Confirmed runners and riders for the Champion Hurdle

The Cheltenham Festival bursts into action on Tuesday afternoon and the feature contest on day one is the Champion Hurdle where Constitution Hill is the star attraction.

Nicky Henderson's unbeaten superstar won this race in 2023, but had to sit it out 12 months ago as State Man inherited the crown.

After a year on the sidelines, Constitution Hill is now back in business following wins in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and here on Trials Day in January.

He's going to bid to give Henderson a record-extending 10th Champion Hurdle win and he ranks as the one they all have to beat.

State Man retained his Irish Champion Hurdle last month, perhaps fortuitously, but had twice been beaten in Ireland prior to that this season. He leads the Willie Mullins charge after Lossiemouth's late defection to the Mares' Hurdle.

Brighterdaysahead was the horse that downed State Man twice this term and the Gordon Elliott-trained mare is now set to lock horns with the best two-mile hurdler around in a fascinating contest.

King Of Kingsfield joins his stablemate and will likely be on pacemaker duties, while Winter Fog means Mullins retains a double interest.

Burdett Road for James Owen and last year's Mares' Novices' Hurdle winner Golden Ace for Jeremy Scott complete the line-up, with the latter still the only horse to beat Brighterdaysahead.

2025 Champion Hurdle Runners and Riders

There are seven confirmed runners for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

• Burdett Road (Sam Twiston-Davies)

• Constitution Hill (Nico de Boinville)

• King Of Kingsfield (Danny Gilligan)

• State Man (Paul Townend)

• Winter Fog (Brian Hayes)

• Brighterdaysahead (Jack Kennedy)

• Golden Ace (Lorcan Williams)

For all information such as guides, horses and odds, be sure to explore our dedicated hubs where you can also bet on Cheltenham on every race and bet on the Gold Cup.

We also have a Champion Hurdle betting odds hub for everything you need to know about the Champion Hurdle.

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