Cheltenham 2026 Triumph Hurdle tips

The Triumph Hurdle is always one of the more intriguing races at the Cheltenham Festival. These four year olds are still improving rapidly and it can be hard to know exactly how good they are until they’re tested in a race like this.

That said, the market has actually been a decent guide in recent years with two of the last four favourites getting the job done.

Obviously we had a 100/1 upset last year but on the whole we’ve seen some top-class horses come through the race over the years, none more so than Tiger Roll who landed the Triumph before going on to become a dual Grand National legend.

It’s always a fascinating betting heat and this year’s renewal looks another competitive one.

Quick picks for the Triumph Hurdle

• PROACTIF – 37/10 with SBK
• MAESTRO CONTI – 15/2 bet365

Cheltenham 1.20 Triumph Hurdle – Key stats and trends

Age

• Race is for 4yo’s only

Price

• 5 of the last 12 winners were favourites
• 6 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 2 of the last 4 winners were favourites

Form

• 6 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before the Triumph Hurdle
• 2 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham
• 9 of the last 12 winners had at least 2 previous runs over hurdles

Rating

• 8 of the last 12 winners were rated 139 or higher
• 4 of the last 12 winners didn’t have a rating yet
• 1 of the last 12 winners were rated below 140

Other pointers

• 11 of the last 15 winners had their final prep run in February
• 10 of the last 14 winners had won by at least 4 lengths earlier that season
• 6 of the last 9 winners had run at Leopardstown earlier in the season

Triumph Hurdle preview & tips

PROACTIF looks like a horse with plenty of untapped potential and he could easily take a big step forward in the Triumph Hurdle.

Juvenile races at this stage of the season are often about which horse improves the most from their earlier runs and he strikes me as the type who could do exactly that.

What I like most about him is the way he went away from Macho Man despite being challenged more than once. He won by nearly 3 lengths at the line still shaping like he would improve plenty for the run both physically and mentally.

I think it is notable he has been put away since with this in mind and with Narciso Has now out he will likely be a warm order come post time.

Each way angle?

Given how open the Triumph Hurdle looks this year I have also backed MAESTRO CONTI at an each way price for Dan Skelton. This horse is yet to taste defeat winning in France and then making it 2-2 here when last seen on Trials Day.

He was easy in the market that day and despite racing keenly came there strongly and galloped right through the line. He should settle better in this given there will be a ferocious pace on and he should clock another career best which might see him go close.

My picks:

1. PROACTIF

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Form: 1-1
• Age: 4
• Weight: 11-2

Bet on PROACTIF to win the Triumph Hurdle at 37/10 with SBK

2. MAESTRO CONTI

• Trainer: Dan Skelton
• Form: 1-11
• Age: 4
• Weight: 11-2

Bet on MAESTRO CONTI to win the Triumph Hurdle at 15/2 with bet365

Last 12 winners of the Triumph Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2026 news, tips and free bets:

• Cheltenham 2026 free bets and betting offers
• Cheltenham ante-post tips
• Cheltenham Festival 2026 favourites and outsiders
• Cheltenham 2026 horses to watch
• Cheltenham 2026 top trainers + jockeys
• Willie Mullins winners
• Nicky Henderson winners
• Gordon Elliott winners

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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