Greatwood Hurdle 2026 FAQs - Runners, Start Time, Prize Money and Live Stream
The 2026 Greatwood Hurdle, a Premier Handicap hurdle, is set for Sunday 15 November at Cheltenham Racecourse, concluding the November Meeting. A maximum field of 20 runners has been declared, with Harry Lowes, Let It Rain and Pioneer Pete among the leading contenders after the withdrawal of early favourite Idaho Sun. Dan Skelton is strongly represented, and former winners Iberico Lord and Burdett Road are also in the line-up. The race, run over about two miles and half a furlong on the Old Course, offers a £100,000 prize fund and will be broadcast live on ITV3 and Racing TV.
- The 2026 Greatwood Hurdle runs at Cheltenham on 15 November with 20 declared runners
- Harry Lowes, Let It Rain and Pioneer Pete lead the field after Idaho Sun's withdrawal
- The race offers a £100,000 prize fund and is broadcast live on ITV3 and Racing TV
What is the Greatwood Hurdle?
The Greatwood Hurdle is one of the most competitive handicap hurdles staged during the early months of the British National Hunt season. Held at Cheltenham every November, the race brings together established two-mile hurdlers and improving younger horses looking to make their mark in a valuable handicap.
The contest is classified as a Premier Handicap and takes place on Cheltenham's Old Course. Many winners have gone on to compete at a higher level, making the Greatwood an important early-season race for horses with ambitions of returning to the Cheltenham Festival in March.
When is the 2026 Greatwood Hurdle?
The 2026 Greatwood Hurdle takes place on Sunday 15 November at Cheltenham Racecourse.
The race provides the headline attraction on the third and final afternoon of Cheltenham's November Meeting, which begins on Friday 13 November. The Paddy Power Gold Cup is another major highlight of the three-day meeting, taking place on Saturday.
What time is the 2026 Greatwood Hurdle?
The 2026 Greatwood Hurdle is scheduled to start at 3:10pm GMT on Sunday 15 November.
The Greatwood is the final race on the card at Cheltenham, bringing the curtain down on three days of high-quality National Hunt racing at the November Meeting.
You can read our full guide to the 2026 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle to find out who we've backed in Sunday's feature at Cheltenham.
Who will win the 2026 Greatwood?
You can read our full guide to the 2026 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle to find out who we've backed in Sunday's feature at Cheltenham.
Where is the Greatwood Hurdle held?
The Greatwood Hurdle takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, one of the most famous venues in National Hunt racing.
The race is staged on Cheltenham's Old Course, which is also used during the November Meeting and the opening two days of the Cheltenham Festival. Its undulating layout and demanding uphill finish provide a thorough examination of a horse's jumping, speed and stamina.
How far is the Greatwood Hurdle?
The Greatwood Hurdle is run over approximately two miles and half a furlong, with runners required to jump eight hurdles during the contest.
Although the distance is relatively short by National Hunt standards, the strong pace associated with large-field handicaps and Cheltenham's stiff finish can make the Greatwood a demanding test.
Which horses will run in the 2026 Greatwood Hurdle?
A maximum field of 20 runners was declared for the 2026 Greatwood Hurdle, with Harry Lowes, Let It Rain and Pioneer Pete among the leading contenders following the withdrawal of early favourite Idaho Sun.
Dan Skelton has a strong hand in the race, with Harry Lowes and Let It Rain joined by stablemates Mirabad, Knickerbockerglory and Royal Way.
Former Greatwood winners Iberico Lord and Burdett Road are also among the declared runners, while The Kemble Brewery, Mossy Fen Road, Helnwein and Give It To Me Oj add further depth to the field.
How much prize money is on offer in the 2026 Greatwood Hurdle?
The 2026 Greatwood Hurdle carries a guaranteed prize fund of £100,000, making it one of the most valuable handicap hurdles staged during Cheltenham's November Meeting.
The winning connections will receive £56,950, with prize money also awarded to several of the horses finishing behind the winner.
How can I watch the 2026 Greatwood Hurdle?
The 2026 Greatwood Hurdle will be shown live on ITV3, with ITV Racing covering the final afternoon of Cheltenham's November Meeting.
Viewers can also stream the race online through ITVX, while Racing TV will provide coverage from Cheltenham for subscribers.
Who won the Greatwood Hurdle in 2025?
Alexei won the 2025 Greatwood Hurdle for trainer Joe Tizzard and jockey Brendan Powell. Sent off as the 16/5 favourite, Alexei produced an impressive performance to claim the valuable handicap by six lengths.
The victory helped establish Alexei as one of the leading two-mile hurdlers in Britain, and he subsequently competed at the highest level in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Is the Greatwood Hurdle a trial for the Champion Hurdle?
The Greatwood Hurdle is not an official Champion Hurdle trial, but it can provide useful clues for the championship race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Promising handicap hurdlers occasionally progress into Graded company after performing well in the Greatwood. Rooster Booster famously completed the Greatwood and Champion Hurdle double during the 2002/03 season, demonstrating how victory in November can provide a stepping stone towards the biggest prizes in March.
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