Champion Hurdle Preview: Sky Bet Favourites For The Feature Race Today
The feature race of Day 1 at Cheltenham Festival occurs at 4pm today, where a field is expected to line up for what assures to be an increasingly competitive Champion Hurdle.
It is Lossiemouth who heads the market with Sky Bet to finish very first past the post, with the Willie Mullins-trained mare having been improved from 6/4 to 13/8.
The mare - who boasts 13 wins and 3 runner-up surfaces from her 17 profession begins - enjoyed an exceptional 2025 campaign, declaring success in the Mares' Hurdle, Aintree Hurdle, Morgiana Hurdle and the December Hurdle at Leopardstown.
She had to settle for 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 preview: Sky Bet favourites for the feature race on Day 1 at Cheltenham
Behind the preferred in the betting is The New Lion, who is currently priced as the 5/2 second preferred with Sky Bet.
The gelding boasts strong course type at Cheltenham, having actually won in 2015's Turners Novices' Hurdle before declaring a Grade 2 contest last month.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Brighterdaysahead is also expected to mount a strong challenge, with the Gordon Elliott-trained mare installed as the 5/1 3rd favourite.
Despite recording ten 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 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 defend her crown this year can presently 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