Top County Hurdle Tips for Placing Bets at Cheltenham Festival

Key Takeaways

• Iberico Lord is stand out favourite for now.
• Potential outsiders include L’Eau Du Sud at 10/1* and Magical Zoe at 14/1*.
• Doing your research on recent form, handicap marks, and ground conditions is crucial for placing informed bets on the County Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival.
• Trainer expertise and jockey performance are significant factors, with trainers like Willie Mullins and jockeys such as Paul Townend and Bridget Andrews having noteworthy track records at the Cheltenham Festival.

When is the County Hurdle?

The County Hurdle is set to take place Friday 15 March 2024 at 14:10 on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival.

County Hurdle Tips

Let’s take a look at our County Hurdle odds and see who the favourites and not so favourites with potential are.

The Favourites

Iberico Lord – priced at 7/1* and trained by Nicky Henderson, this 6 year old recently won at Newbury’s Handicap Hurdle 10 February and won a Hurdle at the Cheltenham November meeting.

The Outsiders

• L’Eau Du Sud – this Dan Skelton trained 9 year old lost to Iberico Lord, placing 2nd at the Newbury Premier Handicap Hurdle 10 February, causing his odds to shorten from 14/1 to 10/1*.
• Magical Zoe – this 6 year old trained by Henry De Bromhead placed 2nd at the Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown on 4 February, which saw its odds shorten from 20/1 to 14/1*.
• Go Dante – this Olly Murphy trained 8 year old won at the Cheltenham new course 15 December at the Handicap Hurdle and place 3rd at the same handicap race where L’Eau de Sud placed 2nd and Iberico Lord won, causing his odds to shift from 20/1 to 16/1*.

County Handicap Hurdle Betting Strategies

A seasoned bettor knows that a well-placed bet on the County Hurdle is not just about the runners, it’s everything surrounding them. A good starting point is the horse’s racing form, which definitely can provide context clues. But there’s many other aspects you can turn to to make your informed bet.

A horse’s connections are all important when it comes to the racing industry. Some trainers (like Willie Mullins) dominate certain races as they train them for that specific race. The jockey as well can make a difference. For example, Paul Townend has been the sole rider for Galopin Des Champs over the last 12 races and has won 9 of them.

Still, the connections aren’t the only factor to consider. The ground conditions, or ‘the going’, can turn the tide as well. Some horses prefer racing on good or good to soft ground, whereas other seem to win more on heavy or yielding ground.

And, you should always remember to gamble responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you want more information on placing bets safely, you can visit our Safer Gambling Portal to set up deposit limits and more, or contact us if you have any queries.

Past Winners

Here’s a look at previous winners from the last decade:

Trainer Insights: The Premier Handicap Experts

A horse’s success in the County Hurdle isn’t solely reliant on its form or weight; it equally speaks volumes about the trainer’s proficiency. Take Paul Nicholls, for instance. With four victories in the County Hurdle, he has proven his mettle as a premier handicap expert.

However, the limelight is often on Willie Mullins as leading trainer, who has trained six winners, like Wicklow Brave, Arctic Fire, Saint Roi, and State Man. Then there’s Gordon Elliott, who boasts five wins in eleven years, making him 2nd best.

Then there’s Nicky Henderson, known for his high-class National Hunt horses that excel in non-handicap races and display strong performances up to distances of three miles. Henderson’s charges have shown lucrative returns for their first five runs in National Hunt handicap company, indicating his strategic insight into preparing horses for competition.

Last but not least, Dan Skelton has marked his presence in the County Hurdle with back-to-back victories through Mohayeed in 2018 and Ch’tibello in 2019 in his second race. Not only that, Dan Skelton bagged his third win with Faivoir in 2023, signalling him as an up-and-coming trainer to watch. He’s going in with entry L’Eau Du Sud in 2024.

Jockey Watch: Who to Back?

As the trainers prepare their horses, the jockeys gear up to steer them to victory. Among the jockeys to watch in the County Hurdle is Paul Townend, who has led multiple times at the Cheltenham Festival, with notable years being 2015, 2017, and 2022.

Another jockey to keep an eye on is Bridget Andrews, a fierce pairing with trainer Dan Skelton. She secured her first Festival win on a 33/1 long shot Mohaayed in the County Hurdle in 2018, showcasing her potential as an underdog achiever during the festival finale, and most recently won on another 33/1 longshot in 2023 on Faivoir.

Then there’s Harry Skelton, with two wins in the County Hurdle. His past performance suggests he may be a strong contender in the upcoming race, if chosen to ride.

Considering their impressive records at the Cheltenham Festival, Paul Townend, known for his consistent top-tier performance, and Bridget Andrews, a multiple winner, are the jockeys to keep an eye on this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should I consider when betting on the County Hurdle?

When betting on the County Hurdle, it’s crucial to consider factors like the horse’s racing form, handicap mark, ground conditions, weight, weather forecast, and insights from premier trainers and jockeys. These elements can greatly affect the race outcome.

Who are the top contenders for this year’s County Hurdle?

Iberico Lord, trained by Dan Skelton, is a top contender for this year’s County Hurdle. But also keep an eye on potential surprise long shots with odds of around 20/1 to 33/1 as well.

How should I manage my bets for the County Hurdle?

You should manage your bets for the County Hurdle by betting sensibly and using level stakes within your means. Avoid chasing losses, and use our Safer Gambling Tools if you need them.

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*All odds are correct at time of writing and are subject to change.