2026 Unibet Hurdle Tips - Sir Gino and The New Lion clash at Cheltenham
The 2026 Unibet Hurdle, part of Cheltenham's prestigious racing card, features a mix of promising contenders. Sir Gino, a strong favorite, returns after a victorious Christmas Hurdle, facing competition from The New Lion, who is known for impressive novice performances despite a fall in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. The New Lion, with proven stamina and speed, is seen as a sensible bet due to potentially favorable heavy ground conditions. Bettors are advised to consider The New Lion for this year's race.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Unibet Hurdle
- This Grade Two takes place at Cheltenham on Saturday 24th January
- We're backing The New Lion to bear Sir Gino
Cheltenham's card on Saturday features five Grade Two races, including trials for the Gold Cup, the Stayers' Hurdle and the Triumph Hurdle. The Unibet Hurdle provides potential Champion Hurdle contenders with the opportunity to experience that track before the big day in March, and two of Britain's leading hurdlers will lock horns for the first time in Saturday's renewal.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Unibet Hurdle, including our best betting tips.
2026 Unibet Hurdle Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sir Gino | 2/5 |
| The New Lion | 9/4 |
| Brentford Hope | 50/1 |
| Nemean Lion | 66/1 |
2026 Unibet Hurdle Runners
Sir Gino leapt to the head of the Champion Hurdle betting following his successful return to action at Kempton over Christmas. Despite spending a year on the treatment table, Nicky Henderson's six-year-old was far too strong for reigning Champion Hurdler Golden Ace, and Sir Gino will carry a very short price into Saturday's feature at Cheltenham.
The New Lion was pointed at the Champion Hurdle this season, after ending his unbeaten novice campaign with an impressive victory in the Turners Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Dan Skelton's star fell at the second-last when leading on his only outing so far this season in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, and Harry Skelton has been confirmed in The New Lion's saddle.
Brentford Hope finished second to Constitution Hill in this race 12 months ago, and returned to winning ways in handicap company at Haydock last weekend. Another who could be set for a quick turnaround is Nemean Lion, who was only fourth when attempting to make it back-to-back wins at Windsor's Winter Million Meeting on Saturday.
2026 Unibet Hurdle Tips
Many have labelled Sir Gino as the most talented horse in training, and it's hard to argue with that opinion. Nicky Henderson's star is yet to taste defeat in Britain, and looked as good as ever when winning the Christmas Hurdle on his reappearance.
THE NEW LION (9/4) only has the one blemish on his CV, and I fancy he could deal with testing conditions better than the odds-on favourite.
Dan Skelton's star was the top two-and-a-half-mile novice hurdler last term. The New Lion hacked up in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury, and got up in the nick of time to beat The Yellow Clay and Final Demand in the Turners Novices' Hurdle here at the Cheltenham Festival.
Having looked every inch a middle-distance hurdler last term, I was surprised when the Skeltons announced that The New Lion would go down the Champion Hurdle path, which started with the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. After Constitution Hill crashed out early, Harry Skelton was forced to make the running at Newcastle, and The New Lion put in one exuberant jump too many at the second-last and he too came crashing to the canvas.
Despite that fall, Skelton's star proved at Newcastle that he had more than enough speed to challenge the top two-mile hurdlers in open company. The Skeltons have been preparing The New Lion for this task since that fall at Newcastle, and heavy ground could bring his proven stamina to the fore. At the prices, The New Lion is the only sensible bet in this year's Unibet Hurdle.
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Verdict
The New Lion is our selection in the 2026 Unibet Hurdle.
The New Lion
2026 Unibet Hurdle Tips
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