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 Welcome Offer Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) Racecard
- Channel:
- Distance: 2m 7f 198y
- Going: Good
- Runners
- 8
- Type
- Hurdle
- Surface
- Turf
- Weather
- Cloudy
Selection
No myracing analysis available for this race
-
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Racecard
No.(Draw)
Runner
Best Odds
Respectable fourth at Kempton 35 days ago; form franked so he needs considering
2-U534
Age: 7
Weight: 12-0
OR: 100
Days: 35
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 26 | Kem Kempton | 21f GS | 4HcH | 11-6 | 4/11 | Guchen (24L) | 9/2 | 102 | 93 |
| 21 Dec 25 | Lin Lingfield | 19.5f Sft | 5NvHcH | 11-11 | 3/6 | Jhentong Enki (10L) | 9/2 | 104 | 103 |
| 5 Dec 25 | Exe Exeter | 18.5f Sft | 5NvHcH | 12-0 | 5/14 | Zainy Champ (11½L) | 7/1 | 105 | 98 |
| 17 Nov 25 | Plu Plumpton | 20.5f Gd | 5HcH | 12-0 | UR/9 | Clear Storm () | 9/2 | 105 | - |
| 20 Feb 25 | Lin Lingfield | 19.5f Sft | 4MdH | 11-3 | 2/11 | Last Rodeo (9L) | 9/1 | - | 105 |
| 15 Jan 25 | Her Hereford | 16f Sft | 4NvH | 11-3 | 3/12 | Starcrossed Lover (20L) | 50/1 | - | 95 |
Off 22 months and little show for his new yard at Chepstow 24 days ago; others preferred
04P6/9
Age: 11
Weight: 11-9
OR: 95
Days: 24
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 26 | Chp Chepstow | 23.5f Sft | 5HcH | 11-7 t | 9/10 | Face d'Music (165L) | 250/1 | 100 | - |
| 14 Apr 24 | Plu Plumpton | 25f Gd | 3HcH | 10-12 t | 6/11 | Transmission (20L) | 22/1 | 108 | 92 |
| 22 Jan 24 | Plu Plumpton | 25f Sft | 4HcH | 11-10 t | PU/10 | I'm A Starman () | 17/2 | 111 | - |
| 26 Dec 23 | Wcn Wincanton | 24.5f GS | 2HcH | 10-11 t | 4/8 | Goshhowposh (13L) | 40/1 | 113 | 106 |
| 18 Nov 23 | Chl Cheltenham | 24f Sft | 2HcH | 10-2 t | 10/15 | Buddy One (63L) | 150/1 | 121 | 64 |
| 11 Sep 23 | Nab Newton Abbot | 26.5f GS | 2HcH | 11-5 t | 3/8 | Slate Lane (23L) | 28/1 | 114 | 106 |
D
2 x Distance Winner - Won 2 times before at this distance
Not disgraced when second at Market Rasen latest; no forlorn hope switched to this sphere
525542
Age: 10
Weight: 11-7
OR: 93
Days: 36
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Feb 26 | Mar Market Rasen | 19f Sft | 5HcCh | 11-9 | 2/7 | Florita (6½L) | 15/2 | 98 | 105 |
| 5 Nov 25 | Chp Chepstow | 23.5f Gd | 4HcCh | 11-12 p | 4/7 | Roe And Co (42L) | 9/2 | 103 | 78 |
| 14 Oct 25 | Mar Market Rasen | 21.5f Gd | 3HcCh | 10-4 | 5/6 | Sure Touch (12½L) | 9/2 | 106 | 102 |
| 15 Sep 25 | Wor Worcester | 23f GS | 5NvHcH | 11-12 | 5/8 | Stiletto (29L) | 15/2 | 95 | 79 |
| 31 Aug 25 | Wor Worcester | 23f Gd | 5NvHcH | 11-12 | 2/11 | Pooroldmackley (1¼L) | 12/1 | 93 | 100 |
| 21 Aug 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 26.5f Gd | 5HcH | 11-9 | 5/10 | Faded Fantasy (9¾L) | 33/1 | 95 | 94 |
Yet to score this season but she comes here in decent nick; possibilities after a break
-33374
Age: 8
Weight: 11-4
OR: 90
Days: 69
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 25 | Tau Taunton | 24f Gd | 5HcH | 11-0 | 4/9 | Mask Of Zorro (8¼L) | 9/1 | 91 | 87 |
| 20 Nov 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Gd | 5HcH | 11-10 t | 7/8 | Birthday Angel (11½L) | 5/1 | 93 | 86 |
| 20 Oct 25 | Plu Plumpton | 16f GS | 5HcH | 11-7 | 3/5 | Ez Tiger (24L) | 13/8F | 94 | 79 |
| 21 Sep 25 | Plu Plumpton | 16f Gd | 5HcH | 11-9 | 3/9 | Jet Patrol (3¼L) | 7/2J | 93 | 94 |
| 6 Sep 25 | Str Stratford | 16.5f Gd | 5HcH | 11-9 | 3/11 | Hill Station (2¾L) | 25/1 | 93 | 94 |
| 2 Apr 25 | Lud Ludlow | 16f Gd | 5HcHM | 11-10 | PU/6 | D Day Arvalenreeva () | 100/30 | 93 | - |
Failed to go on over hurdles; up markedly in trip for h'cap debut and may yet do better
9-3007
Age: 6
Weight: 11-2
OR: 88
Days: 60
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jan 26 | Tau Taunton | 16.5f Gd | 4MdH | 11-8 | 7/9 | Onlyforfrankie (52L) | 25/1 | - | 70 |
| 16 Dec 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Sft | 4MdH | 11-4 | 10/18 | Swingin Safari (38L) | 80/1 | - | 84 |
| 7 Nov 25 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f GS | 4MdH | 11-4 | 12/14 | Kocktail Bleu (69L) | 28/1 | - | 50 |
| 15 May 25 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f Gd | 5NHF | 11-2 t1 | 3/6 | The Boss Bear (8¾L) | 6/4J | - | 92 |
| 22 Mar 25 | Nby Newbury | 16.5f Gd | 2NHF | 11-6 | 9/11 | Kadastral (18½L) | 7/1 | - | 92 |
Improved switched to h'caps, a clear Chepstow third latest; merits serious consideration
06833
Age: 6
Weight: 10-13
OR: 85
Days: 24
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 26 | Chp Chepstow | 23.5f Sft | 5HcH | 10-11 p1 | 3/10 | Face d'Music (1¼L) | 7/2 | 83 | 85 |
| 24 Jan 26 | Utt Uttoxeter | 20f Sft | 5HcH | 10-11 | 3/7 | Eton Mes (6L) | 5/2F | 83 | 87 |
| 9 Dec 25 | Utt Uttoxeter | 16f Sft | 4MdH | 11-7 | 8/10 | Baron Noir (50L) | 250/1 | - | 71 |
| 16 Nov 25 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f GS | 4NvH | 11-0 | 6/8 | Crackerjacque (56L) | 125/1 | - | 55 |
| 30 Oct 25 | Str Stratford | 16.5f GS | 3NvH | 11-0 | 12/14 | Taurus Bay (59L) | 100/1 | - | 52 |
CD
C&D Winner - Won before on this course at this distance
C&D winner; well-held fifth at Wincanton 39 days ago but is the sort to bounce back
562255
Age: 10
Weight: 10-9
OR: 81
Days: 39
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 20f Hy | 5HcH | 10-6 tp | 5/11 | Local Derby (26L) | 15/2 | 83 | 63 |
| 30 Dec 25 | Tau Taunton | 23f Gd | 4NvHcCh | 9-12 tp | 5/10 | Fat Faced Columbo (13L) | 11/2 | 83 | 85 |
| 11 Dec 25 | Tau Taunton | 18f Gd | 5HcCh | 10-10 tp | 2/9 | Chief O'Hara (5L) | 11/1 | 84 | 92 |
| 11 Nov 25 | Her Hereford | 21.5f Gd | 4HcH | 9-11 tp | 2/7 | On The Go (10L) | 15/2 | 84 | 84 |
| 4 Jun 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 26.5f Gd | 5HcHM | 10-9 tp | 6/9 | Arctic Angel (11½L) | 5/1 | 85 | 78 |
| 14 May 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 18.5f Gd | 5NvHcH | 10-2 tp | 5/10 | Get The Value (11L) | 9/1 | 86 | 82 |
Hot Recent Form Jockey - 3 wins from 11 in the last 14 days (27%)
Hinted at revival when seventh here latest; in the mix despite being 3lb out of handicap
-2P6P7
Age: 4
Weight: 10-2
OR: 86
Days: 51
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan 26 | Tau Taunton | 19f GS | 5HcH | 10-3 b1 | 7/13 | Bel Ombre (13½L) | 18/1 | 90 | 68 |
| 20 Nov 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Gd | 5HcH | 10-9 tp1 | PU/9 | Western Soldier () | 22/1 | 95 | - |
| 31 Oct 25 | Utt Uttoxeter | 16f GS | 5HcH | 10-12 t | 6/8 | Tigers Moon (32L) | 17/2 | 100 | 56 |
| 9 Sep 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 17f GS | 43yH | 11-7 t | PU/6 | Lord () | 22/1 | - | - |
| 7 Jun 25 | Hex Hexham | 16f GS | 43yH | 11-5 | 2/5 | One Horse Town (29L) | 11/4 | - | 79 |
| 16 Apr 25 | Fnt Fontainebleau | 15f VSft | 3yH | 10-6 t | 1/9 | Tillmouth (7L) | 32/1 | - | 79 |
2
Shuil Ceoil tv
T: Neil Mulholland
5-0326
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 96
Days: 33
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Feb 26 | Lud Ludlow | 21.5f Sft | 5HcH | 11-9 v | 6/12 | Windsor Blue (27L) | 11/2 | 98 | 78 |
| 9 Jan 26 | Exe Exeter | 21.5f GS | 5HcH | 11-9 v1 | 2/14 | Robber's Bridge (11L) | 6/1 | 98 | 93 |
| 15 Nov 25 | Utt Uttoxeter | 20f Hy | 5HcH | 11-10 p | 3/7 | My Granny Lily (23L) | 17/2 | 100 | 82 |
| 10 Oct 25 | Chp Chepstow | 19.5f Gd | 4HcH | 11-3 p | 15/16 | Got A Dream (115L) | 28/1 | 101 | - |
| 23 Apr 25 | Per Perth | 24f GS | 5HcH | 11-11 p | 5/11 | Henrysbrotherjack (17L) | 9/2 | 102 | 89 |
| 28 Mar 25 | Fon Fontwell | 22f Gd | 5HcH | 12-0 p | 2/6 | Summer In Milan (8L) | 11/4F | 102 | 101 |
4
D
BF
Special John p
1
T: Sam Thomas
D
Distance Winner - Won before at this distance
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
2-2115
Age: 7
Weight: 11-9
OR: 95
Days: 50
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jan 26 | Wdr Windsor | 28.5f Sft | 3HcCh | 10-12 | 5/16 | Neo King (13½L) | 9/4F | 105 | 100 |
| 4 Dec 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 26.5f GS | 5HcCh | 12-0 | 1/11 | I'm Your Buckaroo (2½L) | 11/8F | 100 | 113 |
| 17 Nov 25 | Exe Exeter | 24.5f GS | 5NvHcCh | 11-4 | 1/10 | Fat Faced Columbo (shd) | EvensF | 93 | 105 |
| 8 May 25 | Str Stratford | 22f Gd | 5NvHcH | 11-7 | 2/4 | Summerleaze (14L) | 5/2 | 93 | 86 |
| 23 Mar 25 | Exe Exeter | 23f GF | 5HcH | 11-5 | 2/6 | Coconut Twist (4¼L) | 6/5F | 91 | 94 |
| 17 Mar 25 | Sth Southwell | 24.5f GS | 5NvHcH | 11-11 | 2/9 | Lizzie Rey (4L) | 3/1F | 91 | 89 |
Verdict
The vote goes to Neil Mulholland's progressive WALKINTHEPRESENT, who can build on a very good recent Chepstow third to get off the mark
Walkinthepresent
Betting Forecast:
3/1 Special John,
Walkinthepresent,
6/1 Chief Black Robe,
7/1 Mancero,
8/1 Hard Stare,
10/1 Shuil Ceoil,
12/1 Washington Singer,
Inchagoill Lady,
14/1 Lady Caro,
100/1 Hunting Percival
Relevant Tips
No tips currently available.
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