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 1961 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SPARKLING FLAME H Beasley Brian Marshall Mr C Balding 9/4 fav
2 DUKE OF YORK Mr D Scott Tilling Mr J Tilling 5/2
3 BANDALORE Derek Ancil Wright Mrs Wright 13/2
4 ROUGE SCOT J J Rafferty Ireland Mr J Brislane 100/6
5 BRIDAL CHOICE G W Robinson J Cox L Gottlieb 9/1
6 NICKLO DICKLO H J East W A Stephenson Mr H Lane 50/1
7 ERRIGAL Tim Brookshaw Kilpatrick Lt-Col R B Mills 50/1
8 REGAL SPLENDOUR P Pickford Potter Mr L Potter 50/1
9 MELDRING P Powell B Smith Ireland Mr W Morton 100/8
10 LOCH SLOY M Batchelor Wight Mrs M-Green 33/1
11 BIRIKIANA J Lehane Wilesmith Mr C Wilesmith 50/1
12 SEA CASH E P Harty Boud Mr M Cowley 50/1
13 DON ALYCID David Nicholson H K Jones Mr H K Jones 50/1
14 WATERFALL Mr H McCalmont Harvey Leader Miss Leader 100/9
15 DEVONPORT Pat Taaffe A Barclay Miss MacGregor 50/1
      Over round 122%
This race was held on Thursday 9th March 1961 when Sparkling Flame beat Duke of York and Bandalore by a neck and 15 lengths