Cheltenham Festival 2026 live: Champion Day results and tips before 4:00 Champion Hurdle after Johnnywho wins Ultima

Time for the main event of day one at 4pm – the Champion Hurdle.

Lossiemouth has generated a lot of hype – with BOYLE Sports stating that the seven-year-old mare is ‘one of the best backed horses of the day’.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BOYLE Sports, said: “Birthday boy JP McManus has already been in the winners’ enclosure twice today, but punters have been keen to take on The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle. Lossiemouth has been all the rage in the betting and is one of the best backed horses of the day.”

Richie McLernon is speaking to ITV: “I thought the ground was a little quick. Everything just unfolded for me. Jumped when I need him to, he answered every call. Absolutely thrilled.”

Jagwar making ground on Quebecois over the final hurdle, but it is Johnnywho that takes the Handicap Chase! Quebecois gave it all but clearly did not have the outright pace on the final run-in.

Quebecois has opened up a gap again ahead of the final three jumps. Margaret’s Legacy makes a mistake on the third-last jump, costing the challenger.

The final open ditch is navigated well by the entire field. Three hurdles to go, with Quebecois still first.

Eight fences to go, and Quebecois does not want to relinquish a lead held all race. Jagwar is edging towards the front, but the favourite has work to do.

Still Quebecois in the lead, opening up a bigger gap over Margaret’s Legacy. Knight of Allen almost buckles but recovers well, at the cost of falling way off the group.

Jagwar remains a way off the leaders with 12 fences to go. We still have a full field.