With State Man ruled out at the start of the season, Constitution Hill reverting to the flat, and Sir Gino injured in his prep race, much of the build-up to the 2026 Champion Hurdle centred around the absentees. However, there was no shortage of talent remaining in the final field of nine.
The Willie Mullins mare, Lossiemouth, surged to the head of the market once it was confirmed she would tackle this contest rather than defend her Mares’ Hurdle crown. A perfect three from three at the Cheltenham Festival following wins in the Triumph Hurdle (2023) and Mares’ Hurdle (2024, 2025), she was the clear pick of the three Mullins entries.
Dan Skelton’s 2025 Turners Novices’ Hurdle winner, The New Lion, came next in the market, having warmed up with a win at this track in the Unibet Hurdle. Sporting the famous green and gold silks, the seven-year-old sought to give owner JP McManus a record-extending 10th win in the race.
The only other runner available at a single-figure price was the Gordon Elliott mare, Brighterdaysahead. With four wins in Grade 1 company, including when mastering Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time out, the Gigginstown House Stud runner was thoroughly proven at the highest level. However, she had come up short in two previous appearances at the Cheltenham Festival.
Having caused a 25/1 shock to claim the 2025 edition, the Jeremy Scott mare Golden Ace returned to defend her crown. Viewed as a fortunate winner 12 months ago, she started as the fourth choice of punters.
Of the others, Tutti Quanti and Workahead looked up against it, having been well beaten in the 2025 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Poniros was more interesting, having caused a 100/1 shock in the 2025 Triumph Hurdle, while Joe Tizzard’s Alexei claimed the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle over course and distance in November.
Result
- 1st – Lossiemouth 7/5F, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd – Brighterdaysahead 7/2, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd – The New Lion 3/1, Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Dan Skelton
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £262,077.52
- 2nd – £98,738.99
- 3rd – £49,416.08
- 4th – £24,684.75
- 5th – £12,388.95
- 6th – £6,194.48
- 7th – £3,073.95
- 8th – £1,583.55
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £2.40
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.40, 2nd – £1.40, 3rd – £1.50
- Exacta – £8.80
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £6.65
- Trifecta – £24.40
- Tricast – £12.66
Recap
The rank outsider Workahead took the bull by the horns when the starter lowered his flag, with the Henry de Bromhead runner leading the field over the first hurdle. Fellow longshot Tutti Quanti didn’t fare so well, with a reluctant start immediately putting him on the back foot. Brighterdaysahead moved up to join Workahead in the early stages, followed by Lossiemouth and Golden Ace. Poniros and The New Lion came next, with Alexei and Anzadam waited with towards the rear.
Moving into the back straight, Jack Kennedy pushed on aboard Brighterdaysahead, opening up a two-length lead over Lossiemouth, with Golden Ace, Workahead, and The New Lion making up the next wave of three. Tutti Quanti looked tapped for toe, while a juddering error at the second hurdle all but ended Anzadam’s claims.
Approaching the turn for home, Brighterdaysahead continued to set the fractions but now sat only half a length ahead of Lossiemouth. Workahead, Alexei, Golden Ace, and The New Lion were a couple of lengths back, but all moved well. Poniros just about clung onto the leading group, but Tutti Quanti and Anzadam were out of contention.
Attacking the second last, Lossiemouth hit the front and began to pour on the pace turning into the straight. Soon two lengths clear, the mare had found a gear the others simply couldn’t match. Brighterdaysahead, The New Lion, and Alexei battled for second, ahead of Golden Ace, who had no more to give in fifth.
The mount of Paul Townend flew over the last to stamp her class all over this field, careering away for an impressive 6½l triumph. Old rival Brighterdaysahead took second from The New Lion, who stayed on well for third but lacked the speed of the winner.
A fourth Cheltenham Festival win for this remarkable Susannah Ricci-owned mare, and this was her best to date. A sixth Champion Hurdle for Willie Mullins, and a second for a delighted Paul Townend.
Runners
- 1. Alexei – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Joe Tizzard, Jockey: Brendan Powell
- 2. Anzadam – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Mr P W Mullins
- 3. Poniros – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Danny Mullins
- 4. The New Lion – SP: 3/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 5. Tutti Quanti – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 6. Workahead – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
- 7. Brighterdaysahead – SP: 7/2, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- 8. Golden Ace – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Jeremy Scott, Jockey: Lorcan Williams
- 9. Lossiemouth – SP: 7/5F, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
Non-Runners
All ran.