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 1958 Handicap 3 miles (2 miles)
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SPRINGSILVER H Beasley C Magnier Ire Mrs M Magnier 5/2 fav
2 PX Mr John Lawrence Machin Mrs N Pawson 20/1
3 HURRY HOME M Batchelor Wight Captain A Hall Watt 100/7
4 MISTY VISION T Molony Fred Rimell Mr T Richardson 100/7
5 FAIR LEGEND H Sprague C Mitchell Mr D Fisher 100/6
6 WEE MCGREGOR J Gilbert J Goldsmith Mr J R Crockett 25/1
7 STARCLIF Mr John Sutcliffe W Stephenson Mr M Gilmore 25/1
8 LADY BRAVE M Pumfrey Doherty Mrs E M Price 100/7
9 RATHRORAN Fred Winter Kilpatrick Mrs G Kohn 9/2
10 BONHOMIE K Boulton E Cousins Mr J E Wood 7/1
11 PENTATHLON G Slack Rebanks Mr N Rebanks 9/1
12 DANDY SCOT Banks Todd Mr S C Banks 100/9
13 PELARGOS T P Burns Vincent O'Brien Ire Mr M V O'Brien 100/8
14 COOL RECEPTION G Milburn Bewicke Lady Cadogan 100/7
15 MIDDAIR Tim Brookshaw Hide Mr A J Allen 100/6
16 SHAH SOLIMAN G Scott Neville Crump Mr C W Jackson 20/1
17 PARADISE BEACH Stan Mellor G R Owen Mr M A Johnson 20/1
18 NID D'ABEILLES C O'Connor Morant Mr J Morant 25/1
19 MIXIES FIDDLE J Tierman J Roberts Mrs S Martyn 25/1
20 NON-STOP S Boot T Jarvis Lady P Fairweather 25/1
21 DEFENDER Black H Cross Mr A Black 25/1
22 MAZARH R Curson J Sale Mr J F Sale 25/1
        Over round 168%
This race was staged on Tuesday 11th March 1958 when Springsilver beat PX and Hurry Home by 1 length and 3 lengths