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 1955 | Grade 1 | 2 miles 1/2 furlong | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | CLAIR SOLEIL | Fred Winter | H Ryan Price | Mr G C Judd 5/2 fav |
| 2 | STROLLER | T P Burns | Vincent O'Brien (Ire) | Mr B Hamilton 7/2 |
| 3 | CRUACHAN | G Slack | Renton | Mrs A C Leggatt 50/1 |
| 4 | SIR KEN | Tim Molony | W Stephenson | Mr M Kingsley 11/2 |
| 5 | FLAME ROYAL | Mr C Harty | Moroney | Mr L H Dowling 50/1 |
| 6 | IMPNEY | M Pumfrey | Doherty | Mr S W Everitt 100/8 |
| 7 | GREYSTOWN | Mr E Cousins | Eric Cousins | Mr J E Wood 50/1 |
| 8 | QUITA QUE | P J Doyle | D Moore (Ire) | Mrs Leslie Brand 50/1 |
| 9 | THE PILLS | Jack Dowdeswell | R-Stringer | Mr H C Nias 50/1 |
| 10 | STRAIGHT QUILT | V Speck | Mr H W Smith | Mr H W Smith 50/1 |
| 11 | PRINCE CHARLEMAGNE | Bryan Marshall | Bryan Marshall | Mr L Lipton 10/1 |
| 12 | KENURE | Derek Ancil | Horton | Mrs L M Prior 33/1 |
| 13 | ASSYNT | Aubrey Brabazon | D Morgan (Ire) | Lady Ursula Vernon 33/1 |
| 14 | TORENO | Dick Francis | J C Waugh | Mr C A Blyth 8/1 |
| 15 | SHILFORD | Pat Taaffe | Arm | Mr Arm 50/1 |
| 16 | BANDIT KING | G Milburn | Bewicke | Mrs T G McAlpine 33/1 |
| 17 | SYRTE | K Mullins | H Ryan Price | Sir G Munro 25/1 |
| 18 | SASSANIAN MONARCH | D Weeden | R Read | Mr M Parker 50/1 |
| 19 | TASMIN | J A Bullock | de Moraville | Mr N W Purvis 50/1 |
| 20 | BRUNEL II | R Emery | de Moraville | Mr N W Purvis 50/1 |
| 21 | TERRIBLE TURK | M O'Dwyer | Eric Cousins | Major T E Jesson 50/1 |
| Over round 128% | ||||
| This race was run on Wednesday 9th March 1955 when Clair Soleil beat Stroller and Cruachan by a head and 4 lengths | ||||
