The Champion Hurdle 2022 Betting Odds, Runners Preview

This is the championship contest for the very best two-mile hurdlers and it has been won by some of the greats including See You Then and Istabraq three times apiece. The Irish have won six of the last 11 Champion Hurdles.

The best trial races since 2010 have been the Irish Champion Hurdle (4 out of last 12 winners, 3 of those 4 won), the Christmas Hurdle (3 out of 12 winners, 2 of the 3 won, 1 placed) and the Contenders Hurdle (3 out of the last 12 winners).

What Happened in 2021?

Rachael Blackmore flew up the hill on Honeysuckle (11/10 fav) to become the first female jockey to win the Grade One Unibet Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the 2021.

Current Favourites

The main contenders, according to the latest odds, are:

Honeysuckle – 4/5 with bet365*

Trainer – Henry De Bromhead | Jockey – Rachael Blackmore | Age 8

The outstanding fore in hurdling, Honeysuckle was a spellbinding winner of this contest last year – following on from a romp in the Irish Champion Hurdle – and all things considered, she will take a huge amount of beating, especially as many of last season’s most promising novices are headed over fences. The one to beat.

Sharjah – 10/1 with Paddy Power

Trainer – Willie Mullins | Jockey – Patrick Mullins | Age 9

One of the more reliable horses in training, Sharjah was runner up to Honeysuckle both in this and the Punchestown version of the Champion Hurdle last season and appears to be as good as ever at nine. Given the state of the division at the moment, there are worse each/way options for next year’s contest.

Epatante – 14/1 with bet365*

Trainer – Nicky Henderson | Jockey – Tbc | Age 8

A brilliant winner of this race two years ago, she looked as good as ever in the Fighting Fifth last season but appeared to be out of sorts when well beaten by Silver Streak in the Christmas Hurdle. Lost little in defeat when honourable thirds to Honeysuckle and Sharjah in last year’s Champion and at Punchestown, but needs to prove she’s not shown her best already.

* Odds correct at 12/12/21

Champion Hurdle Key Race Stats

The Champion Hurdle is a good race for those looking to the top of the market.

• 7 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 8 out of the last 12 winners came from the top 3 in the betting
• 9 of the last 10 winners were aged between 6 and 8
• 10 out of the last 12 winners won on their last outing
• 9 out of 12 ran within the last 51 days

Previous Winners of the Champion Hurdle

2021 – Honeysuckle

2020 – Epatante 2019 – Espoir D’Allen 2018 – Buveur d’Air 2017 – Buveur d’Air 2016 – Annie Power 2015 – Faugheen 2014 – Jezski 2013 – Hurricane Fly 2012 – Rock On Ruby

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