2026 Aintree Hurdle Tips - Skelton's star can roar back to form
The 2026 Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National Festival showcases a formidable group of seven runners, notably including top contenders from the recent Champion Hurdle. Market leaders The New Lion and Brighterdaysahead are expected to perform well over the extended distance. Despite some recent challenges, experts are optimistic about The New Lion's capabilities on Aintree's smoother track, especially considering its potential for improvement after Cheltenham. Competition like Jeremy Scott’s Golden Ace adds intrigue, making this race a must-watch for racing enthusiasts.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Aintree Hurdle
- This Grade One takes place at Aintree on Thursday 9th April
- The New Lion is our selection at 2/1
The last of four Grade Ones to take place on day one of Aintree's Grand National Festival is the Aintree Hurdle. Only seven runners will contest this year's renewal of this valuable Grade One, but it's still a quality line-up, featuring four of the top five from last month's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Aintree Hurdle, including our best betting tips.
2026 Aintree Hurdle Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| The New Lion | 2/1 |
| Brighterdaysahead | 2/1 |
| El Fabiolo | 6/1 |
| Alexei | 9/1 |
| Golden Ace | 14/1 |
| Potters Charm | 25/1 |
| Lucky Place | 40/1 |
2026 Aintree Hurdle Runners
Harry and Dan Skelton will team up with Grade One winner The New Lion, who steps back up in distance following a third-place finish in the Champion Hurdle. Gordon Elliott's mare Brighterdaysahead split Lossiemouth and The New Lion at Cheltenham, and she rivals Skelton's market leader for favouritism.
Lossiemouth will remain in Ireland to focus on Punchestown, but Willie Mullins could be represented by multiple Grade One-winning chaser El Fabiolo, who has rediscovered his mojo over hurdles this season. Greatwood and Kingwell Hurdle winner Alexei will step up in distance after a fourth-place finish in the Champion Hurdle. Golden Ace could only finish fifth as she tried to defend her Champion Hurdle crown, and Jeremy Scott's mare can be backed here at 14/1.
Potters Charm will represent the Twiston-Davies team on day one of the Grand National Festival. Nicky Henderson's Lucky Place completes the line-up.
2026 Aintree Hurdle Tips
This is a really tricky one. The top two in the betting will both appreciate the step up in trip. El Fabiolo is extremely capable on his day, and Alexei has been in fantastic form this season.
I've always thought that Golden Ace is at her best over this intermediate trip. Jeremy Scott's mare has done fantastically well to win two Grade Ones over two miles, and ran pretty well in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Some firms are paying out on the first three places, so her price of 14/1 is tempting. However, Jeremy Scott's has always been a "strike while the iron is hot" kind of stable, and he hasn't had a winner since February.
In the end, I've come down on the side of THE NEW LION (2/1). Dan Skelton's star is probably the most talented horse in the race, and he'll handle nicer ground better than market rival Brighterdaysahead.
The New Lion ran a funny race in the Champion Hurdle. Harry Skelton was keen to take his mount wide and give him a good look at the obstacles. The New Lion travelled well into contention, but got outpaced by Lossiemouth coming down the hill, and seemed to hang right towards the stands' rail on the approach to the final flight - giving away more ground to the impressive winner.
I'm sure that if Dan Skelton had been true to himself, he would have said that the Aintree Hurdle was the ideal target for The New Lion at the start of the season. That's not to say that he can't develop into a Champion Hurdle contender, as I do think he has the requisite two-mile speed, but this season has shown that some kinks need to be ironed out before they return to Cheltenham in 2027.
I don't think we saw The New Lion's true running last month, and I'm confident he will have improved for that outing at Cheltenham. Skelton should get a nice lead into the race from Brighterdaysahead and Potters Charm. If it turns into a sprint for home, I fancy The New Lion will come out on top.
Live Stream
Visit our Aintree Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Thursday's races at Aintree via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
The New Lion is our selection in the 2026 Aintree Hurdle.
The New Lion
2026 Aintree Hurdle Tips
@2/1 - 5 Units
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