| Date | Time | Class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 14th March 2025 | 14:00 | Grade 3 | 2 miles 1 furlong |
The County Handicap Hurdle is the Cheltenham Festival’s premier 2 mile 1 furlong race for handicap hurdlers.
14.03.2025
Good to Soft
16
2m 179y
Result
| POS | Dist | Runners |
|---|---|---|
| 1 st |
Kargese
J : P Townend
T : W P Mullins
SP : 3/1
WGT : 71
|
|
| 2 nd | 1.5 |
Ndaawi
J : J W Kennedy
T : G Elliott
SP : 25/1
WGT : 70
|
| 3 rd | 1.5 |
Absurde
J : D E Mullins
T : W P Mullins
SP : 5/1
WGT : 73
|
| 4 th | 0.75 |
Ethical Diamond
J : Mr P W Mullins
T : W P Mullins
SP : 16/1
WGT : 72
|
| 5 th | nse |
Spirit D’aunou
J : Freddie Mitchell
T : G & J Moore
SP : 25/1
WGT : 62
|
| 6 th | 0.5 |
Our Champ
J : Freddie Gordon
T : C Gordon
SP : 14/1
WGT : 67
|
| 7 th | 0.75 |
Cracking Rhapsody
J : Craig Nichol
T : Ewan Whillans
SP : 20/1
WGT : 69
|
| 8 th | shd |
Pinot Gris
J : K M Donoghue
T : G P Cromwell
SP : 14/1
WGT : 72
|
| 9 th | 1.25 |
Daddy Long Legs
J : S F O’Keeffe
T : W P Mullins
SP : 14/1
WGT : 76
|
| 10 th | 0.5 |
Irish Panther
J : Cian Cullinan
T : E & P Harty
SP : 12/1
WGT : 62
|
| 11 th | 0.75 |
Norman Fletcher
J : Sam Twiston-Davies
T : N A Twiston-Davies
SP : 40/1
WGT : 64
|
| 12 th | 0.75 |
Fils D’oudairies
J : Danny Gilligan
T : G Elliott
SP : 80/1
WGT : 73
|
| 13 th | hd |
Hansard
J : N F Houlihan
T : G & J Moore
SP : 16/1
WGT : 71
|
| 14 th | 1.25 |
Lark In The Mornin
J : J J Slevin
T : J P O’Brien
SP : 11/2
WGT : 67
|
| 15 th | shd |
Valgrand
J : Harry Skelton
T : D Skelton
SP : 8/1
WGT : 68
|
| 16 th | 13 |
Mclaurey
J : M P Walsh
T : E Mullins
SP : 17/2
WGT : 68
|
County Handicap Hurdle Tips
*Note: Betting tips are only displayed on the day of the race.
| Nap | 
Time
|
Racecourse
|
Tipster
|
Best odds |
|---|
Indicated odds were updated on 2025-03-20 4:38:54 UTC. Please note that
odds are subject to change.
Tips cannot guarantee betting success. Review tipsters performance and bet responsibly.
Tips cannot guarantee betting success. Review tipsters performance and bet responsibly.
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BoyleSports pays extra places on selected races and meetings every day. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Read MoreAbout the County Handicap Hurdle
The County Handicap Hurdle is a grade 3 handicap hurdles race run during the Cheltenham Festival. The race is run over a distance of 2 miles 1 furlong over the New Course at Cheltenham, and features eight hurdles. Entry is open to 5-year-old and above hurdlers.
The County Handicap Hurdle is one of the older races at the Cheltenham Festival, first run in 1920. The race used to have a distinctive role in the ritual of Cheltenham, run as the final event of the Festival. During its history the County Handicap Hurdle has been won by some quality racehorses, including Champion Hurdle winner, Rooster Booster, and multiple Grade 1 hurdles winner, Floyd.
The County Handicap Hurdle has a habit of producing upsets. A favourite last won the race in 2006, and it’s common for winners to come home priced over the 20/1 margin. Younger horses tend to do well in the race, and it’s not unusual for winners to be aged 5-6 with wins by older horses less common thanks to the shorter race distance and hurdles format. However, these trends are too general to provide answers on which horses are likely to win the race.
So, as with other handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival, you’ll need to go through the card and check how individual horses have recently performed over similar distances while carrying comparable weight, keeping an eye out for horses who’re likely to improve carrying less weight or if better suited to the ground conditions on race day. With this in mind steer clear of the antepost markets until a clear picture of race conditions and final weights emerges.
Recent Winners
| Date | Winner | Age | Weight (st-lb) | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Absurde | 6 | 10-10 | Paul Townend | W P Mullins |
| 2023 | Faivoir | 8 | 10-07 | Bridget Andrews | Dan Skelton |
| 2022 | State Man | 5 | 11-01 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 2021 | Belfast Banter | 6 | 10-0 | Peter Fahey | K.C. Sexton |
| 2020 | Saint Roi | 5 | 10-13 | Barry Geraghty | Willie Mullins |
| 2019 | Ch’tibello | 8 | 11-05 | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
