Last term’s race had it all!
The Champion Hurdle brought plenty to last season’s Cheltenham Festival. It was even more dramatic than a Donald Trump press conference.
It was billed as a big match between three leading fancies, but Constitution Hill fell for the first time in his career, State Man tipped up at the final flight with the race at his mercy and Brighterdaysahead failed to fire. Golden Ace, the previous year’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle heroine, was left to pick up the pieces at 25/1 and 66/1 shot Burdett Road finished second.
A number of new contenders join the division for the 2025/26 campaign including The New Lion. Lossiemouth is looming large, however, as State Man’s season-ending injury means she could be Willie Mullins’ number one. Sir Gino’s serious injury on Festival Trials Day has also robbed us of his talent for this season’s race, at least.
Find Champion Hurdle odds on the Paddy Power website and app. Otherwise, key details for next year’s renewal are below.
Champion Hurdle 2026 date
The Champion Hurdle takes place at Cheltenham on Tuesday, 10th March.
Champion Hurdle 2026 start time
The Champion Hurdle starts at 16:00.
How to watch the Champion Hurdle 2026
You can watch the Champion Hurdle live on paddypower.com and the Paddy Power app or on ITV1.
Champion Hurdle 2026 runners and riders
The following 15 horses hold entries for the Champion Hurdle ahead of confirmations and final declarations.
Alexei (Jockey TBC)
Anzadam (TBC)
Ballyburn (TBC)
Brighterdaysahead (TBC)
Casheldale Lad (TBC)
Constitution Hill (TBC)
El Fabiolo (TBC)
Golden Ace (TBC)
Lossiemouth (TBC)
Lucky Place (TBC)
Nemean Lion (TBC)
Poniros (TBC)
The New Lion (TBC)
Wilful (TBC)
Workahead (TBC)
Champion Hurdle 2026 betting
Champion Hurdle odds are on paddypower.com and prices for the leading contenders can be seen on our snazzy widgets below.
Triple Cheltenham Festival winner Lossiemouth is the favourite with Paddy Power to win the Champion Hurdle as State Man’s absence could see her targeted at the championship contest. She also holds an entry for the Mares’ Hurdle.
The New Lion, last season’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle hero, is also prominent in our antepost market, after landing the International Hurdle on Festival Trials Day. He still has plenty to prove, however.
He couldn’t, could he? Constitution Hill is next in our early betting, despite falling in three of his last four outings. Stablemate Sir Gino’s serious injury means Conny could be the yard’s main hope.
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