Our Cheltenham Champion Hurdle tips take a closer look at the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, with the 2026 renewal shaping up as an intriguing contest despite several high-profile absentees.
This year’s Champion Hurdle has been affected by some notable withdrawals, but there remains plenty of talent among the 2026 Champion Hurdle runners.
Star names such as Constitution Hill, State Man and Sir Gino will be absent, but a strong field of nine will battle it out for over £450,000 in prize money and we’ve ranked those hopefuls in reverse order.
Champion Hurdle Odds
2026 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Odds
Horse | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Lossiemouth | 2/1 | 33.33% |
The New Lion | 11/4 | 26.67% |
Brighterdaysahead | 9/2 | 18.18% |
Golden Ace | 7/1 | 12.50% |
Poniros | 12/1 | 7.69% |
Alexei | 20/1 | 4.76% |
Anzadam | 20/1 | 4.76% |
Tutti Quanti | 20/1 | 4.76% |
Workahead | 66/1 | 1.49% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
Runner-by-Runner Guide
Runner-by-Runner Guide: 2026 Champion Hurdle Runners Ranked
Workahead
9. Workahead – 66/1
Strange things happened in last year’s Champion Hurdle but it is hard to see Henry de Bromhead’s charge being involved in the shake-up this time after finishing last of 11 in the Supreme 12 months ago.
Alexei
8. Alexei – 20/1
Kicked off his campaign by landing valuable handicaps at Ascot and Cheltenham in fine fashion and coped with a step up to graded company when accounting for Rubaud in the Kingwell at Wincanton.
That was a pretty weak affair, though, and it would be a surprise if Joe Tizzard’s six-year-old is able to live with this calibre of opposition.
Tutti Quanti
7. Tutti Quanti – 20/1
Last month’s 15-length romp in an ultra-competitive Newbury handicap prompted connections to fork out an £18,000 supplementary fee and he needs to finish fourth to show a profit on that investment.
There is no doubt Tutti Quanti is improving rapidly, but the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old needed to after finishing a distant sixth in last year’s Supreme at 125/1.
Anzadam
6. Anzadam – 20/1
Having posted a couple of wins in France, this son of Authorized was visually impressive in scoring on his first two starts for Willie Mullins last season before being ruled out of the spring festivals.
Returned to action with a solid second to Golden Ace in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle but has twice been well beaten by Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth at Leopardstown since then.
Poniros
5. Poniros – 12/1
Sprang a 100/1 surprise when storming home to pip Lulamba in what looked a decent Triumph Hurdle 12 months ago on his jumping debut and showed that was no fluke when a fair second to the same rival at Punchestown.
Poniros has had another interrupted preparation but finished a creditable third in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown and could just be one of those horses that comes alive up the Cheltenham hill.
Golden Ace
4. Golden Ace – 7/1
Jeremy Scott’s mare has made a fortune out of picking up the pieces when others falter, winning the Mares’ Novices Hurdle here two years ago, last term’s Champion Hurdle and this season’s Fighting Fifth when relatively unfancied on each occasion.
Lorcan Williams will again ride Golden Ace to be doing her best work at the business end and she isn’t being underestimated by anyone this time around in the 2026 Champion Hurdle odds.
The New Lion
3. The New Lion – 11/4
Dan Skelton’s pride and joy travelled sweetly throughout under a confident ride when landing last year’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle over 2m 5f and the decision to drop down in distance this term always looked the logical option.
A late fall in the Fighting Fifth and a workmanlike success against Nemean Lion after being gifted victory here on Trials Day by an injury to Sir Gino is not enough evidence to convince us he can give 7lb to some talented mares, though.
Brighterdaysahead
2. Brighterdaysahead – 9/2
Cheltenham hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for her, finishing behind Golden Ace for two straight Festivals, but Gordon Elliott is convinced there were valid excuses for both of those defeats.
At home in Ireland, Brighterdaysahead has some brilliant wins on her CV and secured a fourth Grade One prize when avenging a December second to Lossiemouth by brushing aside that rival at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Lossiemouth
1. Lossiemouth – 2/1
After a Triumph Hurdle success and two comfortable Mares’ Hurdle victories, connections have finally decided to give everyone what they want and let Lossiemouth loose in the big one.
Willie Mullins knows what is needed to prevail in this race, having struck with Hurricane Fly twice, Faugheen, Annie Power and State Man, all when experienced campaigners.
Although two miles might be on the short side, cheekpieces should help sharpen her up and that Cheltenham form overrides any such concerns, so the flying grey’s love affair with Prestbury Park is tipped to continue.
Bet on Cheltenham Festival Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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