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Tuesday, 5th Nov 2024
Champion Hurdle Tips
- H: State Man
- J: P Townend
- T: W P Mullins
- H: State Man
- J: P Townend
- T: W P Mullins
- Age:7
- Weight:11-10
- Form:121-111
- OR:169
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Champion Hurdle Odds & Runners
Champion Hurdle Racecard
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
A historic contest that may have lost some of its lustre with the defection of reigning champion Constitution Hill, it should allow STATE MAN, a superstar in his own right, to pick up the pieces. The seven-year-old was no match for Nicky Henderson's superstar in this race last year, but jockey Paul Townend has gone on record to say his mount was nowhere near his best on the day and preparations could not have gone any smoother this time around. An easy winner of all three starts at the top level, the son of Doctor Dino has swept all before him in Ireland and he looks an improved horse this year. A leading contender for the Stayers' Hurdles later in the week, connections have opted for this bigger prize with the highly-talented Irish Point, who could hardly have done it any easier in winning both starts this season. A strong traveller who should have no issue with softer ground, Gordon Elliott's charge looks the main danger to the favourite but still has plenty to find on the ratings, and is yet to score in a Grade 1 over this trip. With the form of his Betfair Hurdle win franked by the Imperial Cup winner on Saturday, the progressive Iberico Lord is an intriguing contender, having been supplemented by connections. He is highly likely to be fighting it out for a place with stablemate Luccia, Kingwell Hurdle winner Nemean Lion and Zarak The Brave.
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Champion Hurdle Overview
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade One hurdle for horses aged four or older. Run over two miles and 87 yards of the old course with eight hurdles to be jumped. It takes place on the opening day of the Festival on Tuesday, normally as the third race on the card.
First-place prize money is likely to be around the £253,000 mark. It features the best two-mile hurdlers from the UK and Ireland (and occasionally France) and is the most prestigious hurdling event in the National Hunt calendar. The winner and placed horses are likely to go on and renew rivalry at Aintree or Punchestown.
Champion Hurdle Betting Trends and Statistics
The leading trainer in the race is Nicky Henderson who has won the race nine times whilst the leading owner with the same amount of wins is J P McManus.
Three jockeys currently share the leading jockey accolade with four wins a piece and they are Tim Moloney, Barry Geraghty and Ruby Walsh.
The winner will be called the best two-mile hurdler around and is likely to return the following year to defend his or her title.
Champion Hurdle History
The first Champion Hurdle was run in 1927 with the winner awarded prize money of £365! Three horses have won the race a record three times. They are Hattons Grace (1949, 1950, 1951), Sir Ken (1952, 1953, 1954), Persian War (1968, 1969, 1970), See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987) and Istabraq (1998, 1999, 2000).
Some of the greatest hurdlers ever have won the race as well as the five named above including Hurricane Fly (2011 & 2013), Faugheen (2015), Honeysuckle (2021 & 2022) and last year’s winner Constitution Hill.
Champion Hurdle FAQ
Favourite Constitution Hill won in 2023 for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville at odds of 4/11 which is the shortest-priced winner of the race.
The prize money for the 2023 renewal stood at £235,000.
The Champion Hurdle is run on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday, normally as the third race on the card. The 2024 renewal will be run on Tuesday, March 12th.
As with most two-mile hurdle races, there will be eight hurdles to jump in total.
The biggest field in recent years was twenty-three in 2009 whilst last year’s renewal only had seven.
The Champion Hurdle is open to horses aged four years or older.