Champion Hurdle 2013 Tips - Championship race for two mile hurdlers

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Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle (3:20pm) is the highlight of day one of the Cheltenham Festival and the most prestigous hurdle race run all season.

It is open to horses aged four years old and upwards, and in 2013 will carry a total prize fund of £400,000.

Recent Winners

Some of the greatest names in the sport grace the race’s role of honour including Persian War, Bula, Night Nurse, Monksfield, Sea Pigeon, See You Then and Istabraq.

Interestingly, despite it being the race all the best hurdlers are aimed at, multiple winners are not uncommon as Istabraq and Hardy Eustace have proved in recent years. This is probably partly due to the unique requirements of the race and horses with previous course form, especially previous Festival form, have fared particularly well in the event. In addition, you often need a horse that stays further than two miles, as the good record in the race of recent SunAlliance Novices Hurdle (now Neptune Novices' Hurdle) winners shows.

2012 Rock On Ruby

2011 Hurricane Fly

2010 Binocular

2009 Punjabi

2008 Katchit

2007 Sublimity

2006 Brave Inca

2005 Hardy Eustace

2004 Hardy Eustace

2003 Rooster Booster

2002 Hors La Loi III

2000 Istabraq

1999 Istabraq

1998 Istabraq

1997 Make A Stand

1996 Collier Bay

1995 Alderbrook

1994 Flakey Dove

1993 Granville Again

1992 Royal Gait

1991 Morley Street

1990 Kribensis

1989 Beech Road

(prior winners detailed at bottom of page)

Course

The race is run over two miles and about half a furlong on the Old Course at Cheltenham. Invariably, a huge cheers rings out from the packed grandstands when the runners pass the enclosures for the first time. However, it is often the jumping out in the country that sorts the field out, and whilst the lucky few may still be cruising coming down the hill, the petrol tank can empty quickly once the contenders turn off the final bend and face the punishing climb to the finish.

Race Facts

1. The Champion Hurdle was inaugurated in 1927, with a value to the winner of £365. The race was abandoned in 1931 due to persistent frost, in 1943 and 1944 because of the Second World War, and in 2001 because of foot and mouth disease.

2. There have only been three sponsors of this great race since its inception. Waterford Crystal backed the contest from 1978 to 1990 while the Smurfit Group sponsored the race from 1991 to 2010. Stan James took over sponsorship in 2011 and this continues today.

3. The largest field has been 24 (1964 and 1991) and the smallest three (1932). The first five runnings of the race saw a total of only 24 runners between them. The current safety limit is 28.

4. The Stan James Champion Hurdle is a contest for multiple winners. Peter Easterby and Nicky Henderson are the race’s most successful trainers, with five wins each. Easterby’s victories came courtesy of Saucy Kit (1967), Night Nurse (1976 and 1977) and Sea Pigeon (1980 and 1981). Nicky Henderson’s five victories so far have come with See You Then (1985, 1986 and 1987), Punjabi (2009) and Binocular (2010).

5. Among jockeys, Tim Molony won the race most often with four victories, on Hatton’s Grace (1951) and Sir Ken (1952, 1953 & 1954). Tony ( A P) McCoy is the most successful current jockey with three wins aboard Make A Stand (1997), Brave Inca (2006) and Binocular (2010).

6. The most successful owners are Dorothy Paget, who won the race four times thanks to Insurance (1932, 1933), Solford (1940) and Distel (1946), and J P McManus, who owned triple winner Istabraq (1998, 1999 and 2000) and Binocular (2010).

7. Istabraq, successful in the three Champion Hurdles from 1998 to 2000, was retired after failing to become the first horse to win the race four times in 2002. The four other three-time winners are Hatton’s Grace (1949-51), Sir Ken (1952-54), Persian War (1968-70) and See You Then (1985-87).

8. The race has been won seven times by entires, but only twice by mares - Dawn Run (1984) and Flakey Dove (1994).

9. Four greys have won, the most recent being Rooster Booster in 2003. The others were Kribensis in 1990, Our Hope in 1938 and Victor Norman in 1936. Only one roan horse has won the Champion Hurdle, Anzio in 1962.

10. Istabraq’s success in 2000 in a time of 3 minutes 48.1 seconds beat the previous Champion Hurdle record time, set by Make A Stand in 1997, of 3 minutes 48.4 seconds.

11. Dessie Hughes, who trained Hardy Eustace to win in 2004 and 2005, is only the fourth person to have both ridden and trained a Stan James Champion Hurdle winner, having partnered Monksfield in 1979. The others to have achieved this double were Fred Winter, Fred Rimell and Gerry Wilson.

2012 Champion Hurdle Review

ROCK ON RUBY was sent off a largely unconsidered 8/1 shot but there looked to be no fluke in his victory, which was a first for champion trainer Paul Nicholls – the horse was housed in Nicholls' satellite yard under the care of his assistant Harry Fry, so the latter has to take much of the credit.

The previous season's winner Hurricane Fly was sent off at odds-on (4/6) to follow-up, but he didn't run his race for whatever reason and came home in third.

The Nicholls horse was given a great ride by Noel Fehily, who came with a storming run to collar long-time leader Overturn, who outran his odds (20/1) to finish a gallant runner-up. The 2010 hero Binocular again ran his race to finish fourth.

2011 Champion Hurdle Review

HURRICANE FLY finally had the chance to justify his lofty reputation with an awesome display in the Champion Hurdle at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival.

The superstar put a smile on the face of Irish punters after he was backed into favourite on course and Ruby Walsh landed his second victory at the meeting with a devilishly good ride on Willie Mullins’ talented raider.

Settled in mid-division for much of the race, Hurricane Fly travelled superbly well after travelling a bit freely over the first few hurdles and he loomed over his rivals two obstacles from home.

After jumping the last in second, he travelled past a brave Peddlers Cross and managed to hold off Donald McCain’s unbeaten Fighting Fifth winner in a thrilling finish to the two-mile showpiece.

Oscar Whisky finished third but it was Hurricane Fly’s day and horse racing fanatics will be left wondering whether Binocular would have beaten him if he had made it to the track.

2010 Champion Hurdle Review

By bringing BINOCULAR back from the dead, Lazarus style, to land this season's Champion Hurdle, Nicky Henderson proved himself to be one of the best trainers of hurdlers there has ever been.

This was the Lambourn handlers fifth success in the race, and difficult though the great See You Then was to train, bringing that fragile legend back to win three consecutive championships must have seen like a piece of cake compared to getting Binocular here in good enough shape to not only win, but win in the style of a truly top class hurdler.

Only weeks prior to the Festival, Binocular had seemed a certain non runner, so disappointing had he been in his three warm up races. However, a stint at owner JP McManus Irish stud must have worked miracles and with the muscle problems that plagued him in the build up to the race clearly a thing of the past, he finally fulfilled the potential he showed when runner up in last season's Supreme.

And he did it in some style.

Always travelling well in behind the leaders he was cruising going to the third last and could be called the winner some way out. His jumping was exceptional here and if he can maintain this level of form he must have an excellent chance of defending his crown next season.

Indeed, it is very hard to see any of those in behind him here reversing this form come next March.

Khyber Kim got closest this time around. Indeed, had it not been for Binocular he would have been an impressive winner himself. Like the winner, he has had his fair share of training problems, but has really come to himself this season and is clearly the second best hurdler around.

However, he'll be nine next season and so connections may be tempted to look at upping him in trip.

The same is surely also true of the third, last season's Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar. Winners of that contest have often needed further in time and this horse looks like following that trend as he was readily outpaced by the first two here. Nonetheless, this was a much more encouraging effort and he clearly relishes a sound surface. The World Hurdle could end up as his target next March.

Another former Triumph winner, Celestial Halo, was fourth. He was second in this contest last season and with his chances of ever winning a Champion Hurdle surely receding with every passing year it would be no surprise to see him try his luck over fences in due course.

By contrast to the three horses that finished immediately in front of him, Starluck appeared to be let down by a lack of stamina. He was travelling as well as anything, bar the eventual winner, turning for home, but fears that he is at his best on a flatter track were realised as his effort petered out. Maybe he will stay better as he strengthens up over time. If not, he has the size and scope to jump a fence.

Solwit came into the race under a cloud following a dirty scope a week before the race and never threatened to get competitive. He too probably needs further in any event.

Last years winner, Punjabi (ninth), was well below his best here and something may have been amiss, whilst Go Native (tenth) lost his chance, and possibly his confidence, with bad mistakes at the first two flights. For that reason, this run is probably best ignored.

2009 Champion Hurdle Review

A thrilling finish to this year’s Champion Hurdle saw the first six separated by little more than six lengths at the line. That might suggest the form isn’t the strongest, but any lack of quality was more than made up for in excitement and three different horses appeared to be the most likely winner at various points on the run for home.

PUNJABI prevailed in the end. Last year’s third, relishes this better ground and seems to be equally suited by this stiff two miles. He raced in the front rank throughout and was actually in front touching down over the last. However, he was challenged on both sides up the hill, but dug deep and held on for a famous victory.

Given that he seems to save his best for the spring, he is likely to put up another bold show in this race next year, even if he may not prove to be good enough to retain his crown.

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner, Celestial Halo was just denied a notable double but did well to hold on to second given that he led the field for much of the business end of the race. He could easily have folded after being headed by the winner at the last. He’ll clearly stay further in time, but connections are bound to want another crack at this race first, after his performance here.

Given the size of the field and the fact that all of the big names had held their ground and made it to the start in one piece, it was amazing to see Binocular go off the 6-4 favourite. However, he looked likely to land the odds for punters turning in as he was travelling best of all under Tony McCoy. But having got to the leaders at the last, he simply couldn’t get by them and had to settle for third.

He didn’t appear to lose through a lack of stamina, which was a worry before the race, as he was actually in front shortly after the line. Instead, it may just be that this is as good as he is and that he has been over-hyped slightly. That said, a third in a Champion Hurdle is no mean feat, especially coming, as it did, on the back of his second in the Supreme last season.

The first three had the race between them from some way out, but Crack Away Jack ran on strongly to finish fourth – closing rapidly on the leaders all the way to the line. He appeared to be set too much to do, especially given that traffic problems were always going to be an issue in such a large field.

Having won last season’s Fred Winter, he emphasised once again just how important previous Cheltenham form in general, and previous Festival form in particular, is when trying to identify winners at this great meeting.

Crack Away Jack should be followed next season regardless of whether he stays over hurdles or makes the switch to the larger obstacles.

Muirhead (fifth) travelled sweetly throughout, but got outstayed on the climb to the line, whilst the reigning champ, Katchit, didn’t go down without a fight and once again showed his love of the Cheltenham hill by finishing fastest of all to claim sixth. He probably needs further now.

Snap Tie (seventh) needs even better ground than this and so in the circumstances ran a fine race. He’s another who should be worth following over fences, with the Arkle likely to be a long term aim.

Hardy Eustace fared best of the other ex-champions. The dual winner (and triple Festival winner) was a respectable ninth having been in the mix for a long way.

2007 winner Sublimity ran no sort of race in fifteenth. He was sweating badly beforehand and something may have been amiss.

2006 winner Brave Inca (eighteenth) looked to be on the way back after his fine effort in the Irish Champion last time out, but this proved too much for him and his best days are surely behind him. Few horses have ever battled harder in their races than this fella and those exertions are probably now starting to take their toll.

Of the rest, Whiteoak (twelfth) didn’t appear to be good enough at this level whilst last year’s runner up Osana dropped away tamely to finish only one place better, having adopted his customary front running tactics.

2008 Champion Hurdle Review

Perhaps not a classic Champion Hurdle (the time was two seconds slower than the Supreme Novices Hurdle), but certainly an intriguing one and a renewal that offered a host of up and coming hurdlers the opportunity to really stamp their authority on the two mile division.

In the end it was one of those youngsters, who also happens to be one of the most popular horses in training, that prevailed, with the ultra game KATCHIT showing all of his renowned battling qualities to see off a host of challengers on the run to the line. Time may show that he isn’t one of the best horses to win this great race, but he may be one of the bravest and he has got to be one of the hardest horses in training to get past.

It was also a relief to finally see the hoodoo of five year olds in this race firmly put to rest (no Triumph Hurdle winner had gone on to win the Champion Hurdle since Persian War in 1968, and 73 five-year-olds had been beaten in the race since See You Then registered the last five-year-old success back in 1985).

Katchit was in the front rack throughout, tracking the tear away leader, Osana, and whilst challenger after challenger emerged from the pack, there was to be no denying the Alan King trained gelding, whose love of Cheltenham (four wins and a second from five previous appearances at the track) and slick hurdling technique undoubtedly helped him to win the day.

As he is by no means an obvious chasing type, the Champion is sure to be his target again next season.

Osana ran a monumental race in second. He set a fearsome gallop and looked sure to capitulate when headed turning for home. Unbelievably, though, he found more under Tom Scudamore and pressed the winner all the way to the line. He may be switched to fencing next season, in which case he must go straight to the top of anyone’s Arkle shortlist.

Punjabi stayed on well to finish third without ever really looking like winning. This was a career best effort from another five year old, who could improve again next season. He is held in the highest regard by his top trainer who could have a strong hand in this race next year with Binocular also likely to make up into a top class hurdler.

Irish raiders Sizing Europe and Sublimity had both looked like possible winners at key stages of the contest.

Sizing Europe came there absolutely cruising on the run down the hill. However, he got into a barging match with Katchit approaching the second last and he appeared to go wrong on the run to the last and was virtually pulled up shortly afterwards. He came back sound and so hopefully it was nothing serious. In the circumstances, we still don’t really know how good this horse is and he could easily come back here next season and wrestle the crown from Katchit. Alternatively, he is built to make a chaser.

Sublimity was travelling like the winner turning for home, but was probably inconvenienced by the rain softened ground and he didn’t quite get home. This was still a fine defence of his title.

Nothing else got seriously involved, although Straw Bear ran well without ever being able to really land a blow and probably isn’t quite up to this level.

Harchibald appeared to hate the ground.

2007 Champion Hurdle Review

The hurdling crown was kept in Ireland for yet another year, but the role of honour for this great race was not graced again by one of the previous champions Brave Inca or Hardy Eustace, but by a new name - SUBLIMITY - and this was a truly remarkable performance from a horse running only his sixth race over hurdles. It was also only his second start this year – in his first he beat a field that contained only one horse rated over 100.

The success was just as remarkable for the relative ease with which it was obtained. The field he faced here couldn’t have been more contrasting to than the one he demolished on his seasonal debut at Navan, as it included the last three Champion Hurdlers and another four Grade 1 winners. However, Sublimity was always travelling incredibly well out the back of the field and he could be named the winner from some way out.

In winning here, he was confirming the immense promise he showed when an unlucky fourth in last season’s Supreme Novices Hurdle, and judging by this performance he will be hard to beat in any strongly run race over two miles. He was an excellent horse on the level for Michael Stoute and he used his Flat race speed here to cruise past Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace after the final flight.

Both Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace have always been strong stayers rather than out and out speed merchants, and both were always going to be vulnerable to a horse with a better turn of foot. Neither lost anything in defeat. Brave Inca ran his usual game race and kept chasing the winner right the way to the line. He is nine years old now though and connections may decide to step him up in trip or try him over fences, as another win in this race may be beyond him now.

He and old rival Hardy Eustace went at it hammer and tongs from midway down the far side until right up to the final flight. Hardy Eustace faded on the run in, though, and finished fourth. His jockey, Conor O’Dwyer reported that the field had travelled significantly quicker in this race than in any of the previous Champion Hurdles he has run in and as a consequence he wasn’t able to dictate affairs from the front in quite the same way as he has in the past. There were no excuses and like Brave Inca he may have an alternative target if he comes back to the Festival next year.

Afsoun was the horse who passed Hardy Eustace on the run in. In fact, Nicky Henderson’s runner finished best of all and would have been closer to the winner had he not been hampered by the fall of Iktitaf two out and had he jumped the last better. Nevertheless, this was a career best effort from Afsoun, whose connections have said right throughout the season that they believe their horse belongs at this level. He is another for whom stamina is his forte, and the unrelenting gallop and stiff uphill finish played to his strengths.

Neither Detroit City nor Straw Bear ran any sort of a race and whilst the latter could be excused his flop on the basis that he burst a blood vessel, there was no obvious reason why Detroit City should have run such a stinker. He was being niggled along as early as the first flight and never travelled at all at any time during the race. His supporters were given fleeting hope when he was rousted along by Richard Johnson to join the leaders going out into the country, however it was always hard work for this popular grey and his effort was short lived. A reason for this poor performance will surely come to light. He was legless crossing the line and a shadow of the horse who has lit up the hurdling scene for a season and a half.

Asian Maze was also disappointing and appears to have fallen out of love with the game, whilst Kawagino replicated his career best effort in this race last year by staying on well to claim a never nearer fifth, beaten a similar distance to that in 2006. He saves his best for the good ground in the spring.

Iktitaf was in the process of running a cracking race when crashing out at the second last. He appeared to still be travelling well enough at the time, but he hasn’t always found much off the bridle in the past. The hill may well have tested him to the limit, but he is another who shows improved form on better going.

2006 Champion Hurdle Review

A classic Champion Hurdle that was won in typically gritty and gutsy style by a horse and jockey who are made for each other.

It is surely no accident that the further improvement BRAVE INCA has found this season has coincided with him being regularly partnered by Tony McCoy. The two of them share so many characteristics that it is not surprising that McCoy can get the best out of this horse like nobody else.

Incredibly, the champion jockey was having to push the winner along as early as the third flight and he actually administered a few reminders on touching down after the fourth. However, BRAVE INCA responded as only he can and by the time the field turned for home only the big three remained in contention.

BRAVE INCA, Macs Joy and Hardy Eustace had all been involved in last year’s finish, but this time around they past the finishing post in a slightly different order.

The race was run at a frantic pace from start to finish, which wasn’t surprising given that there were at least five front runners in the line up. The quality of the field was also hard to question featuring, as it did, five of last year's first seven home, as well as the first and second from last year’s Triumph Hurdle, and last year’s Supreme Novices Hurdle winner. In the end, the time was more than four seconds faster than that taken by Noland in this year’s Supreme Novices Hurdle, run earlier in the day.

Early on, nothing could go with the German trailblazer, Fiepes Shuffle, who led the field to half way before weakening rapidly. By the time the runners began to descend the hill BRAVE INCA was pretty much back on the bridle and disputing the lead with Hardy Eustace, and he was in the lead on his own turning for home.

It was at this point that the eye was drawn to the figure of Barry Geraghty, still sitting motionless on Macs Joy, just in behind the front two. Indeed, Macs Joy got within a length of the winner shortly after the last but the terrier like BRAVE INCA wouldn’t allow him to get any closer and bravely battled on up the run in to score by just over a length, with Hardy Eustace back in third. The front three pulled nicely clear of the remainder, to give the form a very solid look.

This was BRAVE INCA’S fifth win in six races, and he has shrugged off his bridesmaid’s tag in spectacular fashion this season. Last year it seemed that only his battling qualities were keeping him competitive in the top two mile hurdles and that he would probably need a step up in trip to be at his best. This year, though, the penny has really dropped and winning is becoming a habit for Colm Murphy’s charge.

There is no doubt that he’d come out on top in any scrap up the run in and so it is going to take a pretty special horse to get by him next year. The biggest hope for his rivals may be that his connections are considering a switch to fences, with a tilt at the Gold Cup a possible long term aim.

Macs Joy definitely seemed to benefit from his lighter campaign this season. If the race had been run on a flat track, then his greater speed may just have got him past BRAVE INCA, but this hill is made for the winner and it is hard to see the runner up reversing places on anything other than very quick ground.

Hardy Eustace didn’t relinquish his crown without a fight. There is no doubt that the horse didn’t get the recognition he deserved after his first success in this race in 2004. However, thanks to his win last year and the very creditable effort here, he will surely now go down as one of the great Festival specialists of modern times. A less interrupted campaign next year may see him give BRAVE INCA even more to do.

Al Eile improved on his seventh last year to finish fifth. He is probably better on a flat track and may need further than two miles at this level, on this ground.

Arcalis clearly wasn't at his best and his stable was out of form going into this meeting. He could yet be a threat at this level on genuinely quick ground, given how impressive he was when winning at last year’s Festival. He still did best of the British.

Briareus was unable to adopt his normal forcing tactics, but instead of sulking he showed a very willing attitude to stay on strongly in the closing stages. He clearly wasn’t totally out of his depth in a field of this quality and has had a good season.

Kawagino, meanwhile, ran a massive race and has improved out of all recognition. The quicker the ground the better for this horse, and he would have finished a lot closer to the principals had he not been badly hampered by the fall of Penzance at the last.

Penzance was a couple of lengths ahead of Kawagino when coming down and, though well held, was in the process of running a better race than of late. Had he stood up, he would have confirmed last year’s Triumph Hurdle form with Faasel and Admiral. The Champion Hurdle remains a tough race for five year olds though.

The disappointment of the race was Asian Maze’s fall. Connections had made the brave decision to run their mare in this race rather than the World Hurdle and it would have been fascinating to see how she would have fared. Interestingly enough, her jockey, Ruby Walsh, is convinced that she could compete with the best over this minimum trip. She was certainly still travelling well enough when coming down at the fourth.

Roll of Honour (1927-1988)

(recent winners detailed towards top of page)

Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer SP

1988 Celtic Shot 6-12-00 Peter Scudamore Fred Winter 7/1

1987 See You Then 7-12-00 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson 11/10F

1986 See You Then 6-12-00 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson 5/6F

1985 See You Then 5-12-00 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson 16/1

1984 Dawn Run 6-11-09 Jonjo O’Neill Paddy Mullins IRE 4/5F

1983 Gaye Brief 6-12-00 Richard Linley Mercy Rimell 7/1

1982 For Auction 6-12-00 Mr Colin Magnier Michael Cunningham IRE 40/1

1981 Sea Pigeon 11-12-00 John Francome Peter Easterby 7/4F

1980 Sea Pigeon 10-12-00 Jonjo O’Neill Peter Easterby 13/2

1979 Monksfield 7-12-00 Dessie Hughes Des McDonogh IRE 9/4F

1978 Monksfield 6-12-00 Tommy Kinane Des McDonogh IRE 11/2

1977 Night Nurse 6-12-00 Paddy Broderick Peter Easterby 15/2

1976 Night Nurse 5-12-00 Paddy Broderick Peter Easterby 2/1F

1975 Comedy Of Errors 8-12-00 Ken White Fred Rimell 11/8F

1974 Lanzarote 6-12-00 Richard Pitman Fred Winter 7/4

1973 Comedy Of Errors 6-12-00 Bill Smith Fred Rimell 8/1

1972 Bula 7-12-00 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter 8/11F

1971 Bula 6-12-00 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter 15/8F

1970 Persian War 7-12-00 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies 5/4F

1969 Persian War 6-12-00 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies 6/4F

1968 Persian War 5-11-12 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies 4/1

1967 Saucy Kit 6-12-00 Roy Edwards Peter Easterby 100/6

1966 Salmon Spray 8-12-00 Johnnie Haine Bob Turnell 4/1

1965 Kirriemuir 5-12-00 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn 50/1

1964 Magic Court 6-12-00 Pat McCarron Tommy Robson 100/6

1963 Winning Fair 8-12-00 Mr Alan Lillingston George Spencer IRE 100/9

1962 Anzio 5-11-12 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn 11/2

1961 Eborneezer 6-12-00 Fred Winter Ryan Price 4/1

1960 Another Flash 6-12-00 Bobby Beasley Paddy Sleator IRE 11/4F

1959 Fare Time 6-12-00 Fred Winter Ryan Price 13/2

1958 Bandalore 7-12-00 George Slack Stan Wright 20/1

1957 Merry Deal 7-12-00 Grenville Underwood Arthur Jones 28/1

1956 Doorknocker 8-12-00 Harry Sprague Charlie Hall 100/9

1955 Clair Soleil 6-12-00 Fred Winter Ryan Price 5/2F

1954 Sir Ken 7-12-00 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson 4/9F

1953 Sir Ken 6-12-00 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson 2/5F

1952 Sir Ken 5-11-12 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson 3/1F

1951 Hatton’s Grace 11-12-00 Tim Molony Vincent O’Brien IRE 4/1

1950 Hatton’s Grace 10-12-00 Aubrey Brabazon Vincent O’Brien IRE 5/2F

1949 Hatton’s Grace 9-12-00 Aubrey Brabazon Vincent O’Brien IRE 100/7

1948 National Spirit 7-12-00 Ron Smyth Vic Smyth 6/4F

1947 National Spirit 6-12-00 Danny Morgan Vic Smyth 7/1

1946 Distel 5-11-10 Bobby O’Ryan Charlie Rogers IRE 4/5F

1945 Brains Trust 5-11-10 Fred Rimell Gerry Wilson 9/2 1

1943-44 No Race

1942 Forestation 4-11-00 Ron Smyth Vic Smyth 10/1 2

1941 Seneca 4-11-00 Ron Smyth Vic Smyth 7/1

1940 Solford 9-12-00 Sean Magee Owen Anthony 5/2F

1939 African Sister 7-12-00 Keith Piggott Charles Piggott 10/1

1938 Our Hope 9-12-00 Perry Harding Roderic Gubbins 5/1

1937 Free Fare 9-12-00 Georges Pellerin Ted Gwilt 2/1F

1936 Victor Norman 5-11-00 Frenchie Nicholson Morgan Blair 4/1

1935 Lion Courage 7-12-00 Gerry Wilson F Brown 100/8

1934 Chenango 7-12-00 Danny Morgan Ivor Anthony 4/9F

1933 Insurance 6-12-00 Billy Stott Basil Briscoe 10/11F

1932 Insurance 5-12-00 Ted Leader Basil Briscoe 4/5F

1931 No race

1930 Brown Tony 4-11-00 Tommy Cullinan Jack Anthony 7/2

1929 Royal Falcon 6-12-00 Dick Rees Bob Gore 11/2

1928 Brown Jack 4-11-00 Bilby Rees Aubrey Hastings 4/1

1927 Blaris 6-12-00 George Duller Bill Payne 11/10F

Summary

Race Name:

Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Run at:

Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH, United Kingdom

Description:

The Champion Hurdle (3:20pm) is the highlight of day one of the Cheltenham Festival and the most prestigious hurdle race run all season. Some of the greatest names in the sport grace the race’s role of honour including Persian War, Bula, Night Nurse, Monksfield, Sea Pigeon, See You Then and Istabraq. Interestingly, despite it being the race all the best hurdlers are aimed at, multiple winners are not uncommon as Istabraq and Hardy Eustace have proved in recent years. This is probably partly due to the unique requirements of the race and horses with previous course form, especially previous Festival form, have fared particularly well in the event.

Date:

12 March 2013

Starts:

15:20 PM

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