2021 Champion Hurdle Tips
The feature Championship race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival is the Unibet Champion Hurdle. First run at Cheltenham back in 1927, this two mile Grade One has been won by all of the best hurdlers to ever grace the sport, and a thrilling renewal of the Champion Hurdle is all-but-guaranteed in 2021.
2021 Champion Hurdle Key Facts
| Date | Tuesday 16th March, 2021 |
| Time | 3:30pm |
| Course | Cheltenham Festival |
| Status | Grade One |
| Distance | 2m |
| Prize Pool | £450k |
| Age | 4YO+ |
2021 Champion Hurdle Odds
2021 Champion Hurdle Tips
Topping the betting we find Epatante, who will attempt to join the illustrious list of two-time Champion Hurdle winners in 2021. Nicky Henderson's mare will face stiff competition from Goshen, who would have won the Triumph had it not been for a final hurdle tumble, and narrow Supreme runner-up, Abacadabras.
We'll have a range of tips for the 2021 Champion Hurdle up on the site when the new National Hunt season starts.
We'll have a range of tips for the 2021 Champion Hurdle up on the site when the new National Hunt season starts.
2021 Champion Hurdle Entries
Epatante is one of seven Nicky Henderson horses entered in the 2021 Champion Hurdle. Former winner, Buveur D'Air is in, along with former Festival winners Pentland Hills and Dame De Compagnie. Marie's Rock, Allart and Chantry House have also been given an entry.
Silver Streak, who defeated Epatante in stunning fashion in the Christmas Hurdle, will make his third appearance in the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
Song For Somone got the better of Silver Streak in the International Hurdle, and Tom Symonds has given his charge the chance to make his Cheltenham Festival debut.
Sharjah and Saint Roi are two of Willie Mullins Champion Hurdle contenders. They could be joined in the field by Cilaos Emery, Burning Victory, Klassical Dream and Saldier, after they were handed entries. Mares' Hurdle contenders, Concertista and Benie Des Dieux have also been handed Champion Hurdle entries.
Gordon Elliott has Abacadabras and Aramax in the mix. Henry De Bromhead accounts for four of the 29 entries, with Aspire Tower, Jason The Militant, Captain Guinness and Mares' Hurdle favourite, Honeysuckle all included.
Goshen and Botox Has could both represent Gary Moore. Darver Star has been entered by Gavin Cromwell, while Ribble Valley and Coeur Sublime have also been given an entry in this year's Champion Hurdle.
2020 Champion Hurdle Result
| Position | Name | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Epatante | 2/1f |
| 2nd | Sharjah | 16/1 |
| 3rd | Darver Star | 17/2 |
| 4th | Cilaos Emery | 7/1 |
| 5th | Petit Mouchoir | 25/1 |
Champion Hurdle Day Card
| Time | Title | Status | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30pm | Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Grade One | 2m |
| 2:10pm | Arkle Challenge Trophy Novice's Chase | Grade One | 2m |
| 2:50pm | Ultima Handicap Chase | Grade Three Handicap | 3m |
| 3:30pm | Champion Hurdle | Grade One | 2m |
| 4:10pm | Mares' Hurdle | Grade One | 2m 4f |
| 4:50pm | Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Grade Three Handicap | 2m |
| 5:30pm | National Hunt Chase | Grade Two | 3m 6f |
Champion Hurdle History
The highlight on day one of the Cheltenham Festival is the Champion Hurdle. This Championship race was first run at Cheltenham in 1927, and the Champion Hurdle has been won by many of the sport's greatest names.
Brown Jack won the second running of the Champion Hurdle in 1928. He went on to win the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot for six years on the bounce, as well as victories in the Goodwood Cup, Doncaster Cup and the Ebor.
Insurance was the first two-time winner of the Champion Hurdle, securing back to back wins in 1932 and '33. National Spirit repeated that feat in the late 1940s, before the great Hatton's Grace reeled off a hat-trick of Champion Hurdle triumphs between 1949 and 1951.
The following year, Sir Ken began his own sequence of three Champion Hurdle wins. Other three-time winners include Persian War, See You Then and Instabraq, who secured his hat-trick of victories right at the end of the 20th century.
Four jockeys have won the Champion Hurdle on four separate occasions. Tim Molony rode both Hatton's Grace and Sir Kien, Gold Cup winning jockey Ruby Walsh rode four winners for Willie Mullins, scoring on Faugheen, Annie Power and twice aboard the great Hurricane Fly.
Three of Barry Geraghty's four victories came on Nicky Henderson horses. Henderson is the most successful trainer in the history of the Champion Hurdle, having saddled the winner eight times Whenever you read any Cheltenham Festival tips, Nicky Henderson's name will appear regularly.
Hardy Eustace stole the hearts of the nation with back-to-back Champion Hurdle wins in the mid-2000s. Hurricane Fly was the next superstar to come out of the Champion Hurdle, handing Willie Mullins his first and second victories in 2011 and '13.
Buveur D'Air then secured back-to-back wins for Geraghty and Henderson in 2017 and '18. With his former winner on the sidelines, Henderson turned to top mare Epatante in 2020, and she powered home under Geraghty to secure an impressive victory over four of Ireland's best.
Champion Hurdle Winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Epatante |
| 2019 | Epsoir D'Allen |
| 2018 | Buveur D'Air |
| 2017 | Buveur D'Air |
| 2016 | Annie Power |
| 2015 | Faugheen |
| 2014 | Jezki |
| 2013 | Hurricane Fly |
| 2012 | Rock Of Ruby |
| 2011 | Hurricane Fly |
| 2010 | Binocular |
| 2009 | Punjabi |
| 2008 | Katchit |
| 2007 | Sublimity |
| 2006 | Brave Inca |
| 2005 | Hardy Eustace |
| 2004 | Hardy Eustace |
| 2003 | Rooster Booster |
| 2002 | Hors La Loi III |
Champion Hurdle FAQs
When is the Champion Hurdle?
The Champion Hurdle will be run at 3:30pm on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 16th March.
What is the Champion Hurdle?
The Champion Hurdle is the feature Championship race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. It was first staged in 1927 and is run over a two-mile trip.
Who won the Champion Hurdle?
The 2020 Champion Hurdle was won by Epatante, who handed Nicky Henderson his eighth victory in good style.
Who's the favourite for the Champion Hurdle?
Defending Champion, Epatante leads the ante-post betting. Goshen and abacadabras also feature near the head of the betting.
Where can I watch the Champion Hurdle?
The 2021 Champion Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. If you want to watch the race live on your mobile or tablet, check out our Live Streaming page.
