Champion Hurdle Tips, Odds, Free Bets, Betting Offers & Preview

Updated: January 23, 2025 at 1:01 pm GMT+0

The Champion Hurdle is the championship contest for the very best two-mile hurdlers, and it has been won by some of the greatest horses in jump racing history, including See You Then and Istabraq, both three-time winners.

The Irish have won seven of the last 13 Champion Hurdles, but it was a winner for Britain in 2023 when Constitution Hill romped home to an easy success, giving trainer Nicky Henderson his fourth win in the race in the last seven runnings.

The feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival and the second biggest race of the entire meeting behind the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so it’s a contest not to miss

Read on to find our Champion Hurdle betting offers, tips, odds and free bets for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.


Race Details
When:Tuesday, March 12th - 3:30pm
Winner’s Prize:£262,078
Distance:Two-miles & half-a-furlong
Race Type:Grade 1 Hurdle
Age:4-Years+
Course:Old Course
Weights:11st 2lb (4yo), 11st 10lb (5yo+), 7lb allowance for fillies and mares
Where to Watch?ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams

Champion Hurdle Betting Offers & Free Bets

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Champion Hurdle Tips

The feature race of day one of the Cheltenham Festival and a race that often sets the tone of the day for punters.

Check out who our three tipsters fancy in the big race below.

Alan Kelly - Nemean Lion (W/O State Man)

With reigning champion Constitution Hill’s non-participation, this should be fairly straightforward for the second-best hurdler in training, the Willie Mullins-trained State Man.

Those looking for an interest in an each-way alternative to the favourite could do worse than Kerry Lee’s Nemean Lion, who has every chance of finishing in the frame.

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Charlie McCann - Zarak The Brave (W/O State Man)

State Man cannot be opposed in a poor running of the Champion Hurdle, but he makes little appeal as a betting medium.

Five-year-olds have a poor record in the race but the 13/2 for Zarak The Brave in the market without State Man was the nearest I got to a recommendation. No bet for me though.


Ed Quigley - Zarak The Brave (W/O State Man)

This really is a bit of a non-event in the eyes of many people and should be a straightforward assignment for STATE MAN to go one better than last year without Constitution Hill making the gig.

If looking for a forecast angle, Zarak The Brave will probably be ridden cold in order to pick up the pieces, and he can follow home his more illustrious stable mate here.

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Champion Hurdle Betting Odds

With the reigning champion Constitution Hill absent this year due to ill health, State Man is strongly fancied to land Champion Hurdle success for Ireland.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old has won all three of his races this year and, having chased home Constitution Hill in 2023, looks set to be crowned champion in 2024.


What Happened Last Year?

Constitution Hill arrived at the Cheltenham Festival with a lofty reputation and an unbeaten career record on the line and was sent off the 4/11 favourite for the Champion Hurdle.

And the race was never in doubt for the Nicky Henderson-trained horse, running out a comfortable nine-length winner under jockey Nico de Boinville from State Man in second place.


Champion Hurdle Key Race Stats

  • 9 of the last 14 winners were favourites or joint-favourites
  • 10 of the last 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8
  • 11 out of the last 13 winners won on their last outing

Previous Winners of the Champion Hurdle

Here are the last five winners of the Champion Hurdle, one of the most prestigious races in jump racing.

YearWinner
2023Constitution Hill
2022Honeysuckle
2021Honeysuckle
2020Epatante
2019Espoir D’Allen

FAQs

Who will win the Champion Hurdle 2024?

Winner of the race in 2023, Constitution Hill is the antepost favourite for the 2024 renewal based on the current odds.

What day is the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham?

The Champion Hurdle is the feature race of the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. In 2024, this race will take place on Tuesday, March 12th.

What distance is the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The Champion Hurdle race distance is two miles and 87 yards with eight flights of hurdles to be jumped.
Who won the Champion Hurdle in 2023?

Constitution Hill won the 2023 Champion Hurdle at odds of 4/11 for trainer Nicky Henderson.

What time is the Champion Hurdle?

The scheduled start time for the Champion Hurdle is 3:30pm.

What is the purse for the Champion Hurdle?

In 2023, the Champion Hurdle total prize fund was £337,500, with £189,911 going to the winner.


More Cheltenham Tips

Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 1 races:

Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Arkle Challenge Trophy
Ultima Handicap Chase
Champion Hurdle
Mares' Hurdle
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
National Hunt Chase

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Scott Mcglynn

Scott Mcglynn

Scott is an experienced betting content writer supplying content to major bookmakers and several sports betting websites. His passions are horse racing and Scottish football, and he’s a regular attendee at racetracks at home and abroad.

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