The first Championship race of the year, the Champion Hurdle takes place on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Our Champion Hurdle tips are below, along with the latest odds, a runner by runner preview of the race, all the key information, plus free bets and enhanced prices.
Our Champion Hurdle tip for 2027 - to be run on Tuesday March 16th 2027 - will be posted closer to the event.
The latest Champion Hurdle odds for 2027 will be updated regularly through the jumps season.
| Full Race Name | Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy |
| Date | Tuesday 10th March 2027 |
| Time | 4:00pm |
| Distance | 2 miles 87 yards |
| Race Type | Grade 1 National Hunt Hurdle |
| Course | Old Course |
| Number of Hurdles | 8 |
| Minimum Age | 4 years old |
| Weights | 11 stone 0lb for 4 year olds. 11 stone 10lb for 5 year olds and older (7lb mares allowance) |
We're bringing you all the best Champion Hurdle free bets, bonuses, enhanced odds offers and existing customer promotions.
These will be updated daily through Cheltenham.
Stats can be used to help pinpoint the most logical winner of the Champion Chase this year. Key facts to look out for include:
Trends are calculated up to and including the 2025 race.
Tuesday - Champion Hurdle Tips
Wednesday - Champion Chase Tips
Thursday - Stayers Hurdle Tips & Ryanair Chase Tips
Friday - Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips
A small field of just 7 horses lined up for the Champion Hurdle in 2025, and all eyes were on Constitution Hill.
Opening at 8/13 in the ring he was sent off as the strong 1/2 favourite. Brighterdaysahead was relatively unfancied, drifting from 15/8 out to 5/2, while there was money around for State Man at 8/1.
Making up the rest of the field was Golden Ace - 25/1, having touched 66/1 at times - Burdett Road (66/1), Winter Fog (150/1) and King of Kingsfield (200/1).
An uneventful start to the race saw the rank outsider setting the pace, with the second favourite sitting just behind.
Just as they reached half way, the race exploded into life though. Constitution Hill misjudged a fence coming down the hill, sending a roar of disbelief around the Cheltenham crowd.
Brighterdaysahead hit the front but was joined and then quickly passed on the final bend by the strong travelling State Man who showed an impressive turn of pace to pull well clear ahead of the last.
There was another twist to come though, as he completely misjudged the last, taking off too early and falling. Golden Ace shot through to pick up the lead, and his advantage was extended when Brighterdaysahead was hampered by the rising State Man.
A huge forecast landed as the 25/1 Golden Ace beat Burdett Road at 66/1, in a huge shock and a big win for the bookmakers.
The feature on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival is the Grade One Champion Hurdle, where Lossiemouth will finally take her chance to run in the race after winning the last two editions of the Mares’ Hurdle.
The seven-year-old has been electric at Cheltenham, winning on all four career starts at the track, and claiming three victories at the Festival. This season, the mare has looked at her brilliant best, landing the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle on her return, before beating Brighterdaysahead on good to yielding ground in the Grade One December Hurdle.
Testing ground went against her at the Dublin Racing Festival, allowing the Gordon Elliott mare to reverse the form. However, Elliott’s runner has struggled to bring her A-Game on two previous starts at Cheltenham, meaning another reversal of form is expected.
The changes to the track modifications will suit those who can stay further, playing to the strengths of Lossiemouth, who has won over two miles and four at the last two Festivals. She is also the preference of Paul Townend, ensuring that she is the first-string for a Willie Mullins yard that is aiming to win the Champion Hurdle for the sixth time.
Lossiemouth
A perfect 4 from 4 at Cheltenham, and steps up out of Mares company albeit with a 7lb allowance over The New Lion. First time cheekpieces following a 2nd place last time out. 13 wins from 17 starts and with conditions to suit here. Paul Townend rides.
The New Lion
Lightly raced seven year old with 5 wins from 6 starts - fell when looking likely to win on only other start. Previous course winner and plenty of stamina having won over 2 and a half miles. Arguably retains the most potential in the field to step up to the next level. Has to give his three main rivals the 7lb mares allowance.
Brighterdaysahead
Beat Lossiemouth last time out and has previous Grade 1 winning form, including impressive wins at Punchestown and Leopardstown. Well beaten in this race last year. At the pick of her form would win this but needs to both reproduce that and cope with this course. Also gets mares allowance.
Golden Ace
Surprise winner of this last year when Constitution Hill fell 5 lengths clear at the last. Not out of the top two since then but that includes a heavy match race defeat and the Fighting Fifth where both her main contenders fell. Has to be respected given her Cheltenham record (including two Festival wins) but behind the other mares on form figures.
Poniros
Winner of the Triumph Hurdle last year at 100/1, he's only run twice since; once on the Flat, beaten 45 lengths, and once in the Irish Champion Hurdle when finishing 3rd, 14.5 lengths behind Brighterdaysahead. He'll strip fitter for that, and the ground will suit better. Could be a contender, but lack of experience to overcome.
Alexei
Has progressed through the handicap this winter, winning 3 including a Grade 2 last time out. Impressive win record of 5 from 9 over hurdles. Brendan Powell continues to partner. 11 pounds to find with The New Lion on handicaps and has to carry full weight.
Anzadam
Was as short as 8/1 for this race back just 8 weeks ago after winning a Grade 3 Naas hurdle by 11 lengths at 1/10. However, since then has been beaten in races won by Golden Ace, Lossiemouth & Brighterdaysahead - running respectively in each but not challenging for the win in either of the last two. Patrick Mullins takes the ride again for his Cheltenham debut.
Tutti Quanti
Supplemented for this race at a cost of £18,000. Handicap mark has jumped from 130 in November to 151 following two Newbury Grade 3 Handicap hurdle wins, most recently by a huge 15 lengths. Finished well back at 125/1 in the Supreme Novices last year, and a lot to prove in this company, but not without a chance.
Workahead
The outsider of the field. Has only won one race under rules, and that was a maiden in December 2024. However, was well backed for the Supreme Novices last year, going off 15/2, before finishing last. Has only run twice this season, and was much better last time out, but winner that day is only running in a handicap here at Cheltenham. Rated 148, he's got a lot to find. Likes leading where possible so could set the pace for the others.
The Champion Hurdle is one of our favourite races of the year, with the star two milers showing amazing speed and flawless jumping to win.
This has long been a race for favourites, with numerous odds on winners in recent years. The combination of hurdles (which are more forgiving than fences), the short distance, and the typically small field means there is less to go wrong than in many other races at Cheltenham.
Our tipsters review every Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle field in full before picking our selections. They'll rewatch all previous races for each of the runners, before assigning them their own projected prices - "tissue prices", as they are called in horse racing.
Armed with this data, they will then monitor the market, trainer and jockey form, and the weather conditions as the big day draws closer. Using this information to tweak their prices, they will have an excellent idea on the day of which horses are both overestimated and underestimated by the market.
