Road to Cheltenham 2026 Episode 6: Champion Chasers in the spotlight

| Tuesday 9th December 2025, 14:42pm

Tuesday 9th December 2025, 14:42pm

It was another busy week in the National Hunt world, especially concerning the Champion Chase division.

That's the centre of the discussion between Matt Hulmes, Frankie Foster and Joel Ross in Episode 6 of Road to Cheltenham.

Cheltenham 2026 Odds

Lulamba @ 9/4 for the Arkle
Il Etait Temps @ 11/4 for the Champion Chase
No Drama This End @ 6/1 for the Turners Novices' Hurdle

*odds correct at time of publication

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Il Etait Temps put on "one of the most impressive performances of the season so far" in the Tingle Creek, according to Joel.

And the Betfred traders agree, for Willie Mullins' seven-year-old is now our 11/4 favourite for the Cheltenham Festival contest after his nine-length victory at Sandown, leaving Jonbon and L'Eau Du Sud in his wake.

Is he the Champion-elect, or is there value elsewhere? The latter two are discussed, with the lads offering up suggestions about what's next for Nicky Henderson's waning star Jonbon, who is still yet to finish outside of the top two in 25 starts under rules. What a horse.

Majborough's defeat in the Hilly Way is another topic of discussion. Can he be trusted after another poor round of jumping?

Other two-milers go under the microscope - including Sir Gino, who's been the centre of much discussion of late. Is a Champion Hurdle bid now on the cards?

Perhaps that decision has become an easier one after "super" Lulamba proved himself to be every bit a two-miler in Surrey on Saturday. The four-year-old could be the yard's Champion Chaser for the foreseeable.

The new Arkle picture is dissected - and could there be a springer at a bit of a price (25/1 to be precise)? She's got the Mares' Chase as an option, but after her 16-length beating of a Willie Mullins hotpot over the weekend, connections could aim high. Sounds like she's another one of Frankie's favourites.

This week's Horse In Focus is No Drama This End for Paul Nicholls. IS he the new Denman? How far can he go? Turners or Bartlett?

All this and more, in Episode 6 of Road to Cheltenham.

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