18.40
YieldingBoodles Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £153652.17
- 2m 0f 45y
- 7 runners
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Runners: 7 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
4/9 (Won)
- Win: £1.29
- Place: £1.10
Form: 1-1121 CD
Last run: 52 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Filly
OR: 162
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 5lb |
One of three for trainer; prolific and highly talented mare justified decision to line up in this year's Champion Hurdle when adding a tenth Grade 1 win to her tally (14-18 overall) in good style; had both Anzadam and Golden Ace well behind her on that occasion; 3-3 at this venue, including when 19l in front of Glen Kiln in this season's Morgiana Hurdle; this looks easier than Cheltenham and she's ground-versatile; shock result if she doesn't win. |
4/9 |
|
1st 9 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Versatile as regards ground; prolific and highly talented mare whose record of 13-17 features nine Grade 1 wins, including three at this meeting (Triumph and two Mares' Hurdles); 4-4 at this venue overall; failed to justify favouritism in the Irish Champion Hurdle most recently but ran creditably without managing to confirm December placings with Brighterdaysahead; has less to prove than that rival back at Cheltenham and holds a big chance at the weights; wears headgear for the first time. |
13/8 |
|
2nd 6 |
1st Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Winner of 13 of her 16 starts; bypassed the 2025 Champion Hurdle, instead winning the Mares' Hurdle readily; previously, fell mid-race in this race and beaten just over 2l by Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle; easy winner of Aintree Hurdle after Constitution Hill's fall; had a straightforward task in the Morgiana on return, and was too strong for the reappearing Brightedaysahead here at Christmas. |
10/11 |
8/1
- Place: £2.70
Form: -21254 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Filly
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 5lb |
Fortuitous winner of the 2025 Champion Hurdle (same story in this season's Fighting Fifth); could only manage fifth when attempting to retain her crown (9.75l behind Lossiemouth); posted another solid effort in the Aintree Hurdle last time when fourth (2m4f, good to soft); return to 2m should suit, cheekpieces go on and she was second in this contest last year (good) but may need further luck to increase Grade 1 haul. |
8/1 |
|
4th 7 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Fortuitous winner of the 2025 Champion Hurdle (same story in the Fighting Fifth) and finished only fifth, behind some of today's rivals, when attempting to retain her crown; largely consistent and has won over 2m4f but increasing her Grade 1 tally may require further luck. |
12/1 |
|
5th 8 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Record of 3-4 at Cheltenham features two Festival wins, beating Brighterdaysahead in the Grade 2 novice hurdle in 2024 then admittedly fortuitous (left in lead when State Man took a late fall; odds-on Constitution Hill exited earlier) when 25-1 in this race last year; also had fortune on her side in this season's Fighting Fifth as the front two in the market, including The New Lion, failed to complete; ran creditably on Boxing Day when last seen; largely consistent and should go well but may require further luck to retain her crown. |
8/1 |
11/1
Form: 2-3121 D
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 152
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
Progressive 7yo won a competitive Ascot handicap in December (15.5f, good to soft) and was second in a valuable Windsor handicap next time (2m, soft); posted career-best effort in the County Hurdle last time, keeping on well to win by three lengths (2m1f, soft); has course form after filling the second spot in a festival handicap here last season; enters Grade 1 company now and will need a good fist of improvement again, but he's clearly thriving. |
11/1 |
|
1st 6 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in December; backed that up when second of 14 in another valuable handicap at Windsor (2m, soft) in January; likeable but he will need more again. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; had nearly 3l to spare over the runner-up Hot Fuss and he's respected up 7lb. |
15/2 |
14/1
Form: 1-2447 D
Last run: 52 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 155
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
One of three for trainer; hopes were high that he could develop into a Champion Hurdle contender following a brace of stylish Group 3 wins in his opening two starts for this yard; lost unbeaten record since upped to Grade 1 level; beaten by Golden Ace in the Fighting Fifth, then only fourth twice at Leopardstown; made a race-ending mistake at the second flight in the Champion Hurdle before running on late to finish seventh of nine (18l behind Lossiemouth); place-chance if putting it all together. |
14/1 |
|
7th 2 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Looked very promising in completing a Grade 3 double in great style upon joining Willie Mullins; has lost his unbeaten record since upped to Grade 1 level, beaten by Golden Ace in the Fighting Fifth then only fourth twice at Leopardstown (headstrong on penultimate start); however, this first taste of the Cheltenham Festival may facilitate a bigger effort, with the possibility of an ideal pace set-up and precise priming for this day. |
20/1 |
|
4th 1 |
1st Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
2-2 in France; maintained his record in winning two Grade 3 events last season (2m, yielding/soft to heavy); missed the big spring festivals due to a setback; suffered his first defeat when second to Golden Ace in the incident-packed Fighting Fifth; raced too keenly here at Christmas and just lost third to Casheldale Lad. |
8/1 |
6/1
Form: /2212- CD
Last run: 416 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 155
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 5 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
Unseen since taking the runner-up spot behind Kopek Des Bordes in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle (2m, good to soft); that was just his fourth hurdles start after placing in his opening two maiden hurdles at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse and comfortably winning a Listed novice hurdle (soft) over this C&D before his Cheltenham run; contender if running to his best but it would be a huge performance to win this after 416 days off. |
6/1 |
|
2nd 11 |
11th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Respectable third in sole Grade 1 attempt (final start in bumpers); opened his hurdles account with an effortless Listed novice win at Punchestown (2m, soft; went clear on the bridle) last month when ridden by Sean Flanagan for the first time and settling better than previously in this sphere; now goes in first-time hood as an extra measure, which allies with the likely strong pace; peaking at the right time and looks set for an interesting rematch with Workahead, who beat him at Leopardstown in December; owner-trainer landed this prize two years ago with a horse ridden by Michael O'Sullivan, who very sadly lost his life recently and is honoured in the race title today; a fitting success is conceivable, with further improvement likely. |
13/2 |
|
5 |
20th Feb 2025 Soft 1m 7f 211y |
11st 5lb |
Smart bumper form, winning at Navan (beat C'Est Ta Chance) and Naas before fine third to Redemption Day in Grade 1 event here; reversed form with that rival when second in a strong maiden on hurdles debut at Leopardstown; good chance here on the strength of seconds to the promising Kawaboomga at Fairyhouse; room for improvement in his jumping. |
8/11 |
50/1
Form: 12U218 C
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 146
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
Enjoyed a standout season, highlighted by landing Grade 3 honours at Naas in January (2m, heavy); has been found out upped to Grade 1 level twice this term, 19l behind Lossiemouth in the Morgiana Hurdle (16.5f, soft to heavy) and no chance when unseated at the last in the Hatton's Grace (2m4f, yielding to soft); below his best in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 last time; hard to see him being involved. |
50/1 |
|
8th 2 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 180y |
11st 6lb |
Better than ever this season and has contested two Grade 1s; appreciated the drop in class when making all in a Grade 3 at Naas (2m, heavy) and this 7yo is a good bet to give his running (stays this far); very sound jumper. |
15/2 |
|
1st 4 |
25th Jan 2026 Heavy 1m 7f 190y |
11st 3lb |
Better than ever this season, winning over 2m3f at Punchestown and has run well in defeat since chasing home clear-cut winners at same venue in both Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle and when over 8l off front-running Fabiolo on New Year's Eve (2m3f); seems sure to run another solid race (running in colours of Limestone Lad). |
13/2 |
40/1
Form: /31-02 D BF
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 151
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 1 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
One of three for trainer; dual-purpose sort who has run creditably in the last three Melbourne Cups (rated 107 on the Flat); 2024 County Hurdle winner was well below his best in that race this season back from a break (2m1f, soft); improved display at Cork when 3.25l behind Ndaawi (16.5f, yielding); a good bit to find with Lossiemouth even if running to his rating, which he hasn't done so far this term. |
40/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
5th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 70y |
11st 2lb |
Classy dual-purpose sort who has run creditably in the last three Melbourne Cups (rated 107 on the Flat); below best after a break in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but should be sharper now and Harry Cobden has won on him before; top rated at 153 and obvious chance. |
5/4 |
|
20th 2 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 13lb |
Won this in 2024 and third last year, albeit off much lower marks; operated a little below his very best on the Flat last year, including in Australia in the autumn, which perhaps raises a few doubts as to whether he'll be able to find the career-best hurdle performance which will be needed to defy such a lofty mark. |
16/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €3.50 |
| Straight Forecast | €4.65 |
| Trifecta | €10.90 |
Selections
The Irish Sun:
Lossiemouth