Elite Hurdle Tips & Odds

Elite Hurdle Tips

Hardly a race that lives up to its name of Elite, with just three runners, however a chance should be taken on Aspire Tower for the in form Henry De Bromhead considering he receives six pounds from favourite Rubaud.

What is the Elite Hurdle? 

Run over just shy of two miles, the Elite Hurdle is a Grade 2 contest held at Wincanton in November, and traditionally acts as an early season indicator for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Paul Nicholls has an excellent record at his local track, and has won this race on seven occasions - most recently with Irving in 2015. 

What happened in the 2023 Elite Hurdle? 

Rubaud was a classy winner of the Elite Hurdle for Paul Nicholls, as the odds-on favourite beat Hansard comfortably in an impressive performance at Wincanton.

The history of the Elite Hurdle

Established in 1992, the Elite Hurdle was initially held at Cheltenham over slightly further than two miles, before being switched to Wincanton and its present distance in 1994. Although it is seen as an indicator for the Champion Hurdle, no horse has ever won the Elite Hurdle and then followed up at the Cheltenham Festival.

Who is the most iconic winner of the Elite Hurdle? 

Several notable names have won the Elite Hurdle over the years, though the most recognisable is perhaps the Paul Nicholls-trained Azertyuiop, who won the race back in 2001. Azertyuiop would prove to be a more talented chaser than a hurdler, winning the Arkle Challenge Trophy in 2003, before following up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase a year later.

Are there any trials for the Elite Hurdle? 

The Elite Hurdle is a traditional scene for a reappearance run, meaning that there are no trials as such for the race. It does however act as a platform to bigger and better things later in the season, and horses who take their chance in the Elite Hurdle tend to target races such as the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, the International Hurdle at Cheltenham, the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Aintree Hurdle.