Champion Chase 2026: Runners, Odds, Trends & Tips

oddschecker | 17:30 Tuesday 10th March 2026

The Champion Chase has a clear front runner in the betting. Check out our preview for the race here.

Champion Chase

The 2026 Champion Chase shapes up as a showdown seemingly dominated by one horse, with Majborough arriving as the red‑hot odds‑on favourite after his Dublin Chase win signalled he had finally put everything together. Yet while the six‑year‑old looks every inch the new two‑mile king, the race still offers angles for punters willing to look beyond the obvious. This division has humbled short‑priced stars before, and with Henry de Bromhead fielding two intriguing contenders, including last year’s unlucky faller Quilixios, the story of Wednesday’s feature is far richer than a simple coronation.

The most backed bet is currently Majborough with 53% of bets through oddschecker in the last 24 hours.

2026 Champion Chase Runners & Riders

Champion Chase Runners & Confirmed Jockeys

1. Majborough – 10/11

Trainer: W P Mullins
Jockey: Mark Walsh

2. Il Etait Temps – 11/2

Trainer: W P Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend

3. Leau Du Sud – 11/2

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton

4. Quilixios – 11/1

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe

5. Irish Panther – 14/1

Trainer: E & P Harty
Jockey: Kieren Buckley

6. Captain Guinness – 66/1

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Jordan Gainford

7. Saint Segal – 66/1

Trainer: Mrs J Williams
Jockey: C Gethings

8. Found A Fifty – 50/1

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jack Kennedy

9. Brookie – 125/1

Trainer: A J Honeyball
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

10. Libberty Hunter – 100/1

Trainer: Evan Williams
Jockey: S Bowen

Who's favourite to win the 2026 Champion Chase at Cheltenham

Majborough heads into the Champion Chase as the clear favourite at 10/11 with AKBets, strengthened even further by the late withdrawal of last year’s winner Marine Nationale. His demolition job in the Dublin Chase, aided by the addition of cheekpieces, has convinced most observers that he’s finally ironed out the jumping frailties that cost him the Arkle, leaving him looking every inch the one they all have to beat.

Horse	Best Odds	Bookmaker
Majborough	10/11	AKBets
Il Etait Temps	11/2	AKBets
Leau Du Sud	11/2	PricedUP
Quilixios	11/1	AKBets
Irish Panther	14/1	Various
Captain Guinness	66/1	PricedUP
Saint Segal	66/1	PricedUP
Found A Fifty	50/1	PricedUP
Libberty Hunter	100/1	PricedUP
Brookie	125/1	Ladbrokes

2026 Champion Chase Most Backed Horses

The table below shows the percentage of bets taken through oddschecker on the Champion Chase market in the last 24 hours.

Horse	% of Bets	Odds
Majborough	51.9%	10/11
Il Etait Temps	9.5%	11/2
Leau Du Sud	7.7%	11/2
Irish Panther	7.4%	14/1
Libberty Hunter	7.4%	100/1
Found A Fifty	6.0%	50/1
Quilixios	5.7%	11/1
Captain Guinness	3.4%	66/1
Saint Segal	2.0%	66/1
Brookie	1.7%	125/1

Champion Chase Race Trends

11 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Grade 1
10 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
10 of the previous 12 winners had at least 2 previous runs at Cheltenham
10 of the previous 12 winners had at least 7 chase starts
9 of the previous 12 winners were rated 162 or higher
6 of the previous 12 winners had run in the Clarence House Chase on their previous run

Champion Chase 2026 Betting Tips

At a bigger price, Quilixios makes plenty of appeal as an outsider capable of outrunning his odds in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the former Triumph Hurdle winner has been specifically aimed at this race despite not being seen on the track for a year. His last appearance came in this contest 12 months ago when he travelled strongly before falling at the final fence while still in contention behind Marine Nationale.

The lengthy absence is an obvious question, but it may not be the negative many assume. Quilixios has an excellent record when returning from breaks, previously winning after layoffs of 225, 610 and 210 days, showing he can perform at a high level when fresh. Reports from the yard suggest he has been thriving at home, with connections keen to take their chance.

Conditions could also play in his favour. His disappointing effort in the Arkle Challenge Trophy came on soft ground, whereas better ground has historically brought out the best in him. Back at Cheltenham, where he has already proven his class, this sharper test looks much more suitable.

This race has a recent history of short-priced favourites coming unstuck, and with questions surrounding some of the market leaders’ jumping under pressure, backing a proven Grade 1 performer at a bigger price makes sense.