From a humble start to a golden age and beyond

1 According to Racing Post historian John Randall there were at least three races called the Champion Hurdle before the current race was inaugurated in 1927. A race carrying the title of Champion Hurdle was run at Liverpool between 1841 and 1844. Kempton staged the Champion Hurdle Handicap in 1890-91, while the Champion Hurdle Cup was run at Gatwick from 1920-1924.

2 Although, the Champion Hurdle is now regarded as the world's most prestigious hurdle race, it started life in a rather less exalted position, primarily because hurdling was seen as a minor sphere at a time when most jumpers were bred to be steeplechasers. Despite the elevation of Cheltenham's Spring Festival in the early years of the 20th century, the first running in 1927 was less significant than more established end-of-season events such as the Imperial Cup at Sandown and the Liverpool Hurdle. The first winner, Blaris, won prize-money of £365; he had won a chase on his previous outing.

3 The race has been abandoned four times since its inception in 1927. Persistent frost led to its cancellation in 1931, while there was no edition in 1943 and 1944 because of the second world war. In 2001, the entire meeting was abandoned owing to foot and mouth. A substitute race at Sandown was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained Landing Light, who never won the big race at Cheltenham. The 1947 race was postponed twice owing to winter snows.