County Hurdle Tips, Odds, Free Bets, Betting Offers & Preview
The County Hurdle is a Grade 3 handicap hurdle race over the two miles and half a furlong where only the best-rated horses qualify for their place in the line-up.
It was traditionally the Festival finale until 2009, when it moved to its new slot as the second race on Cheltenham Gold Cup day.
Run on the New Course, runners face eight hurdles, and the pace is usually fast and furious throughout - read on for County Hurdle betting odds, tips, and free bets.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Friday, March 15th - 2:00pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £98,370 |
| Distance: | Two-miles & half-a-furlong |
| Race Type: | Grade 3 Hurdle |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course: | New Course |
| Weights: | Handicap |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
County Hurdle Betting Offers & Free Bets
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County Hurdle Tips
Charlie McCann has his day 4 NAP selection running in the County Hurdle.
Charlie McCann - Kargese (Nap)
There are only six British runners in the 16-runner County Hurdle including Hansard who has been nudged up a couple of pounds having finished third to the fortuitous Champion Hurdle 1-2 Golden Ace and Burdett Road last time.
He is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time by Gary and Josh Moore but I’m not convinced he will get up the hill and I think the market have it right and I think Paul Townend has got this right and KARGESE (Nap) is taken to beat stablemate Absurde who is only 6lbs higher than when winning the corresponding race twelve months ago.
Kargese finished runner up Majborough in last season’s Triumph, second to Sir Gino in the Aintree Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle before getting her reward for a series of excellent runs when landing the Punchestown Grade 1 last spring.
She has only seen the track once so far this term when second at Ascot in a listed contest when, as ever, she was too keen for her own good – hence the hood – and if she ever decided to drop her head, she would not be contesting handicaps.
Absurde was last seen finishing fifth in the Melbourne Cup and as the excellent Racing Post scribe Paul Kealey said on many a preview night most of this field would get lapped in that race and Absurde won despite the heavy ground twelve months ago.
Last season’s Boodles winner Lark In The Morning is 8lbs higher than when scoring 12 months ago and Joseph O’Brien has already been amongst the winners this week.
Eighteen go to post but I would be surprised if one of the three market leaders, who all look potentially well treated, does not land the prize. That said the average SP of the race in the last decade is 18.4/1 although a certain State Man justified 11/4 favouritism when scoring in 2022!
County Hurdle Betting Odds
Kargese has been chosen by Paul Townend, and that's a move that's forced this horse into favourite for the County Hurdle.
What Happened Last Year?
County Hurdle Key Stats
- Nine of the previous 12 winners were priced 10/1 or bigger
- 11 of the last 12 winners were rated 134 or higher
- 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least two runs that season
Previous Winners of the County Hurdle
We’ve listed the last five winners of the County Hurdle in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Absurde |
| 2023 | Faivoir |
| 2022 | State Man |
| 2021 | Belfast Banter |
| 2020 | Saint Roi |
FAQs
When is the County Hurdle?
The County Hurdle is on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, which in 2025, will be on Friday, March 15th, with a start time of 2:00pm.
Who won the County Hurdle in 2024?
The 2024 County Hurdle race was won by Absurde at odds of 12/1.
Who is the leading jockey in the County Hurdle?
Ruby Walsh rode the winner of the County Hurdle on four occasions - Sporazene in 2004, Desert Quest in 2006, American Trilogy in 2009, and Final Approach in 2011.
More Cheltenham Tips
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