2026 Liverpool Hurdle Tips - Defending champion worth backing again on Grand National day

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Fri 10 Apr 2026 15:13

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Jon Vine 10 Apr 2026

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Liverpool Hurdle
This Grade One takes place at Aintree on Saturday 11th April
Hiddenvalley Lake is our selection at 6/1

Expired

Darragh O'keeffe riding Hiddenvalley Lake (R) win The Ivy Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National Day at Aintree. (Getty)

The traditional lead-up race to the Grand National is the Liverpool Hurdle. This three-mile Grade One has been won by plenty of legendary hurdlers down the years, and this year's renewal is shaping up to be a cracker.

Here's our free guide to the 2026 Liverpool Hurdle, including our best betting tips.

2026 Liverpool Hurdle Odds

Name	Odds
Honesty Policy	3/1
Strong Leader	4/1
Hiddenvalley Lake	6/1
Jongko Blue	6/1
Home By The Lee	7/1
Impose Toi	8/1
Air Of Entitlement	12/1
Bar	20/1

2026 Liverpool Hurdle Runners

A healthy field of 12 will contest the Liverpool Hurdle. Topping the market is Honesty Policy, who won the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago, and was last seen finishing fourth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Hiddenvalley Lake returns to defend the title he landed 12 months ago. 2024 winner, Strong Leader finished second to Henry De Bromhead's nine-year-old last year, and both will line up in Saturday's edition.

Home By The Lee claimed a shock victory in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and Joseph O'Brien's 11-year-old takes his chance. Air Of Entitlement added the Martin Pipe to the Mares' Novices' Hurdle in her trophy cabinet, and will step up to three miles for the first time this weekend.

Runaway Coral Cup winner Jingko Blue represents Nicky Henderson, along with Long Walk Hurdle winner Impose Toi - who disappointed in the Stayers' Hurdle. Doddiethegreat will also fly the flag for Henderson, with Hewick representing Shark Hanlon.

Harry and Dan Skelton team up with Take No Chances, before combining with Panic Attack in the Grand National. The field is completed by Pertemps Final second Lavida Adiva, and Mark Fahey's 12-year-old Happy Jacky.

2026 Liverpool Hurdle Tips

The right horses have made their way to the head of the market. I remain a big fan of Honesty Policy, who ran well enough in the Stayers' Hurdle, and should have improved for that outing at the Cheltenham Festival.

The value bet could just be last year's winner, HIDDENVALLEY LAKE (6/1). Henry De Bromhead's nine-year-old brought little form into last year's race, but powered into contention between the final two flights and held the rallying Strong Leader on the run to the line.

Darragh O'Keeffe's mount showed nothing on his reappearance at Punchestown, and fared even worse in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan. However, we know how good Henry is at readying his big stars for the spring Festival, and Hiddenvalley Lake's record on decent ground is excellent.

De Bromhead's nine-year-old also seems to excel on British soil, having gone close in this race in 2024 and that year's Long Walk Hurdle. Henry is no stranger to winning big races with ageing stars, and I'm sure Hiddenvalley Lake has been primed for this assignment.

Live Stream

Visit our Liverpool Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Aintree via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

2026 Liverpool Hurdle

Hiddenvalley Lake is our selection in the 2026 Liverpool Hurdle.

Hiddenvalley Lake

2026 Liverpool Hurdle Tips

@6/1 - 5 Units

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