Champion Hurdle

Seven horses have been confirmed for the main event on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival, which this year has been shifted to the 4:00 slot, one race later than usual. 

The Grade 1 Champion Hurdle promises to be a standout race of the week, with a standout offer for those backing Constitution Hill into the winners’ enclosure.

Champion Hurdle Winners, Trends & Stats

Since Istabraq secured three straight victories from 1998 to 2000, four horses have claimed the Champion Hurdle twice. Hardy Eustace, Hurricane Fly, Buveur D’Air and Honeysuckle have all achieved this, while this year State Man and Constitution Hill could join them.

Constitution Hill aims to follow in the footsteps of Comedy Of Errors and Hurricane Fly by reclaiming the title. However, unlike those two, who were defeated in their off years, Constitution Hill simply didn’t compete last time.

Here are some key betting trends for the race:

  • 10 of the last 14 winners were the bookmakers’ favourites.
  • 11 of the last 15 winners were trained by either Nicky Henderson (six) or Willie Mullins (five).
  • The last 10 winners were unbeaten in their respective seasons.
  • Four of the last nine winners were mares, all starting as favourites.
  • 30 of the last 35 winners had won their previous race.
  • 30 of the last 42 winners were aged six or seven.

 

Champion Hurdle Key Runners & Contenders

Constitution Hill

Undefeated in his 10 races under rules, with triumphs at the Cheltenham Festival. He romped home by 22 lengths ahead of Jonbon in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and then, in 2023, became the first horse in 52 years to win the Champion Hurdle the following year, beating State Man by nine lengths.

Lightly raced since due to setbacks, he’s returned this season with wins at Kempton and Cheltenham. Whether he can still hit his 175 rating remains uncertain, but he could deliver another win for Nicky Henderson.

Brighterdaysahead

Now that she’s opted for this race instead of the Mares’ Hurdle, she’s a strong contender to become the fifth mare in a decade to win. Her only defeat in 10 starts came when finishing second at last season’s festival in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle to Golden Ace, but she’s progressed since.

She outran State Man at Punchestown in November’s Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle and reinforced that form with a 30-length victory in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.

State Man

It’s unusual for a defending Champion Hurdler to be such a long shot the next year, but that’s the situation for this eight-year-old trained by Willie Mullins. 

An 11-time Grade 1 winner, he finished behind Brighterdaysahead in his first two outings this season. He bounced back with a win in the Irish Champion Hurdle after Lossiemouth’s fall, though it’s unclear if he’s still at his peak.

Champion Hurdle Trainers & Jockeys to Watch

The theme of Day 1 persists, with Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson dominating the feature races. The pair have trained 11 of the last 15 winners, with Henderson accounting for six.

Nico De Boinville (2023) and Paul Townend (2024) have each ridden one of those winners, while Jack Kennedy hopes to secure a first Champion Hurdle win for himself and trainer Gordon Elliott aboard Brighterdaysahead.

Champion Hurdle Ground Conditions & Weather

Like the Arkle Chase, the top contenders for the race should all handle the anticipated good to soft ground on the Festival’s opening day.

With the Champion Hurdle moved to 4:00, the risk of a last-flight error might rise, as seen when Benie Des Dieux and Annie Power fell at the final hurdle in the Mares’ Hurdle, partly due to the low sun. 

Constitution Hill took a chance at the last in both the 2023 Champion Hurdle and this season’s International Hurdle, so that’s worth noting.

Champion Hurdle Pace & Tactics

Gigginstown will likely deploy King Of Kingsfield as a pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead, as they did at Leopardstown over Christmas, ensuring a brisk tempo throughout.

Champion Hurdle Tips

Keep an eye out to see if Constitution Hill is available for anywhere near evens on race morning.

Bookmakers will be hoping for an upset, like last season’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, where Brighterdaysahead lost as a short-priced favourite. 

It’s rare for Willie Mullins not to have a top-two contender – the reigning Champion Hurdler State Man seems slightly undervalued to challenge the market leaders.