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.
Champion Hurdle 1997 Grade 1 2 miles 1/2 furlong
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MAKE A STAND Tony McCoy Martin Pipe Mr P A Deal 7/1
2 THEATREWORLD Norman Williamson Aidan O'Brien (Ire) Mrs John Magnier 33/1
3 SPACE TRUCKER J Shortt Jessica Harrington (Ire) Mrs E Queally 9/2
4 I'M SUPPOSIN Charlie Swan Kevin Prendergast (Ire) Mr Nicholas Cooper 13/2
5 HILL SOCIETY Jason Titley Noel Meade (Ire) Mr Pat Garvey 100/1
6 SANMARTINO Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson Khalid Abdullah 9/1
7 PRIDWELL Chris Maude Martin Pipe Jones, Berstock, Fleet 25/1
8 MOORISH David Bridgwater Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Adrian Fitzpatrick 100/1
9 COCKNEY LAD Jim Culloty Noel Meade (Ire) Mr D Daly 33/1
10 MISTINGUETT Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr John Duggan 33/1
11 ZABADI Richard Johnson David Nicholson Sceptre House Golf Society 100/1
12 DARDJINI Conor O'Dwyer Noel Meade (Ire) High Street Racing 50/1
13 BIMSEY Mick Fitzgerald Reg Akehurst Mr Aidan J Ryan 33/1
14 DREAMS END Rodney Farrant Peter Bowen Mr T G Price 50/1
15 GUEST PERFORMANCE Richard Hughes Dessie Hughes (Ire) Mr S Mulryan 100/1
16 COLLIER BAY Graham Bradley Jim Old Mr W E Sturt 4/1
17 LARGE ACTION Jamie Osborne Oliver Sherwood Mr B T Stewart Brown 7/2 fav
        Over round 120%
This race was run on Tuesday 11th March 1997 when Make A Stand beat Theatreworld and Space Trucker by 5 lengths and 3/4 lengths