Cheltenham 2026 Champion Hurdle tips

If the Supreme is about raw potential, the Champion Hurdle is about proven class. This is where reputations are either confirmed or exposed and where speed and precision over two miles decide who sits at the very top of the hurdling division.

Every generation produces a standout name and the roll of honour proves just how hard this race is to win. From Persian War to Istabraq and in recent years Constitution Hill, only the exceptional prevail. It is a huge shame we won’t see the latter line-up and with no State Man either some would argue the throne is there for the taking. Of course last year’s winner Golden Ace takes her chance again but she needs to prove last year was no fluke.

My quick picks for the Champion Hurdle

• The New Lion – 2/1 with 247bet
• Anzadam – 18/1 with SBK

Cheltenham 4.00 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy – Key stats and trends

Age

• 11 of the last 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8
• 2 of the last 3 winners were aged 7
• Only two winners aged 8 from the last 12 renewals

Price

• 8 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 9 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 5 of the last 6 winners were favourites

Form

• 11 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before the Champion Hurdle
• 11 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham
• 8 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham

Rating

• 9 of the last 12 winners were rated 161 or higher
• 3 of the last 4 winners were rated 165 or higher
• Only 1 winner rated below 157 in the last 12 renewals

Other pointers

• 11 of the last 17 winners were trained by either Nicky Henderson (6) or Willie Mullins (5)
• Irish-trained horses have won 8 of the last 10 renewals
• 9 of the last 12 winners were unbeaten that season

Champion Hurdle preview & tips

The nearer we get to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival the more convinced I am that THE NEW LION is the one they all have to beat.

He has won 6 of his 7 starts with that sole defeat coming in the Fighting Fifth when he fell 2 out.He was still in contention that day and the case can certainly be argued that he would have gone on to win.

He is a thoroughly likeable horse who finds plenty off the bridle so he won’t mind how this is run. Like always there should be plenty of pace on and that will suit him. He has Festival form and the drying ground is also another positive.

With no Constitution Hill or State Man it is no surprise to see him as favourite and that 9/4 could easily come under pressure especially as Lossiemouth is looking likely to go for the Mares again.

He will likely only have Brighterdaysahead to beat who has a poor record at Cheltenham and also wouldn’t want the ground to get too quick. The forecast has changed dramatically so it would have to be a negative for her and she had a hard race at the Dublin Racing Festival as well.

Golden Ace doesn’t mind it quick and obviously won it last year albeit fortunately but she certainly shouldn’t be overly ignored.

Each way angle?

With very little rain forecast before the Cheltenham Festival the ground is going to keep drying out and I really do think that will bring sheer speed into play.

ANZADAM has proved disappointing of late but he could still be capable if things drop right and if he manages to settle better he might just be capable of a bigger performance.

He has never run at Cheltenham so hard to say whether he will take to this track but he is still extremely lightly raced with just a handful of starts for Willie Mullins and at a huge price (around 18/1) I’m happy to take a chance he can bounce back and run a big one.

My picks:

1.  THE NEW LION

• Trainer: Dan Skelton
• Form: 1-1111-F1
• Age: 7
• Weight: 11-10

Bet on THE NEW LION to win the Champion Hurdle at 2/1 with 247bet

2. ANZADAM

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Form: 11-11-244
• Age: 6
• Weight: 11-10

Bet on ANZADAM to win the Champion Hurdle at 18/1 with SBK

Last 12 winners of the Champion Hurdle

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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