Jumping season will begin soon at Cheltenham. The four-day event is packed with Grade 1 championship races, alongside handicaps and novice contests.
The highlight of the first day (10th March) is the Champion Hurdle. This Grade 1 race is one of the biggest and most prestigious hurdle races in National Hunt racing. It runs over 2 miles and 87 yards (8 hurdles) on turf.
It’s a fiercely competitive race between the best horses. The 2025 winner, Golden Ace, is a part of this year’s racecard. The mare faces several promising contenders like The New Lion, Brighterdaysahead, Alexei, Wilful, Lucky Place, and Lossiemouth, among others. Two previous winners, State Man (2024) and Constitution Hill (2023), did not make it to the final list of runners this year.
Below, we give you a detailed breakdown of the Champion Hurdle runners.
When Is the Champion Hurdle?
The Champion Hurdle time is confirmed for Tuesday, 10th March. This is the Grade 1 contest for two-mile hurdlers in the National Hunt season. Every year, this hurdle draws the best of Britain and Ireland’s elite trainers and horses.
What Time Is the Champion Hurdle?
The race begins at 4:00 pm at the Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. If you can’t make it to the grandstand, learn how to watch the Cheltenham races live on TV.
Champion Hurdle Runners
This year’s race has 12 Champion Hurdle runners, although the final number can vary depending on withdrawals or a horse being declared a “non-runner” due to fitness issues. The definitive field will be known 48 hours before the race. So, fans should look at the final racecard on Sunday, 8th March, to confirm the runners.
Last year’s winner was Golden Ace, who won the race in a dramatic finish when both leading contenders, State Man and Constitution Hill, fell at the final hurdle. This year, the dynamics have altered with the high-profile absence of Constitution Hill. Just a few days ago, connections informed that they were withdrawing the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero. Constitution Hill has had several falls lately, so trainer Nicky Henderson has decided to switch him to a Flat campaign to prevent further injuries.
Despite the withdrawal, fans can expect a competitive field. All runners who reach Grade 1 are invited only after showing consistent wins in top-tier contests.
Runners for Champion Hurdle – When Are They Confirmed?
Trainers and owners submit their runners’ names well ahead of the Festival. From these names, an initial entry for the runners of the Champion Hurdle is created, featuring around 16 possible runners.
The final declaration is published approximately 48 hours before the race, confirming the lineup. This official declaration appears on major media sites.
Fans should note that not every entrant makes the final cut. Some horses are declared as “non-runners” on the day of the race. This may be due to injury, poor form, or failing to meet the weight requirements. From a betting perspective, the odds can change once a horse is declared a non-runner. Bettors should check the latest odds before placing their bets.
Ground conditions at the racecourse also influence the final list. If the turf is much wetter than expected, some trainers may withdraw their horse to prevent injury. The Cheltenham ground is typically good to soft in March. The course sits on a hillside terrain, which means it drains reasonably well. This February has been particularly wet, though, so the ground could become “heavy” (wet and soft). This proves to be one of the most challenging ground conditions on a turf track.
Champion Hurdle Racecard
The race features eight hurdles. These are lower and more forgiving than fences, but they test the rhythm and jumping speed of the horses. The final hurdle comes at the top of the hill, followed by a tough uphill finish. So, fans and bettors should pay close attention to how smoothly a horse jumps under pressure.
Follow this racecard for the latest confirmed Champion Hurdle runners.
| Horse | Age | Trainer | Weight | Official Rating |
| The New Lion | 7 | Dan Skelton | 11-10 | 159 |
| Lossiemouth | 7 | W P Mullins | 11-3 | – |
| Brighterdaysahead | 7 | Gordon Elliott | 11-3 | – |
| Golden Ace | 8 | Jeremy Scott | 11-3 | 152 |
| Poniros | 5 | W P Mullins | 11-10 | – |
| Alexei | 6 | Joe Tizzard | 11-10 | 148 |
| Ballyburn | 8 | W P Mullins | 11-10 | – |
| Anzadam | 6 | W P Mullins | 11-10 | – |
| Casheldale Lad | 6 | Gordon Elliott | 11-10 | – |
| Workahead | 8 | Henry De Bromhead | 11-10 | – |
| Wilful | 7 | Jonjo & A J O’Neill | 11-10 | 142 |
| Lucky Place | 7 | Nicky Henderson | 11-10 | 151 |
Champion Hurdle Distance & Race Details
- Distance: Around 2 miles and 87 yards (approximately 3.2 km)
- Obstacles: Eight hurdles
- Status: This is a Grade 1 event, making it a top-tier championship race. Champion Hurdle runners are invited to Grade 1 races only after winning Grade 2 and 3 races, so you can expect a high-quality contest.
- Prize Money: The total purse is around £450,000. The winner receives £253,215. Second place runner gets £95,400, third place gets £47,745, and fourth place gets £23,850.
- Age Requirements: The race is open to horses aged four years and older. Poniros is the youngest horse in the racecard (5 years old).
Champion Hurdle History & Prestige
The Champion Hurdle was first organised in 1927. Over the decades, it has become one of the most prestigious two-mile hurdle races in National Hunt racing.
It has produced some legendary winners. The most notable one was Istabraq, who won three consecutive seasons (1998–2000). He was not the only horse to achieve a hat-trick, though. Hatton’s Grace (1949–1951), Sir Ken (1952–1954), Persian War (1968–1970), and See You Then (1985–1987) all accomplished the remarkable feat of winning three consecutive Champion Hurdles.
Horses like Hurricane Fly, Honeysuckle, and Constitution Hill also added to the star power with dominant performances.
This year’s racecard features elite trainers like Nicky Henderson, W P Mullins, and Gordon Elliott. Fans and bettors can see their runners not just in the Champion Hurdle. Their horses will be competing in Grade 1 races throughout the Festival. On the second day, you can see most of their runners in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. The third day has two Grade 1 races – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Steeple Chase. Then, finally, on the fourth day, fans will see all elite horses competing for The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Champion Hurdle FAQs
When is the Champion Hurdle?
The Champion Hurdle always takes place on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. This year, it will be on 10th March, 2026.
What time is the Champion Hurdle?
The race is scheduled for 4:00 pm UK time. It’s the centrepiece of the opening afternoon.
How many runners are in the Champion Hurdle?
This year features 12 runners (after Champion Hill’s withdrawal). However, some horses may be declared non-runners on the day of the event due to injury, poor form, or failing to meet weight requirements.
What distance is the Champion Hurdle?
The race is run over two miles and 87 yards. The horses have to jump eight flights of hurdles on the Old Course of Cheltenham.
Where is the Champion Hurdle run?
The Champion Hurdle is staged at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. It is run on the Old Course at Prestbury Park, a turf track with a demanding uphill run.
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