Cheltenham betting: 2026 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle contenders and tip

Cheltenham betting on day three continues with the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, which Coral has provided a preview and tip for.

Coral's Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle Cheltenham 2026 tip

A field of seven will head to the start for the two and a half mile Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle and this one appears to be heading the way of Ireland once again. 

Won last year by Lossiemouth, who went on to win the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of this year’s Festival, this time Woodhoh looks the way to go for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy. 

A winner of the Martin Pipe last year, has won an Ascot Grade 2 and a Leopardstown Grade 3 since and has only been beaten once over hurdles, that was in a Grade 1 by Lossiemouth at Aintree last year, so is very tough to oppose here. 

Willie Mullins cannot be ignored however and has Jade De Grugy in the Mares, a winner over hurdles and also over fences earlier this season so heading back over hurdles shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

She was also a runner-up to Lossiemouth in this race last year and cannot be taken lightly to go one better. 

The best chance for the Brits in this race could be Take No Chances for the Skelton’s, third in this racer last year and was a winner of a Grade 2 as Ascot prior ot that, though this season’s form has been a little below-par so will have to improve to be right amongst it this time around.

Coral’s big-race tip: Woodhoh @ 8/11

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.