The Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, run over two miles and featuring eight hurdles for the runners and riders to navigate.
As one of the most prestigious races in the National Hunt calendar, it is highly anticipated by punters with the Cheltenham roar in full flow on day one of the festival.
The 2026 Champion Hurdle has already made headlines with the news that Nicky Henderson’s 2023 champion Constitution Hill is among the early declarations for the race following his triumphant Flat debut at Southwell.
Last year’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle winner The New Lion, Mares’ Hurdle victor Lossiemouth and Irish Champion Hurdle titlist Brighterdaysahead are also among the early declarations.
Constitution Hill’s effortless display in the 2023 Champion Hurdle saw many talk of him as potentially one of the greatest hurdlers of all time, as he romped clear of State Man to finish nine lengths clear.
The pair were due to battle it out again in 2024 but Constitution Hill ultimately withdrew and State Man took the title for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend.
In 2025, 25/1 outsider Golden Ace took top honours with Lorcan Williams on board for trainer Jeremy Scott after a sensational fall at the last from defending champion State Man.
Some of the best hurdlers of all time have won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, with many triumphing on more than one occasion.
Five horses have won the race on three occasions, with all winning in consecutive years. They are:
It is not just legendary horses that have made their name in this race – some of the sport’s greatest jockeys have had success here too, including Ruby Walsh, Tim Molony and Barry Geraghty, who all hold the record for most wins with four.
Nicky Henderson has the most wins (nine) as a trainer with JP McManus the leading owner with nine victories of his own.
The Champion Hurdle will take place on the first day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, known as ‘Champion Day’.
There are seven races scheduled for day one with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle getting proceedings underway at 13:20.
The Champion Hurdle gets underway at 16:00 on Tuesday 10th March 2025 and is the fifth race of the afternoon between the 15:20 Ultima Handicap Chase and the 16:40 TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase.
Whoever wins this highly-coveted trophy will rightfully earn their place in Cheltenham history.
Visit the Champion Day section of the BetMGM sportsbook for the latest Champion Chase odds. It’s showtime!
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