The function race of Day 1 at Cheltenham Festival takes place at 4pm today, where a strong nine-horse field is expected to line up for what assures to be a fiercely competitive Champion Hurdle.
It is Lossiemouth who heads the market with Sky Bet to end up first past the post, with the Willie Mullins-trained mare having been boosted from 6/4 to 13/8.
The mare - who boasts 13 wins and 3 runner-up surfaces from her 17 profession starts - delighted in a remarkable 2025 campaign, declaring victories in the Mares' Hurdle, Aintree Hurdle, Morgiana Hurdle and the December Hurdle at Leopardstown.
She had to choose 2nd in her only start of 2026 to date, with the seven-year-old going down by more than 3 lengths to Brighterdaysahead.
Champion Hurdle sneak peek: Sky Bet favourites for the feature race on Day 1 at Cheltenham
Behind the favourite in the betting is The New Lion, who is currently priced as the 5/2 second favourite with Sky Bet.
The gelding boasts strong course type at Cheltenham, having won in 2015's Turners Novices' Hurdle before claiming a Grade 2 contest last month.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Brighterdaysahead is also anticipated to install a strong difficulty, with the Gordon Elliott-trained mare installed as the 5/1 third favourite.
Despite taping ten career wins, Brighterdaysahead has yet to secure victory at Cheltenham Racecourse. The seven-year-old finished second in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle in 2024 before placing 4th in the Champion Hurdle the following year.
When she ended up fourth in the Champion Hurdle in 2025, it was Golden Ace who emerged triumphant. Those backing the mare to safeguard her crown this year can currently discover her priced at 10/1.
Completing the nine-horse field are Poniros (14/1), Alexei (16/1), Anzadam (22/1), Tutti Quanti (25/1) and rank outsider Workahead at 66/1.
Sky Bet chances for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival:
Lossiemouth - WAS 13/8 NOW 7/4
The New Lion - 5/2
Brighterdaysahead - 5/1
Golden Ace - 10/1
Poniros - 14/1
Alexei - 16/1
Anzadam - 22/1
Tutti Quanti - 25/1
Workahead - 66/1