Champion Hurdle 2026 Tips, Trends, Runners & History (Cheltenham Festival)

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Zoë Jayne Beard

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Champion Hurdle 2026 Tips, Trends, Runners & History (Cheltenham Festival)

The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy is the feature race on Cheltenham Festival Day 1 and is widely regarded as the championship race of the two-mile hurdling division.

The 2026 renewal takes place at 16:00 on Tuesday 10th March 2026 at Cheltenham, run over 2 miles and 87 yards on the Old Course. The Grade 1 contest is open to horses aged four years and older and regularly attracts the best hurdlers from Britain and Ireland.

Winning the Champion Hurdle is one of the most prestigious achievements in National Hunt racing, with the race producing legendary champions and dramatic finishes up the famous Cheltenham hill.

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Quick Links – Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide

Cheltenham Festival Betting Guides

• Cheltenham Festival 2026 Betting Hub
https://www.tipmantips.com/cheltenham-festival-2026/

• Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Betting Tips
https://www.tipmantips.com/cheltenham-festival-2026-day-1-betting-tips/

• Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Betting Tips
https://www.tipmantips.com/cheltenham-festival-2026-day-2-betting-tips/

• Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Betting Tips
https://www.tipmantips.com/cheltenham-festival-2026-day-3-betting-tips/

• Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Betting Tips (Gold Cup Day)
https://www.tipmantips.com/cheltenham-festival-2026-day-4-betting-tips/

• Best Cheltenham Sign Up Offers & Bonuses
https://www.tipmantips.com/cheltenham-festival-2026-bookmaker-offers/

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Champion Hurdle Key Stats & Trends

Studying historical trends can often help identify the type of horse that performs best in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Key Champion Hurdle Trends

  • Most winners are aged between 6 and 8 years old

  • The majority of winners arrive with previous Grade 1 hurdle form

  • Horses with Cheltenham course experience often perform well

  • Many winners arrive after strong performances in major trial races

  • The majority of winners start among the favourites in the betting

Important trial races that often produce Champion Hurdle contenders include:

  • Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown)

  • Christmas Hurdle (Kempton)

  • International Hurdle (Cheltenham)

  • Contenders Hurdle (Sandown)

These races regularly highlight the leading contenders heading into the Cheltenham Festival.

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Champion Hurdle History

First run in 1927, the Champion Hurdle has become the most prestigious hurdle race in National Hunt racing.

Over the decades the race has produced several legendary champions, including:

  • Istabraq

  • Hurricane Fly

  • Buveur D’Air

  • Honeysuckle

The contest is renowned for its fast early pace and dramatic finishes, with the final climb up the famous Cheltenham hill often deciding the outcome.

Champion Hurdle 2026 Runners to Watch

The 2026 Champion Hurdle field features several high-class hurdlers, with the race shaping up to be a fascinating contest between experienced Grade 1 performers and progressive challengers.

Key Contenders

Lossiemouth – Paul Townend

The Willie Mullins-trained mare looks one of the leading contenders in the 2026 Champion Hurdle. Ridden by Paul Townend, Lossiemouth brings excellent Cheltenham Festival form and possesses the speed required for a strongly-run two-mile championship race.

The New Lion – Harry Skelton

Dan Skelton’s progressive hurdler has developed into one of the most exciting horses in the two-mile division. Partnered by Harry Skelton, The New Lion has shown impressive cruising speed and a strong finishing kick that could prove ideal for the stiff Cheltenham finish.

Brighterdaysahead – Jack Kennedy

Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, Brighterdaysahead continues to improve at the highest level. The mare has demonstrated strong Grade 1 ability and has the turn of foot required to challenge the market leaders.

Golden Ace – Lorcan Williams

Golden Ace has already shown strong Cheltenham form and will be partnered by Lorcan Williams. If travelling comfortably through the race, the horse could be finishing strongly up the famous hill.

Other runners in the field include Poniros (Danny Mullins) and Alexei (Brendan Powell), both capable of playing a role if the race develops into a tactical contest.

Champion Hurdle 2026 Tip

TipMan Selection

The New Lion – Harry Skelton

The New Lion looks one of the most progressive horses in the two-mile hurdle division and could be ready to deliver a huge performance in the 2026 Champion Hurdle.

His ability to travel strongly through races and quicken when asked makes him a dangerous contender in a championship contest where tactical speed is often crucial.

If arriving at Cheltenham in peak condition, The New Lion looks capable of challenging strongly for the title.

Cheltenham Festival Outsider Tip

Value Play

Golden Ace – Lorcan Williams

For punters looking beyond the market leaders, Golden Ace could represent interesting each-way value.

The horse already has excellent Cheltenham Festival form and possesses the stamina required to finish strongly up the famous Cheltenham hill.

If the race develops into a strongly-run contest, Golden Ace could easily outrun bigger odds and challenge for a place.

How To Bet On The Champion Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival is one of the best times of the year for bookmaker promotions and betting offers, including:

  • Enhanced odds boosts

  • Extra place each-way bets

  • Bet and get free bet offers

  • Cheltenham sign-up bonuses

Punters looking to maximise value should always compare bookmaker offers before placing bets.

👉 View the best Cheltenham betting offers here
https://www.tipmantips.com/cheltenham-festival-2026-bookmaker-offers/

TipMan Verdict

The Champion Hurdle 2026 looks set to be one of the highlights of the Cheltenham Festival once again.

With leading contenders including Lossiemouth, The New Lion and Brighterdaysahead, the race promises to be run at a strong pace from the outset.

Horses with Grade 1 form, excellent jumping ability and the stamina to finish up the Cheltenham hill are usually the ones that succeed in this championship race.

As the festival approaches, keeping an eye on trial race performances and market movements will be key when identifying the best betting opportunities.


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