Irish Champion Hurdle

Next Running: 25th January 2009

The AIG Europe Champion Hurdle is one of the principal races of the year for the top Irish hurdlers. It takes place at Leopardstown racecourse in Ireland, every January.

The race is a major trial for Cheltenham, and will feature horses near the top of the betting for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Winners of the major hurdle races earlier in the season in Ireland (such as the Hattons Grace and Morigiana Hurdles) are likely to run here.

As it is a trial for Cheltenham, and more precisely the Champion Hurdle, or even the SunAlliance Hurdle, some of the very best hurdlers will be present, and the field is often small.

It's quite common to see a superstar go off long odds-on in this race, and favourites have a very good record in this race - infact ove a 70% strike rate, so don't look too far down the betting unless you fancy a good each way shot.

Race Facts
Age Limit	4yo+
Distance	2m
Entrants	Open

Paddy Power are offering a £25 Free Bet on this event for new customers!

Previous Winners of the Irish Champion Hurdle

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
2008	Sizing Europe	A. McNamara	H De Bromhead	10/3
2007	Hardy Eustace	C O´Dwyer	D T Hughes	9-1
2006	Brave Inca	A P McCoy	C A Murphy	6-5f
2005	Macs Joy	B J Geraghty	Mrs John Harrington	11-8f
2004	Foreman	T Doumen	T Doumen	8-1
2003	Like-A-Butterfly	C F Swan	C Roche	6-4f
2002	Ned Kelly	N Williamson	E J O´Grady	11-8f
2001	Istabraq	A P O´Brien	C F Swan	4-11f
2000	Istabraq	A P O´Brien	C F Swan	2-9f
1999	Istabraq	A P O´Brien	C F Swan	8-15f
1998	Istabraq	A P O´Brien	C F Swan	4-11f

Other Horse Races

Scilly Isles Chase (31st January 2009)
Aon Chase (7th February 2009)
Totesport Trophy (7th February 2009)
Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (8th February 2009)
Kingwell Hurdle (14th February 2009)

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