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.
Lloyds Bank Hurdle 1978 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 FLAME GUN Mr Niall Madden Eddie O'Grady Ire Mrs M Kenny 14/1
2 PETERHOF Bill Smith Fulke Walwyn Mr H Gould 4/1
3 LACSON Richard Linley R Hawker Mr R Hawker 15/1
4 CHINRULLAH Dessie Hughes Mick O'Toole Ire Mrs R Eastwood 7/2 fav
5 PUEBLO John Francome Fred Winter Mrs I Dewhurst 10/1
6 ALBURY LAD Philip Blacker Stan Mellor Mr W Whitbread 33/1
7 JOHN CHERRY Steve Smith Eccles H Thomson Jones Mr M Ritzenberg 4/1
8 DRUMGORA T McGivern M Cunningham Ire Mr D Monahan 5/1
9 BANSWARA Mr P Coveney Henry De Bromhead Ire Mrs Henry De Bromhead 8/1
10 ROMANY COUNT E McDonald Arthur Moore Ire Mr P McCaughey 16/1
11 COMEDY OF ERRORS Johnny Burke Fred Rimell Mr E Wheatley 20/1
12 TRUE LAD D Cartwright W Swainson Mrs E Swainson 33/1
13 GAMBLING PRINCE H J Evans J P Jones Mr J P Jones 33/1
      Over round 131%
This race was held on Wednesday 16th March 1978 when Flame Gun beat Peterhof and Lacson by 2 1/2 lengths and 3 lengths