County Handicap Hurdle

The County Hurdle is one of the most difficult races to back a winner at the Cheltenham National Hunt Racing Festival. It is fitting that this race is named after a horsing legend Vincent O'Brien. In 2003 it played the role as showdown to the leading jockey of the festival, between two of the best present day horse masters, Barry Geraghty and Richard Johnson, with the Irishman coming out on top in what was a fantastic race and a fitting finale. This race is certainly a challenge to punters wishing to "get out" with a winner. The County Handicap Hurdle usually contains a huge and varied field of handicappers. One hint for those needing to recoup losses "Remember there is always Next Year".

Cheltenham Festival Odds - Day Four Friday
2.00pm	JCB Triumph Hurdle Betting Odds	Free Bets
2.35pm	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Odds	Free Bets
3.15pm	Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Odds	Free Bets
4.00pm	Foxhunter Steeple Chase Odds	Free Bets
4.35pm	Cheltenham Grand Annual Betting Odds	Free Bets
5.10pm	David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle	Free Bets
5.45pm	County Handicap Hurdle Betting Odds	Free Bets

County Hurdle 2006 Results

Two real improvers took the first two places in this ultra competitive handicap and Desert Quest gave Ruby Walsh the leading rider's trophy for the week. The first two have shown real improvement and there looks to be more to come but the winner jumps really well and won this very well.

1. Desert Quest (R Walsh) 4-1jf
2. Noble Request 25-1
3. Adamant Approach 50-1
4. Pirate Flagship 10-1
29 ran

County Hurdle 2005 Results

The Final race of the 2005 festival was taken by Fontanasi which was quite a surprise to concerned connections as the owner was on the way out to catch his helicopter David Johnston turned back as he saw his horse getting into contention up the home straight and came out on top thanks to a terrible error of the leader Grande Jete.

1st Fontanesi (T Murphy) 16/1
2nd Stance (D Casey) 11/1
3rd Borora (T Doyle) 200/1
3rd Grande Jete (M Foley) 14/1

County Hurdle 2004 Results

Sporazene had claims to being regarded last season's best juvenile, and has been highly tried on occasions since, so it should have been no great surprise that he was able to win a race of this nature. He made his first move going up the hill on the far side of the Cheltenham Racecourse and closed further, travelling well, approaching the second last. But Walsh really had to get after him on the long run to the last, and he had headed Harchibald only narrowly when that horse flattened the last. Once in front he was not doing a great deal, and his rider admitted he might have got there too soon. He has already schooled well over fences and looks obvious Arkle material in a year's time. Hawadeth often runs well in these big handicaps but did remarkably well to run the winner so close from so far out of the weights, especially as he had a dozen or so in front of him over the second last and was still only seventh jumping the last. Copeland has been out of form and was back on the mark from which he won the Tote Gold Trophy. He was back to something like his old form here in staying on into third.