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 promises to be an increasingly competitive Champion Hurdle.


It is Lossiemouth who heads the with Sky Bet to finish 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 profession starts - took pleasure in a remarkable 2025 project, declaring success in the Mares' Hurdle, Aintree Hurdle, Morgiana Hurdle and the December Hurdle at Leopardstown.


She needed to go 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 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 2nd favourite with Sky Bet.


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


Meanwhile, the abovementioned Brighterdaysahead is also expected to mount a strong difficulty, with the Gordon Elliott-trained mare installed as the 5/1 third favourite.


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


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