The Champion Hurdle brings the best two-mile hurdle form into one argument. Reputation matters less than what a horse can actually deliver under these conditions. A dominant winter performance might have come against a weaker field or at a pace that suited perfectly. The Festival asks whether the same horse can do it when the questions arrive faster.
Begin with the level of form
Identify the strongest recent performance each contender has produced, then assess how likely it is to repeat it. Do not simply add up wins. Opposition, pace and race conditions can make two identical finishing sequences mean very different things.
The race is not a handicap. Compare runners using the published weights and allowances, including any relevant sex or age allowance, rather than assuming the highest official rating automatically settles the issue. The rating is a useful starting measure, not a complete prediction.
Champion Hurdle
Stats & trends.
Go beyond the winner. Study the price, the preparation and the next run. The detail is yours to explore.
Winners returned as favourite, joint or co-favourite
calculated from listed winner records
Above: shares calculated from the listed winners. These are historical characteristics, not a runner’s chance of winning.
Every winner. Every detail.
2015–2026 · Follow the same horses from their preparation to what happened next.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Weight | Price | Runners | Fav. position | Rating | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | Wins | ||||||||||
| 2026 | Lossiemouth | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 7 | 11-3 | 7/5 F | 9 | 1st | 159 | 3 | 2 |
| 2025 | Golden Ace | Lorcan Williams | Jeremy Scott | 7 | 11-3 | 25/1 | 7 | F | 144 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | State Man | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 7 | 11-10 | 2/5 F | 8 | 1st | 169 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | Constitution Hill | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 6 | 11-10 | 4/11 F | 7 | 1st | 173 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | Honeysuckle | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead | 8 | 11-3 | 8/11 F | 10 | 1st | 165 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | Honeysuckle | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead | 7 | 11-3 | 11/10 F | 10 | 1st | 161 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020 | Epatante | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson | 6 | 11-3 | 2/1 F | 17 | 1st | 159 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | Espoir D'Allen | Mark Walsh | Gavin Cromwell | 5 | 11-10 | 16/1 | 10 | 6th | 162 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | Buveur D'Air | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson | 7 | 11-10 | 4/6 F | 11 | 1st | 169 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | Buveur D'Air | Noel Fehily | Nicky Henderson | 6 | 11-10 | 5/1 2F | 11 | DQ | 157 | 3 | 3 |
| 2016 | Annie Power | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 8 | 11-3 | 5/2 F | 12 | 1st | 162 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | Faugheen | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 7 | 11-10 | 4/5 F | 8 | 1st | 169 | 2 | 2 |
2026LossiemouthAGE 7 · 11-37/5 F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-3
- Price
- 7/5 F
- Runners
- 9
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 159
- Season R / W
- 3/2
2025Golden AceAGE 7 · 11-325/1
- Jockey
- Lorcan Williams
- Trainer
- Jeremy Scott
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-3
- Price
- 25/1
- Runners
- 7
- Favourite position
- F
- Rating
- 144
- Season R / W
- 3/1
2024State ManAGE 7 · 11-102/5 F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 2/5 F
- Runners
- 8
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 169
- Season R / W
- 3/3
2023Constitution HillAGE 6 · 11-104/11 F
- Jockey
- Nico de Boinville
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 4/11 F
- Runners
- 7
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 173
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2022HoneysuckleAGE 8 · 11-38/11 F
- Jockey
- Rachael Blackmore
- Trainer
- Henry De Bromhead
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-3
- Price
- 8/11 F
- Runners
- 10
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 165
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2021HoneysuckleAGE 7 · 11-311/10 F
- Jockey
- Rachael Blackmore
- Trainer
- Henry De Bromhead
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-3
- Price
- 11/10 F
- Runners
- 10
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 161
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2020EpatanteAGE 6 · 11-32/1 F
- Jockey
- Barry Geraghty
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-3
- Price
- 2/1 F
- Runners
- 17
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 159
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2019Espoir D'AllenAGE 5 · 11-1016/1
- Jockey
- Mark Walsh
- Trainer
- Gavin Cromwell
- Age
- 5
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 16/1
- Runners
- 10
- Favourite position
- 6th
- Rating
- 162
- Season R / W
- 3/3
2018Buveur D'AirAGE 7 · 11-104/6 F
- Jockey
- Barry Geraghty
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 4/6 F
- Runners
- 11
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 169
- Season R / W
- 3/3
2017Buveur D'AirAGE 6 · 11-105/1 2F
- Jockey
- Noel Fehily
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 5/1 2F
- Runners
- 11
- Favourite position
- DQ
- Rating
- 157
- Season R / W
- 3/3
2016Annie PowerAGE 8 · 11-35/2 F
- Jockey
- Ruby Walsh
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-3
- Price
- 5/2 F
- Runners
- 12
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 162
- Season R / W
- 1/1
2015FaugheenAGE 7 · 11-104/5 F
- Jockey
- Ruby Walsh
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 4/5 F
- Runners
- 8
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 169
- Season R / W
- 2/2
| Year | Winner | Cheltenham | Distance Form (15-17f) | Hurdle | Chase | Previous race | Days since run | Previous result | Grade Wins | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Grade 1 wins | Grade 2 wins | Grade 3 wins | |||||
| 2026 | Lossiemouth | 4 | 4 | 12 | 8 | 17 | 13 | 0 | 0 | Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown) | 37 | 2 / 5 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | Golden Ace | 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Kingwell Hurdle (Wincanton) | 24 | 1 / 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | State Man | 2 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown) | 37 | 1 / 4 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | Constitution Hill | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Christmas Hurdle (Kempton) | 78 | 1 / 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Honeysuckle | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown) | 37 | 1 / 5 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | Honeysuckle | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown) | 38 | 1 / 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | Epatante | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Christmas Hurdle (Kempton) | 75 | 1 / 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Espoir D'Allen | 0 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | Limestone Lad Hurdle (Naas) | 44 | 1 / 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2018 | Buveur D'Air | 2 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 2 | Contenders Hurdle (Sandown) | 38 | 1 / 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Buveur D'Air | 1 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Contenders Hurdle (Sandown) | 38 | 1 / 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | Annie Power | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 0 | Mares Hurdle (Punchestown) | 27 | 1 / 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | Faugheen | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | Christmas Hurdle (Kempton) | 74 | 1 / 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
2026LossiemouthBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 4/4
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 12/8
- Hurdle R / W
- 17/13
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 37
- Previous result
- 2 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 9/2/1
2025Golden AceBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/2
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 6/4
- Hurdle R / W
- 7/5
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Kingwell Hurdle (Wincanton)
- Days since run
- 24
- Previous result
- 1 / 4
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/2/0
2024State ManBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 12/9
- Hurdle R / W
- 13/10
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 37
- Previous result
- 1 / 4
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 8/0/1
2023Constitution HillBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 5/5
- Hurdle R / W
- 5/5
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Christmas Hurdle (Kempton)
- Days since run
- 78
- Previous result
- 1 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 4/0/0
2022HoneysuckleBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/2
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 6/6
- Hurdle R / W
- 14/14
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 37
- Previous result
- 1 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 10/0/1
2021HoneysuckleBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 3/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 10/10
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 38
- Previous result
- 1 / 6
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 6/0/1
2020EpatanteBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 5/4
- Hurdle R / W
- 5/4
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Christmas Hurdle (Kempton)
- Days since run
- 75
- Previous result
- 1 / 10
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/0/0
2019Espoir D'AllenBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 8/7
- Hurdle R / W
- 8/7
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Limestone Lad Hurdle (Naas)
- Days since run
- 44
- Previous result
- 1 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/1/3
2018Buveur D'AirBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 13/10
- Hurdle R / W
- 10/9
- Chase R / W
- 2/2
- Previous race
- Contenders Hurdle (Sandown)
- Days since run
- 38
- Previous result
- 1 / 3
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 5/0/0
2017Buveur D'AirBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 9/6
- Hurdle R / W
- 5/4
- Chase R / W
- 2/2
- Previous race
- Contenders Hurdle (Sandown)
- Days since run
- 38
- Previous result
- 1 / 4
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 1/0/0
2016Annie PowerBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 7/7
- Hurdle R / W
- 12/10
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Mares Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Days since run
- 27
- Previous result
- 1 / 3
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 3/3/0
2015FaugheenBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 3/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 8/8
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Christmas Hurdle (Kempton)
- Days since run
- 74
- Previous result
- 1 / 6
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 3/0/1
| Year | Winner | Next run | Date | Result | Rest-of-season runs | Rest-of-season results | Next Cheltenham Festival run | Festival result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lossiemouth | Champion Hurdle (Punchestown) | May-26 | 1 / 7 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2025 | Golden Ace | Champion Hurdle (Punchestown) | May-25 | 2 / 6 | 1 | 0 wins, 1 placed | Champion Hurdle | 5 / 9 |
| 2024 | State Man | Champion Hurdle (Punchestown) | May-24 | 1 / 4 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | Champion Hurdle | F / 7 |
| 2023 | Constitution Hill | Aintree Hurdle (Aintree) | Apr-23 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2022 | Honeysuckle | Champion Hurdle (Punchestown) | Apr-22 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | Mares Hurdle | 1 / 9 |
| 2021 | Honeysuckle | Champion Hurdle (Punchestown) | Apr-21 | 1 / 8 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | Champion Hurdle | 1 / 10 |
| 2020 | Epatante | Fighting Fith Hurdle (Newcastle) | Nov-20 | 1 / 6 | 0 | - | Champion Hurdle | 3 / 10 |
| 2019 | Espoir D'Allen | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
| 2018 | Buveur D'Air | Fighting Fith Hurdle (Newcastle) | Dec-18 | 1 / 5 | 0 | - | Champion Hurdle | F / 10 |
| 2017 | Buveur D'Air | Aintree Hurdle (Aintree) | Apr-17 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | Champion Hurdle | 1 / 11 |
| 2016 | Annie Power | Aintree Hurdle (Aintree) | Apr-16 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2015 | Faugheen | Champion Hurdle (Punchestown) | Apr-15 | 1 / 4 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
2026LossiemouthTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- May-26
- Result
- 1 / 7
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2025Golden AceTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- May-25
- Result
- 2 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 1 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Hurdle
- Festival result
- 5 / 9
2024State ManTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- May-24
- Result
- 1 / 4
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Hurdle
- Festival result
- F / 7
2023Constitution HillTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Aintree Hurdle (Aintree)
- Date
- Apr-23
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2022HoneysuckleTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-22
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Mares Hurdle
- Festival result
- 1 / 9
2021HoneysuckleTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-21
- Result
- 1 / 8
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Hurdle
- Festival result
- 1 / 10
2020EpatanteTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Fighting Fith Hurdle (Newcastle)
- Date
- Nov-20
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Champion Hurdle
- Festival result
- 3 / 10
2019Espoir D'AllenTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- -
- Date
- -
- Result
- -
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2018Buveur D'AirTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Fighting Fith Hurdle (Newcastle)
- Date
- Dec-18
- Result
- 1 / 5
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Champion Hurdle
- Festival result
- F / 10
2017Buveur D'AirTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Aintree Hurdle (Aintree)
- Date
- Apr-17
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Hurdle
- Festival result
- 1 / 11
2016Annie PowerTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Aintree Hurdle (Aintree)
- Date
- Apr-16
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2015FaugheenTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-15
- Result
- 1 / 4
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
The winner profile.
Calculated from the detailed winner records above. Missing values are excluded from each calculation, so denominators can differ.
| Category | Profile angle | Winners | Share of winners | Study list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarketTABLE CALCULATION | Started favourite / joint or co-favourite | 9/12 | ||
| MarketTABLE CALCULATION | Top three in the betting | 10/12 | ||
| Recent formTABLE CALCULATION | Won previous start | 11/12 | ||
| CourseTABLE CALCULATION | Had already won at Cheltenham | 9/12 | ||
| CourseTABLE CALCULATION | Had already run at Cheltenham | 11/12 | ||
| DistanceTABLE CALCULATION | Had won over the listed distance band | 12/12 | ||
| DistanceTABLE CALCULATION | Had run over the listed distance band | 12/12 | ||
| SeasonTABLE CALCULATION | Had at least one win that season | 12/12 | ||
| SeasonTABLE CALCULATION | Had at least three runs that season | 6/12 | ||
| Recent formTABLE CALCULATION | Ran within the previous 60 days | 9/12 | ||
| RatingTABLE CALCULATION | Rated 150 or higher | 11/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 5 | 1/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 6 | 3/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 7 | 6/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 8 | 2/12 |
Follow-up summary
Reported follow-up figures remain distinct from the detailed winner tables.
Won on next start
Placed on next start
Raced again that season
Won again that season
Placed again that season
Next-start destinations
| Destination | Went | Won | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Hurdle (Punchestown) | 6/12 | 5/6 | 1 |
| Aintree Hurdle (Aintree) | 3/12 | 3/3 | 0 |
| Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle) | 2/12 | 2/2 | 0 |
Festival returns
| Destination | Went | Won | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Hurdle | 6/12 | 2/6 | 1 |
| Mares Hurdle | 1/12 | 1/1 | 0 |
Sample notes and interpretation
- R / W = runs / wins before the Festival race. A dash is a missing or unreported value, not zero. Price suffixes: F = favourite, JF = joint favourite, CF = co-favourite, 2F / 3F = second / third favourite.
- The favourite-position column records the listed result of the favourite(s). Price suffixes identify the winner’s position in the market. These fields are retained independently.
- All listed rows are retained, including blank years. Winner counts exclude rows with no named winner. Later missing results do not imply a loss.
- Summary ratios are retained as reported and may not reconcile with every detailed table cell. They are displayed separately from calculations made from the winner records. A high winner share is not a selection strike rate or evidence of profit.
- “Won” and “placed” are retained as separate reported outcomes. No combined place rate or profit is inferred.
A clear round is part of the ability
Quick, economical hurdling is particularly valuable when there is little time to recover lost ground. Look for mistakes that recur under pressure, not just an isolated error. A horse may be wonderfully talented and still have a meaningful risk attached to how it gets from one hurdle to the next.
The ground can alter the balance between speed and stamina. Ask whether a contender has demonstrated its best form in comparable conditions. Avoid converting “has won on soft ground” into “is equally effective on every sort of soft ground against every level of opponent”.
Keep the likely race shape in view
A small field is not automatically a straightforward race. If no horse wants to lead, the contest can put more emphasis on positioning and acceleration. If several want to race prominently, settling and conserving energy become a different problem.
Write down the route by which your preferred runner wins, and the most credible route by which it loses. That simple exercise is useful in a race where the market can become dominated by one reputation. Being the likeliest winner and being attractively priced are separate judgements.
Previous renewals
The 2027 runners
Declarations will settle the field.
The 2027 runners are not yet declared. A past winner or a horse quoted in an ante-post market is not a confirmed runner. Check entries, connections’ published plans and the final declarations before treating a horse as part of this field.
No live prices or confirmed 2027 runner list are presented in this guide. Reviewed 11 November 2026.
Your questions, answered
Is the Champion Hurdle run on the Old Course?
Yes, it is part of Tuesday’s Old Course programme.
Does the favourite’s strike rate show whether backing favourites is profitable?
No. The prices and returns matter as well as the number of winners; compare both over a stated period.
Sources & editorial notes
Reviewed 11 November 2026. Interpretation is Puntrr’s; factual results and conditions are linked below.