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 Tuesday 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 1996 | Grade 1 | 2 miles 1/2 furlong | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | COLLIER BAY | Graham Bradley | Jim Old | Mr W E Sturt 9/1 |
| 2 | ALDERBROOK | Richard Dunwoody | Kim Bailey | Mr E Pick 10/11 fav |
| 3 | PRIDWELL | Chris Maude | Martin Pipe | Jones, Berstock, Fleet 33/1 |
| 4 | DANOLI | Tommy Treacy | Thomas Foley (Ire) | Mr D J O'Neill 5/1 |
| 5 | SQUIRE SILK | Jason Titley | Andy Turnell | Sir Robert Ogden 20/1 |
| 6 | MYSILV | Jamie Osborne | Charles Egerton | Elite Racing Club 7/1 |
| 7 | BORO EIGHT | Richard Johnson | Venetia Williams | Benson, Murphy, Allen 100/1 |
| 8 | STAUNCH FRIEND | Peter Niven | Mark Tompkins | Mr B Schmidt-Bodner 66/1 |
| 9 | HOTEL MINELLA | Charlie Swan | Aidan O'Brien (Ire) | Mr John E Nallen 10/1 |
| 10 | LAND AFAR | Mick Fitzgerald | Paul Webber | Mr T J Ford 25/1 |
| 11 | CHIEF MINISTER | Tony Dobbin | Thomas Dyer | Mr G Shiel 100/1 |
| 12 | RIGHT WIN | Graham McCourt | Richard Hannon | Conal Kavanagh 25/1 |
| 13 | KISSAIR | Jonathan Lower | Martin Pipe | Mr Terry Benson 66/1 |
| 14 | ABSALOM'S LADY | Tony McCoy | David Elsworth | Whitcombe Manor Racing 66/1 |
| 15 | MUSE | Paul Holley | David Elsworth | White Horse Racing 100/1 |
| 16 | MACK THE KNIFE | David Bridgwater | Martin Pipe | Mr D & G Mercer 33/1 |
| Over round 127% | ||||
| This race was run on Tuesday 12th March 1996 when Collier Bay beat Alderbrook and Pridwell by 2 1/2 lengths and 6 lengths | ||||
