This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. The analysis is our own. Gamble Aware 18+
Followers of UK and Irish horse racing enjoy an action-packed weekend, with plenty to watch and bet on. Saturday’s schedule brings the Scottish Triumph Hurdle, the Irish Gold Cup, and the always-popular Scottish Champion Chase. The leading online bookmakers featured on this page offer interesting betting markets and generous odds on each race.
We focus on the pick of Sunday’s schedule, the Irish Champion Hurdle. It’s an event that always attracts a huge crowd, with thousands in attendance and millions more watching on TV and live-streaming apps. You can keep it simple and predict the race winner or play one of the specials, including forecast, match betting, place betting, each way, and more.
Which runner and rider will secure glory in the Irish Champion Hurdle 2026? Lossiemouth dominated the early betting, with backers forcing her to the head of the market. Other popular picks include Brighterdaysahead, El Fabiolo, and Anzadam. Keep reading as experienced sports betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers his previews and predictions.
Irish Champion Hurdle tips
Lossiemouth win @ 5/6 (bet365)
Anzadam each way @ 7/1 (bet365)
Ballyburn each way @ 16/1 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Irish Champion Hurdle stats and trends
The Irish Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race contested over two miles and accepts entries from horses aged four years and above. Leopardstown Racecourse provides the backdrop, with the race’s history stretching all the way back to 1950. Major sportsbooks opened their antepost betting weeks ago, but things are about to get serious.
Hatton’s Grace won the first running of the Irish Champion Hurdle for trainer Vincent O’Brien. The winners list reads like a who’s who of Irish racing, featuring well-bred horses, experienced trainers and fearless jockeys. State Man won the last three runnings of this race, claiming glory in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.
Lovers of the stats and trends in UK and Irish horse racing have plenty to work from when attempting to predict the winner. The Townend and Mullins combination won three on the bounce after Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead claimed a treble with Honeysuckle. Which star trainer will send out this year’s Irish Champion Hurdle winner?
The race’s most successful horse to date is Hurricane Fly, with no fewer than five Irish Champion Hurdle wins between 2011 and 2015. There’s a two-way tie for the most successful jockey, with Charlie Swan and Ruby Walsh locked on six wins each. There’s no surprise to see Willie Mullins as the top trainer with an incredible nine victories.
Looking for a trend in the age of the winners? That’s not so easy, given that only two horses have won the last six renewals. It is worth noting that the past 10 champions have been no younger than six and no older than eight years old. Four of the previous 10 winners have scored as eight-year-olds, which may help bettors narrow the field.
Race winner - Lossiemouth
I have selected three runners from the Irish Champion Hurdle betting worth considering. We start with our pick to win the race. Lossiemouth has sat at the head of the market for many weeks now, and the money will continue to come for him as we approach the off. The odds make an each-way bet pointless, so we’ll stick with Lossiemouth in the race winner market.
Lossiemouth ticks the right boxes. The grey mare is a six-year-old, which fits nicely with the winning trends. She’s trained by Willie Mullins, which is another major draw. Her form also inspires a bet on Lossiemouth. She arrives on a four-race winning streak, scoring at Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown, and Leopardstown. That run goes back to last February.
We last saw Lossiemouth in action when picking up the Grade 1 December Hurdle at this track late last year. She started as the odds-on favourite in the betting and beat nearest rival Brighterdaysahead for Gordon Elliott without too much fuss. The winning distance was a length, but she was spotted running away from the pack, suggesting there’s more to come.
Tip: Lossiemouth to win @ 5/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Lossiemouth wins the Irish Champion Hurdle, you’ll make a profit.
Each way - Anzadam
Our second bet for you to consider is Anzadam each way at a nice price. The five-year-old gelding is another from the Willie Mullins yard, and he arrives with two wins and a second from four starts.
Anzadam scored at Fairyhouse and Naas, but was beaten by Golden Ace over two miles at Newcastle, and posted fourth at this track behind Lossiemouth last time. The odds available at bet365 are fair, and if Anzadam finishes in the top two, you’ll exit the Irish Champion Hurdle with a profit.
Tip: Anzadam each way @ 8/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Your pick must finish first or second.
Each way - Ballyburn
Our final selection will appeal to those seeking a big price. We’re taking a chance on Ballyburn off a small stake.
The Irish-bred runner fits into the age bracket as a seven-year-old, and the gelding is trained by Willie Mullins. He’s finished no higher than third in any of his previous three runs, and has finished outside the top three only once to date.
When making an each-way bet, you must remember that your stake is split between the win and the place. For example, a £10 each-way bet will cost you £20. Bet365 also offer interesting multiples, including accumulators, Lucky 15s, and the Super Heinz.
Tip: Ballyburn each way @ 12/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need to see Ballyburn finish in the top two places at Sunday’s Irish Champion Hurdle. A win pays the same as our pick ending as runner-up.
Discover the Best Betting Bonuses
If you're looking to take advantage of this week's UK and Irish horse racing for your bets, Flashscore is here to help. On our betting bonuses page, you'll find some of the best promotions and bonus codes on the market.
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.