County Hurdle Tips: 2024 Betting Preview & Trends
The County Hurdle is one of the most competitive handicap hurdles run all season and takes place on Gold Cup day at the Festival - when Cheltenham offers are in plentiful supply for racing punters.
It’s a race that has a habit of throwing up a big-priced winner and betting for the 2022 edition looks wide open, so County Hurdle tips could vary greatly as we approach the festival.
County Hurdle Runners In Focus
Here's an in-depth look at some of the top contenders in 2022 County Hurdle betting:
Cork The Leading Hope For Skelton
Dan Skelton has won the County Hurdle three times since 2016, so it’s clearly a race he targets. That increases interest in West Cork, who won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham’s November Meeting.
West Cork suffered an overreach when well-beaten at Ascot in a race won by Tritonic the following month - so he has an excuse for that 16-length defeat. His trainer looks sure to have him in top shape for what has likely long been the eight-year-old’s target.
However, County Hurdle trends show that Prestbury Park winners haven’t fared particularly well in this race this century.
Read More: Check out the best horse racing betting sites
Mullins Squad Strong As Ever
No trainer has won the County Hurdle more than Willie Mullins and State Man looks very much like a horse that could add to Mullins’ four previous winners.
The unexposed French recruit fell on his hurdles debut but he made no mistake at the second time of asking when bolting up in a Limerick maiden. That form is pretty ordinary but State Man is going to be very hard for the handicapper to get a handle on and this five-year-old novice has exactly the right sort of profile for a County Hurdle, which is why he ranks highly in our County Hurdle tips shortlist.
Bandit Knows How To Win
Gordon Elliott has yet to win this prize but he has a host of County Hurdle contenders, not least the prolific novice Top Bandit, who made it three wins from four hurdles starts at Punchestown in February.
He has experience of Prestbury Park - having won a maiden on the Old Course earlier in the season - and has looked well-suited to decent ground.
Read More: Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips
County Hurdle Odds
Runner | Odds |
---|---|
State Man | 9/2 with 888sport |
Top Bandit | 7/1 with 888sport |
West Cork | 17/2 with William Hill |
Colonel Mustard | 9/1 with bet365 |
I Like To Move It | 11/1 with 888sport |
- Odds correct as of 17/03/2022 - For full latest odds head over to 888sport
County Hurdle Trends
- Focus on less-exposed runners: 17 of the last 19 County Hurdle winners were either novices or a second-season hurdlers.
- Age range: Only one horse older than eight has won the County Hurdle this century. Five-year-olds have a particularly strong record, winning it 11 times since 1998.
- Appeal of flat-racers: 13 of the last 18 winners raced at least once on the flat earlier in their career.
- Avoid Cheltenham winners: Only one horse with a previous Cheltenham win has won this race since 2000.
- Henderson hoodoo: Nicky Henderson has a particularly poor recent record in this race despite winning it twice in the 1990s. Just three of his last 25 runners have hit the frame.
- Avoid market leaders: Saint Roi (2020) was the first winning favourite since 2006 and five of the last 10 winners were 20/1 or bigger.
Recent County Handicap Hurdle Winners
Year | Winner |
---|---|
2021 | Belfast Banter |
2020 | Saint Roi |
2019 | Ch'tibello |
2018 | Mohaayed |
2017 | Arctic Fire |
2016 | Superb Story |
2015 | Wicklow Brave |
2014 | Lac Fontana |
2013 | Ted Veale |
2012 | Alderwood |
Check Out Other Popular Horse Racing Event Offers:
Recommended Betting Sites
- Our Top Pick118+. T&C Apply
- 218+. T&C Apply
- 318+ Play Safe. New customers using Promo code BB40 only. Min €10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 4 x €10, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 7 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below. gamblingtherapy.org
- 418+. T&C Apply
- 518+. Full T&Cs apply. New customers online only. €5 min stake (if EW then min €5 Win + €5 Place). Receive €20 Tote Credit and 50 Free Spins on selected game within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. Valid up to 7 days after registration. Dunlewey.org
- 618+. T&C Apply. Promo code: PRIBET100
- 718+. T&C's apply
- 818+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply
- 918+. T&C Apply
- 1018+. Min deposit €10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least €10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days and expires after 14 days • Bonus valid on selected Casino games only • Bonus wins capped at €500, excluding Jackpot wins • You must wager Bonus amount x40 – this requirement varies by game T&Cs apply.
- 18+. T&C Apply
- 1218+. New Depositors Only. Min. Dep: €10. Max Bonus €100 + 10 Spins on Book of Dead. The welcome offer requires 1 deposit. Welcome bonus must be used within 14 days or it expires. spins expire after 24h. Bonus subject to 9x wagering with min. Odds 2.00 per single bet or 1.40 per combo bet selection. Spins subject to 35x wagering
- 1318+ T&C's Apply
- 14IRE/NI new customers only. Min Deposit €/£10. Min stake €/£10. Min odds Evs. Free Bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. Free Bets expire in 7 days. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment method restrictions. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply.
- 1518+. T&C Apply
- 1618+ New Customers opt in, deposit and bet up to €100 at odds of 2.00 or greater within 7 days of registration, excludes deposits via PayPal & excludes cashed out bets. Matched bonus paid in free bets; 7 day expiry. Geo Restrictions. T&Cs Apply See Below. Please Gamble Responsibly.
- 1718+. T&C's Apply.
- 1818+. New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of $/€10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: $/€200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms Apply.
- 1918+. New customers only. Min deposit €10, maximum bonus that can be awarded in this promotion is €100. T&C's apply.
- 2018+. T&C Apply
- 2118+. New Customers only, Min deposit €20. min odds 1.5. T &Cs apply.
- 2218+. T&C Apply
- 2318+ T&C's Apply
- 2418+ T&C's Apply
- 2518+ New Players only. Bonus Code: PLAY10. Gamble responsibly. www.begambleaware.org
- 2618+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: €10, max €10 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. Full T&Cs Apply.
- 2718+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first €5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x €5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
- 2818+. New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply.
- 2918+. Promo Code: ZB100S. T&C's Apply.
- 3018+. T&C Apply
- 3118+. T&C Apply
- 3218+. T&C Apply
- 3318+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: €10, max €10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible. T&Cs apply
- 3418+, New Customers Only, Play Responsibly, T&C Apply.
- 35Welcome Bonus Bet - Bet €10 Get €15 terms. This offer is for new sports customers only and is available once per household. Max. Bonus Bet amount €15. Minimum wagering on the sport to activate the Bonus Bet is €10 (which can be achieved from a Min deposit of €10). Offer valid only to customers wagering on sport €10 or more and make a qualifying bet in accordance with the Bonus Bet Specific Terms and Conditions below. 1st Place Prize: €1000. Prizes granted up to 48h after the tournament ends. Bonus Bet does not contribute towards the leaderboard. Click to see full T&Cs
- 3618+ New customers only. Opt in & bet up to €50 (min. €20) on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get up to 2x €25 in free bets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.
- 3718+. T&C Apply
- 38Min. bet €10 to receive €20 Free Bet (placed 10 days from registration). Min. odds of 1.6. Free Bet credited at qualifying bet settlement and placed within 10 days.
- 3918+. T&C Apply
- 4018+, New Customers Only, Play Responsibly, T&C Apply.
- 4118+. T&C Apply
- 4218+ New players only. Opt-in Required. Min stake £/€/$ 10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £/€/$ 200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply.
- 4318+. T&C's apply
- 4418+ Ts&Cs Apply
- 4519+. New Customers only. Minimum deposit €20 & minimum odds 1.50. T&C's apply.
- 4618+ | ΙΕ new customers only | Max €100 free bet | Min bet €30 | Min odds 7/10 (1.70) | Bonus Code: BET30GET100 | Free bet stake is not returned | Offer valid until 31.12.2024 | Free bet valid for 7 days | T&Cs Apply
- 4718+. T&C Apply
- 4818+. T&C Apply
- 49NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MAX ONE €10 FREE BETS. QUALIFYING BETS MUST BE PLACED AT ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. PAID AS BONUS TOKEN WITH MIN 4/5 ODDS REQ. SKRILL, NETELLER & PAYPAL NOT ELIGIBLE T&CS APPLY. 18+
- 5018+. T&C's apply.
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.