Betfair Hurdle Odds

Betfair Hurdle Odds

The Betfair Hurdle is widely regarded as one of the most competitive handicap hurdle races on the National Hunt calendar, and it will see a host of novice hurdlers take their chance against some proven handicappers in a thrilling betting. You can check out the 2020 Betfair Hurdle odds here when they are available...

Betfair Hurdle Tips

With some exciting, emerging novice hurdlers lining up against proven handicappers, the Betfair Hurdle looks as competitive as ever. However, if Elixir De Nutz can find the form that saw him sparkle on the big stage last season - winning the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices' Hurdle at Sandown - he has to be considered a lively contender for glory on a sparkling Newbury card.

What is the Betfair Hurdle?

The Betfair Hurdle is a Grade 3 handicap hurdle, which takes place at Newbury racecourse in early February, and can prove to be a key indicator for the likes of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival a month later.

Run over two miles and 69 yards, the Betfair Hurdle is open to horses aged four years or older, and can attract a host of emerging novice hurdlers looking to use the race as a spring board to Graded company, while it's also a race that attracts a host of proven talented hurdlers, who are aiming to land the valuable prize of winning the event.

What happened in the 2020 Betfair Hurdle?

A bumper field of 24 runners lined up with the Willie Mullins-trained Ciel De Niege well backed into the race favourite, but the Irish runner had to settle for second spot with the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D'Orhy outbattling him up the straight to take the coveted prize at 33/1.

Travelling serenely for Harry Cobden, Pic D'Orhy jumped impeccably all the way round, and then was unleashed by Cobden to win the race after the last flight and he managed to pass Ciel De Niege in the final furlong with the Closutton runner holding on for second spot, while 66/1 outsider Remiluc claiming third spot with Sir Valentine finishing in fourth.

The history of the Betfair Hurdle

Established in 1963, the Betfair Hurdle was first run at Aintree racecourse and was known as the Schweppes Gold Trophy, and since then has been a premier handicap hurdle on the calendar for trainers, and was often used as a stepping stone to the Cheltenham Festival.

Taken over by the Tote in 1987, it was then known as the Tote Gold Trophy and Totesport Trophy before it was taken over by Betfair, and it become known under its current guise of the Betfair Hurdle from 2012.

The Champion Hurdle is often a race targeted by those Betfair Hurdle winners and Persian War (1968) and Take A Stand (1997) won the race before going on to win the Champion Hurdle, while the Supreme Novices' Hurdle is another race that novice winners of the race can go on to contest at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Who is the most iconic winner of the Betfair Hurdle?

As mention before, Persian War and Make A Stand won the Betfair Hurdle before going on to Champion Hurdle victory, so they have to be regarded as iconic winners of the race, while more recently the classy duo of Zarkandar (2012) and My Tent Or Yours (2013) were impressive winners of the race who both went on to win Graded contests.

Are there any trials for the Betfair Hurdle?

With novice hurdlers clashing with proven, experienced performers then it's hard to pinpoint trial races for the Betfair Hurdle, as horses can use a whole host of races to warm up for this test. So, in terms of trials then it's a race that may be worth looking for from a form point of you when the declarations are made, but the ante-post betting will be available weeks before the race.

Who is the most successful jockey in the Betfair Hurdle?

The legendary Josh Gifford is the most successful jockey in the race, and astonishingly he rode four of the first five winners of the race. Landing the prize in 1963 with Rosyth, that same pairing retained their crown in 1964. Wins in 1966 and 1967 enhanced Gifford's superb record in the race.

Who is the most successful trainer in the Betfair Hurdle?

Nicky Henderson has a stunning record in the race and having landed his first winner as a trainer in 1998 with Sharpical the Seven Barrows handler has trained the winner five times. Geos (2000), Landing Light (2001), Geos (2004) and My Tent Or Yours (2013) are Henderson's other winners in the races, and he is sure to have leading challengers for the race as the race continues to light up Newbury.