Pulse Racing
Champion Hurdle

Detailed race analysis for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

RACE SUMMARY

The feature race of day one on Champions Day at the Festival.

First run in 1927, the Champion Hurdle is the premier championship race for two-mile hurdlers and one of the most prestigious races in National Hunt racing.

Won by Blaris in its inaugural running, it is a Grade 1 hurdle for horses aged four and older.

Run on Cheltenham’s Old Course over 2 miles horses jump eight flights of hurdles. The race is run at level weights, with allowances for younger horses and fillies and mares.

WINNING PROFILE

AVERAGE AGE

6.7

161

AVERAGE OFFICIAL RATING

AVERAGE HURDLE RUNS PRIOR

8.4

PATH TO CHELTENHAM

The following races have produced the most Champion Hurdle winners since 2016:

(4) Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown, February)
(3) Christmas Hurdle (Kempton, December)
(2) Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (Fairyhouse, November)
(2) Morgiana Hurdle (Punchestown, November)
(2) Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle, Nov/Dec)
(2) Matheson / December Hurdle (Leopardstown, December)
(2) Contenders Hurdle (Sandown, February)

Number of horses that ran in these races and went on to win at Cheltenham that season in brackets.

Note that three Champion Hurdle winners had previous won the Mares' hurdle

TRAINER WINS

TRAINER S/R

Note: Scott & Cromwell are 1 win from 2 runners, hence 50%

WINS BY AGE

PULSE STOPPER

Since 2016 a total of thirty-nine horses wore some form of headgear. Until last year no horse had won (0/38) though Lossiemouth, in first time cheekpieces, collected her first Champion Hurdle.

Headgear should still be considered a major negative at a strike rate of 2.56%.

PULSE INSIGHT

Since 2016 six from eleven renewals have been won by mares. This is from a total of only fifteen mares running in the same period – a strike rate of 40%.

The average OR of the mares that have won is 158 and note they have a 7lb allowance. Excluding mares the average OR is 166, so worth considering both in context.

As highlighted, mares have an excellent record in the Champion Hurdle in recent years with a 40% strike rate since 2016. Older mares (7+) have a strong record with two 8-year-old winners.

Mullins has only run three mares run in the Champion Hurdle with two winners in Annie Power and Lossiemouth (67% strike rate).

Outside of mares, horses rated below 161 are one for eight-one (1.2%) and are best ignored. If including the allowance Golden Ace is the other exception winning of a mark of 144. (OR 159 the lowest other mares' winners mark)

Note: Eight-year-old mares have a 50% strike rate (2/4) and repeat winners are not uncommon.

PULSE EDGE

PULSE SUMMARY

Mares On Top

Since 2020 Mares have won five of the seven Champion Hurdles from only eleven entries, a strike rate of 45.5% and a return of £24 to £1 level stakes.

As highlighted in our Festival Form article six winners of the Champion Hurdle won at the prior years Festival, including repeat winners in Buveur D'air and Honeysuckle. If current Champion Hurdle winner Loissiemouth turns up she will be eight-years-old, which is also a strong trend with a 50% Mares strike rate at that age.

PULSE VERDICT

Pulse Rate

Mullins' Mares 2/3 | 66%

Pulse Stopper

Headgear 1/38 | 2.56%

Pulse Insight

Mares 6/15 | 40% | £24 to £1 level stakes

Pulse Edge

Mares Aged 8 2/4 | 50%

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ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026

Pulse Racing Champion Hurdle

Detailed race analysis for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival * note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.