Kingwell Hurdle 2026 Preview: Key Runners and Tips for Wincanton Feature

Just four runners are set to take their chance in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday afternoon, their sole race set to be broadcast on ITV Racing. The track is facing a nervous wait for morning, as is Haydock, to hopefully pass an inspection due to the rain but providing it is on, Billy Grimshaw is on and to preview the big race for us...

This race has thrown up some outstanding winners over the years and while just four horses are set to line up - weather permitting - on Saturday, there could be a live Champion Hurdle outsider lurking amongst them. Last year, of course, the winner of this race Golden Ace went on to spring a mighty Champion Hurdle surprise at huge odds but she is not in attendance for the 2026 renewal and in her absence, ALEXEI is an odds-on favourite.

I am aware the scorn I am opening myself up to by tipping up the 4/6 favourite in a four runner race in a single race article preview, but given what Alexei looked capable of when powering clear at both Ascot and Cheltenham before a more average run last time out,  I do think his current odds are value. There can be quirky results when the mud is really flying as I'm sure it will be come Saturday afternoon at Wincanton - especially in small runner fields like this - but with Alexei's Greatwood win coming on soft I have no concerns about him being able to handle conditions.

Addressing his third placed finish last time out, it proved a task too great to carry 12st around Ascot and have a swing of over a stone to the eventual winner Wilful, who had been behind him in their earlier season meeting in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Mercifully for Alexei backers here, he actually receives weight in this race with chief market rival Rubaud set to give him two pounds.

Rubaud has been a wonderful servant for Team Ditcheat - I couldn't believe when I read he was only eight - but looking back through his form there is a clear pattern; he gets his wins in the book early in his campaign. Already successful twice this season, I do think Alexei should have more than enough to bypass him at Wincanton even on heavy ground given Rubaud's front running tactics often carry less threat the later into the season we go.

Arguably the story of the race - barring an absolute romp by Alexei which could catapult him up the windy looking Champion Hurdle odds grids - is the returning Secret Squirrel. One of the best looking horses to ever grace a racecourse with his presence, and a pretty handy racehorse for good measure, he has been off the track for just over a year after suffering a back injury but is reported to be back fit and firing by trainer Hughie Morrison.

He will not mind the mud one iota, winning 50% of his races on soft throughout his career, but I do suspect this is a bit of a fact finding mission and bigger targets lie ahead rather than this Grade 2 being the be all and end all. It's tough to say he would've won if standing up when last seen at Newbury in the William Hill Hurdle, with his fall at the last looking more like costing him a battle for second than any chance of glory given how powerfully Joyeuse finished off that race, however even a second or third in a handicap that hot would've been a fine display.

8/1 will tempt some in, no doubt, but given his absence and the potential he has bigger fish to fry down the line I don't see him troubling the favourite for too long either. That leaves just rank outsider Intellotto at 40/1, making his first start for new trainer Daisy Hitchens. Stranger things have happened of course, but this looks a bit of clever placing plain and simple with this a valuable Grade 2 prize. Alexei should be the one here tuned up best given he needs to hit form before a Cheltenham bid and there are enough stones to throw at his three rivals to make him bet material, even at odds-on.