County Handicap Hurdle Betting Tips
- 15/03/2019
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Kevin Sexton celebrates aboard Belfast Banter after clinching the 2021 County Hurdle from the grey Petit Mouchoir.
We have a complete look at County Hurdle betting tips in this preview for the Cheltenham Festival 2023.
This is a race from the Festival’s final day, and it’s a competitive Grade 3 contest over the timbers.
Our betting experts will be releasing County Handicap Hurdle tips during the build-up to this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
The winner of last year’s edition was Belfast Banter, who delivered the score from a big SP.
His success continued a trend of some recent outsiders upsetting the field in the County Handicap Hurdle.
County Handicap Hurdle – Overlooked Outsiders
There have been a few examples of long-priced winners coming good in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in the last few editions.
Four of the last seven race winners have been priced at least 25/1.
Our betting experts will look at some underdogs who could have claims in this year’s renewal.
Last year’s winner Belfast Banter scored from a 33/1 SP, the second horse in the previous four editions to have landed it at that quote (Mohaayed, 2018).
Recently, other notable long-priced winners in County Hurdle odds have been 25/1 shot Wicklow Brave in 2015 and Arctic Fire at 20/1 in 2017.
It is worth digging down through the market to look for overlooked outsiders for some each-way claims.
Look for our best County Handicap Hurdle tips closer to the Festival.
County Hurdle Runners – Friday, 18th March 2.10
The ante-post market for the County Handicap Hurdle odds indicates some of the early entries that could be going into the Festival’s race.
| Horse | Silks | Trainer/Jockey | Odds |
| State Man |  |
J: Paul Townend T: Willie Mullins |
9/2 |
| Top Bandit |  |
J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott |
13/2 |
| West Cork |  |
J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton |
9/1 |
| Suprise Package |  |
J: Kevin Sexton T: Peter Fahey |
9/1 |
| I Like To Move It | J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel Twiston-Davies |
10/1 | |
| Colonel Mustard |  |
J: Conor Orr T: Lorna Fowler |
11/1 |
| My Mate Mozzie |  |
J: Kieren Buckley T: Gavin Cromwell |
14/1 |
| Cormier |  |
J: Sean Quinlan T: Brian Ellison |
16/1 |
| First Street |  |
J: Nico de Boinville T: Nicky Henderson |
18/1 |
| Jesse Evans |  |
J: Sean Flanagan T: Noel Meade |
18/1 |
| Gua Du Large |  |
J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry De Bromhead |
18/1 |
| Broomfield Burg |  |
J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr T: Nicky Henderson |
18/1 |
| Call Me Lyreen |  |
J: R James T: Gordon Elliott |
20/1 |
| Farout |  |
J: Brian Hayes T: Willie Mullins |
20/1 |
| Tritonic |  |
J: A P Heskin T: Alan King |
22/1 |
| Tempo Chapter Two |  |
J: Danny Mullins T: Willie Mullins |
25/1 |
| Irascible |  |
J: B J Cooper T: Henry De Bromhead |
25/1 |
| Tax For Max |  |
J: Sean O’Keefe T: Willie Mullins |
28/1 |
| Felix Desjy | |
J: Jack Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott |
28/1 |
| Cask Mate |  |
J: Denis O’Regan T: Noel Meade |
28/1 |
| Dysart Diamond |  |
J: Jack Foley T: Willie Mullins |
28/1 |
| Eclair De Beaufeu |  |
J: Jordan Gainford T: Gordon Elliott |
33/1 |
| Faivoir |  |
J: Bridget Andrews T: Dan Skelton |
33/1 |
| Ballyadam |  |
J: Aidan Coleman T: Henry De Bromhead |
33/1 |
| Bua Boy |  |
J: D G Hogan T: Denis Gerard Hogan |
40/1 |
| Stepney Causeway |  |
J: Jack Andrews T: Dan Skelton |
40/1 |
| Up For Parol (RESERVE) |  |
J: RESERVE T: Jamie Snowden |
50/1 |
| Balko Saint (RESERVE) |  |
J: Chester Williams T: Jane Williams |
66/1 |
It is worth casting an eye over as horses can be tracked well ahead of the contest.
While the list of runners is not going to be announced until closer to race day, the ante-post offers some potential long-term horse racing betting prospects.
Like Echoes In Rain, who was prolific through the Spring of 2021 and will be looking to peak at the time of the Cheltenham Festival for a debut at the racecourse.
West Cork will bring some GB home hopes for trainer Dan Skelton after winning his Cheltenham debut in mid-November 2021 in a Grade 3.
Trainer Willie Mullins could have El Fabiolo involved in the race along with the aforementioned Like Echoes In Rain. 5-year-old El Fabiolo delivered the odds in a facile victory at Tramore in January to get off the mark.
Others in the ante-post market for the County Handicap Hurdle betting include Good Risk At All, Gowel Road, and I Am Maximus.
How to pick a County Hurdle Winner
Looking at the trends produced from the previous editions of this race can help plan for 2023 County Handicap Hurdle betting.
One of the trends over the last ten renewals has been a lack of favourites winning the fixture. There has been only one in that span, Saint Roi, in 2020.
Last 10 County Handicap Hurdle Winners Odds
2021 Belfast Banter 33/1
2020 Saint Roi 11/2F
2019 Ch’tibello 12/1
2018 Mohaayed 33/1
2017 Arctic Fire 20/1
2016 Superb Story 8/1
2015 Wicklow Brave 25/1
2014 Lac Fontana 11/1
2013 Ted Veale 10/1
2012 Alderwood 20/1
Over the last twenty renewals, there has almost been an even return of wins from GB and Irish runners in this race. There have been 11 Irish and 9 GB winners in that period.
Also, just one female runner has landed a win from 25 entered in that same timeframe.
A feature of the County Handicap Hurdle is that it is often a race where no one holds back, and it’s just run at a very stiff and exciting pace.
Looking at some other trends for the County Hurdle betting, none of the last 20 winners had been bigger than 20/1 last time out, and the previous win for each of them had come over the hurdles.
Runners with 5lb & 7lb claimers have not delivered a win in the last 20 renewals of the County Handicap, and none had won at a price of bigger than 14/1 during their career.
There are a lot of other fascinating trends that apply to this popular race on Friday’s Gold Cup day.
Look for recommendations for County Handicap Hurdle tips from our experts.
County Handicap Hurdle Odds 2023
| Horse | Silks | Trainer/Jockey | Odds |
| State Man | |
J: Paul Townend T: Willie Mullins |
9/2 |
| Top Bandit | |
J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott |
13/2 |
| West Cork | |
J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton |
9/1 |
| Suprise Package | |
J: Kevin Sexton T: Peter Fahey |
9/1 |
| I Like To Move It | J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel Twiston-Davies |
10/1 | |
| Colonel Mustard | |
J: Conor Orr T: Lorna Fowler |
11/1 |
| My Mate Mozzie | |
J: Kieren Buckley T: Gavin Cromwell |
14/1 |
| Cormier | |
J: Sean Quinlan T: Brian Ellison |
16/1 |
| First Street | |
J: Nico de Boinville T: Nicky Henderson |
18/1 |
| Jesse Evans | |
J: Sean Flanagan T: Noel Meade |
18/1 |
| Gua Du Large | |
J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry De Bromhead |
18/1 |
| Broomfield Burg | |
J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr T: Nicky Henderson |
18/1 |
| Call Me Lyreen | |
J: R James T: Gordon Elliott |
20/1 |
| Farout | |
J: Brian Hayes T: Willie Mullins |
20/1 |
| Tritonic | |
J: A P Heskin T: Alan King |
22/1 |
| Tempo Chapter Two | |
J: Danny Mullins T: Willie Mullins |
25/1 |
| Irascible | |
J: B J Cooper T: Henry De Bromhead |
25/1 |
| Tax For Max | |
J: Sean O’Keefe T: Willie Mullins |
28/1 |
| Felix Desjy | |
J: Jack Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott |
28/1 |
| Cask Mate | |
J: Denis O’Regan T: Noel Meade |
28/1 |
| Dysart Diamond | |
J: Jack Foley T: Willie Mullins |
28/1 |
| Eclair De Beaufeu | |
J: Jordan Gainford T: Gordon Elliott |
33/1 |
| Faivoir | |
J: Bridget Andrews T: Dan Skelton |
33/1 |
| Ballyadam | |
J: Aidan Coleman T: Henry De Bromhead |
33/1 |
| Bua Boy | |
J: D G Hogan T: Denis Gerard Hogan |
40/1 |
| Stepney Causeway | |
J: Jack Andrews T: Dan Skelton |
40/1 |
| Up For Parol (RESERVE) | |
J: RESERVE T: Jamie Snowden |
50/1 |
| Balko Saint (RESERVE) | |
J: Chester Williams T: Jane Williams |
66/1 |
All About The County Handicap Hurdle: Past and Present
The first edition of the County Handicap Hurdle was in 1920, and it is a Grade 3 hurdle fixture.
It was the race that closed the Cheltenham Festival for many years, but it got moved to its current slot of Race 2 on Day 4 in 2009.
The distance of the County Handicap Hurdle is 2m 1f, and there are eight hurdles in play for the fixture.
The most successful jockey in the history of the race is Ruby Walsh, who rode four winners in the County Handicap Hurdle.
Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins are the joint-most successful trainers with four wins each.
How Do Horses Qualify for the County Handicap Hurdle Race?
The race is open to both sexes of five-year-olds and up. It’s a handicap fixture in terms of weights.
What is the County Handicap Hurdle Prize Money in 2023?
The details of the County Handicap Hurdle prize money for 2023 is still to come. But last year’s winner, Belfast Banter, took the first prize of £42,202.50. The other race payouts were 2nd £15,900, 3rd £7,957.50, 4th £3,975, 5th £1,995, 6th £997.50, 7th £495, 8th £255.
County Handicap Hurdle Past Winners
One of the most famous winners of the County Handicap Hurdle was Rooster Booster, who took success in 2002. He went on to land the Champion Hurdle the following year.
Some notable recent winners to take the title were Ch’tibello and Saint Roi.
| Year | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2021 | Belfast Banter | 33/1 | Kevin Sexton | Peter Fahey |
| 2020 | Saint Roi | 11/2 | Barry Geraghty | Willie Mullins |
| 2019 | Ch’tibello | 12/1 | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 2018 | Mohaayed | 33/1 | Bridget Andrews | Dan Skelton |
| 2017 | Arctic Fire | 20/1 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 2016 | Superb Story | 8/1 | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 2015 | Wicklow Brave | 25/1 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 2014 | Lac Fontana | 11/1 | Daryl Jacob | Paul Nicholls |
| 2013 | Ted Veale | 10/1 | Bryan Cooper | Tony Martin |
| 2012 | Alderwood | 20/1 | Tony McCoy | Thomas Mullins |
| 2011 | Final Approach | 10/1 | Ruby Wash | Willie Mullins |
| 2010 | Thousand Stars | 20/1 | Katie Walsh | Willie Mullins |
Other Races on Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival
The County Handicap Hurdle betting is the second race of Day 4 of Cheltenham 2022. Here are all the races for Friday at the Festival:
13:30 The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
14:10 The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
14:50 The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
15:30 The Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeplechase (Grade 1)
16:10 The St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
16:50 The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeplechase (Grade 2)
17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (0-145)