Royal Ascot
16–20 June 2026
Champion Hurdle 2027 — Odds, Facts & Betting Guide
16 March 2027 · Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
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The Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and the championship event for the best two-mile hurdlers in training. The 2027 running is on Tuesday 16 March, Champion Day, at 4:00pm.
Lossiemouth is the defending champion after a scintillating 2026 victory for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The race that traditionally draws the famous "Cheltenham Roar" as the Festival begins, it is one of the standout betting heats of the jumps calendar.
Where to find the latest odds
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Champion Hurdle: fast facts
- The Champion Hurdle is run over two miles and half a furlong at Cheltenham, the championship race for top hurdlers.
- It is the feature race on the opening day of the Festival, Champion Day, at 4:00pm.
- The 2027 running is on Tuesday 16 March.
- Lossiemouth won the 2026 Champion Hurdle for Willie Mullins, ridden by Paul Townend.
- The 2025 race was won by 25/1 shot Golden Ace, one of the bigger-priced winners in recent memory.
- Istabraq won three consecutive Champion Hurdles between 1998 and 2000.
Past winners
| Year | Winner | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lossiemouth | Willie Mullins-trained, ridden by Paul Townend |
| 2025 | Golden Ace | 25/1 winner for Jeremy Scott and Lorcan Williams |
| 2024 | State Man | Willie Mullins-trained champion |
| 2023 | Constitution Hill | Unbeaten and dominant |
| 2022 | Honeysuckle | Back-to-back wins for Rachael Blackmore |
| 2021 | Honeysuckle | First Champion Hurdle, Blackmore aboard |
| 2020 | Epatante | Nicky Henderson-trained winner |
| 2019 | Espoir D'Allen | Surprise dominant winner |
| 2018 | Buveur D'Air | Retained his crown |
| 2017 | Buveur D'Air | First Champion Hurdle |
How to bet on Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is the two-mile hurdling championship and a major Festival betting heat. Win and each-way markets are usually shaped by the leading Irish and British hurdlers, with Willie Mullins' stable a dominant force in recent years.
Ante-post markets run through the season, rewarding those tracking which hurdlers are aimed at the opening day. Speed, accurate hurdling and proven course form are the key pointers, though as Golden Ace's 25/1 win showed, the race can surprise.
The opening-day atmosphere and the quality of the field make this a thrilling but unpredictable race. Bet each-way on a sensible budget and treat even short-priced favourites with caution on the Cheltenham hill.
Popular markets
- Win and each-way
- Ante-post
- Non-runner-no-bet offers
- Forecast and tricast
- Match bets
- Festival multiples
Champion Hurdle 2027: your questions answered
When is the Champion Hurdle 2027?
The 2027 Champion Hurdle is on Tuesday 16 March, the feature race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival at 4:00pm.
Who won the Champion Hurdle in 2026?
Lossiemouth won the 2026 Champion Hurdle for Willie Mullins, ridden by Paul Townend.
How far is the Champion Hurdle?
It is run over two miles and half a furlong, the championship distance for hurdlers.
What is the Cheltenham Roar?
The huge cheer from the crowd as the first race of the Festival begins — the Champion Hurdle is the feature of that opening day.
Has a big-priced horse won the Champion Hurdle recently?
Yes — Golden Ace won the 2025 running at 25/1, showing the race can throw up surprises.