County Hurdle 2026 Tips - Best bets for Gold Cup day handicap

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Wed 11 Mar 2026 18:35

Jon Vine 11 Mar 2026

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Predictions and best bets for the 2026 County Hurdle
This handicap takes place on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on March 12th
Sinnatra (11/1) and Sixandahalf (20/1) feature in our selections

The field pass in front of the grandstand in the County Handicap Hurdle on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)

The first of two handicaps to take place on Gold Cup day is the County Hurdle, and this thrilling two-mile handicap hurdle is often one of the biggest betting races of the Cheltenham Festival.

We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our County Hurdle tips for 2026, including our best bets, key trends and race verdict.

Last Updated: 06.03.2026

Race Info

Race	County Hurdle
Date	Friday, March 13th, 2026
Start Time	2:00pm
Status	Premier Handicap
Distance	2m1f
First Prize	£61,897
Going	NA
Runners	70
Favourite	Murcia (6/1)

2026 County Hurdle Trends

11 of the last 11 winners were eight-years-old or younger
10 of the last 11 winners had won either zero or one handicap over hurdles
10 of the last 11 winners were trained by either Willie Mullins (6) or Dan Skelton (4)
9 of the last 11 winners were rated no higher than 141
9 of the last 11 winners finished fourth or better last time out

As the trends above illustrate, Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton have dominated the County Hurdle in recent years.

Willie Mullins' Murcia has a similar profile to last year's winner Kargese, and she tops the current betting. I'm not sure whether she's as talented as her stablemate, but she could be well-treated off a mark of 142.

Paul Townend will ride Murcia, and I expect she'll go off as the firm favourite. Anzadam runs in the Champion Hurdle, meaning stablemate and former winner, Absurde will shoulder top-weight off his mark of 155.

2026 County Hurdle Tips

Bet Type	Name	Odds (6.3.26)
Value Bet 1	Sinnatra	11/1
Value Bet 2	Sixandahalf	20/1

Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.

Dan Skelton's best chance looks like being SINNATRA (11/1), who needs 14 above him in the weights to come out in order to get a run.

Skelton has done a very good job of keeping Sinnatra's rating down since he joined from Paul Nicholls' yard. Harry's mount claimed an emphatic win at Sandown in January, having bumped into talented sorts on his first two starts. Sinnatra then took on Act Of Innocence for a second time in the Sidney Banks, and was once again beaten by Nicky Henderson's Turners Novices' Hurdle contender.

Needing a fifth run to qualify for the County Hurdle, Skelton's charge won a low-key novice hurdle at Warwick two weeks ago. A mark of 133 has been high enough to run in seven of the last eight renewals of this handicap, and Sinnatra would be a big player if the entries fell in his favour.

air of entitlement — Sixandahalf (near) jumps the last with a lead in the 2026 Mares' Novices' Hurdle. (Getty)

The one who captures my imagination further down the betting is SIXANDAHALF (20/1). Gavin Cromwell's mare went off as the clear favourite for last year's Mares' Novices' Hurdle. Keither Donoghue's mount didn't jump well, but picked up nicely after the last, only to get run down by the charging Air Of Entitlement.

Sixandahalf didn't jump well again when surprisingly beaten at Punchestown, and struggled a little on the flat. Cromwell's six-year-old got turned over as the 1/3 favourite on her return to hurdles at Sligo in October, but Colonel Mustard is a worthy adversary for anyone, and he went on to land the Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle next time out.

Conor Stone-Walsh was in the saddle when Sixandahalf finished fourth behind Wodhooh at Leopardstown over Christmas. Cromwell's mare jumped better on that occasion, she simply didn't stay the trip as well as Wodhooh, Feet Of A Dancer and Dream On Baby. Returning to the minimum distance seems like a sensible plan, and Sixandahalf travelled beautifully on the New Course last year. If she jumps well, she's got more than half a chance.

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County Hurdle 2026 FAQs

When is the County Hurdle 2026?

The County Hurdle will take place on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday 13th March, 2026.

What time does the County Hurdle go off?

The County Hurdle is scheduled to start at 2:00pm on March 13th.

Where can I watch the 2026 County Hurdle?

The County 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

Sinnatra is Dan Skelton's number one for the 2026 County Hurdle, and he should get into the race near the bottom of the weights.

Sixandahalf ran a blinder in last year's Mares' Novices' Hurdle, and Gavin Cromwell's star should relish this drop back to two miles.

Sinnatra

2026 County Hurdle

@11/1 - 5 Units

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Sixandahalf

2026 County Hurdle

@20/1 - 5 Units

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in free bets

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