Day One - 15:30

Champion Hurdle

Champion Hurdle Betting Odds

The Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, run over two miles and featuring eight hurdles for the runners and riders to navigate. As one of the most prestigious races in the National Hunt calendar, it is highly anticipated by punters with the Cheltenham roar in full flow on day one of the festival.

The 2024 Champion Hurdle has already made headlines with the news that Nicky Henderson’s defending champion and unbeaten favourite Constitution Hill is a doubt this year.

Regardless, the provisional field contains no shortage of runners who will be looking to seize the day, such as Willie Mullins’ State Man.

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History of the race

Constitution Hill’s effortless display in the 2023 Champion Hurdle saw many talk of him as potentially one of the greatest hurdlers of all time, as he romped clear of State Man to finish nine lengths clear. The pair are due to battle it out again in 2024, provided Constitution Hill can overcome the health problems discovered during a routine gallop at Kempton.

Some of the best hurdlers of all time have won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, with many triumphing on more than one occasion.

Five horses have won the race on three occasions, with all winning in consecutive years. They are:

Hatton’s Grace (1949, 1950, 1951)
Sir Ken (1952, 1953, 1954)
Persian War (1968, 1969, 1970)
See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987)
Istbraq (1998, 1999, 2000)

It is not just legendary horses that have made their name in this race – some of the sport’s greatest jockeys have had success here too, including Ruby Walsh, Tim Molony and Barry Geraghty, who all hold the record for most wins with three.

Nicky Henderson has the most wins (nine) as a trainer with JP McManus the leading owner with nine victories of his own.