Cheltenham betting: 2026 County Hurdle contenders and tip

The second race on the final day of the festival for Cheltenham betting fans to get their teeth stuck into is the County Hurdle, which Coral has a tip for.

Coral's County Hurdle 2026 tip

Always an absorbing puzzle to get stuck into, the County Hurdle is a high-class handicap race over 17 furlongs. 

Willie Mullins’ Absurde comes back into Hurdle company having been a player in Group One races on the Flat in the Autumn. If going well fresh on this occasion, he could be in with a chance, particularly as the ground description is ‘Good’. Provided he is fit, he could be overpriced. 

Nicky Henderson’s Joyeuse makes some appeal in first-time cheekpieces, now that she is down to a more winnable mark. A good horse on her day, she might have needed to come down the weights to get back to winning. 

Mullins’ first string heads the betting; Karbau, who was a good second of seven at Naas last time on heavy ground. Equally happy on a sounder surface, he looks highly likely to run a big race. 

Dan Skelton’s new recruit Tellherthename is down to a nice mark too now, having come down a pound in the weights since his last run at Carlisle. He could be overpriced and the change of scene could have helped him out too, so there could be a big result on the cards for Kielan Woods.

Gordon Elliott’s horse Bowensonfire seeks a hat-trick, having won his latest two starts at Leopardstown. He has kept improving and is a consistent sort, but this looks a bit of a stiff ask now after a sharp rise in the weights from last time. 

Coral’s big-race tip: Joyeuse e/w at 9/1

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.