Day three of Cheltenham Festival key attraction is the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. The Ladbrokes World Hurdle runs on the Thursday at 3.20pm, over a distance of three miles. It is Grade 1 hurdle, with a total prize fund of £260,000.
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The latest odds are available below.
Despite the fact the fact that the race is open runners of age five-years old and upwards, the statistics show that the race favours the slightly and more mature horses, as since the races beginnings there has never been a winner under the age of six-years-old.
Conversely, there has only over been one winner over the age of nine, which was the notorious Crimson Embers back in 1986.
Like any other race at Cheltenham, the Ladbrokes World Hurdle has it’s own particular heroes; Baracouda and Inglis Drever, these infamous runners have undoubtedly set the standard for the event.
Baracouda gained almost legendary notoriety after winning the race twice, in 2002 and 2003, then finishing in second place twice. While Inglis Drever has notched up an impressive three victories over the years, in 2005 and again in 2007 and 2008.
Unusually, Irish-trained horses have a less than impressive track record at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, with no Irish-trained runners managing to win for a lengthy 15 years.
French-bred horses have the best track record in this race, making up four of the first five finishers last year. While four of the last eight races have had a French-bred winner.
There is an unusual connection between the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, as there has never been a horse entered into the festival that has managed to win both races.
The 2010 Ladbrokes World Hurdle was won by Paul Nicholl’s, seven-year-old Big Buck’s.
War of Attrition took the lead initially, with Time For Rupert overtaking him midway through the race, however, it was Big Buck’s who ultimately looked like the only winner.
Having won in 2008 also, Big Buck’s looks poised score a hat-trick in 2011 as favourite. While, Zaynar and Quevega are also ones to watch.
