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Date published: March 18, 2026
Friday 13th March 14:00
The County Hurdle takes place at 2:00pm on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday 13th March 2026. Below you'll find our free betting tips for the County Hurdle from out expert horse racing analysts Will Smith & David Young.
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| Bookie | Selection | Best Odds | Market | Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Sinnatra | 12/1 | Ante Post
EW 4 Places County Hurdle |
Place Bet |
 |
Joyeuse | 9/1 | EW 6 Places County Hurdle |
Place Bet |
|
Sixandahalf | 14/1 | EW 6 Places County Hurdle |
Place Bet |
|
Karbou | 9/2 | EW 6 Places County Hurdle |
Place Bet |
Date of Tips: 13/03/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (08:00 13/03/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
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Tip 1: Sinnatra
The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle on the Friday of next week’s Cheltenham Festival is often the domain of a potential Grade 1 horse in the making, and quite often that is housed in the mighty yard of Willie Mullins at Closutton.
If it isn’t such a type, then the other option is to look to a progressive handicapper trained by Dan Skelton. Amazingly, there is only one trainer that has upset either party in the last 10 years and given I don’t think there is an obvious genuine classy and well-handicapped type from the Mullins yard, it is with the Skeltons that I think we should side.
At 12/1 each-way with William Hill, Sinnatra was one of two confirmed to get a run by Dan Skelton this morning for the County Hurdle, and on the basis of his form and figures from early season novice hurdles, he could be an extremely live proposition off his lenient handicap mark.
Form with the likes of Captain Hugo, Klub De Reve, Act Of Innocence and West Hill Verde suddenly gives Sinnatra’s early season form a really strong look, and he can prove to be the most unexposed on his handicap debut.
Skelton has probably hatched this plan a little later than is sometimes the case with his usual Festival contenders, but having to get 5 runs in to qualify now presents connections with slightly different challenges.
Two quickish runs at Huntingdon and Warwick have been shoehorned in slightly, but on both occasions (one in defeat and one in consummate winning fashion) he won’t have had a hard race, and it actually might have served to just give him a little more experience and toughness – which if course will be needed in a race like the County.
Tip 2 & 3: Joyeuse & Sixandahalf
Having recommended Sinnatra at 12/1 last week for today’s William Hill County Handicap Hurdle and given events in some of the handicaps this week regarding the Skelton ‘plots,’ it’s probably little surprise he’s shortened so much. I would still have small reservations about the fact this was certainly a plan hatched later than usual, and his suitability for the hustle and bustle of a County Hurdle, but he’s in the book and I’d be hopeful of a massive run.
Following declarations and with the form of two yards this week being notable, Nicky Henderson and Gavin Cromwell, there are two more on the shortlist. Joyeuse and Sixandahalf are the horses in question and at the prices with various inflated place terms, it’s not unreasonable to back both as well as the ante-post 12/1 about Sinnatra explained below.
Joyeuse was a handsome winner of the valuable William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Newbury last season on pretty soft ground, and with the 12mm of rain yesterday and overnight at Cheltenham, she will enjoy conditions. This season has looked about bringing her along slowly for a big day, and with the cheekpieces applied first time (an angle which Nicky Henderson has a potent record with), at 9/1 each-way with Bet365 for 6 places Joyeuse looks set to run a big race.
At 14/1 each-way with Bet365 for 6 places also, Sixandahalf is the third dart at the County Hurdle board, as she was an excellent runner-up over course and distance in a strong Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle last season, and her campaign this time around has had a look of peaking her at this meeting again.
KARBOU is Paul Townend’s only handicap ride for this week and he’s been astute in those decisions with 3 wins since 2021 from 7 mounts showing a near 200% ROI to SP alone.
All of those winners came in this race and while KARBOU has just one win to this name, he was thrown into Graded company last spring before a fair reappearance in January following a 271 day break. He’s going to come forward for that effort and he would certainly look like a horse who could be ahead of his mark and his preferred style of racing is perfect for this contest.
KARBOU – 1 STAR EW @ 9/2 (6 places 1/5)
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| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Murcia | 7/1 |
| Khrisma | 8/1 |
| Karbau | 9/1 |
| Mondo Man | 12/1 |
| Sinnatra | 12/1 |
| Bowensonfire | 14/1 |
| Roc Dino | 16/1 |
| Hello Neighbour | 16/1 |
| Tellherthename | 16/1 |
| Wilful | 20/1 |
| Ndaawi | 20/1 |
| Sixandahalf | 20/1 |
| Celtic Dino | 25/1 |
| Absurde | 25/1 |
| Serious Challenge | 25/1 |
| Helvic Dream | 25/1 |
| Its Bilbo | 25/1 |
| Jubilee Alpha | 28/1 |
| Zillow | 33/1 |
| Wreckless Eric | 33/1 |
| Joyeuse | 33/1 |
| Wellington Arch | 33/1 |
| Helnwein | 40/1 |
| Secret Squirrel | 40/1 |
| Jump Allen | 40/1 |
| Tripoli Flyer | 40/1 |
| Sticktotheplan | 50/1 |
| Hamlet's Night | 50/1 |
| Afadil | 50/1 |
| Captain Ryan Matt | 50/1 |
| Pinot Gris | 50/1 |
| Williethebuilder | 50/1 |
| Hot Fuss | 66/1 |
| Bowmore | 66/1 |
| Gibbs Island | 66/1 |
| Balko D'Ange | 66/1 |
| Brendas Asking | 66/1 |
| Charlus | 66/1 |
| Cracking Rhapsody | 66/1 |
| Ooh Betty | 66/1 |
| Rubber Ball | 66/1 |
| The Kemble Brewery | 66/1 |
| Welsh Charger | 66/1 |
| Jack Hyde | 80/1 |
| Ballykinlar | 80/1 |
| Bubble Dubi | 80/1 |
| Messerschmitt | 80/1 |
| County Hurdle | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Distance | Type |
| Fri 13/03/2026 | 14:00 | 2m 179y | Hurdle |
The County Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race that is run on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, also known as Gold Cup Day.
The race covers a distance of approximately 2 miles and 1 furlong and is open to horses aged five years and older.
The County Hurdle is known for being a highly competitive and unpredictable handicap race, with many horses in contention for the win. It often attracts a large field of runners and the pace can be very fast making for an exciting spectacle for racegoers and viewers.
Trainer W P Mullins has won the County Hurdle 6 times over the last 20 festivals with Thousand Stars (2010), Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), Saint Roi (2020) & State Man (2022).
County Hurdle tips from racing analyst Will Smith will appear on this page shortly before the start of the Cheltenham Festival.
The County Hurdle is a race where Will Smith and Dave Young have a strong record of finding value. With so many runners arriving at different stages of their progression, there’s usually a chance to spot one whose recent efforts haven’t been fully recognised by the market. Our 2026 County Hurdle tips from our analysts are based firmly on where the price still looks fair in what is often one of the most competitive handicaps of the Festival.
You may occasionally see an ante-post view for this race if Will or Dave feel a horse is still on a very workable mark before the market reacts. Those early views can be helpful, especially when a runner shows a clear upward curve through the winter.
It’s also a race that sometimes finds its way into Will Smith’s EW Lucky 15 during Cheltenham week. His Cheltenham Lucky 15 tips have produced some excellent returns over the years, and the County Hurdle has previously supplied the kind of big-priced runner that can boost them significantly.
Once final declarations are in, race-day County Hurdle tips will follow, focusing on pace angles, how the handicap has shaped up, and which horses are likely to go well in a strongly-run contest.
And if you’re looking for extra betting opportunities across Cheltenham 2026, don’t forget to check our page which lists available extra places races and our Cheltenham Placepot tips page – both updated on a daily basis and often a good source of added value.
The County has been firmly in the grip of a small number of trainers. Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins have combined to win ten of the last eleven renewals, with Mullins responsible for six winners since 2015. The race has favoured less exposed hurdlers, as nineteen of the last twenty-two winners were either novices or second-season hurdlers.
Older horses struggle here, with those aged nine or above 0 from 40 over the past eighteen years. Recent winners have generally been improving profiles rather than established top handicappers, with only two this century rated in the 150s going into the race.
The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle is run over 2 miles and 179 yards on the New Course.
Yes, each runner carries a weight based on its official handicap rating.
Yes, it regularly attracts one of the biggest fields on Gold Cup Day.
Yes, novices are eligible provided they meet the race conditions.
Yes, it is often one of the most competitive handicaps of the Festival.
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Below you'll find our betting tips for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle taking place at 17:20 on Friday 13th March at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. All of our 2026 Cheltenham betting tips are provided by WhichBookie racing analysts David Young and Will Smith. You may have seen Will featured on horse racing media channels such as Racing TV and William Hill Racing. Find hot tips for the 2026 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle below.
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