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 2004 | Grade 1 | 2 miles 1/2 furlong | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | HARDY EUSTACE | Conor O'Dwyer | Dessie Hughes (Ire) | Mr Laurence Byrne 33/1 |
| 2 | ROOSTER BOOSTER | Richard Johnson | Philip Hobbs | Mr Terry Warner 11/8 fav |
| 3 | INTERSKY FALCON | L Cooper | Jonjo O'Neill | Interskyracing 8/1 |
| 4 | FOREMAN | Thiery Doumen | Francois Doumen (Fr) | Mr John P McManus 10/1 |
| 5 | WESTENDER | Tony McCoy | Martin Pipe | Mr Matt Archer 16/1 |
| 6 | FOTA ISLAND | David Casey | Mouse Morris | Mr John P McManus 50/1 |
| 7 | GOLDEN CROSS | Paul Carberry | M Halford | Mrs H Jackson 50/1 |
| 8 | RIGMAROLE | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | Mr & Mrs Mark Woodhouse 4/1 |
| 9 | SPECULAR | Barry Geraghty | Jonjo O'Neill | Mr John P McManus 14/1 |
| 10 | SELF DEFENSE | Barry Keniry | Emma Lavelle | Fraser Miller Racing 66/1 |
| 11 | HASTY PRINCE | Tony Dobin | Jonjo O'Neill | F F Racing Services 50/1 |
| 12 | LIMERICK BOY | Sam Thomas | Venetia Williams | Favourites Racing 16/1 |
| 13 | DAVENPORT MILENIUM | Timmy Murphy | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Mrs N O'Callaghan 25/1 |
| 14 | GEOS | Mick Fitzgerald | Nicky Henderson | Thurloe Finsbury 20/1 |
| Over round 121% | ||||
| This race was run on Tuesday 16th March 2004 when Hardy Eustace beat Rooster Booster and Intersky Falcon by 5 lengths and 4 lengths | ||||
