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County Hurdle
14:00 Cheltenham Festival
2026-03-13
Winner: £61,897
Runners: 23
Going: Soft
No. of hurdles: 8
Distance:
The William Hill County Hurdle is a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle run over 2m1f as the second race on day four of the Cheltenham Festival. Until a change in the running order in 2009 it was staged as the final race of the festival and was known as the getting-out stakes, as it offered punters a final chance to find a winner. Nine of the last ten runnings have been won by Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton. Check the William Hill County Hurdle runners and riders ahead of the race and place your bets by clicking the odds buttons.
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10(0)
252-52
Helvic Dream
-
J: Donagh Meyler
T: Noel Meade
9
10-13
141
153
Dual-purpose 9yo in fine form in Flat/hurdle codes last year, first past the post in the Galway Hurdle (demoted to second behind Ndaawi for interference); respectable efforts on Flat subsequently; first race for five months.
2(0)
41/31-
Absurde
-
J: Mr P W Mullins
T: W P Mullins
8
11-13
155
157
Won this in 2024 and third last year, albeit off much lower marks; operated a little below his very best on the Flat last year, including in Australia in the autumn, which perhaps raises a few doubts as to whether he'll be able to find the career-best hurdle performance which will be needed to defy such a lofty mark.
24(0)
3-0001
Ooh Betty
-
J: Ben Jones
T: Ben Clarke
8
10-4
132
157
Can make the running; inconsistent but returned to form with mares' Grade 2 win at Ascot (1m7f, soft) in January; runs off same mark as when close third to Cracking Rhapsody in Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr (2m, good to soft) last April; not ruled out each-way at likely big odds.
1(0)
/22-13
Ndaawi
-
J: Josh Williamson
T: Gordon Elliott
6
12-0
156
157
Very smart hurdler whose two visits to this meeting have produced a third in the 2024 Fred Winter and second to Kargese in this last year; improved again to win last summer's Galway Hurdle (pipped by Helvic Dream but awarded the race after suffering interference); below par when remote third to Lossiemouth in Grade 1 Morgiana in November but warmed up for this with a fine run on AW Flat last month over a trip short of his best; while his good record in top handicap hurdles (also second in 2024 Galway Hurdle) makes him a dangerous one to discount, he'll require a high-class performance to win off 156.
20(0)
33-213
Bowmore
-
J: Daire McConville
T: Charlie Longsdon
8
10-6
134
156
Front-runner; convincing Newbury win (2m) under Daire McConville in November before 11l third off this 10lb higher mark behind two well-handicapped rivals at Doncaster (2m, good to soft again) in December; off since; needs better.
13(0)
632114
Williethebuilder
-
J: Jack Tudor
T: Christian Williams
7
10-10
138
156
A rare one in that he's improved since leaving Dan Skelton, winning a pair of 2m handicaps on good ground at Kempton this winter; creditable fourth of ten in the Scottish County at Musselburgh six weeks ago but it underlines that he needs to find a bit more from this career-high mark.
21(0)
/4P5-3
Tellherthename
-
J: Kielan Woods
T: Dan Skelton
7
10-5
133
157
Travelled powerfully in the lead for long way in 2m Carlisle chase on reappearance in October only to fade on run-in (found to have bled from the nose); that was final start for Jonjo & A J O'Neill and he returns over hurdles for a top yard which targets this race; no shock were he to go well.
23(0)
3F1F-3
Secret Squirrel
-
J: Jonathan Burke
T: Hughie Morrison
7
10-5
133
158
Won a valuable handicap hurdle at Windsor (2m, soft) last winter and probably would have been placed in two others but for falling at the last; showed more than enough to think he retains all of his ability when third of four to Alexei in the Grade 2 Kingwell at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) on reappearance four weeks ago; entitled to come on for that.
7(0)
1287-0
Pinot Gris
-
J: Darragh O'Keeffe
T: Henry De Bromhead
6
11-1
143
153
Two wins apiece on the Flat and over hurdles during his time with Gavin Cromwell but well beaten in a big-field handicap on the Flat and over hurdles (behind a few of these at Dublin Racing Festival) since joining current yard; the refitting of blinkers needs to help spark a revival.
15(0)
1-0666
Cracking Rhapsody
-
J: Craig Nichol
T: Ewan Whillans
7
10-8
136
159
Flagbearer for the yard, winning two Morebattles at Kelso and a Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr; however, he's failed to find his best form this season, including only sixth in the latest running of the Morebattle 13 days ago; respectable seventh in this last year; others are more obvious.
9(0)
-3U452
Tripoli Flyer
-
J: Fern O'Brien
T: Fergal O'Brien
7
11-0
142
160
Smart novice hurdler last term; didn't take to fences during opening half of the current campaign but in good nick back hurdling last twice, finishing second on handicap debut at Ascot (2m3f, soft) in January; well-held seventh to Constitution Hill on AW Flat since; it's possible this sort of test could suit.
17(0)
8-1057
Gibbs Island
-
J: Stan Sheppard
T: Tom Lacey
5
10-6
134
155
Soft-ground maiden hurdle winner last season; impressed in 4yo handicap at Chepstow (2m, good) on reappearance in October but has failed to shine in his three outings since; has a hood fitted for a second time.
16(0)
9-2294
Joyeuse
-
J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson
7
10-7
135
161
Impressive winner of top handicap hurdle at Newbury (2m, soft) last February; her progress has stalled since (including beaten favourite over fences in first two runs this season) but she was better than latest last of four to reopposing Ooh Betty in Ascot Grade 2 mares' hurdle (1m7f, soft) suggests, challenging when making a hash of the last; dropped another 3lb on the back of that and could have a say if reacting well to first-time headgear.
6(0)
1-2312
Wilful
-
J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Jonjo & A J O'Neill
7
11-2
144
159
Progressive 7yo who made it 5-11 over hurdles when making all in competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in December; backed that up when second of 14 in another valuable handicap at Windsor (2m, soft) in January; likeable but he will need more again.
NR(0)
211220
Hamlet's Night
-
T: James Owen
5
10-6
134
151
Two wins in September and also a fine second in a conditions race here in October, all on good ground; back from a break with an AW Flat win last month, so it was a bit disappointing he couldn't make more of an impact in the Morebattle at Kelso (handicap hurdle debut) 13 days ago; hard to fancy after that.
12(0)
1-2522
Jubilee Alpha
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
7
10-11
139
159
Three wins as novice included a 2m4f Listed event here; advanced her RPR again when second in 2m5f Wincanton handicap (good; acts on soft) on return but hasn't quite managed to reproduce that level since, despite finishing runner-up in Listed races the last twice; drops back in trip for handicap debut.
19(0)
4513F6
Balko d'Ange
-
J: Brian Hayes
T: Philip Fenton
6
10-6
134
155
Won at Navan (2m, soft to heavy) in November and creditable efforts behind Bowensonfire in big-field handicaps at Leopardstown on both completed starts since; not obviously well treated, though.
8(0)
81-434
Murcia
-
J: Danny Mullins
T: W P Mullins
5
11-0
142
155
Won a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree last year before a decent effort behind Lulamba at Punchestown; lightly raced this season, but last month's fourth of 19 to Bowensonfire in 2m handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival shows she retains all her ability, particularly as being taken wide throughout may not have helped; Townend looks elsewhere this time, but still much respected.
11(0)
12-324
Sixandahalf
-
J: Conor Stone-Walsh
T: Gavin Cromwell
6
10-11
139
157
Smart mare who was second in the Dawn Run novices' race over C&D at this meeting last year; ran close to her best when fourth of five to Wodhooh in Leopardstown Grade 2 (2m4f, good to yielding) over Christmas; freshened up since, ahead of this first attempt in a handicap hurdle.
3(0)
333211
Bowensonfire
-
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-11
153
156
Big improver in recent months, winning strong 2m Leopardstown handicaps at the Christmas meeting (yielding) and at the Dublin Racing Festival (heavy); will need to improve again to complete a hat-trick of big-field successes but that can't be ruled out in his current mood.
14(0)
121130
Sticktotheplan
-
J: Sean Bowen
T: Olly Murphy
6
10-10
138
159
Good start for Olly Murphy when showing a smart turn of foot to win Grade 2 Persian War (novice) at Chepstow (2m3f, good; hooded) in October; hasn't reproduced that in his two subsequent starts, latest when well beaten behind Wilful on Ascot handicap debut, but given a break (had wind surgery) and returns with a tongue-tie added.
4(0)
103-32
Karbau
-
J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
6
11-8
150
156
Smart novice hurdler last season (placed in Grade 1s) and, although defeated at short odds, produced a career-best RPR when 1l second in 2m Naas Grade 3 (heavy) on return from nine months off; entitled to build on that effort and is of major interest in his first handicap, with Paul Townend seemingly preferring him to Murcia and Absurde.
5(0)
16-357
Hello Neighbour
-
J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
5
11-6
148
155
This useful Flat performer was a Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler last season; sustained an injury over the summer but there's been enough in two comeback runs at Leopardstown this winter (seventh to Bowensonfire in handicap latest) to think he retains his ability; not discounted.
22(0)
-22131
Sinnatra
-
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
6
10-5
133
161
Bumper winner who has shown considerable promise on all five hurdle starts, including wins in a maiden at Sandown (2m, good) and novice at Warwick (2m3f, soft); brings an unexposed profile to this handicap debut for a leading stable with an excellent record in this contest; high on the list.
RACING POST TIP
Karbau
Ten of the last 11 renewals have gone to Willie Mullins (six) and Dan Skelton (four) so it may be best not to stray far from the obvious. Murcia went into a few notebooks for this when fourth to Bowensonfire (who should also go well) at the Dublin Racing Festival so it's potentially significant that Paul Townend switches to KARBAU now. This 6yo was placed twice in Grade 1 novices last spring but still posted a career-best RPR when second in a Naas Grade 3 on his reappearance in January. He's entitled to come on for that first outing in nine months and is preferred to unexposed Skelton novice Sinnatra. The shortlist is completed by Joyeuse, who won a major 2m handicap last season and showed better signs at Ascot last time.
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PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2025 | Kargese | 1221-2 | 5 | 3/1F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2024 | Absurde | 617P4 | 6 | 12-1 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2023 | Faivoir | 5-4P | 8 | 33-1 | Dan Skelton | Bridget Andrews |
| 2022 | State Man | 2-F1 | 5 | 11-4F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2021 | Belfast Banter | 312562 | 6 | 33-1 | Peter Fahey | K C Sexton |
| 2020 | Saint Roi | 23-51 | 5 | 11-2 | Willie Mullins | Barry Geraghty |
| 2019 | Ch’tibello | 0-5692 | 8 | 12-1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2018 | Mohaayed | 31-023 | 6 | 33-1 | Dan Skelton | Bridget Andrews |
| 2017 | Arctic Fire | 2-1142- | 8 | 20-1 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2016 | Superb Story | 444-12 | 5 | 8-1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2015 | Wicklow Brave | F-580P | 6 | 25-1 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- At least one top-three finish in last two starts, 8/10
- Aged five or six, 7/10
- Officially rated 134-141, 7/10
- Carried no more than 11st 1lb, 7/10 (two of the exceptions trained by Willie Mullins)
- Ran no more than nine times over hurdles, 6/10
Other factors
- There have been nine winning novices since 1996.
- Ireland has won six of the last ten runnings, including five for Willie Mullins. Dan Skelton accounts for the last four British-trained winners.
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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - COUNTY HURDLE 2025
The last three winning favourites in the County Hurdle have been trained by Willie Mullins after Kargese’s triumph. The Kenny Alexander-owned mare headed the betting for the 16-runner race at 3-1 and won with plenty in hand under Paul Townend. Mullins also saddled the third-placed Absurde and the fourth-placed Ethical Diamond.