Champion Hurdle Betting

The Cheltenham Festival is the most anticipated national hunt meeting of the season. Featuring the best Grade One contest across four days of race, there are many runners who have their pinnacle career run here. As the festival begins with the ionic Cheltenham roar on the opening day, all eyes will be on the horses who’ll partake in the feature race of the day, The Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy. 

Part of the Triple Crown of Hurdling alongside The Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Christmas Betfair Hurdle. Many of the winning runners from those races will take their chances at Cheltenham. However, the last winner to follow the unbeaten run was Buveur d'Air.

Everything you need to know about the Champion Hurdle

A race steeped in history, the Champion Hurdle was first run back in 1927, and since that inaugural race, it has become the stepping stone for champion hurdle winners to kickstart their careers within the national hunt circuit.

Classed as the most prestigious hurdling event for novices, this feature race takes in two miles of the old course at Cheltenham and eight hurdles. Which, given the races later in the week, is a low amount. Preceded by the Triumph Hurdle within the race card on the opening day, if you're a fan of novice hurdlers, this is certainly a day to watch.

This race is one of the four featured races at the Festival alongside the likes of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Stayers Hurdle and the Champion Chase.

Champion Hurdle Odds

As the Cheltenham Festival approaches, we'll have all of the betting odds available for the biggest races across the week, including the Champion Hurdle. This means when you come to place your bets, whether you're looking to bet in the win or each betting market, then will have all of the options available.

None of the Champion Hurdle odds are set in stone. As we progress towards the event, the odds will likely be updated to reflect any updates that have been announced in relation to the runners.

Our online sportsbook lets you browse all the latest Champion Hurdle betting odds.

Different Champion Hurdle betting odds

When looking for Champion Hurdle odds, it's important to pick the odds format that best suits your betting experience. The options that you have include decimal odds and fractional odds, which you can read all about in our betting odds explained blog. However, the gist of odds is if you wish to change your betting odds, click on the settings option located at the bottom of your sportsbook, this will provide you with a pop-up with a variety of options including the option to change your betting odds between decimal and fractional.

Insights for betting on the Champion Hurdle 2023

In recent runs of the Champion Hurdle, Honeysuckle has achieved consecutive wins in 2021 and 2022. Before then, Buveur d’Air also managed consecutive wins in the Champion Hurdle, with successful runs in the 2017 and 2018 races. Although there has been many double winners, the last horse to claim three consecutive wins was back in 1998,1999 and 2000.

As one of the opening races of the Cheltenham Festival, the Champion Hurdle is considered to be one of the most prestigious races on the event calendar. Below are details on some of the top contenders for this year’s event. 

Honeysuckle sits among the favourites for the 2023 event, stemming from the previous two wins that were achieved in 2022 and 2021. Recent form in the Irish Champion Hurdle helped to cement them as favourites.

This is a contested race, and rivals such as Appreciate It and Teahupoo will aim to take the top spot. Teahupoo has been in great form ahead of the 2023 Champion Hurdle, so its no surprise to see them among the favourites. A strong track record of eight wins from eleven runs, points towards a potentially good run in this prestigious event. You'll be able to see Champion Hurdle trends to match our Champion Hurdle odds on our sportsbook.

Looking for insight as to who could win the Champion Hurdle? As we get closer to Cheltenham, we'll have our exclusive betting tips live at Bet UK, so whether you're looking for the short prices favourite or the longshots, there will be an option to suit your chosen betting style.

Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy Winners

Many runners who take to the fences of the Champion Hurdle will have already shown some prowess across the smaller national hunt obstacles in races across the season, including the Christmas Hurdle. However, when it comes to winning this race, there is something extra needed, and in the past, it's been found by a multitude of horses who have managed to win the race multiple times in their career. The most recent of those was Istabraq, who was a triple winner between 1988 and 1990. However, this hat trick of wins has also been completed by Hatton's Grace, Sir Ken and Persian War.

In more recent renewals of the race, it's the Irish who have dominated the field, and they also hold the mantle of the first mare to win this race, with Annie Power emulating stablemate Faugheen just a year earlier.

In terms of betting odds, you'll have to go back to 2017 to see a beaten favourite within this race when Buveur D'Air landed this first win in the race. But for those looking to win the Champion Hurdle, speed and quick thinking are of the essence when it comes to the final hurdle.

Recent Champion Hurdle Winners

• 2022 - Honeysuckle
• 2021 - Honeysuckle
• 2020 - Epatante
• 2019 - Espoir d'Allen
• 2018 - Buveur d'Air
• 2017 - Buveur d'Air
• 2016 - Annie Power

Champion Hurdle Top Jockeys

The Cheltenham Festival is a where no jockey wants to finish runner-up, and if they can land a winner day 1, it can set them up for any future race of the week. However, many jockeys have gone on land a victory in the Champion Hurdle multiple times in their career, including Barry Geraghty and Ruby Walsh, who partnered the first mare to victory.

Recent Champion Hurdle Winning Jockeys

• 2022 - Rachael Blackmore
• 2021 - Rachel Blackmore
• 2020 - Barry Geraghty
• 2019 - Mark Walsh
• 2018 - Barry Geraghty
• 2017 - Barry Geraghty
• 2016 - Ruby Walsh

Champion Hurdle Successful Trainers

When it comes to the Champion hurdles, there is one trainer who standouts thanks to his winning record in the race. Nicky Henderson's record of eight wins put him miles ahead of other successful trainers, such as Willie Mullins, Gavin Cromwell and Jessica Harrington, with Buveur d'Air providing the extra boost to his winners' list.

However, due to this being one of the races, many trainers would like to take the title on the opening day and set them up for a chance at the Gold Up.

Champion Hurdle Recent Winning Trainers

• 2022 - Henry De Bromhead
• 2021 - Henry De Bromhead
• 2020 - Nicky Henderson
• 2019 - Gavin Cromwell
• 2018 - Nicky Henderson
• 2017 - Nicky Henderson
• 2016 - Willie Mullins

Champion Hurdle Betting FAQS

When is the Champion Hurdle?

The race will be contested on Tuesday 14th March 2023

What time is the Champion Hurdle?

The Champion Hurdle will take place at 3:30pm.

Who won the 2022 Champion Hurdle?

The win of the 2022 race was Honeysuckle for Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromhead.

Who is the most successful horse in the Champion Hurdle?

There are many horses who have managed to pick up three wins in this race including Sir Ken, Persian War and Hatton's Grace, which means no horse has the singular title of most wins

What is the prize money for the Champion Hurdle?

The purse on offer for the race is approximately £337,500, which is split between the winner, runner and the remaining horses.

How many hurdles win runners jump in the Champion Hurdle?

There are eight obstacles to be jumped within this race.

How many mares have won the Champion Hurdle?

The first mare to win this race was Annie Power for Willie Mullins. The feat has since been surpassed by Honeysuckle.

Has the Champion Hurdle ever been cancelled?

Yes, in 1932, the race was called off due to the smallest field in the history of only three horses. It was also abandoned in 1931, 1943 and 1944. The race was also cancelled in 2001 due to foot and mouth disease.

Where can I find Champion Hurdle tips?

You can find tips for this race by checking out our Champion Hurdle tips blog.

It's Time For Cheltenham!

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