Champion Hurdle Preview: Sky Bet Favourites For The Feature Race Today

The feature race of Day 1 at Cheltenham Festival takes at 4pm today, where a strong nine-horse field is expected to line up for what promises to be a fiercely competitive Champion Hurdle.


It is Lossiemouth who heads the market with Sky Bet to finish very first past the post, with the Willie Mullins-trained mare having actually been increased from 6/4 to 13/8.


The mare - who boasts 13 wins and three runner-up surfaces from her 17 profession begins - delighted in an extraordinary 2025 campaign, claiming success in the Mares' Hurdle, Aintree Hurdle, Morgiana Hurdle and the December Hurdle at Leopardstown.


She needed to settle for second in her only start of 2026 to date, with the seven-year-old going down by more than 3 lengths to Brighterdaysahead.


Champion Hurdle preview: Sky Bet favourites for the feature race on Day 1 at Cheltenham


Behind the preferred in the betting is The New Lion, who is presently priced as the 5/2 2nd favourite with Sky Bet.


The gelding boasts strong course kind at Cheltenham, having actually won in 2015's Turners Novices' Hurdle before declaring a Grade 2 contest last month.


Meanwhile, the previously mentioned Brighterdaysahead is likewise expected to install a strong obstacle, with the Gordon Elliott-trained mare installed as the 5/1 third favourite.


Despite tape-recording ten career wins, Brighterdaysahead has yet to protect victory at Cheltenham Racecourse. The seven-year-old finished second in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle in 2024 before positioning fourth in the Champion Hurdle the list below year.


When she completed fourth in the Champion Hurdle in 2025, it was Golden Ace who emerged victorious. Those backing the mare to safeguard her crown this year can presently find her priced at 10/1.


Completing the nine-horse field are Poniros (14/1), Alexei (16/1), Anzadam (22/1), Tutti Quanti (25/1) and rank outsider Workahead at 66/1.


Sky Bet chances for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival:


Lossiemouth - WAS 13/8 NOW 7/4


The New Lion - 5/2


Brighterdaysahead - 5/1


Golden Ace - 10/1


Poniros - 14/1


Alexei - 16/1


Anzadam - 22/1


Tutti Quanti - 25/1


Workahead - 66/1