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 Wednesday 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. |
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| Champion Hurdle 1952 | Grade 1 | 2 miles 1/2 furlong | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | SIR KEN | Tim Molony | W Stephenson | Mr M Kingsley 3/1 fav |
| 2 | NOHOLME | Bryan Marshall | Wootton | Mr Stan Wootton 100/7 |
| 3 | APPROVAL | D Dillon | Vic Smyth | Mr L A Abelson 9/1 |
| 4 | NATIONAL SPIRIT | T Mabbutt | Vic Smyth | Mr L A Abelson 20/1 |
| 5 | CHASSEUR | Tim Brookshaw | G R Owen | Mr J B Binmore 33/1 |
| 6 | HATTON'S GRACE | Mr A S O'Brien | Vincent O'Brien (Ire) | Mrs M Keogh 13/2 |
| 7 | WYE FLY | Fred Winter | Ireland | Mrs E J Lewis 100/8 |
| 8 | AVERAGE | Aubrey Brabazon | W Hall | Mr Clifford Nicholson 100/7 |
| 9 | ROYAL OAK IV | R Black | de Moraville | Mr J F Phillipps 100/7 |
| 10 | CLONCAW | B Cooper | Ireland | Mr P Rafter 33/1 |
| 11 | PENNY ON THE JACK | T P Burns | Ireland | Mr A A Thorne 33/1 |
| 12 | RICHARD LOUIS | R Greenaway | Walter Nightingall | Colonel F T Halse 33/1 |
| 13 | HUNZA | P Taylor | P Taylor | Mrs J N M Hamilton 20/1 |
| 14 | FELLAH II | J Gilbert | Lescalle (Fr) | M D Lescalle 100/7 |
| 15 | TELEGRAM II | D V Dick | Fulke Walwyn | Miss Dorothy Paget 9/1 |
| 16 | FARAD | R Emery | Riordan | Marquis de Portage 20/1 |
| Over round 121% | ||||
| This race was run on Tuesday 4th March 1952 when Sir Ken beat Noholme and Approval by 3 lengths and 4 lengths | ||||
