This time last month, the Champion Hurdle was shaping up to be one of the standout races of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, with ante-post markets buzzing and punters already hunting for a free bet Cheltenham angle well in advance of March.
Lossiemouth and The New Lion were disputing favouritism at the head of the market, with Constitution Hill lurking ominously just behind them. It felt like a renewal that could define an era.
Rivals Falter
Willie Mullins’ classy mare was the first to lay down a serious marker. Her effortless 19-length demolition of Glen Kiln in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on November 22 was a statement performance in every sense.
Slick at her hurdles, devastatingly quick off the bridle, and barely asked a question by Paul Townend, Lossiemouth looked every inch a Champion Hurdle contender.
A week later, attention turned to Newcastle and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, where The New Lion and Constitution Hill were set to clash in what many expected to be a definitive trial. Instead, the race sent shockwaves through the sport.
Constitution Hill, supposedly back to his brilliant best according to Nicky Henderson in the build-up, crashed out at the second hurdle—his third fall in just four races. Moments later, The New Lion came down two out under heavy pressure, leaving Golden Ace to pick up the pieces.
The implications were immediate and far-reaching. Constitution Hill’s future once again hangs in the balance. Seven Barrows have been quick to rule out retirement, and a switch to fences or the Flat looks highly unlikely, which points towards a return to hurdles.
But confidence is understandably fragile. Backing him again, even at a generous price, feels like an act of blind faith given his recent record.
The New Lion, for his part, remains a high-class operator and is more than capable of bouncing back. The International Hurdle on Trials Day looks the obvious next target, and few would be surprised to see him reassert his credentials there.
However, it is worth asking whether he would have won the Fighting Fifth even had he stood up. Golden Ace was travelling notably better at the time of The New Lion’s fall, while Harry Skelton appeared to be hard at work, suggesting his mount was already under serious pressure.
Mares’ Hurdle Hat-Trick Remains an Option
Constitution Hill’s latest setback has forced Henderson to consider alternative plans, and that brings Sir Gino sharply into focus. Now expected to revert to hurdles to cover his stablemate, Sir Gino successfully performed that role in last season’s Fighting Fifth and looks a formidable obstacle for any Champion Hurdle contender. On current evidence, he may pose the biggest threat to Lossiemouth.
That raises the key question: will Rich Ricci and Mullins finally commit to the Champion Hurdle, or will they once again take the path of least resistance?
Recent history suggests caution. Last season, Lossiemouth was initially campaigned with the Champion Hurdle in mind, only to be rerouted to the Mares’ Hurdle once it became clear that State Man, Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead were all likely to line up.
While the decision was logical, the outcome felt slightly hollow. The Champion Hurdle itself descended into chaos with high-profile falls, and Lossiemouth’s subsequent rout in the Mares’ Hurdle – though visually impressive – lacked the same sense of occasion.
The Mares’ Hurdle remains a Grade 1, but its move to the Thursday of the Festival and away from the traditional opening day spotlight has subtly altered its prestige. That alone is unlikely to dictate Mullins’ thinking, but there is a growing sense that top-class mares are being funnelled into a race that does not always do them justice.
Some have even suggested that a downgrade to Grade 2 status could discourage connections of genuine champions from opting for the “easy win”.
Career Defining Decision
From a purely sporting perspective, it would be a real shame if Lossiemouth were to swerve the Champion Hurdle again. She has the class, the cruising speed, and the pedigree to win the race outright, not merely place. At six years old, she should be at the peak of her powers, and her Morgiana success suggested she has lost none of her brilliance.
With Constitution Hill fragile, The New Lion needing to prove himself again, and Sir Gino emerging as the principal danger, this could be the moment for Mullins and Ricci to be bold. The Champion Hurdle picture is far less intimidating than it appeared just weeks ago.
So, will we finally see Lossiemouth take her chance on hurdling’s biggest stage? The opportunity is there, perhaps clearer than ever before. Whether her connections grasp it may define not just her season, but her legacy.
