The 2016 World Hurdle

The 2016 World Hurdle

The World Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles (4,828 metres), and during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March. It is the leading long-distance hurdle event in the National Hunt calendar, and it is the feature race on the third day of the Festival.

The inaugural race was run in 1912 at Prestbury Park over 3 miles with £100 (£200 in 1913) prize money to the winner and £10 to the runner-up. It was called "Stayers Selling Hurdle" and was a Weight for Age Selling type of event with the winning horse being sold for £50 after the race. The race was dropped from the festival programme twice during 1928-1929 and in 1939-1945 but in 1946 it replaced the Spa Hurdle which was previously ran in 1923 and 1942 over 2 miles. From 1946 to 1967 the Spa Hurdle was ran over the same 3 miles until being renamed in 1972 as the Stayers' Hurdle when it was sponsored by Lloyds Bank. It was backed by Waterford Crystal from 1978 to 1990, and by Bonusprint from 1991 to 2004. The race used to be held on either the Tuesday or the Wednesday of the Festival, but it was moved to the Thursday in 1993.

The modern title of the race was changed to the World Hurdle when Ladbrokes took over the sponsorship in 2005. Recent years have been dominated by multiple winners such as Inglis Drever, Barracouda and the irrepressible Big Buck’s, who made the race his own from 2009 – 2012.

This year’s betting is currently headed by Thistlecrack, Colin Tizzard’s Kayf Tara gelding showing that his Grade 1 novice hurdle victory in Aintree’s Sefton was no fluke by taking Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle, and the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, in imperious fashion.

Current betting as of Jan 21st (Bet 365):

Thistlecrack 9/4
Annie Power 5/1
Cole Harden 7/1
Vroum Vroum Mag 8/1
Camping Ground 9/1
Nicholls Canyon, Auxs Ptit Soins 10/1
Alpha Des Obeaux 12/1
14/1 Bar

Willie Mullins’ mares Annie Power and Vroum Vroum Mag may have alternative targets (VVM runs at Ascot on 23rd Jan over an extended 2m7f, a convincing victory may see her World Hurdle bound). Reigning champ Cole Harden has looked jaded in 2 runs on heavy ground but will be much more at home on spring ground. Camping Ground steps up in trip for the first time in the Cleeve Hurdle where he will meet Thistlecrack, the winner of that race will surely be a very warm order for the World Hurdle. Ireland’s leading challenger away from Closutton will likely be the winner of the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in a few minutes time.


The 2016 Cheltenham Festival Megathread

 

48 declared. You'll know from my Avatar who I'm on

 

I'm expecting a procession Bob

 

If Thistlecrack beats Camping Ground impressively in the Cleeve he must shorten to around evens I reckon.

 

I think they haven't got anywhere near the bottom of Thistlecrack yet mate. The way he travelled and jumped in the Long Walk was beautiful. I agree Camping Ground looked impressive but I think the race fell apart somewhat and he clearly handled the going better than the others.

 

I agree Thistlecrack is a lousy price Tam, although I would argue the current Triumph Hurdle favourite, at 3/1 with just a maiden hurdle victory to his name, represents the worst ante-post value right now. At least Thistlecrack has won 2 of the most recognised World Hurdle trials.
The price differential between Thiustlecrack and Camping Ground is, IMHO, down to the fact that CG has yet to race beyond 20 furlongs. He looks like he ought to get the trip, but he has yet to prove it. The Imperial Cup form you mention was over 16F but clearly the step up to 3 miles has been the making of Thistlecrack and one could argue that his 5th place finish was a very solid effort over a totally inadequate trip.

All should become a lot clearer after the Cleeve Hurdle this Saturday

 

Still recovering from the broken arm Tam but otherwise well, thanks. I hope you are too?

The noises from camp Mullins regarding Annie Power are that they would only go World Hurdle with a prep run, otherwise she would go straight to the Mares Hurdle. Given the performance of VVM on Saturday, my best guess at the moment would be AP to the mares hurdle and VVM World Hurdle.

 

Unfortunately not

Cycling past a parked car and the driver opened his door without looking. I was doing about 35 km/h and smashed into the door with my right forearm, shattering the radius bone just above the wrist joint. I've got a titanium plate in there with 13 screws holding it in place. It has healed well but now starts the physio, getting fingers, hand, wrist moving again. A very slow process.