'The money has come for the five-year-old' - Champion Hurdle confirmations

Five-day confirmations for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival have been made and the main event will of course be the Champion Hurdle.

Only seven horses lined up in 2025 and it appears the maximum field size for this year will be nine.

Here we take a look at which big guns are still in contention and who are the notable absentees.

The Big Guns

Dan Skelton ’s The New Lion remains on course for the Champion Hurdle and he has retained his place at the head of the market. Beating an albeit average field in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham last time out, he will face the speedier Old Course this time around.

Gordon Elliott has never been shy about how much he adores Brighterdaysahead and he’s expecting a much improved performance from last year. If replicating the form she showed when beating Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle, she could have every chance.

Lossiemouth has been left in the Champion Hurdle at this stage, which will leave her Mares’ Hurdle supporters sweating for the time being. She’s probably the most talented mare in training and will give it her all but is definitely better over further.

Don’t forget about the defending champion Golden Ace as she brings a high level of form to the table. Second to Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle, she won the Fighting Fifth before that and probably doesn’t get the respect she deserves. Don’t rule her out.

The Chasing Pack

Paul Nicholls supplemented the rapidly progressive Tutti Quanti for the race off the back of his demolition job in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury.

Winning a County Hurdle off 151 shouldn’t be beyond him if he’s anywhere near Champion Hurdle standard, but you can’t blame connections for having a go in this wide-open renewal.

Willie Mullins’ Poniros won the Triumph Hurdle on hurdling debut last season, which is impressive. He needed the run in the Irish Champion Hurdle and should improve plenty. Available at 100/1 in January, the money has definitely come for the five-year-old.

Henry de Bromhead’s Workahead would have plenty to prove at this level and Anzadam is also very opposable. Joe Tizzard’s Alexei is improving quickly but still has plenty to find according to the handicapper.

Notable Omissions

The saddest and least surprising omission is Constitution Hill, who is unlikely to run over hurdles again. A Flat campaign is on the agenda for Nicky Henderson’s star so it’s no surprise that he was removed from the race at this stage.

Ballyburn was touted as a possible Champion Hurdle horse but he was also taken out by Willie Mullins. The Aintree Hurdle could be the ideal target for him but he certainly won’t be running in this race. Don’t forget that he remains in contention for the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson also took out Lucky Place, who was always unlikely to run, whilst Wilful and Casheldale Lad are the other two horses to be removed.