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 1959 | Grade 1 | 2 miles 1/2 furlong | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | FARE TIME | Fred Winter | H Ryan Price | Mr G Judd 13/2 |
| 2 | IVY GREEN | Pat Taaffe | Osborne (Ire) | Mr J Duggan 40/1 |
| 3 | PRUDENT KING | T P Burns | Vincent O'Brien (Ire) | Mrs G Westmacott 13/2 |
| 4 | FRIENDLY BOY | W J Brennan | Osborne (Ire) | Mrs V Bergh 4/1 |
| 5 | MERRY DEAL | W Rees | A W Jones | Mr A Jones 100/9 |
| 6 | HAVASNACK | Beasley | P Sleator (Ire) | Mrs P Meehan 40/1 |
| 7 | BANDALORE | G Slack | J Wright | Mrs D Wright 22/1 |
| 8 | TOKOROA | Tim Brookshaw | Fred Rimell | Sir G Dowty 9/4 fav |
| 9 | RETOUR DE FLAMME | Dave Dick | S Warren | Mr Joseph Bennett 100/8 |
| 10 | KING | A Freeman | Peter Cazalet | Sir N Mordaunt 100/7 |
| 11 | CAMUGLIANO | R Emery | H Smith | Mr H T Smith 33/1 |
| 12 | PUNDIT | Cowley | Fulke Walwyn | Mrs M Aitken 40/1 |
| 13 | STRAIGHT LAD | Lehane | B Foster | Mrs A Johnson 40/1 |
| 14 | WIGMORE | Hunt | R Hunt | Mr R Hunt 40/1 |
| Over round 120% | ||||
| This race was run on Tuesday 3rd March 1959 when Fare Time beat Ivy Green and Prudent King by 4 lengths and 1 length | ||||
