The Grade 3 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle is run over 2 miles and 1 furlong and there are 8 flights of hurdles to be jumped. The County Hurdle was established in 1920, and its inaugural winner was Trespasser, ridden by George Duller. Its title now honours Vincent O'Brien, the Irish racehorse trainer who retired in 1994. During his career O'Brien recorded a total of twenty-three victories at the Cheltenham Festival, and his name was added to the title of this event in 1995. For many years the County Hurdle was traditionally the last race to be run at the Festival. However, a new running order was announced ahead of the 2009 meeting, and it is now the second race on the final day. There have been no multiple winners of the race. The most successful jockey in the race is Ruby Walsh with 4 wins (Sporazene 2004, Desert Quest 2006, American Trilogy 2009 and Final Approach 2011) and the most successful trainer is Paul Nicholls with 4 wins (Sporazene 2004, Desert Quest 2006, American Trilogy 2009 and Lac Fontana 2014). It is also worth noting that Willie Mullins has won 3 of the last 6 runnings, including last years renewal where Wicklow Brave absolutely hosed up, just 6 days after being pulled up in the Imperial Cup. The last 9 runnings have thrown up double-digit winning prices and the last favourite to win was Desert Quest at 4/1 in 2006. There are 95 horses entered for this year's race and top weight is allotted to Paul Nicholls' Irving off a mark of 160, 5lbs clear of Sign Of A Victory. Paul Nicholls may well run Irving and is also looking at All Yours, Some Plan and Modus for the race. If Irving does run off 160, then anything below 134 wil be out of the handicap. Current betting from Oddschecker Entries and weights
