16:00 Cheltenham

Tuesday 10 March 2026

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 3m 54.24s

Alexei^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 148| BF| CD

22/1

Has come back a bigger force this season, bagging valuable Greatwood here in November and shaped well when finishing third in another premier handicap back at Ascot. Didn't need to improve to land the odds in Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle latest but this asks a totally different question.

Form: 8-21131

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Anzadam^h,t1³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| D

18/1

Extended unbeaten record to 4 in Grade 3 at Naas in January 2025 but has gone from an exciting, unknown quantity to looking a hard ride and not quite at Grade 1 company this season, dropped out and never really a threat in the Irish Champion Hurdle. Tongue tie reinstated.

Form: 11-244

Poniros³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| C

16/1

Useful on Flat and caused the biggest shock in the history of the Triumph Hurdle when running out a 100/1 winner on debut in this sphere a year ago. Proved that was no fluke when second in Grade 1 at Punchestown and shaped as though he'd come on for run behind the very smart mares at Leopardstown.

Form: 1-23

The New Lion⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 159| C

3/1

Unbeaten in 4 starts as a novice and particularly impressive in Baring Bingham a year ago. Still finding in front when falling heavily 2 out in Fighting Fifth on reappearance and was ultimately presented with a straightforward task in the International on Trials Day. The one open to improvement.

Form: 1111-F1

Tutti Quanti³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 151| D

25/1

Disappointing in Welsh Champion on Chepstow reappearance but back to form with a bang to win Gerry Feilden at Newbury month later and confirmed he's a young hurdler on the up when supplementing that over the same C&D last month. Slick jumper but he's pitched in deep.

Form: 261-611

Workahead²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 145| D

80/1

Has just a maiden hurdle win to his name (albeit beat a smart one) but all the better for reappearance when second in Grade 3 at Gowran last month. Hard to make a case for him in this company, though.

Form: 1/310-42

Brighterdaysahead³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 160| D

7/2

Very smart mare who got her career back on track in no uncertain terms this winter, runner-up in quest to follow up in the December Hurdle and cashed in on a below-par Lossiemouth for third Grade 1 in open company in the Irish Champion. Beaten both Cheltenham starts but a major player.

Form: 14-321

Golden Ace⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 152| CD

12/1

Really likeable mare who scaled new heights when landing this a year ago, albeit held until State Man fell at the last. Her reappearance win in the Fighting Fifth was also aided by a couple of high-profile fallers but ran right up to form when second to Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle.

Form: 1-2212

Lossiemouth^p1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| BF| C| D

7/5

Prolific hurdler, winning 14 of 16 completed starts including 9 at the highest level. Smooth winner of the Mares' Hurdle for a second time a year ago and while Brighterdaysahead lowered her colours at Leopardstown, she's fancied to reverse the form this time with cheekpieces likely to help.

Form: F11-112

Forecasts

Lossiemouth (7/5), The New Lion (3/1), Brighterdaysahead (7/2), Golden Ace (12/1), Poniros (16/1), Anzadam (18/1), Alexei (22/1), Tutti Quanti (25/1), Workahead (80/1)

Several high-profile absentees potentially leaves the door ajar for another mare to add their name to the Champion Hurdle roll of honour. LOSSIEMOUTH looks the type to benefit from cheekpieces so is marginally preferred to Brighterdaysahead in her quest for a Cheltenham Festival 4-timer. The Elliott-trained mare has yet to win at this venue but she did beat the selection at Leopardstown and demands respect, while The New Lion's ceiling has yet to be ascertained.