The 2026/27 National Hunt season is here, and the road to the 2027 Cheltenham Festival begins!
Emmet Kennedy is joined by Paul Ferguson, author of Jumpers To Follow, and racing analyst Adam Mills for an early assessment of all seven Cheltenham championship races.
Can Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior defend their crowns? Is Kopek Des Bordes a serious Champion Chase contender at 3/1, or one of the worst ante-post prices of the season?
From established champions to exciting novices stepping into open company, the team examine the leading contenders, potential improvers and early betting opportunities.
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CHAMPION HURDLE | LOSSIEMOUTH'S FIFTH FESTIVAL VICTORY?
Lossiemouth bids to retain her Champion Hurdle crown and extend her remarkable Cheltenham Festival winning sequence to five.
Is Willie Mullins' superstar the most reliable defending champion heading into the new season?
Brighterdaysahead looks to improve on last season's runner-up finish, while Mydaddypaddy and Idaho Sun are discussed as potential challengers emerging from the novice ranks.
STAYERS' HURDLE | CAN THE NEW LION STAY THREE MILES?
Dan Skelton's The New Lion looks set to tackle the staying division, but will his stamina stretch to three miles at championship level?
The panel assess his prospects alongside the improving Zeus Power, Le Frimeur and Jimmy Du Seuil.
MARES' HURDLE | WHO CAN CHALLENGE WODHOOH?
Wodhooh sets a formidable standard in the mares' division.
Can Place De La Nation or Zanoosh emerge as credible challengers, or could their connections pursue opportunities over fences instead?
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE | KOPEK DES BORDES AT 3/1?
One of the strongest disagreements of the episode!
Kopek Des Bordes is available at 3/1, a price one member of the panel considers extraordinary, while two others believe he deserves to be favourite.
Defending champion Il Etait Temps heads the market, with Arkle winner Kargese another major contender.
Could Willie Mullins dominate the Champion Chase and saddle the first three home?
RYANAIR CHASE | FACT TO FILE FACES A NEW GENERATION
Can Fact To File regain his Ryanair Chase crown?
The division could feature a fascinating collection of challengers, including Grey Dawning, Lulamba, Heart Wood, Koktail Divin, Romeo Coolio and the enigmatic Majborough.
The panel debate which horses are best suited to the intermediate trip and who could develop into a genuine championship contender.
CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP | CAN GAELIC WARRIOR GO BACK-TO-BACK?
Gaelic Warrior heads the ante-post betting as he attempts to defend his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown and secure a third Festival victory.
But the competition is building.
Jango Baie, Final Demand, Kitzbuhel, Kaid d'Authie and Soldier In Milan are among the potential challengers assessed as the team consider whether the champion can be beaten.
MARES' CHASE | THE CHAMPIONSHIP PICTURE
The Mares' Chase completes the seven championship races, with the wider discussion of mares potentially switching to fences providing an early-season angle on the division.
THE FINAL VERDICT
Seven championship races, defending champions, emerging stars and plenty of contrasting opinions.
Emmet, Paul and Adam assess the early Cheltenham betting markets and identify the horses worth following as the National Hunt season develops.
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