Held annually at Kempton, the Christmas Hurdle is a Grade 1 race run over two miles with eight hurdles jumped and is seen as a key trial for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The race is part of the unofficial Triple Crown of Hurdling, which comprises the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, the Christmas Hurdle, and the Champion Hurdle.
Having won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Constitution Hill won the 2022 Christmas Hurdle before winning the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Still unbeaten, Constitution Hill looks set to defend his Christmas Hurdle crown this year in what will be his first run of the season for trainer Nickey Henderson and owner Michael Buckley.
Christmas Hurdle Betting Offers
How To Get Free Bets For The 2023 Christmas Hurdle
The Christmas Hurdle is one of the racing highlights on Boxing Day, meaning the online bookmakers will offer plenty of betting offers and enhanced prices on the big race.
We look closer at two bookmakers below that horse racing fans should be checking out.
CopyBet is an innovative betting site that allows users to copy the bets placed by experienced tipsters, including on horse racing. With its unique copy betting feature, horse racing punters can bet on tipster selections or pick their own - ideal for novice and experienced punters alike.
A new name in the UK, BetMGM are offering a generous welcome bonus for all new players, and they’ve become a hot destination for horse racing fans with their live streaming and daily horse racing price boosts.
Christmas Hurdle Tips
Kempton on Boxing Day will be the place to be for horse racing fans with their traditional top-class card featuring three Grade 1 races.
Our brand ambassador, Tom Bellamy, rides Sceau Royal in the race, and with many people looking for value away from Constitution Hill in the field, check out his thoughts on the chances of Sceau Royal grabbing a place.
“In the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at 1:55pm I ride Sceau Royal, who goes up against Constitution Hill in this one.
I don’t think us, or anyone else will beat Constitution Hill and I think everything in the race will be going for second, anything else is a bonus.
Can Sceau Royal finish second? I don’t see why not, he likes Kempton and he likes good ground, which he will hopefully get.
I rode him last time, and he didn’t stay the two and a half miles around Ascot that day, so he’s back over his favourable distance here.
He’s a bit long in the tooth now, but he can run his race on his day, and if he can do that again hopefully he can be in the first three.”
Christmas Hurdle Betting Tips & Stats Guide
Check out more from the Freebets horse racing hub, including tips, stats, market movers and today’s racecards!
What Happened Last Year?
Constitution Hill destroyed the field in the 2022 Christmas Hurdle, running out a 17-length winner at odds of just 1/7.
Ridden by Nico de Boinville, Constitution Hill took the lead four hurdles out and quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals, with stablemate Epatante finishing runner-up.
The victory continued Constitution Hill’s unbeaten record, which he maintains, following victory in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Aintree Hurdle.
When & Where Is The 2023 Christmas Hurdle?
The Christmas Hurdle is one of three Grade 1 races held at Kempton on Boxing Day, alongside the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and the King George VI Chase.
As one of the Boxing Day highlights at Kempton, the race is broadcast live on ITV Racing.
Recent Christmas Hurdle Winners
The Christmas Hurdle has been won by some top-quality hurdlers over the years, including Lanzarote and Faugheen, both two-time winners of the race.
Trainer Nicky Henderson has an enviable record in the race, winning it on 11 occasions, most recently with Constitution Hill last year.
Check out the last five winners of the Christmas Hurdle below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Constitution Hill |
| 2021 | Epatante |
| 2020 | Silver Streak |
| 2019 | Epatante |
| 2018 | Verdana Blue |
FAQs
When is the 2023 Christmas Hurdle?
The 2023 Christmas Hurdle will be run on Boxing Day - Tuesday, December 26.
Where is the Christmas Hurdle run?
Kempton Park is the venue for the Christmas Hurdle.
Who won the 2022 Christmas Hurdle?
The 2022 Christmas Hurdle was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill.
Who has trained the most winners of the Christmas Hurdle?
Nicky Henderson has trained the winner of the Christmas Hurdle on 11 occasions, including when successful with Constitution Hill last year.
