Stayers Hurdle (World Hurdle/Spa Hurdle)

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The Stayers Hurdle, also known as the World Hurdle, is an important Grade 1 race over 3 miles, but started off as the Stayers Selling Hurdle in 1912, which in turn was replaced by the Spa Hurdle in 1939, albeit over just 2 miles, but in 1942 it was increased to 3 miles as a stayers race, although the Spa Hurdle was also staged as a one-off in 1923.
Early history:-Whilst it is difficult to put a precise date on when this race was first run, a 3 mile stayers hurdle was contested at the second Festival meeting in 1912, although it was a selling race on Wednesday 13th March 1912 when won by Aftermath (11/10 fav) owned by Mr J W Pullen, trained by Newey and ridden by Alf Newey, beating Port Meadow (100/8) and Borodino (10/1) by 15 lengths and 2 lengths.
Over the entire history of the race 38% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 4th 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 £80 profit, placing the race 3rd of the current 28 races.
Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 18% of occasions, placing the race 20th of the 28 current races.
Stayers Hurdle (World Hurdle/Spa Hurdle) 2011 Grade 1 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BIG BUCK'S Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family 10/11 fav
2 GRANDS CRUS Tom Scudamore David Pipe Roger Stanley, Yvonne Reynolds 7/2
3 MOURAD Paul Townend Willie Mullins (Ire) Teahon Consulting ltd 8/1
4 CROSS KENNON Alan O'Keeffe Jennie Candish P & Mrs G A Clarke 50/1
5 RIGOUR BACK BOB Andrew McNamara Eddie O'Grady (Ire) Chapman-Jones, McIntyre, Carroll 80/1
6 BERTIES DREAM A E Lynch Paul John Gilligan (Ire) Pursuing the Dream Partnership 50/1
7 ANY GIVEN DAY Jason Maguire Donald McCain T G Leslie 66/1
8 FIVEFORTHREE D J Casey Willie Mullins (Ire) Olde Crowbars Syndicate 12/1
9 RESTLESS HARRY Henry Oliver Robert Dickin R G Whitehead 40/1
10 POWERSTATION Davy Russell Eamon O'Connell (Ire) Fat Frog Syndicate 50/1
11 SOUFFLEUR Tom O'Brien Peter Bowen Bowen, Bryan, Timmins 100/1
12 ZAYNAR Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson Men in our Position 12/1
13 ASHKAZAR Timmy Murphy David Pipe The Johnson Family 22/1
        Over round 118%
This race was held on Thursday 17th March 2011 when Big Bucks beat Grands Crus and Mourad by 1 3/4 lengths and 2 3/4 lengths