Scottish Champion Hurdle 2026
The Scottish Champion Hurdle is a very different test to the staying handicaps, but the same Turf Talk approach still applies.
Every runner has been measured against the historical race trends before being ranked using our Turf Talk ratings model. The trends identify the right type of horse, the ratings rank the strongest profiles, and the final filter helps isolate the runners most likely to cope with a strongly run handicap on soft ground.
This final view includes the declared field, fresh trainer and jockey form, plus going, distance and race-profile suitability.
Key Scottish Champion Hurdle Trends
• 10/11 winners were aged between 5 and 7
• 8/11 winners ran within the last 39 days
• 10/11 winners had at least 8 previous runs over 15f to 17f
• 8/11 winners had at least 2 previous wins over 15f to 17f
• 9/11 winners had at least 6 runs over hurdles
• 8/11 winners had at least 2 wins over hurdles
• 10/11 winners were rated 134 or higher
• 11/11 winners had at least 3 runs that season
• 8/11 winners had at least 1 win that season
We also apply a wider set of supporting trends behind the scenes, including season run bands, ratings bands, recent placing profile and distance experience, to build a fuller Trend Match % for each runner.
Turf Talk Trend Match + Ratings
Trend Match % reflects how closely each runner matches the historical Scottish Champion Hurdle winner profile. Ratings are shown on our established 200+ Turf Talk scale.
| Horse | Trend Match | Rating | Age | Weight | Ground | Trainer | Jockey | Key Positives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Hugo | 94% | 229 | 6 | 10-10 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Ideal age, attractive weight, strong recent profile, one of the best pure race fits | TOP RATED |
| Secret Squirrel | 92% | 225 | 7 | 10-6 | ✓✓✓ | ✗ | ✓✓✓ | Soft ground suits, solid distance record, Jonathan Burke a major positive | MAIN DANGER |
| Gibbs Island | 91% | 223 | 5 | 10-8 | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | Ideal age, Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard in outstanding form, still has upside | STRONG CONTENDER |
| Tutti Quanti | 90% | 221 | 6 | 11-12 | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | Highest class profile in the field, Nicholls still in good form, strong distance record | SHORTLIST |
| Tellherthename | 88% | 217 | 7 | 10-8 | ✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | Skelton team red hot and Harry Skelton booked, dangerous if bouncing back | LIVE OUTSIDER |
| Dedicated Hero | 87% | 215 | 7 | 10-6 | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | Recent winner, excellent ground and distance stats, arrives in good heart | PLACE CHANCE |
| Queenie St Clair | 86% | 213 | 6 | 10-6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓✓ | Low weight, right age, arrives off a win, Sean Bowen booked | INTERESTING OUTSIDER |
| All In You | 82% | 205 | 6 | 10-6 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Age and weight both workable | NEEDS MORE |
| Ooh Betty | 79% | 199 | 8 | 10-6 | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✗ | Recent win gives her something to build on | NEEDS MORE |
| Welsh Charger | 76% | 194 | 8 | 10-6 | ✓✓✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Ground stats are a positive and stamina for this trip is proven | OUTSIDER ONLY |
95%+ = elite match | 90-94% = strong contender | below 90% = needs extra positives elsewhere
Final Selections
Captain Hugo (5/1)
He still looks the strongest overall fit on the final Turf Talk model. The age, weight and recent profile all line up well for this race, and he has the look of one who should be very well suited by a strongly run Scottish Champion Hurdle.
Secret Squirrel (12/1)
Soft ground keeps him firmly in the mix and Jonathan Burke is an eye-catching booking in current form. He does not come from the hottest stable, but the individual profile still makes him one of the more appealing contenders.
Gibbs Island (9/1)
The updated trainer and jockey stats bring him much more firmly into the conversation. He has the right age profile, still has upside, and the Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard combination is hard to ignore at the moment.
Verdict
Captain Hugo rates as the strongest overall fit on the final Turf Talk model, with Secret Squirrel the main danger on soft ground and Gibbs Island moving firmly into the shortlist on the strength of red-hot trainer and jockey form.
