Triumph Hurdle 2026 Tips - Two mares to back now Narciso Has is out
The 2026 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 13th features a highly competitive field led by trainer Willie Mullins, who aims to continue his successful streak. With Narciso Has out, contenders like Proactif, Selma De Vary, and Charme De Faust step up as favorites. Among the strong contenders, Maestro Conti and Manganese also present value bets. Mullins' dominance in past races makes his runners a smart choice in this opening Gold Cup Day event. Fans can catch the action live on ITV Racing or stream on mobile devices.
- Predictions and best bets for the 2026 Triumph Hurdle
- This Grade One takes place on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on March 13th
- Charme De Faust (12/1) and Manganese (40/1) feature in our selections
Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival opens with the Triumph Hurdle, a Grade One for four-year-olds that has been won by multiple Festival winners like Tiger Roll and Lossiemouth.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Triumph Hurdle tips for 2026, including our best bet and race verdict.
Last Updated: 21.02.2026
Race Info
| Race | Triumph Hurdle |
| Date | Friday, March 13th, 2026 |
| Start Time | 1:20pm |
| Status | Grade One |
| Distance | 2m179y |
| First Prize | £84,405 |
| Going | NA |
| Runners | 49 |
| Favourite | Proactif and Selma De Vary (7/2) |
Mullins' Mob
The injury suffered by Narciso Has has blown the Triumph Hurdle betting wide open. Yet, even without the former favourite, Willie Mullins looks likely to play an exceptionally strong hand.
Proactif defeated Macho Man on his Irish debut at Fairyhouse, having beaten another of Willie's French recruits, Apolon De Charnie at Auteuil in September. Selma De Vary was snapped up by Rich Ricci following an emphatic win at Auteuil in November, and ran a lovely race behind Narciso Has on her first start for Willie at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Charme De Faust motored clear of two Fred Winter entrants to record a ready victory on debut for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci at Thurles. Mullins and the H O S Syndicate splashed out £370k to purchase Minella Academy after he won at Cork for John Nallen in November, and he too will likely bolster the Closutton Triumph squad.
Kai Lung was an experienced flat horse in France, and toughed it out to win on his hurdles debut at Naas. Kenny Alexander snapped up Majolique following her flat victory at Longchamp in May, and she'll run at Naas before a possible trip to Cheltenham.
Madness d'Elle could also carry the Rich Ricci colours into the Triumph. Noemie De La Vis was narrowly beaten at Fairyhouse in January, but could still take part. Willie has several other horses sitting at longer prices and, after Poniros carried a triple-figure SP to victory 12 months ago, every horse he enters has to be taken seriously.
The Best Of The Rest
Adam Nicol will enter the big time when he runs unbeaten hurdler Minella Study at the Cheltenham Festival. Ryan Mania's mount won a decent Triumph Trial held at Cheltenham in December. Another trial winner around Prestbury Park was Dan Skelton's Maestro Conti, who ate up the hill after running keen throughout the contest to beat One Horse Town in the Finesse Juvenile Hurdle on Trials Day.
Mange Tout used race fitness to her advantage when beating Narciso Has at Fairyhouse in November, but was no match for that rival when they reopposed at the Dublin Racing Festival. Gordon Elliott could be represented by another mare, the unbeaten Highland Crystal, but she holds multiple entries at the Cheltenham Festival.
Nicky Henderson's Feel Gut lost out to Willie Mullins' recruit Macho Man when the two met in France back in October, and claimed an easy victory at Warwick last month on his first start in the Joe Donnelly colours. Henderson and JP McManus could also team up with Mustang Du Breuil and Manlaga, who was beaten by Joe Comley's Manganese at Doncaster, before landing the Victor Ludorum at Haydock.
The unbeaten Manganese could take her chance here, along with Harry Derham's One Horse Town. Dan Skelton and Johnny de la Hey have entered French recruit Mille Et Une Vies, who was last seen finishing second in a Grade Three at Auteuil last May. Donald McCain's Listed winner Lord holds a Triumph Hurdle entry. Faye Bramley's Lord Byron and Adrian Keatley's Indian River are worth a mention too.
2026 Triumph Hurdle Tips
| Bet Type | Name | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bet 1 | Charme De Faust | 12/1 |
| Value Bet 2 | Manganese | 40/1 |
| Strong Contender | Maestro Conti | 8/1 |
Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.
Five of the last six renewals of the Triumph Hurdle have gone the way of Willie Mullins. The Champion Trainer saddled the first, fourth and fifth last year, five of the first seven in 2024, the first four across the line in 2023 and three of the top five in 2022.
Vauban and Lossiemouth were clear favourites, but Willie has run the Triumph with 6/1, 12/1 and 100/1 shots too. You simply have to back at least one of Willie Mullins' runners in the opener on Gold Cup day.
Mark Walsh will now ride Proactif, allowing Paul Townend to reprise his partnership with Selma De Vary. Patrick Mullins will probably take the ride on Macho Man, leaving either Danny Mullins, Brian Hayes or a spare rider to partner with CHARME DE FAUST (12/1).
Mullins' recruit was keen on her sole start in France, but made good late progress to finish second, having been held up out the back throughout. Charme De Faust was only getting two pounds from 116-rated Dawn Coming - who has gone close behind The Reverend and Glen To Glen in previous starts - when the two met at Thurles. Yet, Paul Townend's mount jumped well and produced a nice finishing burst to put nine lengths behind herself and her market rival on the run to the line.
Charme De Faust is out of prolific French winner Goliath Du Berlais, and his first crop have been going extremely well. I was really impressed with her debut victory at Thurles, and fancy she could step up her game again when allowed to settle behind a fast pace.
It was hard not to be extremely impressed with Maestro Conti's victory in the Finesse at Cheltenham. Dan Skelton's charge looks to have a really good chance here, and I might end up putting Maestro Conti up if, for some reason, Charme De Faust isn't declared.
Another who captures my imagination, this time at a much bigger price, is MANGANESE (40/1). This daughter of Nirvana Du Berlais won nicely at Vittel over the summer, but instead of making the move to Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton, she rocked up at Max Comley's yard in Gloucestershire.
Manganese made the headlines at Leicester in November, where a loose horse badly hampered her on the first circuit of her hurdling debut, but still went on to beat Trad Jazz by two lengths. Manganese followed up at Catterick just before Christmas, before going on to defeat Manlaga in what turned out to be a match-race between the two Triumph entries.
Comley said after her victory at Catterick that Cheltenham was very much on her radar, and mares boasts an excellent record in the opener on Gold Cup day. Manganese is tough, her form reads well, and she knows how to win. She could ruffle a few feathers if declared for the Triumph.
Live Stream
Visit our Triumph Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.
Triumph Hurdle 2026 FAQs
When is the Triumph Hurdle 2026?
The Triumph Hurdle will take place on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday 13th March, 2026.
What time does the Triumph Hurdle go off?
The Triumph Hurdle is scheduled to start at 1:20pm on March 13th.
Who will win the 2026 Triumph Hurdle?
Willie Mullins is the man to follow in the Triumph Hurdle. Even without Narciso Has, he plays a strong hand, with Proactif, Selma De Vary and dangerous outsider, Charme De Faust all in contention.
Where can I watch the 2026 Triumph Hurdle?
The Triumph Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.
Verdict
Charme De Faust is one of a number of entrants for that man Willie Mullins, and she looks to have the class to contend in an open Triumph Hurdle.
Max Comley's Manganese has done nothing wrong during her short career, and this prolific mare has been overlooked in the market.
Max Comley's Manganese has done nothing wrong during her short career, and this prolific mare has been overlooked in the market.
Charme De Faust
2026 Triumph Hurdle Value Bet 1
@12/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Manganese
2026 Triumph Hurdle Value Bet 2
@40/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
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