Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival opens with the Triumph Hurdle, a Grade One for four-year-olds that has been won by multiple Festival winners like Tiger Roll and Lossiemouth.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Triumph Hurdle tips for 2026, including our best bet and race verdict.
Last Updated: 11.3.2026
Race Info
| Race | Triumph Hurdle |
| Date | Friday, March 13th, 2026 |
| Start Time | 1:20pm |
| Status | Grade One |
| Distance | 2m179y |
| First Prize | £84,405 |
| Going | NA |
| Runners | 24 |
| Favourite | Proactif (7/2) |
Mullins' Mob
The injury suffered by Narciso Has has blown the Triumph Hurdle betting wide open. Yet, even without the former favourite, Willie Mullins looks likely to play an exceptionally strong hand at the Cheltenham Festival.
Proactif defeated Macho Man on his Irish debut at Fairyhouse, having beaten another of Willie's French recruits, Apolon De Charnie at Auteuil in September. Selma De Vary was snapped up by Rich Ricci following an emphatic win at Auteuil in November, and ran a lovely race behind Narciso Has on her first start for Willie at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Charme De Faust motored clear of two Fred Winter entrants to record a ready victory on debut for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci at Thurles. Mullins and the H O S Syndicate splashed out £370k to purchase Minella Academy after he won at Cork for John Nallen in November, and he too will likely bolster the Closutton Triumph squad.
Kai Lung was an experienced flat horse in France, and toughed it out to win on his hurdles debut at Naas. Noemie De La Vis was narrowly beaten at Fairyhouse in January, but could still take part. Willie has several other horses sitting at longer prices and, after Poniros carried a triple-figure SP to victory 12 months ago, every horse he enters has to be taken seriously.
2026 Triumph Hurdle Tips
| Bet Type | Name | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bet 1 | Apolon De Charnie | 40/1 |
| Value Bet 2 | Lord Byron | 100/1 |
Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.
Five of the last six renewals of the Triumph Hurdle have gone the way of Willie Mullins. The Champion Trainer doesn't always win with his number one contender though, as illustrated by last season's 100/1 winner Poniros. Simply put, any horse that Willie Mullins runs has to have a chance.
Patrick doesn't often pick up rides in the Triumph Hurdle, so I presume he's been riding APOLON DE CHARNIE (40/1) at home. Mullins' French recruit finished last of six in a flat race in August, but picked up well from the rear to place second on his hurdles debut a month later.
The winner of that 18-furlong contest at Auteuil was Friday's favourite, Proactif, and Apolon De Charnie was only beaten six lengths. I'm not saying for a minute that he'll be able to reverse that form, but Patrick Mullins' mount could still be worth chancing at 40/1.
I'm also going to take a punt on LORD BYRON (100/1), who I wasn't expecting to see declared for Friday's opener. Faye Bramley's four-year-old took on his elders in the Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso two weeks ago, and paid the price for sitting too close to the pace, fading back to fourth as Montemares powered to victory.
Before that, Lord Byron had placed fourth behind Maestro Conti here on Trials Day, where Ben Jones' mount picked up well from the rear to cross the line just four lengths adrift of Dan Skelton's star. Lord Byron had previously relished more testing ground when second at Exeter to Klycot, who ran a screamer in Tuesday's Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
Jones takes the ride again, and I'd like to see Lord Byron ridden a little more prominently than he was on Trials Day. On all known form, he shouldn't be a 100/1 shot.
Live Stream
Visit our Triumph Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.
Triumph Hurdle 2026 FAQs
- When is the Triumph Hurdle 2026?
The Triumph Hurdle will take place on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday 13th March, 2026.
- What time does the Triumph Hurdle go off?
The Triumph Hurdle is scheduled to start at 1:20pm on March 13th.
- Who will win the 2026 Triumph Hurdle?
Willie Mullins is the man to follow in the Triumph Hurdle. Even without Narciso Has, he plays a strong hand, with Proactif, Selma De Vary and dangerous outsider, Charme De Faust all in contention.
- Where can I watch the 2026 Triumph Hurdle?
The Triumph Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.