2026 Relkeel Hurdle Tips - Favourite should be hard to beat at Cheltenham
The 2026 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham features a compelling line-up, but all eyes are on Kabral Du Mathan. Despite a lack of strong contenders, Dan Skelton's recruit has shown promise and is the hot favorite for this Grade Two event. Lucky Place, last year's winner, and other runners like Jingko Blue will try to challenge Kabral Du Mathan, but their recent performances over fences raise questions about their form. The race remains a must-watch, with Kabral Du Mathan expected to outperform the rest.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Relkeel Hurdle
- This Grade Two takes place at Cheltenham on Thursday 1st January
- Kabral Du Mathan is the most likely winner at 4/9
Cheltenham's card on New Year's Day is headlined by the Relkeel Hurdle. This two-and-a-half-mile Grade Two has been won by plenty of future Grade One winners down the years, but this year's renewal is pretty uninspiring.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Relkeel Hurdle, including our best betting tips.
2026 Relkeel Hurdle Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kabral Du Mathan | 4/9 |
| Lucky Place | 4/1 |
| Jingko Blue | 8/1 |
| The Real Whacker | 8/1 |
| Gowel Road | 10/1 |
| Kamsinas | 20/1 |
2026 Relkeel Hurdle Runners
Dominating the market is Dan Skelton's recruit, Kabral Du Mathan. A consistent performer in big handicaps for Paul Nicholls last season, Harry Skelton's mount romped to an impressive victory on his stable debut at Haydock in November, and Kabral Du Mathan will carry an odds-on price into this Grade Two.
Lucky Place will return to Cheltenham to try and defend the crown he won 12 months ago, despite running twice over fences in recent weeks. In fact, all five of Kabral Du Mathan's potential rivals will be returning to hurdling after disappointing over fences.
Lucky Place's stablemate, Jingko Blue looked progressive over fences last season, but seems likely to remain over hurdles after finishing seventh on his return to action in the Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock. Former Brown Advisory winner, The Real Whacker has been entered over hurdles, following a last-place finish in the Charlie Hall Chase.
Last year's runner-up, Gowel Road struggled a little over fences last time out, and he too will drop back to hurdles on New Year's Day. Fergal O'Brien's Kamsinas reverts back to hurdling after two defeats in Beginners Chases, and completes the line-up.
There's no way to sugarcoat it. This is a dreadful renewal of the Relkeel Hurdle.
Lucky Place hasn't made the grade over fences. Jingko Blue should be running over the larger obstacles. The Real Whacker shouldn't be quick enough. Gowel Road is getting on a bit now, and Kamsinas hasn't shown any sort of form to suggest that he's up to winning a Grade Two.
The only noteworthy runner is KABRAL DU MATHAN (4/9), who looked every inch a Graded performer when bolting up at Haydock. Dan Skelton's recruit performed well in plenty of big two-mile handicaps last term, and this step up in trip is sure to unlock further improvement. If he doesn't win on New Year's Day, then this year's Relkeel will be an extremely forgettable contest.
Visit our Relkeel Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any race from Cheltenham via a mobile or tablet.
2026 Relkeel Hurdle Tips
There's no way to sugarcoat it. This is a dreadful renewal of the Relkeel Hurdle.
Lucky Place hasn't made the grade over fences. Jingko Blue should be running over the larger obstacles. The Real Whacker shouldn't be quick enough. Gowel Road is getting on a bit now, and Kamsinas hasn't shown any sort of form to suggest that he's up to winning a Grade Two.
The only noteworthy runner is KABRAL DU MATHAN (4/9), who looked every inch a Graded performer when bolting up at Haydock. Dan Skelton's recruit performed well in plenty of big two-mile handicaps last term, and this step up in trip is sure to unlock further improvement. If he doesn't win on New Year's Day, then this year's Relkeel will be an extremely forgettable contest.
Live Stream
Visit our Relkeel Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any race from Cheltenham via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Kabral Du Mathan should win the 2026 Relkeel Hurdle.
Kabral Du Mathan
2026 Relkeel Hurdle Tips
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