Champion Hurdle 1955

Champion Hurdle

	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.

Champion Hurdle 1955			Grade 1	2 miles 1/2 furlong
Pos.	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Owner
1	CLAIR SOLEIL	Fred Winter	H Ryan Price	Mr G C Judd 5/2 fav
2	STROLLER	T P Burns	Vincent O'Brien (Ire)	Mr B Hamilton 7/2
3	CRUACHAN	G Slack	Renton	Mrs A C Leggatt 50/1
4	SIR KEN	Tim Molony	W Stephenson	Mr M Kingsley 11/2
5	FLAME ROYAL	Mr C Harty	Moroney	Mr L H Dowling 50/1
6	IMPNEY	M Pumfrey	Doherty	Mr S W Everitt 100/8
7	GREYSTOWN	Mr E Cousins	Eric Cousins	Mr J E Wood 50/1
8	QUITA QUE	P J Doyle	D Moore (Ire)	Mrs Leslie Brand 50/1
9	THE PILLS	Jack Dowdeswell	R-Stringer	Mr H C Nias 50/1
10	STRAIGHT QUILT	V Speck	Mr H W Smith	Mr H W Smith 50/1
11	PRINCE CHARLEMAGNE	Bryan Marshall	Bryan Marshall	Mr L Lipton 10/1
12	KENURE	Derek Ancil	Horton	Mrs L M Prior 33/1
13	ASSYNT	Aubrey Brabazon	D Morgan (Ire)	Lady Ursula Vernon 33/1
14	TORENO	Dick Francis	J C Waugh	Mr C A Blyth 8/1
15	SHILFORD	Pat Taaffe	Arm	Mr Arm 50/1
16	BANDIT KING	G Milburn	Bewicke	Mrs T G McAlpine 33/1
17	SYRTE	K Mullins	H Ryan Price	Sir G Munro 25/1
18	SASSANIAN MONARCH	D Weeden	R Read	Mr M Parker 50/1
19	TASMIN	J A Bullock	de Moraville	Mr N W Purvis 50/1
20	BRUNEL II	R Emery	de Moraville	Mr N W Purvis 50/1
21	TERRIBLE TURK	M O'Dwyer	Eric Cousins	Major T E Jesson 50/1
				Over round 128%
This race was run on Wednesday 9th March 1955 when Clair Soleil beat Stroller and Cruachan by a head and 4 lengths