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

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


It is Lossiemouth who heads the marketplace with Sky Bet to finish 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 3 runner-up surfaces from her 17 profession starts - took pleasure in a remarkable 2025 campaign, claiming success in the Mares' Hurdle, Aintree Hurdle, Morgiana Hurdle and the December Hurdle at Leopardstown.


She needed to choose 2nd in her only start of 2026 to date, with the seven-year-old going down by more than 3 lengths to Brighterdaysahead.


sneak peek: Sky Bet favourites for the feature race on Day 1 at Cheltenham


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


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


Meanwhile, the abovementioned Brighterdaysahead is likewise expected to install a strong challenge, with the Gordon Elliott-trained mare installed as the 5/1 3rd favourite.


Despite taping ten profession wins, Brighterdaysahead has yet to secure victory at Cheltenham Racecourse. The seven-year-old completed second in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle in 2024 before positioning 4th in the Champion Hurdle the following year.


When she finished fourth in the Champion Hurdle in 2025, it was Golden Ace who emerged triumphant. Those backing the mare to protect 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 odds 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