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

The function race of Day 1 at Cheltenham Festival happens at 4pm today, where a strong nine-horse field is anticipated to line up for what promises to be an increasingly competitive Champion Hurdle.


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


The mare - who boasts 13 wins and three runner-up surfaces from her 17 career starts - enjoyed an extraordinary 2025 project, claiming victories in the Mares' Hurdle, Hurdle, Morgiana Hurdle and the December Hurdle at Leopardstown.


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


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


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


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


Meanwhile, the previously mentioned Brighterdaysahead is also expected to install a strong difficulty, with the Gordon Elliott-trained mare set up as the 5/1 third favourite.


Despite recording 10 profession wins, Brighterdaysahead has yet to secure victory at Cheltenham Racecourse. The seven-year-old finished second in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle in 2024 before placing fourth in the Champion Hurdle the list below year.


When she finished fourth in the Champion Hurdle in 2025, it was Golden Ace who emerged triumphant. Those backing the mare to safeguard her crown this year can currently discover 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