Willie Mullins is chasing a fifth consecutive Triumph Hurdle win but we’re focusing on which other leading contenders could end his monopoly of the Cheltenham Festival day four opener.
The Closutton maestro struck with Vauban, Lossiemouth and Majborough before Poniros sprang a 100/1 surprise last term and is back with another battalion of entries.
However, the opposition is also strong and with BOYLE Sports offering money back as a FREE Bet if your horse loses in the first race every day at the Cheltenham Festival (up to £/€10), we feel it is worth seeking out a value alternative.
Betting Odds
JCB Triumph Hurdle Odds – Cheltenham Festival 2026
Horse | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Proactif | 7/2 | 22.22% |
Selma De Vary | 7/2 | 22.22% |
Minella Study | 11/2 | 15.38% |
Maestro Conti | 7/1 | 12.50% |
Macho Man | 9/1 | 10.00% |
Highland Crystal | 9/1 | 10.00% |
Minella Academy | 12/1 | 7.69% |
Mon Creuset | 12/1 | 7.69% |
Kai Lung | 28/1 | 3.45% |
North Shore | 28/1 | 3.45% |
Apolon De Charnie | 33/1 | 2.94% |
Forty Fifty | 50/1 | 1.96% |
Noemie De La Vis | 50/1 | 1.96% |
Fantasy World | 66/1 | 1.49% |
Lord Byron | 66/1 | 1.49% |
One Horse Town | 66/1 | 1.49% |
Tenter Le Tout | 66/1 | 1.49% |
Wolf Rayet | 80/1 | 1.23% |
Indian River | 100/1 | 0.99% |
Berto Ramirez | 200/1 | 0.50% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Betting Tips
JCB Triumph Hurdle Tips
Maestro Conti
Maestro Conti – 13/2
The last British-trained winner was Pentland Hills back in 2019 but Skelton has spoken highly of this French import, who was bought by a powerful team of owners including Sir Alex Ferguson following an easy Moulins success.
After an emphatic Kempton victory on his debut for Skelton, Maestro Conti came home strongly to claim an eye-catching course and distance win on Trials Day and still seems open to more improvement.
“The Triumph Hurdle is going to be a good race but I wouldn’t swap my horse – I think he’s going to be one of our best chances of the week,” said Skelton.
“We haven’t seen enough of him to call him absolutely exceptional, but he has an exceptional ability in that he did two very different things – he went round Kempton on decent ground and showed lots of toe, and he went around Cheltenham over an extended two miles on soft ground and also won.
“He’s got course form and his training has been exceptional.”
Minella Study
Minella Study – 5/1
Another who is unbeaten in three starts over obstacles and has proven himself over this track and trip, with a decisive mid-December strike that has worked out well.
Minella Study hit the front approaching the final flight and powered well clear of Winston Junior, who has since gone on to hack up at Ascot and finish a fine second in Tuesday’s Fred Winter.
“His form is pretty much there or thereabouts,” said Northumberland handler Nicol. “In the Triumph Hurdle, you need a horse who stays the trip well and that’s one thing this horse does – he sees out two miles very well.”
Highland Crystal
Highland Crystal – 11/1
This daughter of Crystal Ocean can boast a similarly rock-solid success last time out, as she completed a hat-trick at Naas when repelling the challenge of Saratoga, who franked that form by winning the Fred Winter.
Highland Crystal had previously shown she doesn’t suffer from travel sickness by storming to victory at Newbury, even if she did subsequently have to be withdrawn at Doncaster after getting loose on the way to post.
Elliott knows what it takes to land this prize after prevailing with Tiger Roll and Farclas and he has described his filly as “tough” and “gutsy”.
Best Bets
JCB Triumph Hurdle Best Bets – Cheltenham Festival 2026
Simply click/tap on the selections above to add them to your betslip.
Bet on Cheltenham Festival Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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