Morgiana Hurdle Tips & Odds

Morgiana Hurdle Tips

You can check out our Morgiana Hurdle tips here...

The history of the Morgiana Hurdle

First run in 1988, the Morgiana Hurdle has increased in prestige ever since, and is considered a key early season trial for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Initially run over over a trip of two-and-a-half-miles, the Morgiana was dropped down to two miles in 1995. The race received a huge boost in 2006 when it was promoted to Grade 1 status, and it has been targeted by some of the best hurdlers in training ever since.

The Punchestown contest has been sponsored by various companies down the years, including Ballymore, Maplewood and Ladbrokes, and is currently run under the Unibet name as part of their sponsorship of the Champion Hurdle and some of its key trials.

Who is the most iconic winner of the Morgiana Hurdle?

The roll of honour for the Morgiana Hurdle is among the best in the sport, with a whole host of superstars claiming victory in the race at Punchestown over the years. Stand-out names include Moscow Flyer, Limestone Lad, Brave Inca and Faugheen, but it is the legendary Hurricane Fly who stands out.

The Willie Mullins horse was of course a dual winner of the Champion Hurdle during his best years, but he also managed three consecutive wins in the Morgiana Hurdle between 2012 and 2014. The iconic animal often used the race to start his season off, and he rarely disappointed his fans..

Are there any trials for the Morgiana Hurdle?

There are no clear trials for the Morgiana Hurdle given its early season position in the calendar, but there are some pointers available for punters looking to work out who might run in the race each year.

The previous season's edition is always the first place to start, as we have seen a number of multiple winners in recent years, while the same can be said of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Irish-trained horses that run well in that race at the Festival will often head to the Morgiana the following year.