Get an in-depth look at the Champion Hurdle odds for 2026, including key favorites, betting tips, and historical insights to enhance your betting approach at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Champion Hurdle is among the premier races at the Cheltenham Festival, making understanding champion hurdle odds crucial for bettors. Scheduled for March 10th, 2026, at 4:00 PM, the race covers 3,319 metres and involves eight hurdles. The odds reveal insights regarding each horse's chances, shaped by expert evaluations and current market dynamics.
The Champion Hurdle is one of the most prestigious races at the Cheltenham Festival, and understanding the current odds is essential for making informed betting decisions. The race takes place on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, at 4:00 PM and covers two miles and 110 yards (3,319 metres) with eight hurdles to be jumped. The odds reflect expert assessments of each horse's chances, market sentiment, and betting patterns across multiple bookmakers.
The betting markets show a competitive field with several standout candidates for the 2026 Champion Hurdle.
The New Lion emerges as the current favorite across multiple bookmakers at 4/1 odds, positioning this horse as the betting market leader heading into the race.
State Man, last year's Champion Hurdle winner, remains a strong contender at 11/2 to 13/2 odds. State Man won the 2025 running as the 2/5 favorite, demonstrating the horse's consistent form under trainer Willie Mullins.
Lossiemouth is another prominent horse in the betting, quoted at 7/1 to 13/2 odds depending on the bookmaker, representing solid value among the top contenders.
Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, has returned from injury and is available at 7/1 to 8/1 odds. Despite being the previous winner at odds of 4/11 in 2023, Constitution Hill's current odds reflect the uncertainty surrounding the recovery from his absence.
Anzadam rounds out the secondary tier of favorites at 13/2 to 14/1 odds.
Additional runners with competitive odds include William Munny at 12/1 to 20/1, Wodhooh at 16/1 to 25/1, and Golden Ace at 25/1. The betting market extends to long-shot outsiders at 50/1 and beyond, offering value opportunities for punters willing to back less fancied runners.
The Champion Hurdle odds provide a window into the competitive horseracing landscape at Cheltenham, with insights into market trends and betting behavior.
This guide helps bettors strategize with information on favorites and historical context, navigating the complexities of ante-post and each-way betting.
The favoritism has a remarkably strong historical record in recent Champion Hurdles. Over the last five renewals of the race, the market favorite has obliged with victory in every single running. This consistent pattern suggests that betting odds genuinely reflect horse quality and preparation.
2022: Honeysuckle won as the favorite
2023: Constitution Hill won at 4/11 odds
2024: State Man won as the 2/5 favorite
2025: The market leader again prevailed
This track record indicates that punters who back the favorite in the Champion Hurdle have enjoyed considerable success, though odds compression typically follows such winning patterns.
Willie Mullins' first Champion Hurdle victory since Annie Power in 2016 came with State Man's 2025 success, highlighting the competitive nature of training at the highest level. The race has seen historically strong favorites, with Epatante winning in 2020 before Honeysuckle claimed back-to-back victories in 2021 and 2022, both times obliging as the market leader.
| Horse | Best Odds Available | Range |
|---|---|---|
| The New Lion | 4/1 | 4/1 |
| State Man | 11/2 | 11/2 - 13/2 |
| Lossiemouth | 7/1 - 10/3 | 7/1 - 13/2 |
| Constitution Hill | 7/1 | 5/1 - 8/1 |
| Anzadam | 13/2 - 14/1 | 13/2 - 14/1 |
Different bookmakers offer varying odds on the same horses, and punters should shop around for the best prices. Racing Post's odds comparison grid presents all bookmakers side-by-side, with bold numbers indicating the best available price for each runner across the market. Oddschecker and similar comparison sites make it straightforward to identify which bookmakers offer superior value on your chosen horse.
The odds for each horse reflect their recent racing performance, injury status, and preparation for the Cheltenham Festival. Constitution Hill's current odds, for example, are longer than his 2023 victory odds due to his prolonged absence from competition, creating uncertainty about his current fitness and form levels.
The quality of the training setup significantly impacts a horse's odds. Willie Mullins' track record as a trainer elevates State Man's position in the betting, while the expertise of Nicky Henderson, Constitution Hill's trainer, likely prevents Constitution Hill's odds from drifting significantly longer despite injury concerns.
The odds shift based on where money is being placed. The blue and red color coding used by betting exchanges indicates whether odds are contracting (blue boxes showing support) or drifting (red boxes showing less betting interest). As more punters back a horse, its odds shorten; as money moves away, odds extend.
The odds quoted for the 2026 Champion Hurdle are ante-post odds, representing prices available well in advance of the race. These differ substantially from day-of-race odds, which can fluctuate dramatically as additional information emerges. Ante-post betting allows punters to secure prices early, but horses may be withdrawn or suffer injury before race day.
Multiple bookmakers advertise enhanced place terms for each-way bets on the Champion Hurdle. Each-way bets consist of two equal stakes: one on the horse to win and one on the horse to place (typically in the top three or four depending on field size). This strategy reduces risk while providing a profit if your selection finishes in the placings but not the winner's enclosure.
Beyond comparing odds, evaluate the additional offers available. Some bookmakers provide money-back specials if your horse finishes second, extra places for each-way bets, or free bets for qualifying stakes. These value-added features can significantly enhance your expected return compared to basic odds comparison alone.
With favorites showing a 100% strike rate over the last five years, backing The New Lion at 4/1 represents a shorter-odds play with historical precedent. Conversely, horses like Anzadam at 13/2 or 14/1 may offer superior value if you believe the market has underestimated their chances relative to the favorites.
The 2026 Champion Hurdle odds present a fascinating betting puzzle, with The New Lion leading the market at 4/1, followed by State Man at 11/2, and Lossiemouth in contention at 7/1 or better. The strong historical record of favorites winning the race suggests that odds genuinely reflect horse quality and readiness. Punters should shop across multiple bookmakers to secure the best available prices while evaluating each-way opportunities and special offers that enhance value. Monitoring odds movements over the coming months will provide additional insights as training updates and trial races provide fresh information about each contender's preparation. Whether you opt for the favorite or seek value among outsiders, disciplined bankroll management and thorough research of training form remain essential to successful Champion Hurdle betting.
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