There as some very particular races that punters look out for when assessing the Champion Hurdle form, including a number of trials that take place at Prestbury Park itself. The Champion Hurdle is becoming one of the most anticipated races of the Cheltenham Festival, with anything up eight runners with genuine claims. Below is a list of the main Champion Hurdle trials with the result. Keep an eye on this page as the festival approaches as any pointers to the form for the big race will be highlighted here.
Check out the latest odds for the 2013 Champion Hurdle.
| Result | Wincanton - 10th Nov 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Zarkandar 100/30 | 5 | D Jacob | P Nicholls |
| 2nd | Prospect Wells 2/1F | 7 | R Walsh | P Nicholls |
| 3rd | Balder Succes 3/1 | 4 | R Thornton | A King |
This was a real battling performance from last year's Champion Hurdle fifth, who was conceding bundles of weight all round. He probably benefitted from a last hurdle blunder by the runner up and favourite but there was plenty to admire from this run and he's sure to be amongst the favourites for the 2013 Champion Hurdle.
| Result | Punchestown - 18th Nov 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Hurricane Fly 2/5F | 8 | R Walsh | W Mullins |
| 2nd | Captain Cee Bee 12/1 | 11 | M Walsh | E Harty |
| 3 Ran |
2011 Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly got his season off to a winning start as he looks to regain the title he lost last March. There were just three runners and the eight year old's win was made easier for the final flight fall of second favourite Go Native.
| Result | Cheltenham - 18th Nov 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Olofi 8/1 | 6 | P Brennan | T George |
| 2nd | Cash And Go 6/1 | 5 | B Geraghty | N Henderson |
| 3rd | Cause Of Causes 12/1 | 4 | D Condon | G Elliot |
Olofi trained by Tom George was the main benefiary from ante-post favourite Darlan's withdrawal for this race due to the ground bein too soft. The six year old is unlikely to step out of handicap company and go for the Champions Hurdle.
| Result | Ascot - 24th Nov 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Oscar Whisky 8/15F | 7 | B Geraghty | N Henderson |
| 2nd | Raya Star 4/1 | 6 | R Thornton | A King |
| 4 ran |
This was an easy win for the favourite, who was unlucky not to win here twleve months ago when falling at the last. The ground wasn't a problem (heavy), but he'll probably bypass the Champion Hurdle for Aintree unless the ground comes up soft at the Festival where he finished third in 2011.
| Result | Newcastle - 1st Dec 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Countrywide Flame 11/4 | 4 | D O'Regan | J Quinn |
| 2nd | Cinders And Ashes 10/11F | 5 | J Maguire | D McCain |
| 4 Ran |
Last season's Triumph Hurdle winner Countrywide Flame laid down some serious credentials for the Champion Hurdle following this impressive win up at Newcastle.
| Result | Fairyhouse - 2nd Dec 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Zaidpour 7/4J | 6 | R Walsh | W Mullins |
| 2nd | Monksland 4/1 | 5 | P Carberry | N Meade |
| 5 Ran |
Run over two and a half miles on soft ground, this result isn't likely to have any bearing on the Champion Hurdle this season, with all the protagonists likely to concentrate on de-throning Big Bucks in the World Hurdle.
| Result | Cheltenham - 15th Dec 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Zarkandar 6/5F | 5 | R Walsh | P Nicholls |
| 2nd | Grandouet 5/2 | 5 | B Geraghty | N Henderson |
| 3rd | Rock On Ruby 5/2 | 7 | N Fehily | H Fry |
Zarkandar strengthened in the betting for next March's Champion Hurdle following this strong win over rivals Grandouet and Rock On Ruby at Cheltenham on heavy going. The five year old remains a second favourite behind Hurricane Fly.
| Result | Kempton - 26th Dec 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Darlan 3/1 | 5 | AP McCoy | N Henderson |
| 2nd | Raya Star 8/1 | 6 | R Thornton | A King |
| 6 Ran |
This was another subtle twist in the Champion Hurdle form as Darlan made his seasonal debut winning well on ground which wasn't thought to have suited him. He's now a general joint favourite in the ante post betting with Hurricane Fly.
| Result | Leopardstown - 29th Dec 2012 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Hurricane Fly 1/5F | 8 | R Walsh | W Mullins |
| 2nd | Unaccompanied 6/1 | 5 | D Russell | D Weld |
| 5 ran |
The 2011 Champion Hurdler leapt back to the head of the ante-post betting for the 2013 renewal thanks to an impressive seven length win in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
| Result | Haydock - 19th Jan 2013 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | ||||
| 2nd | ||||
| 3rd |
RACE ABANDONED
| Result | Leopardstown - 27th Jan 2013 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Hurricane Fly 1/6F | 9 | R Walsh | W P Mullins |
| 2nd | Thousand Stars 9/1 | 9 | P Townend | W P Mullins |
| 5 ran |
This was a really comfortable win for Hurricane Fly recording his third Irish Champion Hurdle on the bridle and now the stand out bookies favourite to regain the Champion Hurdle in March.
| Result | Doncaster - 4th Feb 2013 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Rock On Ruby 13/8 | 8 | N Fehily | H Fry |
| 2nd | Countrywide Flame 5/1 | 5 | D O'Regan | J Quinn |
| 4 ran |
This was the reigning champion's first win of the season, but thge race will be sadly remembered for the fatal fall of favourite Darlan, who looked like the winner before tripping at the last.
| Result | Newbury - 9th Feb 2013 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | My Tent Or Yours 5/1F | 6 | A McCoy | N Henderson |
| 2nd | Cotton Mill 9/1 | 6 | J Quinlan | J Ferguson |
| 3rd | Swing Bowler 8/1 | 6 | D Pipe | D Pipe |
| 4th | Dark Lover 16/1 | 8 | R Mahon | P Nicholls |
This was a mightily impressive performance from the winner, who is a favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but has also been given quotes of 5/1 for the Champion Hurdle!
| Result | Wincanton - 16th Feb 2014 | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1st | Zarkandar 1/3F | 6 | D Jacob | P Nicholls |
| 2nd | Khyber Kim 14/1 | 11 | P Brennan | N Henderson |
| 6 Ran |
Still only six, Zarkandar strengthened his claims for the Champion Hurdle with a third straight win.
Check the form for the other main championship races at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival:
Arkle Form | Albert Bartlett Form| Champion Bumper Form | Champion Chase Form | Mares Hurdle Form | Gold Cup Form | Jewson Form | Challenge Cup Form | Neptune Form | RSA Form | Ryanair Form | Supreme Form | Triumph Form | World Hurdle Form
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