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Cheltenham Festival: Champion Hurdle Betting Tips

The Champion Hurdle is the first feature race of the Cheltenham Festival and, although the race is lacking in numbers, it is set up to be a ferocious clash.

State Man took advantage of the absence of Constitution Hill last year but he has a lot more on his plate in 2025 with Nicky Henderson's star back to near his best and Gordon Elliott's brilliant mare Brighterdaysahead also to contend with.

A field of seven will go to post for Tuesday's 16:00 race – here are three to keep in mind, including one at big odds.

NAP: Constitution Hill @ 8/13

Many questioned whether we would ever see Constitution Hill grace a racecourse again not too long ago, but what a remarkable job Nicky Henderson has done with him to get him back to near his peak again.

It was a labour of love for sure and he wasn't rushed back, while he has also had a light campaign this season to ensure he is spot on for the Champion Hurdle. He will take the world of beating.

Unbeaten in 10 starts, eight of which were Grade 1s, the eight-year-old son of Blue Bresil is up there with the true greats.

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If he can land his second Champion Hurdle, there would be a case for arguing he is the best we have ever seen.

Constitution Hill made short work of Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on his return to action and only had to do enough in the International Hurdle here when last seen.

If he turns up, he will surely win.

NB: Brighterdaysahead @ 9/4

The Cullentra House camp seems very confident that Brighterdaysahead will beat Constitution Hill – and maybe they have a right to feel confident after her 30-length victory in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown at Christmas.

Elliott's star mare had to dig deep when seeing off State Man in the Morgiana on her penultimate start but last year's Champion Hurdle winner ran no race at all when they last clashed, so the form does have to be questioned.

She is likely to set off like the clappers again here and try to turn it into a proper test of stamina.

But whether she has the gears to match Constitution Hill late on is another question – and she did lose in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at last year's festival.

Long shot: Golden Ace @ 33/1

State Man has a lot to prove at present and that could open the door for Jeremy Scott's Golden Ace to reach the top three.

The stable landed a treble at Exeter on Friday, which is a good sign and credit to connections for having a crack at the Champion Hurdle when the Mares' Hurdle was the much easier option.

Golden Ace beat Brighterdaysahead in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle here last year and rattled home to beat Burdett Road in a Grade 2 at Wincanton in February.

She should be picking up the pieces late on.

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

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