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 2006 Grade 1 2 miles 1/2 furlong
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BRAVE INCA Tony McCoy Colm Murphy (Ire) Novices Syndicate 7/4 fav
2 MACS JOY Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington (Ire) Macs J Racing Syndicate 13/2
3 HARDY EUSTACE Conor O'Dwyer Dessie Hughes (Ire) Mr Laurence Byrne 11/2
4 AL EILE Timmy Murphy John Queally (Ire) Mr M A Ryan 8/1
5 ARCALIS Graham Lee Howard Johnson Andrea & Graham Wylie 9/1
6 BRIAREUS Thomas Greenall Andrew Balding Miss E J Lambourne 20/1
7 KAWAGINO Jamie Moore Seamus Mullins (Ire) Mr K J Pike 500/1
8 FAASEL Tony Dobbin Nicky Richards Mr Jim Ennis 16/1
9 THE FRENCH FURZE Brian Harding Nicky Richards Mr Jim Ennis 150/1
10 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE Tom Scudamore Tom Gollings Mr J W Webb 100/1
11 INTERSKY FALCON Mick Fitzgerald Jonjo O'Neill Ineterskyracing 66/1
12 ADMIRAL Paul O'Neill Richard Guest Mr Willie McKay 150/1
13 ASTONVILLE Ben Hitchcott Phillippe Cottin (Fr) Mrs C Morgan 500/1
14 FIEPES SHUFFLE Paul Carberry Christian von der Recke (Ger) Stall Jenny 50/1
15 LEO'S LUCKYMAN John McNamara Roger Brookhouse Elite Racing Club 500/1
16 TURNIUM James Davies Phillippie Cottin (Fr) Mrs C A Moore 500/1
17 ASIAN MAZE Ruby Walsh Thomas Mullins (Ire) Mr F G Wilson 12/1
18 PENZANCE Robert Thornton Alan King Mrs S J Brookhouse 40/1
        Over round 111%
This race was run on Tuesday 14th March 2006 when Brave Inca beat Macs Joy and Hardy Eustace by 1 length and 3 1/2 lengths