Herald Champion Novice Hurdle

Herald Champion Novice Hurdle

2016
Don't Touch It	Petit Mouchoir	Brain Power

Previous years
2015
Douvan	Sizing John	Blair Perrone
2014
Faugheen	Valseur Lido	Sgt Reckless
2013
Jezki	Ted Veale	Champagne Fever
2012
Alderwood	Trifolium	Simenon
2011
Shot From The Hip	Hidden Universe	Far Away So Close
2010
Blackstairmountain	Flat Out	Sweeps Hill
2009
Hurricane Fly	Kempes	Riverside Theatre
2008
Jered	Salford City	Fiveforthree
2007
Clopf	Holly Tree	Rindoon
2006
Iktitaf	Straw Bear	Jazz Messenger
2005
Wild Passion	Kill Devil Hill	In Compliance
2004
Brave Inca	Royal Shakespeare	Royal Alphabet
2003
Back In Front	Limerick Boy	Fota Island

The Herald Champion Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres), and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped. The race is for novice hurdlers, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Punchestown Festival in late April or early May.

The event was formerly open to horses aged four or older, and for a period it was sponsored by BMW. The minimum age was raised to five in 1992, and Country Pride took over the sponsorship in 1993. The race was promoted from Grade 2 to Grade 1 status in 1998.

The Evening Herald became the usual sponsor of the race in 2000. The event was subsequently backed by VC Bet, but the Evening Herald returned as sponsor in 2009. The race was rebranded as the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle in 2013 after the sponsoring newspaper change its name.

Records

Leading jockey since 1980 (4 wins):

• Tony McCoy - His Song (1998), Jered (2008), Shot From The Hip (2011), Alderwood (2012)

Leading trainer since 1980 (5 wins):

• Noel Meade – Cardinal Hill (1999), Scottish Memories (2002), Wild Passion (2005), Iktitaf (2006), Jered (2008)
• Edward O'Grady - Deep Gale (1980), Ned Kelly (2001), Back in Front (2003), Clopf (2007), Shot From The Hip (2011)

Winners since 1980

• Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr".

¹ The 2001 running took place at Fairyhouse.

See also

• List of Irish National Hunt races

References

• Racing Post:
  • "1988". , "1989". , "1990". , "1991". , "1992". , "1993". , "1994". , "1995". , "1996". , "1997". 
  • "1998". , "1999". , "2000". , "2001". , "2002". , "2003". , "2004". , "2005". , "2006". , "2007". 
  • "2008". , "2009". , "2010". , "2011". , "2012". , "2013". , "2014". , "2015". , "2016". 

• pedigreequery.com – VC Bet Champion Novice Hurdle – Punchestown.
• racenewsonline.co.uk – Racenews Archive (April 25, 2003).