The Champion Hurdle is the championship race for hurdlers and the most prestigious race in the sport for the discipline. It is the fourth race on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival which is always a Tuesday and in 2020 is on March 10. The race distance is two miles and half a furlong and there are 8 hurdles. The race takes place on the New Course at Cheltenham and the start time is 3.30pm. The Champion Hurdle has a history of producing multiple winners but horses aged five have a poor record in the race. The winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the previous year, is often a leading contender for the Champion Hurdle.
Champion Hurdle distance & conditions
At a distance of just over two miles, the Champion Hurdle is more a test of speed than stamina. Horse must jump accurately and quickly to stay in contention because one jumping error can take a horse out of the race. The race takes place over one circuit and a bit on the sharper Old Course. The Champion Hurdle is open to horses aged four and older of either gender. Four-year-olds carry 11-02 and older horse carry 11-10. Fillies and mares receive a 7 pounds weight allowance. The total prize fund is £450,000 and the winner receives £253.215. At the time of writing 36 horses had been declared to run at the first declaration stage.
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History of the Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle was first run in 1927 and the first prize was £365. There was no race in 1943 and 1944 during World War II. The only other year since in which there was no race in 2001 because the Cheltenham Festival did not take place due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Hatton’s Grace was the first three time winner (1949 to 1951). Four horse have subsequently won the race three times with the latest treble-winner being Istabraq (1998 to 2000).
Dawn Run won the Champion Hurdle in 1984 and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1986. The mare is the only horse to have won both races. Four mares in total have the Champion Hurdle and the last to do that was Annie Power in 2016. Some leading owners question whether there should be a mares’ allowance in a championship race which is designed to identify the best horse, regardless of gender. Annie Power beat My Tent Or Yours in second place by about five lengths.
Last Year
Buveur D’Air had won the Champion Hurdle in the previous two years and was the third favourite for the race in 2019. However, the horse fell at the third hurdle. The SP favourite was Apple’s Jade but the horse was well beaten three hurdles from home. The mare, Laurina, then looked the most likely winner but she hit the third hurdle from home and dropped out of contention. Espoir D’Allen then drew clear to win impressively by 15 lengths, which is the widest winning margin this century. Sadly the horse will not be defending his crown as he was injured fatally in a training accident.
2019 Champion Hurdle result
| Place | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Espoir D’Allen | Mark Walsh | Gavin Cromwell | NA | 16/1 |
| 2nd | Melon | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 15 | 20/1 |
| 3rd | Silver Streak | Evan Williams | Adam Wedge | nk | 80/1 |
Champion Hurdle prize money
- Winner £253,215.00
- 2nd £95,400.00
- 3rd £47,745.00
- 4th £23,850.00
- 5th £11,970.00
- 6th £5,985.00
- 7th £2,970.00
- 8th £1,530.00
Champion Hurdle 2019 betting dividends
- Tote Win: £22.30 Place: £3.30, £2.80, £7.30
- EX: £277.60
- Trifecta: £17,569.50
- SF: £251.60
- Tricast: £22,067.60
- Swingers: £48.80, £103.70, £156.70
There were 10 runners so each way bets were settled at one fifth the odds for 3 places.
Champion Hurdle winners this century
| YEAR | WINNER | SECOND | THIRD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ESPOIR D’ALLEN (FR) | MELON | SILVER STREAK (IRE) |
| J: M. P. WalshT: Gavin Patrick Cromwell, Ireland | J: P. TownendT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | J: Adam WedgeT: Evan Williams | |
| 2018 | BUVEUR D’AIR (FR) | MELON | MICK JAZZ (FR) |
| J: Barry GeraghtyT: Nicky Henderson | J: P. TownendT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | J: Davy RussellT: Gordon Elliott, Ireland | |
| 2017 | BUVEUR D’AIR (FR) | MY TENT OR YOURS (IRE) | PETIT MOUCHOIR (FR) |
| J: Noel FehilyT: Nicky Henderson | J: Aidan ColemanT: Nicky Henderson | J: B. J. CooperT: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland | |
| 2016 | ANNIE POWER (IRE) | MY TENT OR YOURS (IRE) | NICHOLS CANYON |
| J: R. WalshT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | J: Barry GeraghtyT: Nicky Henderson | J: P. TownendT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | |
| 2015 | FAUGHEEN (IRE) | ARCTIC FIRE (GER) | HURRICANE FLY (IRE) |
| J: R. WalshT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | J: D. E. MullinsT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | J: P. TownendT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | |
| 2014 | JEZKI (IRE) | MY TENT OR YOURS (IRE) | THE NEW ONE (IRE) |
| J: Barry GeraghtyT: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland | J: A. P. McCoyT: Nicky Henderson | J: Sam Twiston-DaviesT: Nigel Twiston-Davies | |
| 2013 | HURRICANE FLY (IRE) | ROCK ON RUBY (IRE) | COUNTRYWIDE FLAME |
| J: R. WalshT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | J: Noel FehilyT: Harry Fry | J: Denis O’ReganT: John Quinn | |
| 2012 | ROCK ON RUBY (IRE) | OVERTURN (IRE) | HURRICANE FLY (IRE) |
| J: Noel FehilyT: Paul Nicholls | J: Jason MaguireT: Donald McCain | J: R. WalshT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | |
| 2011 | HURRICANE FLY (IRE) | PEDDLERS CROSS (IRE) | OSCAR WHISKY (IRE) |
| J: R. WalshT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland | J: Jason MaguireT: Donald McCain | J: Barry GeraghtyT: Nicky Henderson | |
| 2010 | BINOCULAR (FR) | KHYBER KIM | ZAYNAR (FR) |
| J: A. P. McCoyT: Nicky Henderson | J: Paddy BrennanT: Nigel Twiston-Davies | J: Andrew TinklerT: Nicky Henderson | |
| 2009 | PUNJABI | CELESTIAL HALO (IRE) | BINOCULAR (FR) |
| J: Barry GeraghtyT: Nicky Henderson | J: R. WalshT: Paul Nicholls | J: A. P. McCoyT: Nicky Henderson | |
| 2008 | KATCHIT (IRE) | OSANA (FR) | PUNJABI |
| J: Robert ThorntonT: Alan King | J: Tom ScudamoreT: David Pipe | J: Barry GeraghtyT: Nicky Henderson | |
| 2007 | SUBLIMITY (FR) | BRAVE INCA (IRE) | AFSOUN (FR) |
| J: Philip A. CarberryT: John G. Carr, Ireland | J: R. WalshT: Colm A. Murphy, Ireland | J: Mick FitzgeraldT: Nicky Henderson | |
| 2006 | BRAVE INCA (IRE) | MACS JOY (IRE) | HARDY EUSTACE (IRE) |
| J: A. P. McCoyT: Colm A. Murphy, Ireland | J: Barry GeraghtyT: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland | J: Conor O’DwyerT: D. T. Hughes, Ireland | |
| 2005 | HARDY EUSTACE (IRE) | HARCHIBALD (FR) | BRAVE INCA (IRE) |
| J: Conor O’DwyerT: D. T. Hughes, Ireland | J: Paul CarberryT: Noel Meade, Ireland | J: B. M. CashT: Colm A. Murphy, Ireland | |
| 2004 | HARDY EUSTACE (IRE) | ROOSTER BOOSTER | INTERSKY FALCON |
| J: Conor O’DwyerT: D. T. Hughes, Ireland | J: Richard JohnsonT: Philip Hobbs | J: L. CooperT: Jonjo O’Neill | |
| 2003 | ROOSTER BOOSTER | WESTENDER (FR) | RHINESTONE COWBOY (IRE) |
| J: Richard JohnsonT: Philip Hobbs | J: Rodi GreeneT: M. C. Pipe | J: Norman WilliamsonT: Jonjo O’Neill | |
| 2002 | HORS LA LOI III (FR) | MARBLE ARCH | BILBOA (FR) |
| J: D. GallagherT: James Fanshawe | J: R. WalshT: Hughie Morrison | J: T. DoumenT: Francois Doumen, France | |
| 2000 | ISTABRAQ (IRE) | HORS LA LOI III (FR) | BLUE ROYAL (FR) |
| J: C. F. SwanT: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland | J: D. GallagherT: Francois Doumen, France | J: Mick FitzgeraldT: Nicky Henderson |
Betting Trends in the Champion Hurdle Since 2000
- The average price of the winners: over 17/2.
- Range of Starting Prices: 8/15 to 33/1.
- Number of outright and joint favourites: 8.
- Odds-on favourites: 3.
- Double-figure priced winners: 7.
- Most common range of odds: 5 winners from 9/1 to 11/1.
Champion Hurdle Race Trends Since 2000
- British trained winners: 8.
- Irish trained winners: 11.
- Most common age: 7 with 7 wins.
- Weight range: 11-03 to 11-10.
- Leading jockey (wins): Ruby Walsh (4) – now retired.
- Leading trainer: (wins): Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins (4).
Other Champion Hurdle trends in 2020
- 9 aged between 6 and 8.
- 5 favourites or joint favourites.
- 6 in top 3 in betting.
- 11 won or placed in previous run.
- 9 won last race.
- 9 ran in previous 51 days.
- 3 ran in Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
- 2 of 3 won this race.
- 3 ran in Contenders Hurdle at Sandown on last run.
- All 3 won this race.
- 10 had run at Cheltenham.
- 6 had won at Cheltenham.
- 11 had run over 15 to 17 furlongs at least 7 times.
- 11 had at least 5 wins over 15 to 17 furlongs.
- 10 had run 8 times or more over hurdles.
- 10 had won 5 races or more over hurdles.
- 10 had won a Grade 1 race.
- 11 had run at least 2 times in the season.
- 12 had won a race in the season.
Champion Hurdle records since 1927
-
Horse
There are five three time winners, the most recent being See You Then (1985 to 1987) and Istabraq (1998 to 2000).
-
Jockey
Tim Molony: Hatton’s Grace (1951), Sir Ken (1952, 1953, 1954.)
Ruby Walsh: Hurricane Fly (2011, 2013), Faugheen (2015), Annie Power (2016.) -
Trainer
Nicky Henderson: See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987), Punjabi (2009), Binocular (2010) and Buveur D’Air (2017, 2018).
-
Owner
J. P. McManus: Istabraq (1998, 1999, 2000), Binocular (2010), Jezki (2014), Buveur D’Air (2017, 2018 and, Espoir d’Allen (2019)
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2020 Champion Hurdle Leading Contenders
The Champion Hurdle 2020 betting looked open towards the end of January and here are the most fancied runners in the market and the leading contenders. Please note that all statistics and ratings are correct as at January 20th and are subject to change.
Epatante
| Trainer | Nicky Henderson |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Barry Geraghty |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 157 |
| Best Official Rating | 159 |
| Best RPR this season | 157 |
| Best OR this season | 159 |
| Chase runs | 5 |
| Chase wins | 4 |
| Career runs | 8 |
| Career wins | 6 |
| Total prize money | £142,947 |
Pentland Hills
| Trainer | Nicky Henderson |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Nico de Boinville |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 156 |
| Best Official Rating | 153 |
| Best RPR this season | 156 |
| Best OR this season | 153 |
| Chase runs | 5 |
| Chase wins | 3 |
| Career runs | 16 |
| Career wins | 5 |
| Total prize money | £161,655 |
Saldier
| Trainer | Willie Mullins |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Danny Mullins |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 161 |
| Best Official Rating | 160 |
| Best RPR this season | 161 |
| Best OR this season | 156 |
| Chase runs | 6 |
| Chase wins | 3 |
| Career runs | 15 |
| Career wins | 5 |
| Total prize money | £146,651 |
Klassical Dream
| Trainer | Willie Mullins |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Mr PW Mullins |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 160 |
| Best Official Rating | 160 |
| Best RPR this season | 158 |
| Best OR this season | 160 |
| Chase runs | 11 |
| Chase wins | 4 |
| Career runs | 13 |
| Career wins | 5 |
| Total prize money | £249,786 |
Sharjah
| Trainer | Willie Mullins |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Danny Mullins |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 168 |
| Best Official Rating | 162 |
| Best RPR this season | 163 |
| Best OR this season | 162 |
| Chase runs | 15 |
| Chase wins | 6 |
| Career runs | 25 |
| Career wins | 7 |
| Total prize money | £397,216 |
Honeysuckle
| Trainer | Henry De Bromhead |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Rachael Blackmore |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 168 |
| Best Official Rating | 158 |
| Best RPR this season | 160 |
| Best OR this season | 158 |
| Chase runs | 6 |
| Chase wins | 6 |
| Career runs | 6 |
| Career wins | 6 |
| Total prize money | £171,989 |
Envoi Allen
| Trainer | Gordon Elliott |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Davy Russell |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 152 |
| Best Official Rating | 152 |
| Best RPR this season | 152 |
| Best OR this season | 152 |
| Chase runs | 3 |
| Chase wins | 3 |
| Career runs | 7 |
| Career wins | 7 |
| Total prize money | £212,792 |
Call Me Lord
| Trainer | Nicky Henderson |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Daryl Jacob |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 164 |
| Best Official Rating | 160 |
| Best RPR this season | 161 |
| Best OR this season | 160 |
| Chase runs | 13 |
| Chase wins | 6 |
| Career runs | 13 |
| Career wins | 6 |
| Total prize money | £243,250 |
Fusil Raffles
| Trainer | Nicky henderson |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Nico de Boinville |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 153 |
| Best Official Rating | 152 |
| Best RPR this season | 153 |
| Best OR this season | 152 |
| Chase runs | 6 |
| Chase wins | 4 |
| Career runs | 6 |
| Career wins | 4 |
| Total prize money | £115,005 |
Not So Sleepy
| Trainer | Hughie Morrison |
|---|---|
| Regular Jockey | Jonathan Burke |
| Best Racing Post Rating | 148 |
| Best Official Rating | 142 |
| Best RPR this season | 148 |
| Best OR this season | 142 |
| Chase runs | 5 |
| Chase wins | 3 |
| Career runs | 43 |
| Career wins | 6 |
| Total prize money | £273,452 |
Champion Hurdle form & race analysis
The last five year-old to win the Champion Hurdle was Katchit in 2008. Pentland Hills was the champion four-year-old from last season so could win the race for that age group. However, the horse has not found much when looking to be about to win races and can be opposed. Epatante receives the valuable seven pounds mares’ allowance but that might not be enough. Sharjah fell in the race last season and Klassical Dream has disappointed in his first season out of novice company.
SALDIER has decent form with the departed Espoir d’Allen and has run well enough in Ireland to suggest the Champion Hurdle is a race he can win. Envoi Allen won the bumper at the Festival last season and has made a good start to his hurdling career. Connections could go down the novice route but if Envoi Allen runs in the Champion Hurdle, he can make the payout places. Honeysuckle is another potential runner with a number of options and looks interesting at the current price.
Our Champion Hurdle tip:
Saldier at 8/1
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