World Hurdle

The biggest race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the World Hurdle which is the fourth race on the card. The World Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle race run over a distance of three miles.

The World Hurdle is the biggest race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival and also has the biggest prize purse on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. Prize money of just over £260,000 is available with the winner getting over half of the amount.

There are weight requirements of 11 stones and one pound for four-year-olds and 11 stones and ten pounds for five-year-olds.

History of the World Hurdle

The history of the World Hurdle started in 1972 when the race replaced the Spa Hurdle on the Cheltenham Festival schedule. The history of the World Hurdle has been dominated by two sponsors; Lloyds Bank (1972 to 1978) and Waterford Crystal (1978-1990). The current sponsors are bookmaking firm Ladbrokes.

The history of the World Hurdle is unique because the race is one of the few that has been toyed with consistently on the Cheltenham Festival schedule. The race has been held on a Tuesday, Wednesday and a Thursday.

Records in the World Hurdle

There are more records in the World Hurdle than in the majority of races at the Cheltenham Festival. The World Hurdle is the leading long distance hurdle race in the National Hunt calendar and records in the World Hurdle carry a little more prestige.

Inglis Drever holds the horse record in the World Hurdle with three wins in the race; 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Eight jockeys have ridden two winners in the race since 1972; Tommy Carberry, Stuart Shilston, Tommy Carmody, Charlie Swan, Mark Perrett, Jamie Osborne, Thierry Doumen and Ruby Walsh.

Two trainers have records in the World Hurdle with three winners each; Fulke Walwyn (Crimson Embers (twice) and Rose Revine) and Howard Johnson (Inglis Drever (three times).

Crimson Embers has held one of the oldest records in the World Hurdle. Crimson Embers is the oldest winner of the race at 11-years-old and this title has been in place since 1986.

Betting in the World Hurdle

Betting in the World Hurdle is traditionally fierce and fast paced for a variety of reasons. The big race on any day of the Cheltenham Festival always sees a lot of money exchange hands. Betting on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is no different.

Betting in the World Hurdle is also popular because Ladbrokes are the sponsors of the race. There is incentive for Ladbrokes to promote the race they have an interest in because it could mean a larger amount of capital for the company. 

Betting in the World Hurdle can offer some of the best value because the race is an important one for a number of trainers. There is often a strong core group of horses that have a good chance of winning the World Hurdle and this makes betting prices even and more profitable.