2026 Champion Chase Odds - Sir Gino heads early Festival betting

The early favourite for next year's Champion Chase is Sir Gino. Nicky Henderson's star was forced to miss this year's Arkle through injury but is expected to return to a full schedule in 2026 and try to maintain his unbeaten career record.

Despite Sir Gino's absence, Majborough couldn't get the job done in the Arkle, finishing third as Jango Baie claimed a surprise victory. Willie Mullins' former Triumph Hurdle winner still sits second in the ante-post betting, one place ahead of Marine Nationale, who'll return as the defending champion in 2026 following his impressive victory at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Jonbon could return to the Champion Chase as a ten-year-old in 2026, despite three Cheltenham Festival defeats on his record. Noel George could be represented by former Kauto Star winner Il Est Francais. 2024 Arkle winner, Gaelic Warrior is a possible runner for Willie Mullins, having skipped the Festival in 2025.

Ryanair Chase winner, Fact To File features in the ante-post Champion Chase betting, but seems more likely to run in the 2026 Gold Cup than drop back to two miles. Other notable names in the early market include beaten Brown Advisory Novices' Chase favourite Ballyburn, Dan Skelton's L'Eau Du Sud, King George VI Chase hero Banbridge, and this year's surprise Arkle winner, Jango Baie.