Ruby Walsh Champion Hurdle tip: 1-2-3 with JP McManus to win

February 5, 2026

Ruby Walsh has picked his Champion Hurdle 1-2-3 with a certain JP McManus runner to lead them home.

Walsh knows a thing or two about what it takes to win the Tuesday feature at the Cheltenham Festival, successful on four occasions throughout his career.

The legendary jockey turned pundit thinks he has the winner of the 2026 renewal in the form of Dan Skelton’s The New Lion.

Speaking on Paddy Power’s ‘From The Horses’ Mouth’ podcast, Walsh revealed:

“The New Lion is probably the one for me in the Champion Hurdle, I think the International wasn’t run at all to suit him, it was like a schooling session. But I did think he showed a good enough turn of foot because it was a really slowly-run race.

“I think The New Lion will beat Brighterdaysahead and Golden Ace will be third.”

The seven-year-old was last seen winning the International Hurdle at Cheltenham’s Trials Day meeting last month in what was simply a confidence booster.

He had hit the deck on reappearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November, still holding every chance when crashing out and he is without question a leading player in a wide-open Champion Hurdle picture.

The New Lion landed the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival last year and the Newcastle defeat remains the only one of his career to date, six from seven under rules with two top-level awards in the bag.

A notable omission from Walsh’s 1-2-3 is Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth after recently urging the champion trainer to end the two-mile experiment with Rich Ricci’s mare following defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The New Lion lands the International

❤️ Our thoughts are with Sir Gino pic.twitter.com/LiBoIBpPwp

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 24, 2026

Champion Hurdle odds headed by likely favourite The New Lion

The New Lion is currently the 5/2 favourite for the Champion Hurdle and it’d be no surprise to see him sent off as the market leader on the day.

His preparation has been more ideal than his rivals in the betting, likely nowhere near tuned up for last month’s International Hurdle assignment and that effort should put him in peak shape for a crack at the big prize.

Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead has the strongest form in the field after beating Lossiemouth but the jockeys set strong fractions on deep ground at Leopardstown and you could argue it was a borderline grueller.

Constitution Hill could line-up if his run on the level at Southwell goes to plan but considering he has fallen in three of his last four starts and put in a stinker at the Punchestown Festival, it’s hard to see him figuring when push comes to shove.

Lossiemouth would be a definite player if she shows up, her strong Cheltenham record goes without saying but for now the betting is suggesting she will target a third consecutive Mares’ Hurdle crown.