Champion Hurdle

Golden Ace will face eight rivals as she attempts to defend her Champion Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. Jeremy Scott’s mare produced a shock success in last year’s renewal and now returns to see if she can repeat the feat in the day one feature.

The New Lion carries Britain’s leading hopes into the Champion Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, but Dan Skelton’s star faces a formidable challenge from Irish mares Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead.

A field of nine has been declared for Tuesday’s two-mile feature, with The New Lion aiming to provide owner JP McManus with a record-extending 10th victory in the race on his 75th birthday.

The six-year-old has already shown his quality at the Festival, winning the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle over 2m5f last season. That proven stamina could prove a major asset on the Old Course, where a strong finish up the Cheltenham hill is often decisive.

His only setback so far came in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November, where he fell while still in contention. He quickly put that behind him when landing the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Trials Day in January.

That race was run at a modest pace and some observers have questioned the strength of the form. However Harry Skelton appeared keen to keep his mount relaxed throughout, and with only six hurdle starts to his name The New Lion still has considerable scope for improvement. If his jumping stands up under championship pressure, he has every chance.

Brighterdaysahead arrives with something to prove at Cheltenham. She was beaten as a heavily backed favourite in novice company two years ago and failed to capitalise last year when both Constitution Hill and State Man fell in this race.

Connections have attempted to help her settle by basing her at Olly Murphy’s yard in the lead-up to the Festival, and she comes here in strong form after winning the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

Lossiemouth finished second in that race and is another major contender. Willie Mullins’ mare has an excellent record at Cheltenham with four wins from four visits, including three at the Festival. Instead of pursuing a third Mares’ Hurdle success, connections have opted to take their chance in the Champion Hurdle, with Mullins describing the decision as a “now or never” moment for the Rich Ricci-owned seven-year-old. She will also wear cheekpieces for the first time.

Defending champion Golden Ace also returns. Jeremy Scott’s mare benefited from a dramatic race last year but remains a dual Festival winner and should again give a good account.

Joe Tizzard’s Alexei represents another British challenger. The progressive hurdler won the Greatwood Handicap at Cheltenham in November and followed up with victory in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last month. A stronger pace here could suit him well.

That pace may be provided by Tutti Quanti after Paul Nicholls paid the supplementary fee to add the horse to the field.

Willie Mullins also runs Poniros, last year’s shock Triumph Hurdle winner, and Anzadam. Poniros was well beaten behind Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth at Leopardstown on his seasonal return, while Anzadam has yet to recapture his best form this season.

Completing the line-up is Workahead from the Henry de Bromhead yard. The 145-rated runner has plenty to find on official ratings and was well beaten when fancied in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

With several leading contenders bringing strong credentials and others still open to improvement, this year’s Champion Hurdle promises to be one of the most intriguing races of the Festival’s opening day.

THE NEW LION 9-4
LOSSIEMOUTH 2-1
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD 5-1
GOLDEN ACE 8-1
PONIROS 14-1
ALEXEI 20-1
ANZADAM 25-1
TUTTI QUANTI 25-1
WORKAHEAD 80-1

Champion Hurdle 2026 date

The Champion Hurdle takes place at Cheltenham on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

Champion Hurdle 2026 start time

The race is scheduled for 16:00.

How to watch the Champion Hurdle 2026

The Champion Hurdle will be shown live on Bet365.com and via the Bet365 app. It will also be broadcast on ITV1 in the UK

Final fields will be confirmed closer to the Festival, but the early picture suggests another wide-open renewal of the Cheltenham showpiece.

Time	Race
13:20	Supreme Novices Hurdle
14:00	Arkle Novices Chase
14:40	Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
15:20	Ultima Handicap Chase
16:00	Champion Hurdle
16:40	Plate Handicap Chase
17:20	National Hunt Chase