Champion Hurdle
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The Champion Hurdle, much prized Grade 1 hurdling crown for 4-year-olds and over, was first staged in 1927 and is contested over 2 miles and half a furlong and 8 hurdles of the Old Course. The race is the final leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling, along with the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. It was cancelled in 1931 when the ground was frosty, and again in 1943 and 1944 due to the Second World War. |
| Early history:-The inaugural running of the Champion Hurdle took place on Wednesday 9th March 1927 when won by Blaris 11/10 fav owned by Mrs H Hollins, trained by Bill Payne and ridden by George Duller, beating Beddam (7/2) and Harpist (9/4) by 8 lengths and one length. | |
| Over the entire history of the race 43% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 3rd of the 28 current races. Over the entire history of the race a level stake bet of £10 on every favourite would have resulted in a £100 profit, placing the race 2nd of the current 28 races. Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 27% of occasions, placing the race 15th of the 28 current races. |
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| Champion Hurdle 1947 | Grade 1 | 2 miles 1/2 furlong | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | NATIONAL SPIRIT | D Morgan | Vic Smyth | Mr L A Abelson 7/1 |
| 2 | LE PAILLON | A Head | Head (Fr) | Mme L Aurouxseau 2/1 fav |
| 3 | FREDDY FOX | Ron Smyth | G Beeby | Lord Bicester 8/1 |
| 4 | DISTEL | M Gordon | Fulke Walwyn | Miss Dorothy Paget 5/1 |
| 5 | GENERAL FACTOTUM | J Maguire | Ivor Anthony | Mr S D Player 13/2 |
| 6 | TRIONA | D L Moore | Walter Nightingall | Mrs F O Bezner 8/1 |
| 7 | SHINING PENNY | J O'Shea | Grant | Mr G Grant 100/8 |
| 8 | SAMMY'S ROCK | P Murray | H Smyth | Mr J McGrath 100/8 |
| 9 | AUSTERITY | G Kelly | J F Norris | Lord Abergavenny 100/6 |
| 10 | SABRY | G Wicks | Petre | Mrs A A Lyons 100/6 |
| 11 | GAY SCOT | Fred Rickaby | Horris | Mrs James V Rank 33/1 |
| 12 | INSPIRED | R Burford | Hamey | Mr W A White 33/1 |
| 13 | MASK AND BRUSH | Gordon Richards | Richards | Mr H F V Cox 33/1 |
| 14 | OREGON | Bryan Marshall | Fulke Walwyn | Miss Dorothy Paget 33/1 |
| Over round 137% | ||||
| This race was run on Saturday 12th April 1947 when National Spirit beat Le Paillon and Freddy Fox by 1 length and 2 lengths | ||||
