Every March the superstars of the National Hunt world descend on Cheltenham for what is the biggest jumps meeting of the season. The feature race on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival is the Champion Hurdle and this race has been won by some legends of the sport. Istabraq, Hurricane Fly and though he didn’t win it, Harchibald will always be associated with this famous race. In this betting guide we will look at the main contenders for the 2019 Champion Hurdle and reveal who we fancy. We will also outline the best Champion Hurdle bookies and some essential trends to take a note of. So, to find out more about betting on the Champion Hurdle just read on.
Best Champion Hurdle Betting Sites in the UK
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2019 Champion Hurdle Main Contenders
At the time of writing, none of the main contenders for the 2019 Champion Hurdle had returned to action, but even at this early stage it is possible to pick out who the biggest players will be. Willie Mullins may have some aces up his sleeve that we haven’t seen yet, but you can be sure that Buveur D’Air will be at the forefront of the market as he bids to complete a hat trick in the race. He is unlikely to have it all his own way though with some young pretenders snapping at his heels. Check out our horse racing expert’s view on the 2019 Champion Hurdle below.
Buveur D’Air
- Age: 7yo.
- Trainer: Nicky Henderson.
Buveur D’Air, a son of Crillon, has dominated the 2 mile hurdling ranks in the last two seasons. He is unbeaten in his last ten starts, including when winning the last two renewals of the Champion Hurdle. He only had a neck to spare from Melon on heavy ground in 2025, but he showed his class in 2017 when destroying the field on decent ground by 5L. If he gets nice ground in 2019 he is the one they all have to beat. Buveur D’Air will go off a lot shorter than the 7/2 currently on offer from William Hill if he lines up in March.
Best Buveur D’Air Ante-Post Champion Hurdle Odds: 7/2 William Hill
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Samcro
- Age: 6yo.
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott.
Samcro was the hype horse of last season and he made no mistake when winning the Ballymore Hurdle over 2m 5f here last season. He was equally effective at 2 miles, as he showed when hosing up in the Grade 1 Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown back in February. However, he blotted his copybook when falling at the Punchestown Festival, his sole defeat from 8 starts under rules. This former point to point winner could go straight into the chasing ranks, so it could be a risky proposition backing him ante-post at odds of 4/1 with Bet365 for the 2019 Champion Hurdle.
Best Samcro Ante-Post Champion Hurdle Odds: 4/1 Bet365
Melon
- Age: 6yo.
- Trainer: Willie Mullins.
Melon only won one of his five starts over timber last season, but he produced a career best in this race in 2025 when chasing home Buveur D’Air. He was still going well when falling at Punchestown on his final start of the season and he ran a cracker in the Supreme Novice in 2017, chasing home Labaik. The worry with this lad is that he has won just two of his eight starts over hurdles for Willie Mullins and he always seems to just find one or two too good. However, he is of definite interest for each way players at a best price of 8/1 for the 2019 Champion Hurdle.
Summerville Boy
- Age: 6yo.
- Trainer: Tom George.
This son of Sandmason was a revelation last season, winning Grade 1s on his last two starts, including the Supreme Novice at Cheltenham. However, the worry is that he may need bottomless ground to be seen at his best, and Summerville Boy is far from guaranteed to get his optimum conditions in March. If it was to come up properly soft he would have solid each way claims, but with doubts about him on good ground or better it probably makes sense to wait until closer to the race to back him. If you are feeling brave you can back him ante post for the 2019 Champion Hurdle at odds of 14/1 with BetVictor.
Best Summerville Boy Ante-Post Champion Hurdle Odds: 14/1 BetVictor[select_bonuses object=”10″ bonus=”1444″]
Mick Jazz
- Age: 7yo.
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott.
One horse that looks massively overpriced for the 2019 Champion Hurdle is Mick Jazz. The son of Blue Bresil ran a huge race to finish 3rd here last season, just three lengths behind Buveur D’Air and Melon. Considering he is probably a better horse on decent ground it was a cracking effort on heavy and he looks sure to return for a repeat bid in 2019. He is a strong traveler and a quick jumper, two traits that always come in handy in the Champion Hurdle. Mick Jazz could prove to be a shrewd ante-post bet for the 2019 Champion Hurdle at odds of 33/1 with Betfair.
Best Mick Jazz Ante-Post Champion Hurdle Odds: 33/1 Betfair
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Champion Hurdle Odds 2019
2025 Champion Hurdle Ante-Post Odds
|
Horse |
William Hill |
Betfair |
bet365 |
|
Buveur D’Air |
7/2 |
10/3 |
3/1 |
|
Samcro |
4/1 |
7/2 |
4/1 |
|
Melon |
5/1 |
8/1 |
6/1 |
|
Summerville Boy |
12/1 |
12/1 |
14/1 |
|
Laurina |
14/1 |
14/1 |
12/1 |
|
Mick Jazz |
25/1 |
33/1 |
33/1 |
2019 Champion Hurdle Tip-Back Buveur To Complete The Hat Trick
We are huge fans of Buveur D’Air here at Sportsbetting24 and we think 7/2 is a mad price about him for the 2019 Champion Hurdle. He is obviously a classy operator on decent ground, but he showed he had the stomach for a battle when prevailing on heavy ground in the 2025 Champion Hurdle. It will be fascinating if Samcro decides to stay hurdling and turns up for the Champion Hurdle, but even if he does Buveur D’Air is the best jumper of a hurdle around. At odds of 7/2 with William Hill he is a confident selection if he stays injury free. He will go off a lot shorter on the day, if he runs.
Sportsbetting24 2019 Champion Hurdle Tip: Buveur D’Air @ 7/2 William Hill
Costa Rica
Japan
Spain
Sweden
Mexico
Chile
Peru
Argentina
Bolivia
Colombia
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Dominican Republic
Uruguay
Venezuela
Champion Hurdle Betting Trends
When you are weighing up a race like the Champion Hurdle, it can often pay to follow trends. Things like age, course form and ground conditions are all things to consider. Starting prices of previous winners can also be a good indicator of how the more fancied horses usually run, though at the end of the day it is horse racing so anything can happen. However, if you are trying to narrow the field using trends can be useful and our experts reveal some of the most interesting Champion Hurdle betting trends below.
Champion Hurdle Trends
- In the last eight renewals five favourites have won and the biggest priced winner since 2008 was Punjabi at odds of 22/1 in 2009.
- Male horses usually come to the fore in the Champion Hurdle, but Annie Power did it for the girls back in 2016.
- Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson are the trainers to follow, winning 8 of the last 10 renewals of the Champion Hurdle.
- Only one 5yo has scored since 1985 so concentrate on horses aged between 6yo-8yo.
- Watch out for Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty as they have won 5 of the last 6 Champion Hurdles.
Last 10 Champion Hurdle Winners
|
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Age |
|
Buveur D’Air |
Nicky Henderson |
Barry Geraghty |
7yo |
|
Buveur D’Air |
Nicky Henderson |
Noel Fehily |
6yo |
|
Annie Power |
Willie Mullins |
Ruby Walsh |
8yo |
|
Faugheen |
Willie Mullins |
Ruby Walsh |
7yo |
|
Jezki |
Jessie Harrington |
Barry Geraghty |
6yo |
|
Hurricane Fly |
Willie Mullins |
Ruby Walsh |
9yo |
|
Rock On Ruby |
Paul Nicholls |
Noel Fehily |
7yo |
|
Hurricane Fly |
Willie Mullins |
Ruby Walsh |
7yo |
|
Binocular |
Nicky Henderson |
Tony McCoy |
6yo |
|
Punjabi |
Nicky Henderson |
Barry Geraghty |
6yo |
Champion Hurdle History And Facts
The Champion Hurdle was first run all the way back in 1927 when a horse called Blaris won at odds of 11/10. In the 1940s and 1950s three horses dominated the race, Hatton’s Grace, Sir Ken and National Spirt. The 1977 Champion Hurdle is often viewed as one of the best ever renewals, with Night Nurse beating subsequent dual winners Monksfield and Sea Pigeon.
The legendary Istabraq joined the Champion Hurdle hat trick club in 2000, but his bid for a historic four timer was thwarted by the foot and mouth outbreak which saw the meeting cancelled in 2001. Buveur D’Air, also owned by JP McManus, looks to have a very good chance of winning three in a row in 2019, and if he does it would be no surprise if he added a record breaking fourth in 2020.
How To Bet On The Champion Hurdle – Follow The Market Leaders
If you look at recent results in the Champion Hurdle it is plain to see that the best horses more often than not come to the fore. Shocks are pretty rare in this race and the cream usually rises to the top. If there is going to be a shock, it will most likely be if the ground comes up bottomless, so on heavy ground it may well pay to take a chance on something at a big price each way.
Some bookies like Paddy Power go non-runner no bet a month before the race and this eliminates the risk of ante-post bets. Remember, if you back a horse to win (or each way) ante-post and it doesn’t run you lose your stake. Your best chance of winning big for small stakes is placing a forecast or tricast bet on the Champion Hurdle. If you hit the tricast in the 2025 Champion Hurdle you got £75.36 for a £1 stake, and in 2017 the tricast paid even more, a whopping £495.82 for a £1 stake.
Champion Hurdle Betting Promotions
Every year you are guaranteed to get some superb promotions from UK bookies for the Champion Hurdle. If there is a hot favourite Paddy Power usually run a money back special, where if the favourite wins you get your losing stake back as a free bet. Other bookies like Betfair and Ladbrokes often offer enhanced prices on certain horses for new customers, so keep an eye out if you are thinking about opening an account to bet on the Champion Hurdle.
At the time of writing no bookies had any Champion Hurdle promotions available. However closer to the race there will, be lots of promotions and you will find all the best Champion Hurdle specials here at Sportsbetting24 as soon as they come online.
Champion Hurdle Ascot FAQs
When will the 2021 Champion Hurdle be run? 
The Champion Hurdle is run on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival which is always on a Tuesday. It is usually the fourth race on the Day 1 card and it is always a fiercely contested race. The Champion Hurdle is shown live on free to air TV and ITV have the rights in 2021. The 2021 Champion Hurdle is scheduled to be run on Tuesday the 16th of March and it will be one of the best races of the week.
What betting site has the best Champion Hurdle odds?
Here at Sportsbetting24 we are forever banging on about the importance of getting the best price. Value is king when it comes to betting on the Champion Hurdle and odds can differ quite a lot between different online betting sites. For ante-post bets we think William Hill and Bet365 can be relied upon to provide decent value for the Champion Hurdle. However, that isn’t always the case and our advice is to have as many accounts as possible to ensure you get the very best Champion Hurdle odds.
Where can I stream the Champion Hurdle live?
The Champion Hurdle is shown on free to air television, but if you can’t watch it on TV loads of bookmakers offer live streaming of the race. Most betting sites require customers to place a minimum sized bet on the race to qualify to stream it live. A huge number of bookies have live streaming available, including William Hill, bet365 and Betfair. Minimum qualifying bet sizes vary, so make sure to check the relevant terms and conditions if you want to stream the Champion Hurdle live on your desktop or mobile device.