Cheltenham Festival
An Outsider To Watch In The Stayers’ Hurdle – And More!
Steve Mullington casts his eye over the state of the Grade 1 open hurdle markets ahead of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, providing an antepost selection for each race.
So read on for his thoughts on the Cheltenham open hurdle races ahead of March’s showpiece fixture of the National Hunt season.
Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
THE NEW LION sauntered home in the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle last season, with this campaign being all about landing the Champion Hurdle.
However, things haven’t been all plain sailing and there have been a few bumps in the road along the way, namely a tumble in the Fighting Fifth and effectively being handed the final stages of the International Hurdle on a plate.
That being said, the Champion Hurdle is wide open this year, and even a horse with a few flaws can land it.
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The Gordon Elliott-trained WODHOOH is regarded as the Irish banker for many punters at the Cheltenham Festival, and I’m inclined to agree with them.
After victories so far this term in the Ascot Hurdle and the Kerrymount Mares Hurdle, connections are hopeful she can make it 10 wins from 11 starts when she heads to Prestbury Park.
Wodhooh’s only defeat in the last two seasons came at the hooves of Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle, and my gut feeling is that Elliott’s mare would reverse the result should they meet at Cheltenham.
Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
If you’re looking for something at a big price in our horse racing betting for the Stayers’ Hurdle, then give some thought to the prospects of THE YELLOW CLAY.
The Bective Stud-owned seven-year-old was only beaten three-quarters of a length by The New Lion at The Festival last year, and the latter named is now the favourite for the Champion Hurdle, which proves he is no back number.
Elliott has been the hot trainer to follow in the contest, saddling two of the last three winners of the Stayers’ and had the second and third in last March’s renewal, and although all eyes (and the betting) will be on his other horse – Teahupoo, we mustn’t underestimate The Yellow Clay and 25/1 is an appealing each-way offering.
Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
in September 2025, PROACTIF – a four-year-old son of Masked Marvel, won by six lengths going away in an 18-runner field at Auteuil, and he looked like a very forward horse based upon that run alone.
Subsequently purchased by JP McManus, Proactif climbed towards the top of the ante-post market for the Triumph after with a smart win in a hurdle at Fairyhouse. Currently trading at around the 6/1 mark in our sports betting, this youngster is very much in the mix for the Triumph.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
