Stayers Hurdle (World Hurdle/Spa Hurdle)

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 The Stayers Hurdle, also known as the World Hurdle, is an important Grade 1 race over 3 miles, but started off as the Stayers Selling Hurdle in 1912, which in turn was replaced by the Spa Hurdle in 1939, albeit over just 2 miles, but in 1942 it was increased to 3 miles as a stayers race, although the Spa Hurdle was also staged as a one-off in 1923.
Early history:-Whilst it is difficult to put a precise date on when this race was first run, a 3 mile stayers hurdle was contested at the second Festival meeting in 1912, although it was a selling race on Wednesday 13th March 1912 when won by Aftermath (11/10 fav) owned by Mr J W Pullen, trained by Newey and ridden by Alf Newey, beating Port Meadow (100/8) and Borodino (10/1) by 15 lengths and 2 lengths.

Over the entire history of the race 38% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 4th 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 £80 profit, placing the race 3rd of the current 28 races.
Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 18% of occasions, placing the race 20th of the 28 current races.
Spa Hurdle 1956 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 STROLLER H Sprague M V O'Brien Ireland Mr H Lane 7/2
2 KILKILOGUE P Crotty R Patton Ireland Mr R Patton 25/1
3 LUCKY DOME T P Burns M V O'Brien Ireland Mr J Wood 4/1
4 DON'S FANCY Fred Winter L Scott Mr L Scott 5/2 fav
5 TIGER WILLIAM J Power W Easterby Mr H Mumford-Smith 25/1
6 LEGEND LORE T Molony W Stephenson Mr W Clowes 100/8
7 FULBROOK R Morrow Kilpatrick Mr D Mackinnon 100/7
8 CROWN LANDS A Freeman Perryman Mrs J Rogerson 100/6
9 TAZA II Dave Dick T Hanbury Mr T Hanbury 100/6
10 ICE TRICK T Cullen McMullen Mr C Cameron 20/1
11 TWINING HILL Jumbo Wilkinson Charlie Fawcus Mr L Pitman 25/1
12 LE VOYAGEUR Michael Scudamore Gordon-Bowsher Mrs Z E Lambert 100/8
13 WINTER ROMANCE J Clarke J Clarke Mrs A Johnston 25/1
14 LE CAPITAN P Marsh Morant Mr P Herbert 25/1
15 MANDARIN R Emery Fulke Walwyn Mme K Hennessey 25/1
16 SIMON DE MONTFORT Ron Atkinson S Warren Mr L Albertini 25/1
17 DUSKY RUTH S Pinch F Ash Mr F Ash 25/1
18 GOOD BERTH Jack Dowdeswell Payne-Gallwey Mrs R Craven 25/1
19 PROFITEER C Suffield C Suffield Mr C Suffield 25/1
20 STRAIGHT FELLA J M Kirk Langley Mr W Maskell 25/1
      Over round 154%
This race was held on Thursday 8th March 1956 when Stroller beat Kilkilogue and Lucky Dome by a short head and 2 lengths