Champion Hurdle Tips & Predictions
The Champion Hurdle is the first major race of the Cheltenham Festival and will be contested on the festival's opening day.
Featuring some of the best hurdlers of the national hunt season from across the UK and Ireland, here at BetUK, we'll be bringing you all the information you need to know about the race and the top UK horse racing markets.
Ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, we'll have all of the latest online betting odds within the UK horse racing markets, including the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. We'll also have daily horse racing betting tips, so you'll have key insight for all of the races at Prestbury Park.
Champion Hurdle Tips
The Champion Hurdle is the premier hurdles race in jumps racing. The Championship contest is the feature on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
7 runners remain in the Champion Hurdle going into the Day 1 race. Those taking part will race off over 2m and jump 12 hurdles during the race.
Nicky Henderson holds the record for the most wins as a trainer in the day-one feature. He has been successful nine times, showing his pedigree in this major race on day one.
When it comes to hurdle races there aren’t many better to do it than Constitution Hill with a record of 10 wins from 10 runs.
Based on this historic form going into the Champion Hurdle it is no surprise to see Constitution Hill as the favourite.
About The Champion Hurdle
The feature race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, the Champion Hurdle, is run on the old course at Cheltenham over a distance of just over two miles. The most prestigious hurdling event in the calendar, it is the last leg of the triple crown of hurdling, which also features The Fighting Fifth Hurdle and The Christmas Hurdle.
Champion Hurdle Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Winning Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | State Man | Willie Mullins |
| 2023 | Constitution Hill | Nico de Boinville |
| 2022 | Honeysuckle | Henry de Bromhead |
| 2021 | Honeysuckle | Henry de Bromhead |
| 2020 | Epatante | Nicky Henderson |
| 2019 | Espoir d'Allen | Gavin Cromwell |
| 2018 | Buveur d’Air | Nicky Henderson |
| 2017 | Buveur d’Air | Nicky Henderson |
| 2016 | Annie Power | Willie Mullins |
| 2015 | Faugheen | Willie Mullins |
| 2014 | Jezki | Jessica Harrington |
| 2013 | Hurricane Fly | Willie Mullins |
| 2012 | Rock on Ruby | Paul Nicholls |
Champion Hurdle Top Trainers
In the last decade, two names have become synonymous with the Champion Hurdle: Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins. Looking at the racecards, it's these name punters will focus on when browsing the UK horse racing cards before this race, especially given their calibre of runners.
Champion Hurdle Top Jockeys
When it comes to jockeys to watch in the Champion Hurdle, it's all about the Irish jockeys as they top the rankings in the last 20 running of this race. Last season it was Paul Townend who took the victory. Prior to that there was an exception with Nico Boinville winning the race in 2023, however, 2022 was claimed by Irish jockey Rachel Blackmore.
Cheltenham Champion Chase Trends for tips
When it comes to betting trends for the Cheltenham Champion Chase, if you're a backer of the favourite, then those horses have passed the post first in the last 5 runs of this race.
When it comes to weights, many of the previous 10 winners of the Champion Hurdle carried 11-3 or higher.
Checking the season form heading into the race, 10/10 previous winners had at least 1 win under their belt, with 9/10 having run at least 2 times in that season.
Champion Hurdle FAQs
Who has won the Champion Hurdle the most?
There are five horses who have gone on to win the Champion Hurdle three times in their career, Hatton's Grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, See You Then and Istabraq.
Who is the most successful trainer in the Champion Hurdle?
With nine wins and the potential to add more, it's Nicky Henderson who has the most winners in this race.
How long is the Champion Hurdle?
The distance of the Champion Hurdle is 2 miles and ½ furlong, and it takes in eight hurdles.
What is the prize money for the Champion Hurdle?
The prize pot for the Champion Hurdle is £465,750 with the winner taking £262,078.
What time is the Champion Hurdle?
The race is featured on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
Is the Champion Hurdle broadcast on TV?
Like the majority of the Cheltenham Festival, the Champion Hurdle will be broadcast on ITV.
Where can I bet on the Champion Hurdle?
Right here at BetUK! We'll have all of the Cheltenham Festival betting odds and all the latest markets from across UK horse racing.
Who won the 2024 Champion Hurdle?
The 2024 running of this race was won by State Man.
*All odds from Bet UK’s online betting markets correct at the time of writing.
