Champion Hurdle

For the greyhound race, see Champion Hurdle (greyhounds).

Champion Hurdle
Grade 1 race
LocationCheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England
Inaugurated1927
Race typeHurdle race
SponsorUnibet
WebsiteCheltenham Racecourse
Race information
Distance2m 87y (3,298 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFour-years-old and up
Weight11 st 0 lb (4yo);
11 st 10 lb (5yo+)
Allowances
7 lb for fillies and mares
Purse£465,750 (2024)
1st: £262,078
Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
2024
Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, black star Pink and white (halved), black sleeves, black cap, pink star Mauve, yellow seams, yellow cap
State Man Irish Point Luccia
Previous years
2023
White, black cap Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, black star White, emerald green chevrons, red cap
Constitution Hill State Man Zanahiyr
2022
Light blue, white spots, striped sleeves and spots on cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, emerald green cap with white star
Honeysuckle Epatante Saint Roi
2021
Light blue, white spots, striped sleeves and spots on cap Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap
Honeysuckle Sharjah Epatante
2020-2011
2020
Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap White, red star, white sleeves, red stars, red cap
Epatante Sharjah Darver Star
2019
Emerald Green, Yellow hoops, Emerald Green cap, White star Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, black star White, maroon hoop, sleeves and cap
Espoir D'Allen Melon Silver Streak
2018
Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, black star Royal blue, orange diamond, hooped sleeves, orange cap, royal blue diamond
Buveur D'Air Melon Mick Jazz
2017
Emerald green, yellow hoops, emerald green cap, white star Emerald green, yellow hoops, red cap Maroon, white star, armlets and star on cap
Buveur D'Air My Tent Or Yours Petit Mouchoir
2016
Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Black and beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, beige cap
Annie Power My Tent Or Yours Nichols Canyon
2015
Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Purple, orange seams, purple cap, orange star Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond and diamonds on cap
Faugheen Arctic Fire Hurricane Fly
2014
Emerald green, yellow hoops, quartered cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Red, white star, red sleeves, black stars, white cap, red star
Jezki My Tent Or Yours The New One
2013
Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond and diamonds on cap Dark green, white cross belts, light green sleeves, dark green and white hooped cap Dark blue, white chevron, white and dark blue striped sleeves
Hurricane Fly Rock on Ruby Countrywide Flame
2012
Dark green, white cross belts, light green sleeves, dark green and white hooped cap Yellow, royal blue seams, grey sleeves, royal blue seams, royal blue cap Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond and diamonds on cap
Rock on Ruby Overturn Hurricane Fly
2011
Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond and diamonds on cap Yellow, royal blue seams, grey sleeves, royal blue seams, royal blue cap Dark blue and white diabolo, hooped sleeves and cap
Hurricane Fly Peddlers Cross Oscar Whisky
2010-2001
2010
Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Red, royal blue chevrons, armlets and star on cap Orange, black epaulets
Binocular Khyber Kim Zaynar
2009
Grey, pink epaulets, quartered cap Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap Emerald green, orange hoops, white cap
Punjabi Celestial Halo Binocular
2008
Pink, Emerald Green cross belts, Pink and Emerald Green striped sleeves, Pink cap, Emerald Green star Light Blue, Royal Blue hoop, armlets and cap Grey, Pink epaulets, quartered cap
Katchit Osana Punjabi
2007
Light Blue and Maroon hoops, Blue sleeves, striped cap Purple, yellow disc, sleeves and cap Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap
Sublimity Brave Inca Afsoun
2006
Purple, yellow disc, sleeves and cap ROYAL BLUE, dark green sleeves, royal blue cap Light Blue, Yellow hoop, White sleeves, Light Blue and White striped cap
Brave Inca Macs Joy Hardy Eustace
2005
Light Blue, Yellow hoop, White sleeves, Light Blue and White striped cap Purple, Gold sleeves, hooped cap Purple, yellow disc, sleeves and cap
Hardy Eustace Harchibald Brave Inca
2004
Light Blue, Yellow hoop, White sleeves, Light Blue and White striped cap Yellow, Black chevron, check cap Light Green, Dark Blue striped sleeves, White cap
Hardy Eustace Rooster Booster Intersky Falcon
2003
Yellow, Black chevron, check cap Light blue, maroon chevron, halved sleeves, light blue and maroon quartered cap Dark blue
Rooster Booster Westender Rhinestone Cowboy
2002
Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap Pink, black diamonds, pink sleeves, pink cap Maroon and royal blue chevrons, maroon sleeves, dark blue cap
Hors La Loi III Marble Arch Bilboa
2000-1991
2000
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap DARK BLUE, emerald green hoop, dark blue sleeves, quartered cap
Istabraq Hors La Loi III Blue Royal
1999
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Dark blue Navy blue, red armlets
Istabraq Theatreworld French Holly
1998
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Dark blue White, black spots, white sleeves, red cap
Istabraq Theatreworld I'm Supposin
1997
Dark Blue, Yellow cross belts, collar and cuffs, striped cap Dark blue Grey, maroon triple diamond & seams on sleeves, grey cap, maroon diamonds
Make A Stand Theatreworld Space Trucker
1996
Dark Blue and White check, Dark Blue sleeves, White cap, Dark Blue star White, blue diabolo, armlets and cap Yellow, black inverted triangle, black sleeves, green diamonds, black cap
Collier Bay Alderbrook Pridwell
1995
White, blue diabolo, armlets and cap Royal Blue, Pink epaulets, Pink cap ROYAL BLUE and WHITE DIABOLO, white sleeves, white star on cap
Alderbrook Large Action Danoli
1994
Red, Yellow disc, quartered cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Royal Blue, Pink epaulets, Pink cap
Flakey Dove Oh So Risky Large Action
1993
Royal blue, white seams, armlets and cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Orange, maroon disc and cap
Granville Again Royal Derbi Halkopous
1992
Maroon, white sleeves, white cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Black, dark blue seams, black sleeves, yellow cap
Royal Gait Oh So Risky Ruling
1991
Brown, white hoop and sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Yellow, light blue disc, armlets and cap
Morley Street Nomadic Way Ruling
1990-1981
1990
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Pink, Navy Blue collar and cuffs, quartered cap
Kribensis Nomadic Way Past Glories
1989
Brown, fawn cross belts, orange sleeves and cap Grey and pink (halved), reversed sleeves, striped cap Pink, silver sleeves, mauve and pink hooped cap
Beech Road Celtic Chief Celtic Shot
1988
Pink, silver sleeves, mauve and pink hooped cap Yellow, dark blue star, yellow and white striped cap Grey and pink (halved), reversed sleeves, striped cap
Celtic Shot Classical Charm Celtic Chief
1987
Light green and white check, white sleeves, hooped cap Blue, white diamond braces and cap Black, yellow cross-belts and armlets
See You Then Flatterer Barnbrook Again
1986
Light green and white check, white sleeves, hooped cap Red, black chevrons on body Pink, white hoops, white cap, pink spots
See You Then Gaye Brief Nohalmdun
1985
Light green and white check, white sleeves, hooped cap Yellow, dark blue stripe and sleeves, yellow cap Red, yellow hoop and armlets, quartered cap
See You Then Robin Wonder Stans Pride
1984
Red, black hoop and armlets and cap Royal blue, red cross of lorraine, yellow cap Orange, black stripe, hooped cap
Dawn Run Cima Very Promising
1983
Red, black chevrons on body Red, blue cross-belts, orange cap with red star Light blue, white hooped sleeves, red cap
Gaye Brief Boreen Prince For Auction
1982
Light blue, white hooped sleeves, red cap Olive green, orange sleeves and cap Light blue, yellow chevron, hooped cap
For Auction Broadsword Ekbalco
1981
McIntrye tartan, red sleeves and cap Cerise, white cross-belts, black cap Green and grey (halved), yellow cap
Sea Pigeon Pollardstown Daring Run
1980-1970
1980
McIntrye tartan, red sleeves and cap Maroon, white cross of lorraine, sleeves and cap Red and white (quartered), white sleeves, red cap
Sea Pigeon Monksfield Birds Nest
1979
Maroon, white cross of lorraine, sleeves and cap McIntrye tartan, red sleeves and cap Black, scarlet cap
Monksfield Sea Pigeon Beacon Light
1978
Maroon, white cross of lorraine, sleeves and cap McIntrye tartan, red sleeves and cap Purple, pink cross-belts, white cap
Monksfield Sea Pigeon Night Nurse
1977
Purple, pink cross-belts, white cap Maroon, white cross of lorraine, sleeves and cap Maroon, gold diamond, sleeves and cap
Night Nurse Monksfield Dramatist
1976
Purple, pink cross-belts, white cap Red and white (quartered), white sleeves, red cap Lavender, fuchsia cap and hoops on body
Night Nurse Birds Nest Flash Imp
1975
Orange, green and white hooped sleeves, white cap Lavender, fuchsia cap and hoops on body Green, white sash, collar, cuffs and cap
Comedy of Errors Flash Imp Tree Tangle
1974
Apricot Orange, green and white hooped sleeves, white cap Cerise, gold maltese cross, gold sleeves and cap
Lanzarote Comedy of Errors Yenisei
1973
Orange, green and white hooped sleeves, white cap Green, purple hooped sleeves, purple cap, green hoop Beige, brown cross of lorraine, quartered cap
Comedy of Errors Easby Abbey Captain Christy
1972
Light blue, scarlet sleeves, sash and collar, check cap Scarlet, light blue hooped sleeves, white cap, red hoop White, green and black stripes, white sleeves, black cap
Bula Boxer Lyford Cay
1971
Light blue, scarlet sleeves, sash and collar, check cap Claret, light blue collar and sleeves, claret cuffs, white cap Black and yellow (quartered), yellow cap, pink spots
Bula Persian War Major Rose
1970
Claret, light blue collar and sleeves, claret cuffs, white cap Black and yellow (quartered), yellow cap, pink spots Light blue, buff stripes, blue sleeves, black cap, gold tassel
Persian War Major Rose Escalus
 

The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ furlong (2 miles and 87 yards, or 3,298 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is the last leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling and is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

As its title suggests, the Champion Hurdle is the most prestigious hurdling event in the National Hunt calendar. Its list of winners features many of the most highly acclaimed hurdlers in the sport's history, and several of these, such as National Spirit, Istabraq, Hatton's Grace, Persian War and Lanzarote, have had races named in their honour.

As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online gambling operator Unibet, the race is now known as the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

History

[edit]

The first Champion Hurdle was run in 1927, and its inaugural winner, Blaris, was awarded prize money of £365. In its second year the event was won by Brown Jack, who subsequently became a prolific winner of long-distance flat races. The Champion Hurdle was abandoned in 1931 due to persistent frost, and in 1932 it was contested by just three horses – the smallest field in its history. The race was cancelled twice during World War II, in 1943 and 1944.

The 1947 renewal paved the way for a golden era in the Champion Hurdle with just 3 winners until 1955 – National Spirit, Hatton's Grace and Sir Ken, all of them etched into the list of greatest ever hurdlers. Even though it was postponed twice because of winter snows, taking place in mid-April, it proved most popular with a record attendance at that time of 30,000 racing fans.[1] The winner National Spirit became the second horse to retain the hurdling crown while the runner-up to him, a bay horse called Le Paillon trained by Alec Head's father, went on to race on the flat and won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the same year.

As National Spirit was winning his second Champion Hurdle, the horse down the field, Hatton's Grace, trained by one of the most important figures in horse racing Vincent O'Brien, was about to make history and improved for the next seasons to become the first hat-trick winner of the race. The achievement of Hatton's Grace was soon to be matched by Sir Ken, who recorded three successive victories in the 1950s. Before the second of these Sir Ken was given a starting price of 2/5 (a £5 bet would have won £2). He is the shortest-priced horse to have won the race.

The 1970s produced another golden era of hurdling with the third Champion Hurdle triple winner Persian War and the exploits of double champions in Night Nurse, Monksfield, Bula and Comedy of Errors, who was the first horse to win two non-consecutive titles. The Racing Post declared the 1977 running to be the "strongest of fields ever assembled", with Night Nurse beating two other subsequent dual Champion Hurdle winners in Sea Pigeon and Monksfield.[2]

The 1984 winner, Dawn Run, became the second mare to win the Champion Hurdle. In the same year she also won the Irish and French versions of the event, and two seasons later she won the most prestigious chase in National Hunt racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. She remains the only horse to have completed the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double. From 1985 to 1987 the Champion Hurdle was dominated by See You Then, who became the event's fourth three-time winner. The sixth and most recent mare to win the race was Honeysuckle, the winner of the 2021 and 2022 renewals.

The last triple winner of the Champion Hurdle was Istabraq, whose successes came in 1998, 1999 and 2000. In the early weeks of 2001 he was the odds-on favourite to win the race again, for an unprecedented fourth time. However, this opportunity was lost as the entire Cheltenham Festival was cancelled that year because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Istabraq returned for the 2002 running, but on this occasion he failed to complete the race, and he was retired thereafter.

Commercial sponsorship of the Champion Hurdle began in 1978, and it was initially backed by Waterford Crystal. The Smurfit (now known as the Smurfit Kappa Group), began supporting the race in 1991 and from 2010 to 2017 was sponsored by StanJames.com. Stan James's parent company Unibet became the title sponsor from the 2018 running. The race is the final leg of the Road to Cheltenham, a series of high-class hurdles races consisting of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, the International Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle Trial.[3]

The Champion Hurdle has been continually run on a Tuesday since 1980. The 1927 race was run on a Wednesday, followed by a Thursday in 1928 and then Tuesday from 1929 to 1939. The race moved to Wednesday for 1940 and 1941 followed by rare Saturday runnings in 1942 and 1945. Tuesday became the established day for the Champion Hurdle from 1946 to 1960, with the exception of the postponed races in 1947 (Saturday) and 1955 (Wednesday). From 1961 to 1979 the race was always run on a Wednesday, except in 1964 when it took place on Friday for the only time in its history.

In 2023 Zanahiyr became the first horse to be disqualified. After finishing third in the 2022 running ahead of Saint Roi, he was disqualified and placed last by a British Horseracing Authority tribunal in early 2023 after a banned substance was discovered in a sample taken on race day. Saint Roi was awarded third place and all other runners were promoted by one place.[4]

Records

[edit]

Most successful horse (3 wins):

  • Hatton's Grace – 1949, 1950, 1951
  • Sir Ken – 1952, 1953, 1954
  • Persian War – 1968, 1969, 1970
  • See You Then – 1985, 1986, 1987
  • Istabraq – 1998, 1999, 2000

Leading jockey (4 wins):

  • Tim Molony – Hatton's Grace (1951), Sir Ken (1952, 1953, 1954)
  • Ruby Walsh – Hurricane Fly (2011, 2013), Faugheen (2015), Annie Power (2016)
  • Barry Geraghty - Punjabi (2009), Jezki (2014), Buveur D'Air (2018), Epatante (2020)

Leading trainer (9 wins):

  • Nicky Henderson – See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987), Punjabi (2009), Binocular (2010), Buveur D'Air (2017, 2018), Epatante (2020), Constitution Hill (2023)

Leading owner (9 wins):

  • J. P. McManus – Istabraq (1998, 1999, 2000), Binocular (2010), Jezki (2014), Buveur D'Air (2017, 2018), Espoir d'Allen (2019), Epatante (2020)

List of renewals

[edit]
  • Winning mares indicated by †
  • Winning trainers based in Great Britain unless indicated (IRE) = Ireland
Date
 Winner
 SP
 Age
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Owner
 Runners
 Runners-up
 Time
09-03-1927 1927, 9 March Blaris 1001.1 11/10F 6 George Duller Bill Payne Mrs H. Hollins 4 2nd. (8 L) Beddam 7/2
3rd. (1 L) Harpist 9/4 		41360 4:13.6
15-03-1928 1928, 15 March Brown Jack 1004 4/1 4 Bilbie Rees Aubrey Hastings Sir Harold Wernher 6 2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Peace River 5/1
3rd. (6 L) Blaris 2/1F 		40500 4:05.0
12-03-1929 1929, 12 March Royal Falcon 1005.5 11/2 6 Dick Rees Bob Gore Miss Victoria Williams-Bulkeley 6 2nd. (4 L) Kolie 4/1
3rd. (6 L) Cleer Cash 7/4F 		40120 4:01.2
11-03-1930 1930, 11 March Brown Tony 1003.5 7/2 4 Tommy Cullinan Jack Anthony Mrs J. de Sélincourt 5 2nd. (hd) Cleer Cash 2/1F
3rd. (sh) Peertoi 9/2 		42020 4:20.2
01-01-1931No race 1931 [a]
01-03-1932 1932, 1 March Insurance 1000.8 4/5F 5 Ted Leader Basil Briscoe Dorothy Paget 3 2nd. (12 L) Song of Essex 5/4
3rd. (dst) Jack Drummer 33/1 		41420 4:14.2
07-03-1933 1933, 7 March Insurance 1000.9090909091 10/11F 6 Billy Stott Basil Briscoe Dorothy Paget 5 2nd. (3⁄4 L) Windermere Laddie 4/1
3rd. (8 L) Indian Salmon 100/8 		43760 4:37.6
06-03-1934 1934, 6 March Chenango 1000.4444444444 4/9F 7 Danny Morgan Ivor Anthony Pete Bostwick 5 2nd. (5 L) Pompelmoose 9/2
3rd. (6 L) Black Duncan 20/1 		41700 4:17.0
12-03-1935 1935, 12 March Lion Courage 1012.5 100/8 7 Gerry Wilson Frank Brown R. Fox Carlyon 11 2nd. (1⁄2 L) Gay Light 9/4F
3rd. (3⁄4 L) Hill Song 3/1 		40020 4:00.2
09-03-1936 1936, 9 March Victor Norman 1004 4/1 5 Frenchie Nicholson Morgan Blair Mrs Michael Stephens 8 2nd. (3 L) Free Fare 5/2F
3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Cactus II 20/1 		41440 4:14.4
09-03-1937 1937, 9 March Free Fare 1002 2/1F 9 Georges Pellerin Ted Gwilt Ben Warner 7 2nd. (2 L) Our Hope 100/8
3rd. (sh) Menton 11/2 		41920 4:19.2
08-03-1938 1938, 8 March Our Hope 1005 5/1 9 Perry Harding Roderic Gubbins Roderic Gubbins 5 2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Chuchoteur 9/2
3rd. (10 L) Lobau 100/6 		40480 4:04.8
07-03-1939 1939, 7 March African Sister† 1010 10/1 7 Keith Piggott Charles Piggott Horace Brueton 13 2nd. (3 L) Vitement 20/1
3rd. (1⁄2 L) Apple Peel 100/8 		41360 4:13.6
13-03-1940 1940, 13 March Solford 1002.5 5/2F 9 Sean Magee Owen Anthony Dorothy Paget 8 2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) African Sister 8/1
3rd. (4 L) Carton 3/1 		41340 4:13.4
19-03-1941 1941, 19 March Seneca 1007 7/1 4 Ron Smyth Vic Smyth Sir Malcolm McAlpine 6 2nd. (hd) Anarchist 33/1
3rd. (2 L) Ephorus 8/1 		40900 4:09.0
14-03-1942 1942, 14 March Forestation 1010 10/1 4 Ron Smyth Vic Smyth Vic Smyth 20 2nd. (3 L) Anarchist 100/8
3rd. (3 L) Southport 9/2F 		41040 4:10.4
01-01-1943 No races 1943–44 [b]
29-03-1945 1945, 31 March [5] Brains Trust 1004.5 9/2 5 Fred Rimell Gerry Wilson F. Blakeway 16 2nd. (3⁄4 L) Vidi 100/6
3rd. (3⁄4 L) Red 10/1 April 		40940 4:09.4
12-03-1946 1946, 12 March Distel 1000.8 4/5F 5 Bobby O'Ryan Charles Rogers (IRE) Dorothy Paget 8 2nd. (4 L) Carnival Boy 7/2
3rd. (1⁄2 L) Robin O'Chantry 100/6 		40500 4:05.0
12-04-1947 1947, 12 April [c] National Spirit 1007 7/1 6 Danny Morgan Vic Smyth Len Abelson 14 2nd. (1 L) Le Paillon 2/1F
3rd. (2 L) Freddy Fox 8/1 		40380 4:03.8
02-03-1948 1948, 2 March National Spirit 1001.5 6/4F 7 Ron Smyth Vic Smyth Len Abelson 12 2nd. (2 L) D.UKW. 5/1
3rd. (3⁄4 L) Encoroli 20/1 		35480 3:54.8
07-03-1949 1949, 7 March Hatton's Grace 1014.2857142857 100/7 9 Aubrey Brabazon Vincent O'Brien (IRE) Mrs Harry Keogh 14 2nd. (6 L) Vatelys 10/1
3rd. (1 L) Captain Fox 100/9 		40060 4:00.6
07-03-1950 1950, 7 March Hatton's Grace 1002.5 5/2F 10 Aubrey Brabazon Vincent O'Brien (IRE) Mrs Harry Keogh 12 2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Harlech 9/2
3rd. (2 L) Speciality 100/6 		359603:59.6
06-03-1951 1951, 6 March Hatton's Grace 1004 4/1 11 Tim Molony Vincent O'Brien (IRE) Mrs Harry Keogh 8 2nd. (5 L) Pyrrhus III 11/2
3rd. (1⁄2 L) Prince Hindou 9/2 		411204:11.2
04-03-1952 1952, 4 March Sir Ken 1003 3/1F 5 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson Maurice Kingsley 16 2nd. (2 L) Noholme 100/7
3rd. (4 L) Approval 9/1 		403204:03.2
03-03-1953 1953, 3 March Sir Ken 1000.4 2/5F 6 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson Maurice Kingsley 7 2nd. (2 L) Galatian 4/1
3rd. (1⁄2 L) Teapot II 100/9 		355403:55.4
02-03-1954 1954, 2 March Sir Ken 1000.4444444444 4/9F 7 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson Maurice Kingsley 13 2nd. (1 L) Impney 9/1
3rd. (3 L) Galatian 10/1 		41100 4:11.0
09-03-1955 1955, 9 March Clair Soleil 1002.5 5/2F 6 Fred Winter Ryan Price Gerry Judd 21 2nd. (hd) Stroller 7/2
3rd. (4 L) Cruachan 50/1 		412804:12.8
06-03-1956 1956, 6 March Doorknocker 1011.1111111111 100/9 8 Harry Sprague Charlie Hall Clifford Nicholson 15 2nd. (3⁄4 L) Quita Que 33/1
3rd. (4 L) Baby Don 100/8 		402204:02.2
12-03-1957 1957, 12 March Merry Deal 1028 28/1 7 Grenville Underwood Arthur Jones Arthur Jones 16 2nd. (5 L) Quita Que 15/2
3rd. (5 L) Tout Ou Rien 100/8 		407404:07.4
11-03-1958 1958, 11 March Bandalore 1020 20/1 7 George Slack Stan Wright Dorothy Wright 18 2nd. (2 L) Tokoron 5/1F
3rd. (3 L) Retour de Flamme 11/2 		356003:56.0
03-03-1959 1959, 3 March Fare Time 1006.5 13/2 6 Fred Winter Ryan Price Gerry Judd 14 2nd. (4 L) Ivy Green 40/1
3rd. (1 L) Prudent King 13/2 		407804:07.8
08-03-1960 1960, 8 March Another Flash 1002.75 11/4F 6 Bobby Beasley Paddy Sleator (IRE) John Byrne 12 2nd. (2 L) Albergo 11/2
3rd. (3 L) Saffron Tartan 3/1 		355003:55.0
08-03-1961 1961, 8 March Eborneezer 1004 4/1 6 Fred Winter Ryan Price Dr Burjor Pajgar 17 2nd. (3 L) Moss Bank 7/4F
3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Farmer's Boy 8/1 		410004:10.0
14-03-1962 1962, 14 March Anzio 1005.5 11/2 5 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn Sir Thomas Ainsworth 14 2nd. (3 L) Quelle Chance 11/2
3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Another Flash 11/10F 		400204:00.2
13-03-1963 1963, 13 March Winning Fair 1011.1111111111 100/9 8 Alan Lillingston[d] George Spencer (IRE) George Spencer 21 2nd. (3 L) Farrney Fox 10/1
3rd. (nk) Quelle Chance 100/7 		415504:15.5
06-03-1964 1964, 6 March [e] Magic Court 1014.2857142857 100/7 6 Pat McCarron Tommy Robson James McGhie 24 2nd. (4 L) Another Flash 6/1F
3rd. (3⁄4 L) Kirriemuir 100/7 		40800 4:08.0
10-03-1965 1965, 10 March Kirriemuir 1050 50/1 5 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Beddington 19 2nd. (1 L) Spartan General 8/1
3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Worcran 8/1 		406604:06.6
16-03-1966 1966, 16 March Salmon Spray 1004 4/1 8 Johnny Haine Bob Turnell Mrs John Rogerson 19 2nd. (3 L) Sempervivum 20/1
3rd. (3⁄4 L) Flyingbolt 15/8F 		410204:10.2
15-03-1967 1967, 15 March Saucy Kit 1016.6666666667 100/6 6 Roy Edwards Peter Easterby K. F. Alder 23 2nd. (4 L) Makaldar 11/4F
3rd. (1 L) Talgo Abbess 100/8 		411204:11.2
20-03-1968 1968, 20 March Persian War 1004 4/1 5 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies Henry Alper 16 2nd. (4 L) Chorus 7/2F
3rd. (5 L) Black Justice 100/6 		403804:03.8
19-03-1969 1969, 19 March Persian War 1001.5 6/4F 6 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies Henry Alper 17 2nd. (4 L) Drumikill 100/7
3rd. (22 L) Privy Seal 33/1 		441804:41.8
18-03-1970 1970, 18 March Persian War 1001.25 5/4F 7 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies Henry Alper 14 2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Major Rose 8/1
3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Escalus 25/1 		413804:13.8
18-03-1971 1971, 18 March Bula 1001.875 15/8F 6 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter Bill Edwards-Heathcote 9 2nd. (4 L) Persian War
3rd. (1 L) Major Rose 		422304:22.3
15-03-1972 1972, 15 March Bula 1000.7272727273 8/11F 7 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter Bill Edwards-Heathcote 9 2nd. (8 L) Boxer 25/1
3rd. (3 L) Lyford Cay 66/1 		425304:25.3
14-03-1973 1973, 14 March Comedy of Errors 1008 8/1 6 Bill Smith Fred Rimell Ted Wheatley 8 2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Easby Abbey 20/1
3rd. (2 L) Captain Christy 85/40 		407704:07.7
13-03-1974 1974, 13 March Lanzarote 1001.75 7/4 6 Richard Pitman Fred Winter Lord Howard de Walden 7 2nd. Comedy of Errors 4/6F
3rd. Yenisei 100/1 		417704:17.7
12-03-1975 1975, 12 March Comedy of Errors 1001.375 11/8F 8 Ken White Fred Rimell Ted Wheatley 13 2nd. Flash Imp 12/1
3rd. Tree Tangle 10/1 		428504:28.5
17-03-1976 1976, 17 March Night Nurse 1002 2/1F 5 Paddy Broderick Peter Easterby Reg Spencer 8 2nd. (1 L) Birds Nest 100/30
3rd. Flash Imp 40/1 		405904:05.9
16-03-1977 1977, 16 March Night Nurse 1007.5 15/2 6 Paddy Broderick Peter Easterby Reg Spencer 10 2nd. (2 L) Monksfield
3rd. (1 L) Dramatist 		424004:24.0
15-03-1978 1978, 15 March Monksfield 1005.5 11/2 6 Tommy Kinane Des McDonogh (IRE) Dr Michael Mangan 13 2nd. (2 L) Sea Pigeon 5/1
3rd. (5 L) Night Nurse 3/1F 		412704:12.7
15-03-1979 1979, 14 March Monksfield 1002.25 9/4F 7 Dessie Hughes Des McDonogh (IRE) Dr Michael Mangan 10 2nd. (1⁄2 L) Sea Pigeon 6/1
3rd. Beacon Light 22/1 		427904:27.9
01-03-1980 1980, 11 March Sea Pigeon 1006.5 13/2 10 Jonjo O'Neill Peter Easterby Pat Muldoon 9 2nd. Monksfield
3rd. Birds Nest 		427904:06.0
17-03-1981 1981, 17 March Sea Pigeon 1001.75 7/4F 11 John Francome Peter Easterby Pat Muldoon 14 2nd. Pollardstown 9/1
3rd. Daring Run 8/1 		427904:11.4
16-03-1982 1982, 16 March For Auction 1040 40/1 6 Colin Magnier[d] Michael Cunningham (IRE) Danno Heaslip 14 2nd. Broadsword 100/30
3rd. Ekbalco 7/2 		427904:12.4
15-03-1983 1983, 15 March Gaye Brief 1007 7/1 6 Richard Linley Mercy Rimell Sheikh Ali Abu Khamsin 17 2nd. Boreen Prince 50/1
3rd. For Auction 3/1 JF 		427903:57.8
13-03-1984 1984, 13 March Dawn Run† 1000.8 4/5F 6 Jonjo O'Neill Paddy Mullins (IRE) Charmian Hill 14 2nd. Cima 66/1
3rd. Very Promising 16/1 		427903:52.6
12-03-1985 1985, 12 March See You Then 1016 16/1 5 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson Stype Wood Stud 14 2nd. Robin Wonder 66/1
3rd. Stans Pride 100/1 		427903:51.7
11-03-1986 1986, 11 March See You Then 1000.8333333333 5/6F 6 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson Stype Wood Stud 23 2nd. Gaye Brief 14/1
3rd. Nohalmdun 20/1 		427903:53.3
17-03-1987 1987, 17 March See You Then 1001.1 11/10F 7 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson Stype Wood Stud 18 2nd. Flatterer 10/1
3rd. Barnbrook Again 14/1 		35720 3:57.20
15-03-1988 1988, 15 March Celtic Shot 1007 7/1 6 Peter Scudamore Fred Winter David Horton 21 2nd. (4 L) Classical Charm 33/1
3rd. (3 L) Celtic Chief 5/2F 		41440 4:14.40
14-03-1989 1989, 14 March Beech Road 1050 50/1 7 Richard Guest Toby Balding Tony Geake 15 2nd. (2 L) Celtic Chief 6/1
3rd. (1 L) Celtic Shot 8/1 		40210 4:02.10
13-03-1990 1990, 13 March Kribensis 1002.375 95/40 6 Richard Dunwoody Michael Stoute Sheikh Mohammed 19 2nd. (3 L) Nomadic Way 8/1
3rd. (3⁄4 L) Past Glories 150/1 		35070 3:50.70
12-03-1991 1991, 12 March Morley Street 1004 4/1F 7 Jimmy Frost Toby Balding Michael Jackson Bloodstock 24 2nd. (1⁄2 L) Nomadic Way 9/1
3rd. (hd) Ruling 50/1 		35480 3:54.80
10-03-1992 1992, 10 March Royal Gait 1006 6/1 9 Graham McCourt James Fanshawe Sheikh Mohammed 16 2nd. (1⁄2 L) Oh So Risky 20/1
3rd. (shd) Ruling 20/1 		35740 3:57.40
16-03-1993 1993, 16 March Granville Again 1006.5 13/2 7 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Eric Scarth 18 2nd. (1 L) Royal Derbi 50/1
3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Halkopous 9/1 		35140 3:51.40
15-03-1994 1994, 15 March Flakey Dove† 1009 9/1 8 Mark Dwyer Richard Price John Price 15 2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Oh So Risky 9/4F
3rd. (3⁄4 L) Large Action 8/1 		40230 4:02.30
14-03-1995 1995, 14 March Alderbrook 1005.5 11/2 6 Norman Williamson Kim Bailey Ernie Pick 15 2nd. (5 L) Large Action 4/1 JF
3rd. (2 L) Danoli 4/1 JF 		40310 4:03.10
12-03-1996 1996, 12 March Collier Bay 1009 9/1 6 Graham Bradley Jim Old Wally Sturt 16 2nd. (2+1⁄2 L) Alderbrook 10/11F
3rd. (6 L) Pridwell 33/1 		35900 3:59.00
11-03-1997 1997, 11 March Make A Stand 1007 7/1 6 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe Peter Deal 17 2nd. (5 L) Theatreworld 33/1
3rd. (3⁄4 L) Space Trucker 9/2 		34840 3:48.40
17-03-1998 1998, 17 March Istabraq 1003 3/1F 6 Charlie Swan Aidan O'Brien (IRE) J. P. McManus 18 2nd. (12 L) Theatreworld 20/1
3rd. (1 L) I'm Supposin 6/1 		34910 3:49.10
16-03-1999 1999, 16 March Istabraq 1000.4444444444 4/9F 7 Charlie Swan Aidan O'Brien (IRE) J. P. McManus 14 2nd. (3+1⁄2 L) Theatreworld 16/1
3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) French Holly 11/2 		356803:56.80
14-03-2000 2000, 14 March Istabraq 1000.5333333333 8/15F 8 Charlie Swan Aidan O'Brien (IRE) J. P. McManus 12 2nd. (4 L) Hors La Loi III 11/1
3rd. (nk) Blue Royal 16/1 		348103:48.10
01-01-2001 No race 2001 [f]
12-03-2002 2002, 12 March Hors La Loi III 1010 10/1 7 Dean Gallagher James Fanshawe Paul Green 15 2nd. (3 L) Marble Arch 25/1
3rd. (1⁄2 L) Bilboa 14/1 		353803:53.80
11-03-2003 2003, 11 March Rooster Booster 1004.5 9/2 9 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs Terry Warner 17 2nd. (11 L) Westender 33/1
3rd. (3 L) Rhinestone Cowboy 5/2F 		35470 3:54.70
16-03-2004 2004, 16 March Hardy Eustace 1033 33/1 7 Conor O'Dwyer Dessie Hughes (IRE) Laurence Byrne 14 2nd. (5 L) Rooster Booster 11/8F
3rd. (4 L) Intersky Falcon 8/1 		354503:54.50
15-03-2005 2005, 15 March Hardy Eustace 1003.5 7/2 JF 8 Conor O'Dwyer Dessie Hughes (IRE) Laurence Byrne 14 2nd. (nk) Harchibald 7/1
3rd. (nk) Brave Inca 10/1 		351503:51.50
14-03-2006 2006, 14 March Brave Inca 1001.75 7/4F 8 Tony McCoy Colm Murphy (IRE) Novices Syndicate 18 2nd. (1 L) Macs Joy 13/2
3rd. (3+1⁄2 L) Hardy Eustace 11/2 		350003:50.00
13-03-2007 2007, 13 March Sublimity 1016 16/1 7 Philip Carberry John Carr (IRE) Bill Hennessy 10 2nd. (3 L) Brave Inca 11/2
3rd. (nk) Afsoun 28/1 		355703:55.70
11-03-2008 2008, 11 March Katchit 1010 10/1 5 Robert Thornton Alan King D S J P Syndicate 15 2nd. (1 L) Osana 9/2
3rd. (5 L) Punjabi 28/1 		408104:08.10
10-03-2009 2009, 10 March Punjabi 1022 22/1 6 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson Raymond Tooth 23 2nd. (nk) Celestial Halo 17/2
3rd. (hd) Binocular 6/4F 		400904:00.90
16-03-2010 2010, 16 March Binocular 1009 9/1 6 Tony McCoy Nicky Henderson J. P. McManus 12 2nd. (3+1⁄2 L) Khyber Kim 7/1
3rd. (6 L) Zaynar 15/2 		353803:53.80
15-03-2011 2011, 15 March Hurricane Fly 1002.75 11/4F 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins (IRE) Creighton / Boyd 11 2nd. (1+1⁄4 L) Peddlers Cross 9/2
3rd. (5 L) Oscar Whisky 7/1 		353713:53.71
13-03-2012 2012, 13 March Rock On Ruby 1011 11/1 7 Noel Fehily Paul Nicholls The Festival Goers 10 2nd. (3+3⁄4 L) Overturn 9/2
3rd. (1+3⁄4 L) Hurricane Fly 4/6F 		350103:50.10
12-03-2013 2013, 12 March Hurricane Fly 1001.625 13/8F 9 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins (IRE) Creighton / Boyd 9 2nd. (2+1⁄2 L) Rock On Ruby 11/2
3rd. (1+3⁄4 L) Countrywide Flame 16/1 		359353:59.35
11-03-2014 2014, 11 March Jezki 1009 9/1 6 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington (IRE) J. P. McManus 9 2nd. (nk) My Tent Or Yours 3/1
3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) The New One 100/30 		345253:45.25
10-03-2015 2015, 10 March Faugheen 1000.8 4/5F 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins (IRE) Susannah Ricci 8 2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Arctic Fire 20/1
3rd. (5 L) Hurricane Fly 8/1 		350903:50.90
15-03-2016 2016, 15 March Annie Power† 1002.5 5/2F 8 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins (IRE) Susannah Ricci 12 2nd. (4+1⁄2 L) My Tent or Yours 10/1
3rd. (hd) Nichols Canyon 15/2 		345103:45.10
14-03-2017 2017, 14 March Buveur d'Air 1005 5/1 6 Noel Fehily Nicky Henderson J. P. McManus 11 2nd. (4+1⁄2 L) My Tent or Yours 16/1
3rd. (3 L) Petit Mouchoir 6/1 		350903:50.90
13-03-2018 2018, 13 March Buveur d'Air 1000.6666666667 4/6F 7 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson J. P. McManus 11 2nd. (nk) Melon 7/1
3rd. (3 L) Mick Jazz 25/1 		405004:05.00
12-03-2019 2019, 12 March Espoir d'Allen 1016 16/1 5 Mark Walsh Gavin Cromwell (IRE) J. P. McManus 10 2nd. (15 L) Melon 20/1
3rd. (nk) Silver Streak 80/1 		359073:59.07
13-03-2018 2020, 10 March Epatante† 1002 2/1F 6 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson J. P. McManus 17 2nd. (3 L) Sharjah 16/1
3rd. (3+3⁄4 L) Darver Star 17/2 		407034:07.03
13-03-2018 2021, 16 March Honeysuckle† 1001.1 11/10F 7 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead (IRE) Kenny Alexander 10 2nd. (6 L) Sharjah 11/1
3rd. (3 L) Epatante 4/1 		354633:54.63
13-03-2018 2022, 15 March Honeysuckle† 1000.7272727273 8/11F 8 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead (IRE) Kenny Alexander 10 2nd. (3½ L) Epatante 16/1
3rd. (2 3/4L) Saint Roi 33/1 		350133:50.13
15-03-2023 2023, 14 March Constitution Hill 1000.3636363636 4/11F 6 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson Michael Buckley 7 2nd. (9 L) State Man 7/2
3rd. (4 L) Zanahiyr 66/1 		407033:59.38
12-03-2024 2024, 12 March State Man 1000.4 2/5F 7 Paul Townend Willie Mullins (IRE) Mrs J Donnelly 12 2nd. (1+1⁄4 L) Irish Point 9/2
3rd. (4+1⁄4 L) Luccia 33/1 		345104:13.88
  1. ^ The race was abandoned in 1931 due to frost
  2. ^ Race was not run in 1943 and 1944 because of World War II
  3. ^ The 1947 running was postponed twice due to winter snows
  4. ^ a b amateur jockey
  5. ^ In 1964 an objection to the winner by the stewards was over-ruled.[6]
  6. ^ The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis. A substitute race at Sandown was won by Landing Light

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Races set up new record". Cheltenham Chronicle. 19 April 1947. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Night Nurse: career profile". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  3. ^ Stan James Champion Hurdle Sponsorship Announcement Archived 1 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine StanJames.com, 28 September 2010
  4. ^ Scargill, Peter (8 February 2023). "Gordon Elliott fined and Zanahiyr disqualified from last year's Champion Hurdle". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Rimell's Hat-Trick Champion Hurdle for Brains Trust". Gloucestershire Echo. 31 March 1945. Retrieved 23 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
  6. ^ "Cheltenham Result". The Glasgow Herald. 7 March 1964. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
[edit]
  • Race Recordings [1]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. 1993. p. 229. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
  • Horse Racing The Records. Guinness Superlatives Ltd. 1985. pp. 78–83. ISBN 0851124461.
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