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 1957 | Grade 1 | 2 miles 1/2 furlong | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | MERRY DEAL | G Underwood | A Jones | Mr A Jones 28/1 |
| 2 | QUITA QUE | Mr J Cox | D L Moore (Ire) | Mrs L Brand 15/2 |
| 3 | TOUT OU RIEN | R Emery | Pelat (Fr) | Comte de Monteynard 100/8 |
| 4 | IVY GREEN | W Brennan | Osborne (Ire) | Mr J Duggan 22/1 |
| 5 | CLAIR SOLEIL | Fred Winter | H Ryan Price | Mr G Judd 7/4 fav |
| 6 | ROSATI | J Gilbert | Fulke Walwyn | Mrs T Hanbury 5/1 |
| 7 | FLAME ROYAL | Tim Molony | A Thomas | Mr L Dowling snr 9/1 |
| 8 | STRAIT-JACKET | Aubrey Brabazon | Brabazon (Ire) | Mr D Hickey 100/9 |
| 9 | CAESAR'S HELM | Finnegan | B-Smith (Ire) | Mr A B-Smith 100/7 |
| 10 | PLAINSMAN | Jimmy Lindley | Maund | Mr Joseph Bennett 50/1 |
| 11 | NANJULA | P Morrissey | D Williams | Mr G Williams 100/1 |
| 12 | SOLATIUM | M McCourt | Crawley | Mr C Crawley 100/1 |
| 13 | CURLING IRON | Jimmy Fitzgerald | Goodwill | Mr K Ketteringham 100/1 |
| 14 | WINNING HIT | Dennis | R-Stringer | Mrs H R-Stringer 100/1 |
| 15 | FRANCETTE | Cross | H T Cross | Mr E Morris 100/1 |
| 16 | PEGGY JONES | Leslie | S Palmer | Group-Captain H Hanmer 100/7 |
| Over round 119% | ||||
| This race was run on Tuesday 12th March 1957 when Merry Deal beat Quita Que and Tout Ou Rien by 5 lengths and 5 lengths | ||||
