World Hurdle

3 miles and 12 hurdles at a very decent pace. A specialists race which requires a unique type of horse to win.

World Hurdle Trends

10/10	returned an SP of 8/1 or less
10/10	finished first or second on all hurdle starts that season
10/10	had no more than four runs since August of that season
10/10	had won a Graded hurdle
9/10	had between eight and twenty runs over hurdles
9/10	were aged six to eight
9/10	had previously run at the Cheltenham Festival

World Hurdle Trends Analysis

Shocks are rare in this race with Anzum's 40/1 victory in 1999 something of a one off in recent years so its probably best to focus on the principles in the betting market.

Grade One Or Two winning form and Cheltenham Festival experience also look to be essential criteria and this should narrow the candidates down to a very manageable number.
No horse had won the World Hurdle three years in a row before Big Bucks smashed that record last year. Statisticians will probably be keen to take him on again but he is probably the best staying hurdler we have ever seen and it will take a very good horse to lower his colours.

World Hurdle Last Ten Winners

Table below shows the last ten winners of the race, their age at the time of winning, trainer, jockey and odds (starting price).

Year	Horse	Age	Trainer	Jockey	Price
2011	Big Bucks	8yo	P Nicholls	R Walsh	10/11F
2010	Big Bucks	7yo	P Nicholls	R Walsh	5/6F
2009	Big Bucks	6yo	P Nicholls	R Walsh	4/11F
2008	Inglis Drever	9yo	JH Johnson	D ORegan	11/8F
2007	Inglis Drever	8yo	JH Johnson	P Brennan	5/1
2006	My Way De Solzen	6yo	A King	R Thornton	8/1
2005	Inglis Drever	6yo	JH Johnson	G Lee	5/1
2004	Iriss Gift	7yo	JJ ONeill	B Geraghty	9/2
2003	Baracouda	8yo	F Doumen	T Doumen	9/4F
2002	Baracouda	7yo	F Doumen	T Doumen	13/8F
2001	No Race	No Race	No Race	No Race	No Race

World Hurdle Preview and Tips

Willie Mullins has potential threats galore to Big Bucks in his stable the shape of the improving Mourad and, if given her chance Quevega.

The latter would be particularly interesting if allowed to take on Big Bucks but it may be that Willie Mullins will opt for another crack at the David Nicholson with his mare.

In light of Quevega's probable absence we will go with Nicky Henderson's Oscar Whisky to lower Big Buck's colours. Third in the 2011 Champion Hurdle the 7yo gelding has relished being stepped up in trip this year and has the potential to improve even further when pushed up to three miles.

Back Oscar Whisky at 5/1(odds avail when advised) with Paddy Power