
Racecard
No.(Draw)
Runner
Best Odds
CD
C&D Winner - Won before on this course at this distance
D
2 x Distance Winner - Won 2 times before at this distance
Hot Recent Form Trainer - 3 wins from 10 in the last 14 days (30%)
On losing run but aggressively ridden when pulled up at Wincanton latest; can bounce back
-29P8P
Age: 5
Weight: 12-1
OR: 111
Days: 53
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 20f Sft | 4HcH | 11-4 v | PU/12 | Lucky Bere () | 28/1 | 113 | - |
| 12 Dec 25 | Chl Cheltenham | 17f GS | 3HcH | 10-2 v1 | 8/11 | Fortune De Mer (12½L) | 100/1 | 115 | 107 |
| 27 Nov 25 | Tau Taunton | 19f GF | 4HcH | 11-10 | PU/8 | Melton Mossy () | 25/1 | 117 | - |
| 11 Oct 25 | Chp Chepstow | 16f Gd | 24yHcH | 10-7 | 9/13 | Gibbs Island (58L) | 22/1 | 118 | 65 |
| 14 May 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 18.5f Gd | 4HcH | 10-12 | 2/6 | American Land (nk) | 6/1 | 116 | 110 |
| 30 Mar 25 | Asc Ascot | 15.5f Gd | 24yHcH | 11-0 t1 | 6/8 | Benvoy (37L) | 12/1 | 119 | 83 |
D
Distance Winner - Won before at this distance
Going Specialist - 2 wins from 3 starts on this ground (67%)
Last in Exeter handicap in November; needs to take a big step forward in a tongue tie
17-147
Age: 5
Weight: 12-0
OR: 110
Days: 106
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 25 | Exe Exeter | 16.5f GS | 44yHcH | 11-10 | 7/7 | Tashan (50L) | 6/1 | 111 | 57 |
| 29 Oct 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 17f GS | 4HcH | 10-13 | 4/9 | Spirits Bay (12L) | 6/1 | 112 | 104 |
| 31 May 25 | Str Stratford | 18.5f Gd | 4NvH | 10-13 | 1/8 | Duel Au Soleil (2L) | 9/2 | 106 | 98 |
| 21 Apr 25 | Plu Plumpton | 16f Gd | 4HcH | 11-3 | 7/10 | Synchronist (29L) | 11/2 | 107 | 83 |
| 6 Apr 25 | Plu Plumpton | 16f Gd | 4MdH | 10-10 | 1/5 | God Of Fire (6L) | 2/1 | - | 93 |
| 18 Feb 25 | Tau Taunton | 16.5f GS | 4MdH | 10-9 | 3/9 | Cornish Storm (7¾L) | 13/2 | - | 90 |
D
Distance Winner - Won before at this distance
In good form over hurdles before scoring on Flat at Kempton in January; well in the mix
8-P355
Age: 5
Weight: 11-11
OR: 107
Days: 72
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Feb 26 | Sth Southwell (AW) | 12f St | 5Hc | 9-8 | 2/11 | Wonder (1¾L) | 12/1 | 75 | 81 |
| 31 Jan 26 | Lin Lingfield (AW) | 16f St | 4Hc | 9-4 | 8/9 | Berkshire Sundance (6¼L) | 3/1F | 75 | 74 |
| 21 Jan 26 | Kem Kempton (AW) | 16f St/Slw | 5Hc | 9-7 | 1/8 | Educator (¾L) | 9/2 | 72 | 81 |
| 27 Dec 25 | Chp Chepstow | 16f GS | 4HcH | 11-8 | 5/13 | Another Fine Mess (10½L) | 9/2 | 109 | 103 |
| 5 Dec 25 | San Sandown | 16f Sft | 44yHcH | 11-4 | 5/9 | Across Earth (10L) | 12/1 | 110 | 100 |
| 23 Nov 25 | Exe Exeter | 16.5f GS | 44yHcH | 11-9 | 3/7 | Tashan (¾L) | 16/1 | 110 | 106 |
C
2 x Course Winner - Won 2 times before at this course
D
2 x Distance Winner - Won 2 times before at this distance
Hot Recent Form Jockey - 3 wins from 11 in the last 14 days (27%)
On retreat when fell in Sandown chase latest; reverts to hurdles but 0-8 in this sphere
12-31F
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: 106
Days: 65
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Jan 26 | San Sandown | 15.5f Gd | 3HcCh | 10-4 t | F/5 | Vanderpoel () | 9/2 | 116 | - |
| 17 Nov 25 | Plu Plumpton | 17f Gd | 4HcCh | 11-2 t | 1/5 | No Risk With Lou (4¼L) | 13/8F | 109 | 121 |
| 18 Oct 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 16.5f GS | 4HcCh | 11-13 ht | 3/4 | Haas Boy (10L) | 9/4 | 110 | 109 |
| 20 Apr 25 | Plu Plumpton | 20f Gd | 4HcCh | 11-5 ht | 2/8 | Shakeyatailfeather (shd) | 4/1 | 107 | 118 |
| 29 Mar 25 | Str Stratford | 19.5f Gd | 4HcCh | 11-2 ht | 1/9 | Kayce Dutton (2¼L) | 13/8F | 101 | 114 |
| 10 Mar 25 | Tau Taunton | 16f Gd | 5HcCh | 11-5 ht | 1/8 | No But I Will (nk) | 11/8F | 96 | 104 |
D
Distance Winner - Won before at this distance
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
In good form until below-par Stratford third latest; can take step forward on h'cap debut
18-233
Age: 5
Weight: 11-9
OR: 105
Days: 184
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Sep 25 | Str Stratford | 16.5f Gd | 4MdH | 11-2 | 3/12 | Hamlet's Night (13L) | 5/4F | 107 | 91 |
| 24 Jul 25 | Wor Worcester | 16f Gd | 4NvMdH | 11-0 | 3/11 | Rock On Pedro (6½L) | 7/4F | - | 100 |
| 12 Jun 25 | Wor Worcester | 16f GS | 4NvMdH | 10-13 | 2/11 | Intosomethinggood (hd) | 18/1 | - | 102 |
| 22 Jan 25 | Cat Catterick | 15.5f GS | 54yNHF | 11-9 | 8/11 | Connect The Dots (18L) | 100/30 | - | 85 |
| 15 Oct 24 | Mar Market Rasen | 16.5f Gd | 53yNHF | 11-2 | 1/4 | Bohemond Antioch (8½L) | 2/1 | - | 92 |
D
3 x Distance Winner - Won 3 times before at this distance
Progressive; made it three wins in last four runs at Huntingdon latest; not taken lightly
591121
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: 98
Days: 18
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 26 | Hun Huntingdon | 16f Hy | 5NvHcH | 11-10 p | 1/9 | Peace In The Park (4¼L) | 4/9F | 89 | 92 |
| 15 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Sft | 5HcH | 11-2 p | 2/13 | Mr Zee (3L) | 11/2 | 88 | 89 |
| 31 Dec 25 | Utt Uttoxeter | 16f GS | 5HcH | 10-6 p | 1/12 | Kenzoko (7½L) | 11/4F | 78 | 88 |
| 28 Nov 25 | Don Doncaster | 16.5f GS | 5NvHcH | 10-2 p | 1/10 | Inion Tiogair (nk) | 8/1 | 73 | 76 |
| 18 Aug 25 | Str Stratford | 16.5f GF | 5HcH | 10-2 v | 9/11 | Jet Patrol (27L) | 20/1 | 76 | 57 |
| 17 Jun 25 | Str Stratford | 16.5f Gd | 5NvHcH | 10-5 v1 | 5/12 | Al Mootamarid (10½L) | 22/1 | 76 | 72 |
w2
Wind Op - Second run after wind operation
Hot Recent Form Jockey - 4 wins from 13 in the last 14 days (31%)
Good third at Musselburgh on final run for Iain Jardine; not ruled out on yard/h'cap debut
24P3
Age: 4
Weight: 11-1
OR: 107
Days: 67
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 26 | Mus Musselburgh | 15.5f GS | 44yH | 11-0 t | 3/10 | Falls Of Acharn (7L) | 8/1 | 107 | 94 |
| 16 Dec 25 | Cat Catterick | 15.5f GS | 43yH | 11-0 t | PU/9 | Manganese () | 8/1 | 110 | - |
| 28 Nov 25 | Mus Musselburgh | 15.5f GS | 43yMdH | 11-2 | 4/8 | Bruce Banner (3¾L) | 11/4 | - | 93 |
| 19 Oct 25 | Sed Sedgefield | 17f Gd | 43yMdH | 11-2 | 2/4 | Only One Blue (1¾L) | 17/2 | - | 98 |
| 4 Oct 25 | Ncs Newcastle (AW) | 7f St | 4Hc | 9-6 b1 | 8/11 | Spell Master (8¾L) | 40/1 | 82 | 67 |
| 26 Sep 25 | Hay Haydock | 7f GS | 3Hc | 9-8 t | 11/11 | Legal Reform (8½L) | 22/1 | 87 | 70 |
Comes here in good nick, fourth at Windsor in January; considered off a 2lb lower mark
5-PP34
Age: 6
Weight: 10-9
OR: 91
Days: 67
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 26 | Wdr Windsor | 16f Gd | 5NvHcH | 11-10 | 4/11 | Rukaana (8½L) | 8/1 | 93 | 93 |
| 3 Dec 25 | Lud Ludlow | 16f GS | 5HcH | 11-5 | 3/9 | Wild Goose (14½L) | 40/1 | 96 | 88 |
| 21 Nov 25 | Chp Chepstow | 16f Sft | 5HcH | 11-10 t1 | PU/12 | Reinado () | 40/1 | 100 | - |
| 4 Nov 25 | War Warwick | 16f Gd | 5HcH | 11-12 | PU/8 | Uhtred Ragnarson () | 25/1 | 102 | - |
| 9 Mar 25 | War Warwick | 16f Gd | 4NvH | 11-5 | 5/11 | Sage Green (9L) | 66/1 | - | 91 |
| 9 Feb 25 | Chp Chepstow | 16f Sft | 4NvH | 11-2 | 5/12 | Juby Ball (33L) | 50/1 | - | 82 |
Still winless but running well when falling two out at Wincanton latest; in the picture
-P455F
Age: 5
Weight: 10-7
OR: 89
Days: 53
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Sft | 5HcH | 11-3 h | F/13 | Mr Zee () | 10/1 | 89 | 84 |
| 11 Dec 25 | Tau Taunton | 16.5f Gd | 5NvHcH | 11-4 h | 5/13 | Premier (11L) | 9/1 | 90 | 84 |
| 20 Nov 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Gd | 5HcH | 11-5 h | 5/8 | Birthday Angel (4¾L) | 12/1 | 91 | 89 |
| 26 Oct 25 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f GS | 4HcH | 10-3 h1 | 4/6 | Brave Knight (40L) | 12/1 | 96 | 67 |
| 18 Oct 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 17f GS | 3HcH | 9-9 | PU/8 | Manuelito () | 33/1 | 103 | - |
| 16 Jan 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f GS | 5HcH | 10-13 | 9/17 | Chicago Storm (19L) | 11/1 | 98 | 78 |
Cold Recent Form Jockey - 0 wins from 15 in the last 14 days (0%)
Low-key start to hurdling career but this Flat winner is on a lenient-looking mark
508
Age: 4
Weight: 10-2
OR: 94
Days: 26
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 26 | Her Hereford | 16f Hy | 4NvH | 10-5 | 8/13 | Lau And Shaz (33L) | 6/1 | - | 59 |
| 19 Jan 26 | Lin Lingfield | 16f Sft | 4MdH | 10-9 | 10/18 | Wondering Why (22L) | 28/1 | - | 77 |
| 27 Dec 25 | Wet Wetherby | 16f Sft | 43yH | 11-0 | 5/8 | Indian River (18L) | 5/2 | - | 77 |
| 17 Aug 25 | Pon Pontefract | 17f GF | 5Hc | 9-7 p | 1/4 | Carlton (7L) | 13/8F | 74 | 91 |
| 19 Jul 25 | Don Doncaster | 16.5f GS | 5Hc | 8-8 p | 2/6 | Belgravian (1½L) | 5/2 | 72 | 83 |
| 4 Jul 25 | Hay Haydock | 11.5f Gd | 53yHc | 9-8 p1 | 5/7 | Kuredu King (1¾L) | 13/2 | 73 | 77 |
Verdict
Olly Murphy's KENTUCKY RIVER (nap) has yet to shine over hurdles but this fair Flat winner can score now given less testing conditions
Kentucky River
Betting Forecast:
5/2 Postponed Legacy,
7/2 Siam Park,
11/2 Tilehurst,
6/1 Kentucky River,
15/2 Midnight View,
11/1 Knight Templar,
14/1 Arctic Voyage,
St Lukes Chelsea,
20/1 Public Enemy,
25/1 Moutarde
Relevant Tips
No tips currently available.
Top News
Cheltenham Day 1: three outsiders to watch including a 20/1 shot in the Champion Hurdle
9 hours ago
'The bookies will take a pasting if these win' - 32/1 Willie Mullins Day 1 Cheltenham treble
1 day ago
'Horses as exceptional as him are rare' - Liam Bramall's Cheltenham Festival Nap
2 days ago
'Sandown suits him perfectly' - Monster 1,055/1 ITV horses for courses treble
3 days ago