Birdlip Handicap Hurdle

The Birdlip Selling Hurdle first took place as a 2-mile selling hurdle at the 1952 Festival and continued to be run over that distance for the next 6 years, but in 1958 it was extended to 3 miles. Prior to 1952 the Birdlip Selling Hurdle and Birdlip Selling Steeplechase had, from time to time, been a part of the April meeting. The Birdlip Selling Chase was run annually up to 1939, but after the war the Birdlip Selling Hurdle was occasionally run at that April meeting, although in 1950 it was earmarked to make its debut on the Wednesday of the Festival meeting unless a race had to be divided. A race was divided, and two more years elapsed before it took its place on the Festival card. On the third anniversary of the race it was won by Mull Sack, a rare hurdle victory for Lester Piggott, and when it was run for the final time in 1962 it was won by St Stephen ridden by Fred Winter, who later celebrated so many victories as a trainer. In 1963 the Birdlip Hurdle was replaced by the George Duller Hurdle which, in due course, was replaced by the Pertemps Hurdle.

Early history:- The inaugural running of the Birdlip Selling Hurdle took place on Wednesday 5th March 1952 when won by Dankali (7/2) trained by W Pearson and ridden by Mr J K Oliver, beating Michael Collins (20/1) and Rouge Et Noir (100/9) by 4 lengths and a neck.
Birdlip Handicap Hurdle 1957 Handicap 3 miles (2 miles)
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BUCKINGHAM H Sprague Nicholson Miss Dorothy Paget 4/1 fav
2 PENTATHLON T Mallorie Rebanks Mr H Rebanks 100/6
3 SEDGEBROOK P Wingham H Whiteman Colonel J Thomson 20/1
4 LUMIERE G Underwood A Jones Mrs Arthur Jones 7/1
5 ROYAL RESULT W Rees S Warren Mr S Hoddinott 11/2
6 DON'S FANCY Mr W Scott L Scott Mr L G Scott 15/2
7 MISTY VISION Tim Brookshaw Fred Rimell Mr T Richardson 8/1
8 FIRE FLOAT T Molony Machin Mrs R M Mason 10/1
9 MARCILLY Fred Winter H Ryan Price Major J D Wigan 10/1
10 SCOTTISH FAITH T Redmond F Hunter Mr T Venn 100/8
11 AILEEN'S CACADOR Jimmy Lindley Perks Mr C G Perks 100/6
12 PERLE FINE VII Mr B Mullins W Lewis Mr W Lewis 20/1
13 DIEGO RUBIO J Hunter L Scott Mr L G Scott 20/1
14 LEGEND LORE R Curson W Stephenson Mr W Clowes 20/1
15 TIFAS D H Clarke S Warren Mr Joseph Bennett 20/1
16 MIDALSA Mr J Morphet Morphet Mrs J Morphet 20/1
17 DILAZAR F Dever W H White Mr W H White 20/1
PU WAR WHOOP L McMorrow Bacon Mr A W Bacon 20/1
PU YES TODAY N P Morrissey Banner Mr F A Hall 20/1
        Over round 153%
This race was staged on Tuesday 12th March 1957 when Buckingham beat Pentathlon and Sedgebrook by a neck and head