Learn who the 2026 Triumph Hurdle runners are going to be. Who’s going into the race as the favourite, and what’s the best way to pick a good horse to back?
The Triumph Hurdle is the perfect way to kick off Day 4 at the Cheltenham Festival, putting some of the best juvenile hurdlers up against each other in what promises to be a great spectacle.
With the race only allowing four-year-olds to compete, its competitors are just kicking off their careers in horse racing. This has meant many champions or placers here still have time to go on to collect more coveted prizes later down the line, including the Champion Hurdle and even the Grand National.
Prime examples of these successful contestants are Tiger Roll, who won back-to-back Grand Nationals in 2018 and 2019 after winning the 2014 Triumph Hurdle, and Katchit, who won the 2008 Champion Hurdle after seeing victory in the 2007 Triumph Hurdle.
Who could be the next big champion of the Triumph Hurdle? This guide covers the runners who will compete in the 2026 Triumph Hurdle, the favourites in the Cheltenham odds, and delves into who the hottest prospects are.
What is the lineup for the Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle 2026?
Below are the listed challengers for the Triumph Hurdle, with some of the most exciting young talents set to compete against each other:
Narciso Has
Proactif
Maestro Conti
Mange Tout
Fantasy World
Minella Study
Charme De Faust
Macho Man
Selma de Vary
Feel Gut
Merci Mam
Ammes
Minella Yoga
Winston Junior
Adrienne
Apolon De Charnie
Barbizon
Majolique
Manlaga
Mille Et Une Vies
Minella Academy
Mon Creuset
Mustang Du Breuil
North Shore
Forty Fifty
Immediate Effect
Portnahapple
Quinteplus
Beauvallon
Dignam
Hardy Stuff
Indian River
Kilmeaden
Lord
Lord Byron
Madness dElle
Vivre Le Reve
Wolf Raye
Chico Magnifica
Dschingis Desire
Ismahane
King Esoteric
Noemie De La Vis
Scarlet Moon
Shezala
Bartholomew
Down To Business
Kate Oriley
Square DAlboni
Tillmouth
Trad Jazz
Berto Ramirez
Who are the favourites among the 2026 Triumph Hurdle runners?
To give you an idea of which runners are more likely to be in the top end of the field, here’s a list of the strongest competitors who could be featuring:
Narciso Has
With two wins in his only three races, Narciso Has is already demonstrating the qualities of a star horse. The Willie Mullins trained hotshot stormed clear on Boxing Day at Leopardstown, which preceded an underwhelming second place in his Irish debut at Fairyhouse. After seeing such an improvement between the races, no doubt Narciso Has will be right up there in the Triumph Hurdle.
Proactif
Starting his career with top form, Proactif has won both races that he’s competed in, to date. His Fairyhouse outing in January saw him beat the favourite Macho Man, another prospective challenger for the Triumph Hurdle. With this following a promising debut victory in France for the Finot Poulains Hurdle at Auteuil, Proactif has evidently got lots of quality to offer.
Maestro Conti
After three wins in three races, Maestro Conti shows no signs of slowing down. His victory in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle saw him overcome a 3lb penalty following his win at Kempton in December. Demonstrating all the attributes of a potential Cheltenham champion by coming from behind in the Triumph Trial, Maestro Conti is certainly in contention come March.
Mange Tout
Mange Tout is another prospect with a 100% record, winning all three races she’s competed in so far. Successfully beating the favourite Narciso Has when competing at Fairyhouse, she’s already shown an aptitude for outperforming other top-tier horses. With her trainer Gordon Elliott being responsible for the former victor Tiger Roll, there’s every chance he can produce another winner.
Fantasy World
Considering he’s had a few more runs under his belt than other competitors, Fantasy World goes into the Triumph Hurdle as one of the more experienced runners. With three wins in eight races, he may not have the strongest win rate, but he ticks the boxes for an excellent runner. His most recent outing at Ascot in the Noel Murless Stakes saw him beat his 20/1 odds, giving strong hope for successful returns in future races.
Minella Study
Minella Study is another of the more practiced competitors that will be running in the Triumph Hurdle for 2026, having featured in nine races so far. Coming out on top in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle in December demonstrated a horse with real promise, after already producing victories at Tipperary and Wetherby. This really begins to set him apart as one of the highest potential juveniles around.
Charme De Faust
With only two races to her name, Charme De Faust hasn’t had much racing experience yet. This hasn’t stunted her development though, with a huge leap of progress being made between her first and second outings. Though she came second in her debut in France, Charme De Faust came back with a bang and won the Thurles Maiden Hurdle by an impressive nine lengths. With Willie Mullins becoming her trainer between the races, who knows the progression she could make after spending even more time with him.
How to identify a contender for the Triumph Hurdle
Figuring out which horses will likely be the most competitive in a race can be tricky, however, it can be made easier if you do the right research.
Looking at the history of a race and seeing the attributes of former winners can assist in your decision-making process by making potential future champions more apparent: Triumph Hurdle trends and stats can underline patterns that can improve your betting tactics and give your picks a little direction.
Though the past can’t necessarily predict the future, it can increase your chances of a winning bet. So, whether you look at a trainer’s record in a particular event, or just the past form of a horse, each can help bring you closer to betting on a future winner.
How to bet on the Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle
Now you’re aware of who’ll be competing in the 2026 Triumph Hurdle and which horses are looking like the frontrunners, you’re ready to place your bets. If you’re interested, look no further than Betway!
We offer everything that you require for the best and smoothest Triumph Hurdle betting experience, with our user-friendly site and tailor-made app providing the perfect betting platforms. And if you want some tips and advice before getting started, then have a read of our how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival guide where you can learn all you need!
Triumph Hurdle FAQs
When is the Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle?
At Cheltenham, the Triumph Hurdle takes place on the fourth and final day of the festival. It’s the first race of Gold Cup Day. This year, it will be on Friday 13th March at 1:20 PM.
What is the prize money for the Triumph Hurdle?
The Triumph Hurdle prize money is the second highest given out on the last day at the Cheltenham Festival, tied with the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Standing at around £150,000, it’s only outright beaten by the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is the most prestigious of all races held at the festival.
Who has won the Triumph Hurdle?
The list of Triumph Hurdle winners includes many top-tier horses, though none appear more than once due to the age requirements being restricted to four-year-olds. The list includes famous winners such as Persian War and Tiger Roll, with legendary trainers like Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins seeing lots of success in the event too.
