With the picture a bit murky at the moment for the day one Cheltenham Festival feature race, Andy Newton has a value 10/1 Champion Hurdle ante-post betting tip – and explains why. 

Champion Hurdle Ante-Post Betting Tip 2026: Ace Looks ‘Golden’ Value In A Race Of Many Questions

This season’s Champion Hurdle market is one that is littered with many questions marks – which is why last year’s winner GOLDEN ACE looks cracking value at 10/1.

Unlike some of her main rivals, we know she’ll be back in this race to defend her Cheltenham crown on ITV Racing on Tuesday 10th March.

Yes, she was a lucky winner of the race 12 months ago with both State Man and Constitution Hill both hitting the deck.

However, she still had the useful Brighterdaysahead back in fourth, albeit badly hampered by the State Man fall.

Plus was nine lengths clear of useful yardstick Burdett Road (2nd) – see below.

The Jeremy Scott-trained 8 year-old has returned this season to win the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Again, maybe a shade fortunate to win – but also ran well to be second to Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

But since that recent run, the Champion Hurdle ante-post waters have been mudded further – Andy Newton explains how below.

BACK GOLDEN ACE e/w @ 10/1 (2026, Champion Hurdle, Non-Runner No Bet)

Why Is Golden Ace The Most Solid Champion Hurdle Ante-Post Cheltenham Tip?

No SIR GINO After Terrible Recent Injury

With the unfortunate injury to Sir Gino in the International Hurdle on Trials Day, this has shaken-up the market.

Gino will now, of course, miss the race and we might not even see him on the track again, which is terrible news.

But this means he’ll no longer scare some of the others off and it will be one less horse for Golden Ace to worry about.

As, let’s be honest, a fit Sir Gino is finishing ahead of Golden Ace in any race. Just like he did at Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle.

LOSSIEMOUTH Cheltenham Race Still Uncertain 

Yes, the ‘no Sir Gino angle’ could now also push the connections of Lossiemouth to finally take her chance in the big day one feature.

The bookies are also suggesting this too.

As without even running she was shortened into the new Champion Hurdle favourite, without even running.

We might know more after her Irish Champion Hurdle run on Sunday as to her Festival target.

But there is still every chance she’ll run in the Mares’ Hurdle – a race, don’t forget, she’s won for the last two seasons.

Of course, if she does head to the Champion Hurdle, then being unbeaten at the track, she’ll be hard to beat.

But if she goes to the Mares, then this is another big name Golden Ace won’t have to worry about.

THE NEW LION Wasn’t Impressive In International Hurdle Win

Next up is The New Lion – last season’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham Festival.

But that win came over further (2m5f) and, for me, the jury is out on whether he’s a two miler.

He took advantage of Sir Gino being pulled up the last day, but he was also hardly impressive in beating the 151-rated and 138-rated Nemean Lion and Brentford Hope – was he?

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD Has Lost To Golden Ace At Cheltenham Twice

Next up is the Gordon Elliott-trained Brighterdaysahead – who, like Lossiemouth, could also head to the Mares’ Hurdle on the Thursday.

Again, we’ll know more after her Irish Champion Hurdle run on Sunday 1st February.

But regardless, Golden Ace has still beaten BDA twice in her career – once in the Mares’ Novices Hurdle in 2024 and last year in the Champion Hurdle.

Trainer Gordon Elliott is also still hunting for his first Champion Hurdle win.

CONSTIUTION HILL – Will Past Champion Hurdle Winner Even Run? 

We then move onto the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill and all the jumping problems he’s had of late.

He’s fallen in three of his last four starts and will now run on the AW at Southwell before connections decide if he’ll even run in the race.

The 9 year-old is still rated 170 and we all know a fully fit Con Hill will be a big danger to all. If, of course, he can also stay on his feet.

But have those falls impacted him?

ANZADAM – Hasn’t Yet Fulfilled Expected Potential

With no State Man or Sir Gino now, the Donnellys will have to pin their hopes on Anzadam, who was billed as a superstar in the making last season.

But after running only second (to Golden Ace) in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and then fourth to Lossiemouth in the December Hurdle.

He’s got a lot to prove in my book.

Plus, is yet to even run at Cheltenham. So will it even suit?

GOLDEN ACE Loves Cheltenham 

And, finally, it’s hard to fault the record of Golden Ace at Cheltenham. Where she’s two-from-two at the Cheltenham Festival.

Plus, is three-from-four overall at Prestbury Park, with her only defeat at the track a third in the Relkeel Hurdle over 2m 4 1/2f back in 2025.

Golden Ace also has a very consistent profile.

Having only been out of the first three over hurdles once (from her 12 starts). Which came in the Ascot Hurdle (2024) when fourth back in 2024.

But that was also her first run back for seven months. And she’s a horse that’s tended to need a race to blow away the cobwebs over the years.

Therefore, with so many question marks surrounding the others in the market, GOLDEN ACE has less to answer.

Oh, and – let’s remind ourselves – she’s also the defending champ.

We know, barring any injuries, she’ll turn up in this race.

And we also know conditions and the track will suit. Plus be armed with the handy 7lbs mares’ allowance again.

So, even though she might find one (or two) too good if Lossiemouth runs in the Champion Hurdle, it will be a brave punter that says she can’t hit the frame.

Especially now firms are starting to go non-runner, no bet – this adds a further safety net.

BACK GOLDEN ACE e/w @ 10/1 (2026, Champion Hurdle)

Champion Hurdle Betting Odds 2026

Note: Champion Hurdle Betting Odds are subject to change 

Golden Ace Career In Numbers 

When Is The Champion Hurdle 2026? 

🗓️DATE: Tuesday 10th March 2026
🏟️COURSE: Cheltenham
📺TV: RTV and ITV Racing Schedule

WATCH: Golden Ace Winning The 2025 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle