Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Betting Guide

ACCOMODATTION

The town of Cheltenham in England, best known for the Champion Hurdle horse race in March each year, was originally founded as a spa town, and has been frequented by the well to do since the mid 18th century.
Cheltenham is very easy to reach by train from London and other major cities, and there are taxis and public transport, so if prefer not to rent a car, you have plenty of other options.

If you are looking for a relaxing break in a historic town you will find a wide choice: from 4 star hotels to comfortable guest accommodation, smart serviced apartments or the freedom of self- catering or caravan and camping.
If you want to get to Celtenham by air, there`s not a lot to choose between either Birmingham or Bristol airports. Both are pretty easy to reach Cheltenham from. From Birmingham airport you will have to get a train to Birmingham New Street then change for Cheltenham. Or from Bristol Airport, you can take the bus to Bristol Temple Meads and then the train to Cheltenham.
The racecourse is a little over a mile from Celtenham center, maybe a mile and a half from the railway station. During the festival there are shuttle buses from the station.
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2012 BETTING TIPS

Finding the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Betting page

If you have an account opened at one online bookmaker, and some money deposited in your account, you can start betting. First you need to find the event page for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle race. This page can be found in the horse racing section, and selecting Ante-Post racing and some bookmakers feature a direct link on the main page to the event.

Betting stake

The betting stake is the amount of money you are willing to bet on a horse

When betting on a horse race, you will find the following betting types:

To Win - the bet will be placed on a horse to win the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Race. The bet will be lost if the horse does not win the race.
Each Way - This bet is placed for a horse to come in any of the top 4 places in the race. This bet actually is formed of 2 bets. One bet is placed on the horse to win the race, and the full odds apply to this part, and another bet is placed on the horse to come in one of the top places and only a quarter of the odds apply this part of the bet. One Each Way bet cost therefore 2, with 1 being placed on the horse to win, and 1 placed on the horse to come in the first 4 places. The bet will be lost if the horse does not come in the 4 top places of the race.

Placing a bet

To place a bet, simply locate the horse you want to bet on from the bookmaker`s offer, place your stake (usually is minimum �2), and select which bet you are placing, `to win` or `each way`

The winnings

To Win bet - If the horse you put money on wins, the stake is multiplied by the odds to calculate your winnings and is payed along with the original betting stake. For example if a �10 bet is placed in a horse with odds of 10-1, the �10 stake is multiplied by 10 (giving 100) and is paid with the original betting �10 stake, for a total of �110, if the horse wins.

Each Way bet - If the horse wins, the first part of the betting stake is multiplied by the odds and paid with the original stake and the other half of the betting stake is multiplied by a quarter of the odds and paid aling with the original stake. For example a �5 stake on an Each Way bet (�10 betting stake) is placed on a horse at odds of 10-1, the original �5 stake is multiplied by 10 (giving �50) and returned with the original bet of �5 for a total of �55. The other �5 of the bet, is multiplied by a quarter of the odds - 2.5, giving a total of �12.5, and paid with the original bet for a total of 17.5. Therefore if the horse wins, the total winning will be �55+�17.5=�72.5

If the horse fails to win the race, but comes in the first 4, the first part of the bet is lost and the second part is multiplied by a quarter of the odds and paid with the original part of the betting stake. For example, a �5 bet (�10 bet stake) placed on a horse at 10-1 odds, the original �5 stake is lost. The other �5 of the bet is multiplied by a quarter of the odds - 2.5, and paid with the original �5 stake, for a total of �17.5.
If you win a bet on a horse, the amount you win, will be automatically credited to your betting account. You can then use the money to place future bets, or you can withdraw the money from your betting account (subject to terms and conditions) and the money will be credited to your credit or debit card.

RACE INFORMATIONS

The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in UK opened to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3,320 meters. During its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The prize pool for this race is �370,000, with �210,937 for first place.

Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Inaugurated:1927
Race type: Hurdle race
Distance: about 3,320 meters
Track: Turf, left-handed
Qualification: Four-years-old and up, Weight 11 st 3 lb (4yo); 11 st 10 lb (5yo+)

FREE BETS

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RACE RECORDS

Most successful horse (3 wins): Hatton`s Grace � 1949, 1950, 1951; Sir Ken � 1952, 1953, 1954; Persian War � 1968, 1969, 1970; See You Then � 1985, 1986, 1987; Istabraq � 1998, 1999, 2000
Leading jockey (4 wins): Tim Molony � Hatton`s Grace (1951), Sir Ken (1952, 1953, 1954)

Leading trainer (5 wins): Peter Easterby � Saucy Kit (1967), Night Nurse (1976, 1977), Sea Pigeon (1980, 1981); Nicky Henderson � See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987), Punjabi (2009), Binocular (2010)

Leading owner (4 wins): Dorothy Paget � Insurance (1932, 1933), Solford (1940), Distel (1946); J. P. McManus � Istabraq (1998, 1999, 2000), Binocular (2010)

PREVIOUS WINNERS

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Last 3 races were won by Hurricane Fly, Binocular and Punjabi.

Year	Horse	Age	Jockey	Trainer
2011	Hurricane Fly	7	Ruby Walsh	Willie Mullins
2010	Binocular	6	Tony McCoy	Nicky Hernderson
2009	Punjabi	6	Barry Geraghty	Nicky Hernderson
2008	Katchit	5	Robert Thornton	Alan King
2007	Sublimity	7	Philip Carberry	John Carr
2006	Brave Inca	8	Tony McCoy	Colm Murphy
2005	Hardy Eustace	8	Conor O`Dwyer	Dessie Hughes
2004	Hardy Eustace	7	Conor O`Dwyer	Dessie Hughes
2003	Rooster Booster	9	Richard Johnson	Philip Hobbs
2002	Hors La Loi III	7	Dean Gallagher	James Fanshawe

TICKETS

Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Day Tickets - There are three different ticket types at The Festival. Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Day usually sells out in advance, so our advice to you is to buy your tickets as soon as you can.
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Club Ticket - Best ticket available, access to the widest choice of view spots and refreshment options. Ticket Price - From 60�
Tattersalls Ticket - This ticket offers you a� good choice of viewing and refreshment options. Ticket Price - From 32�
Best Mate Ticket - Directly opposite the main grandstand, big value with a great view of the racing and a variety of food and drink choices Ticket Price - From 20�

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RACE TRENDS

The Champion Hurdle is a sprint race for the fastest hurdlers in the national hunt racing. The horses ability to keep the speed and make jumps without loosing momentum will be tested to the maximum. Here are some Champion Hurdle trends� from the past races.

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Ten of the last ten winners had their last preparation race within 50 days of the Champion Hurdle race.
Nine of the last ten winners were aged six to nine when winning this race.
Nine of the last ten winners previously finished at least fourth at Cheltenham with six of the last ten being previous winners at the Festival.
Nine of the last ten winners have won at least one race in that season
Nine of the last ten winners had won at least a Grade 1 Hurdle race or a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle race.

HORSE FORM

HORSE	FORM
HURRICANE FLY	This horse won all the three races he ran this year and he is in a very good form. He is the last year`s winner and he is prepared to get another win this year.
GRANDOUET	Win the last two races in November and December last year, and it will be a strong contender in the Champion Hurdle Race.
ZARKANDAR	Good form in the last three races, two Good to Soft and one Soft race conditions, he could produce a nice surprise at the Champion Hurdle.
SPIRIT SON	Three wins and one second place in the last 4 races disputed last year. Good form, he could be a candidate to the podium.
BINOCULAR	Inconsistent results in the last year and things are not looking so good for the 2010 winner. With a good preparation before the race, he could have a chance

RACING TIPS & PREDICTIONS

In 2012 the favorites to win this race are :

HORSE	ODDS	BOOKIE	TIPS
HURRICANE FLY	3.75	STANJAMES	Clearly the top favorite to win this race. He is the 2011 winner and he will come this year to get his consecutive trophy. he is in good form, and if everything will go as planned, the title will be his.
GRANDOUET	7.41	BETFAIR	Second favorite in the top 5 bookmaker`s top. He is in good form and could pose serious problems to Hurricane Fly.
ZARKANDAR	9.00	BOYLESPORTS	Third favorite in the top five for this race. He is a strong candidate to be placed on the podium, but his chances to win the race are small.
SPIRIT SON	11.00	CORAL	Only fourth favorite in the top five, a lot of things have to go very good for this horse to have a chance at the trophy.
BINOCULAR	13.30	BETFAIR	2010 winner is only fifth in the top five favorites. He is not in a very good form and he has little chances to win the trophy again. With a good race and a little luck, he can finish on the podium.

ODDS COMPARISON SERVICE

We provide odds comparison in real time for Cheltenham Champion Hurdle so you can discover best odds and bookmakers for your favorites before placing bets. Our tools compare prices from more then 20 online bookmakers for this event.