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13:20Supreme Novices' Hurdle
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17:20Champion Bumper
County Hurdle
14:00 Cheltenham Festival
2025-03-14
Winner: £61,897
Runners: 16
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 8
Distance: 2m0f179y
The William Hill County Hurdle is a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle run over 2m1f as the second race on day four of the Cheltenham Festival. Until a change in the running order in 2009 it was staged as the final race of the festival and was known as the getting-out stakes, as it offered punters a final chance to find a winner. It has witnessed some major public gambles over the years. Check the William Hill County Hurdle runners and riders ahead of the race and place your bets by clicking the odds buttons.
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3(0)
4-4P44
Fils d'Oudairies
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Gordon Elliott
10
11-7
145
151
10yo who won two Grade 3s in 2023; returned this season from an absence and there was some spark when fourth in a Grade 2 here on penultimate start, but he hasn't been showing enough to have appealing claims today.
2(0)
16P41-
Absurde
-
J: Danny Mullins
T: W P Mullins
7
11-8
146
151
Won this last March (heavy) on last hurdle outing; now 8lb higher and Paul Townend is on stablemate Kargese this time, but he travelled well 12 months ago and there's still mileage in his mark judged on his classy Flat form (close fifth in the Melbourne Cup in November when last seen); effective on any ground; can play another leading role.
6(0)
15-483
Hansard
-
J: Niall Houlihan
T: Gary & Josh Moore
7
11-4
142
156
Won Newbury handicap (2m, good to soft) in December 2023; beaten nearly 5l when third of four in the Grade 2 at Wincanton last month (1m7f, good to soft) from which the clear one-two were fortunate to fill the same positions in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle; it was a creditable run from this fellow in the face of a tough task and he's a possible player in first-time cheekpieces.
14(0)
3-2833
Irish Panther
-
J: Cian Cullinan
T: Eddie & Patrick Harty
8
10-4
128
153
8yo who remains a maiden but is lightly raced and has run well when third in big fields at Leopardstown (2m, yielding/soft) this winter on his first two handicap starts; a tongue-tie is added; each-way claims once more.
11(0)
-61358
Our Champ
-
J: Freddie Gordon
T: Chris Gordon
7
10-11
135
151
Front-runner who isn't obviously well treated and has been soundly beaten the last twice, but he went off hard on the first occasion and soft ground may not have suited last time (when his usual tongue-tie was missing; it returns today); in good form previously on good/good to soft and has run really well on both his visits here; there might not be much competition for the lead and he could make a bold bid at a big price if conditions suit.
1(0)
501352
Daddy Long Legs
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J: Sean O'Keeffe
T: W P Mullins
6
12-0
152
150
One of four for Willie Mullins; 6yo whose form has been mixed since he bolted up in big-field handicap at Punchestown festival (2m, yielding) last April; however, he ran well when a well-held second in the Irish Champion Hurdle (2m, soft) last month and has a chance if at the top of his game.
8(0)
3136-2
Ndaawi
-
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
5
11-2
140
147
Creditable third to Lark In The Mornin in the Fred Winter 4yo Handicap here (2m, heavy) last March and 7l second of 19 in the Galway Hurdle (2m, good) in August; absent since heavy defeat on the Flat in the Cesarewitch in October but he's an each-way contender if back on song for this comeback.
13(0)
631-57
Lark In The Mornin
-
J: J J Slevin
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
5
10-8
132
148
Convincing win in the Fred Winter 4yo Handicap here (2m, heavy) 12 months ago; hasn't threatened on either run since (May/December) but previous Festival form has to be respected and he could be well treated if rediscovering last March's promise; ran well on good to yielding on the Flat.
15(0)
5-F643
Spirit d'Aunou
-
J: Freddie Mitchell
T: Gary & Josh Moore
6
10-3
127
155
6yo who is well treated on last season's best form; he showed some spark at Newbury in December but hasn't been at the top of his game this term and was soundly beaten last time; others make greater appeal.
16(0)
-213P9
Norman Fletcher
-
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
6
10-3
127
150
Runner-up here (2m, good) in October then went one better in small field at Huntingdon (2m, good), before solid third at Doncaster (2m, good to soft); however, two lesser runs have followed; needs to raise his game.
12(0)
111207
Valgrand
-
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
6
10-10
134
156
Easily made all in Grade 2 novice here in October (2m, good; has also won on soft); weakened when 11l second in 2m5f Grade 2 here next time; down the field since in his first two handicaps (2m1f/2m, good to soft) but a break may have helped this lightly raced 6yo and he's the sole representative of Dan Skelton, who has won four of the last nine runnings; not discounted.
10(0)
0-2311
McLaurey
-
J: Mark Walsh
T: Emmet Mullins
6
10-12
136
149
Won maiden hurdle at Limerick (2m, yielding to soft) in December and followed up when favourite for warm handicap at Leopardstown (2m, soft) in February; has also shown promise on good to yielding; hit hard by the handicapper but this very lightly raced 6yo could have lots more left in the tank.
7(0)
122-12
Kargese
-
J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
5
11-3
141
152
Runner-up in 4yo Grade 1 hurdles here (C&D Triumph, heavy) and at Aintree (2m1f, soft) last spring before winning one at Punchestown (2m, soft); this headstrong sort was second at 2-5 on belated comeback in mares' Grade 2 at Ascot (1m7f, good) in January but may have needed the run; stable has an excellent record in this race and Paul Townend rides; could be on a good mark.
5(0)
31-212
Pinot Gris
-
J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
5
11-5
143
146
Improved form in these blinkers the last twice, easily winning a novice at Naas (2m, good to yielding) before a close second of 19 at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) in December when back in a handicap and making most; this 5yo could continue to progress for his good trainer; a possible.
4(0)
060-01
Ethical Diamond
-
J: Mr P W Mullins
T: W P Mullins
5
11-5
143
150
Tailed off on handicap hurdle debut at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) in December then easily made all in maiden at Punchestown (2m, heavy); back into a tough handicap today and jockey bookings suggest he's not his top yard's chief hope, but this 5yo showed strong form in a hot handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm) last June and he could have more to offer in this code.
9(0)
-40101
Cracking Rhapsody
-
J: Craig Nichol
T: Ewan Whillans
6
10-13
132
151
Won the big-field Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago for the second year running and now chases a £100,000 bonus under a 5lb penalty; however, he loves Kelso and finished down the field in the Greatwood here in November on his sole run at Cheltenham.
RACING POST TIP
Absurde
Willie Mullins has won this seven times, including five of the last ten, and last year's convincing winner ABSURDE (nap) earns the vote even with Paul Townend jumping ship to stablemate Kargese. He did it in stylish fashion 12 months ago and his classy Flat form firmly suggests he remains well treated despite an 8lb rise. Lark In The Mornin also impressed at last season's Festival (in the Fred Winter) and will be a major threat if tapping back into that promise. Kargese and McLaurey have potential off their current marks, while Dan Skelton has won four of the last nine runnings and the novice Valgrand is his sole representative. If the ground is no worse than good to soft, the front-runner Our Champ will be a very interesting each-way option at big odds.
Cheltenham Free Bets
PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2024 | Absurde | 617P4 | 6 | 12-1 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2023 | Faivoir | 5-4P | 8 | 33-1 | Dan Skelton | Bridget Andrews |
| 2022 | State Man | 2-F1 | 5 | 11-4F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2021 | Belfast Banter | 312562 | 6 | 33-1 | Peter Fahey | K C Sexton |
| 2020 | Saint Roi | 23-51 | 5 | 11-2 | Willie Mullins | Barry Geraghty |
| 2019 | Ch’tibello | 0-5692 | 8 | 12-1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2018 | Mohaayed | 31-023 | 6 | 33-1 | Dan Skelton | Bridget Andrews |
| 2017 | Arctic Fire | 2-1142- | 8 | 20-1 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2016 | Superb Story | 444-12 | 5 | 8-1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2015 | Wicklow Brave | F-580P | 6 | 25-1 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
-
No previous festival form, 8/10
-
At least one top-three finish in last two starts, 7/10
-
Aged five or six, 7/10
-
Officially rated 134-141, 7/10
-
Carried no more than 11st 1lb, 7/10 (two of the exceptions trained by Willie Mullins)
-
Ran no more than nine times over hurdles, 6/10
Other factors
- There have been nine winning novices since 1996.
- Ireland has won six of the last ten runnings, including five for Willie Mullins. Dan Skelton accounts for the last four British-trained winners.
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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - COUNTY HURDLE 2024
Absurde, a high-class performer on the Flat who won the Ebor Handicap and ran in a Melbourne Cup, transferred that form to hurdles with victory under a fine Paul Townend ride. He also made it a rapid two wins on the day for Willie Mullins and could be back for more this year. L’Eau Du Sud, a Grade 1 winner this year, finished second, while Pied Piper and Magical Zoe made sure Ireland dominated the finish again in third and fourth.