Berkshire is a hotspot for the nation’s premier dual-purpose racecourses. Whilst not quite boasting the same prestige as Ascot, the Greenham venue of Newbury isn’t too far behind. Home to the prestigious Group 1 Lockinge Stakes on the flat, the picturesque track also stages eight Graded class contests over obstacles, headlined by the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle. Coming up just behind the Graded events – and often offering considerably more betting appeal – are a clutch of quality handicap contests. The pick of the bunch on that score is this event, which takes place in February each year.
Making its debut at Aintree in 1963, this 2m½f contest found its permanent home at Newbury just one year later. Previously sponsored by Schweppes and the Tote, leading betting exchange Betfair took over sponsorship duties in 2012. Open to runners aged four and older and offering £150,000 in total prize money, the race is a key target for the 2m handicappers in the lead-up to the Cheltenham Festival.
Falling under the Premier Handicap umbrella, the Betfair Hurdle more than lives up to that billing. Previous winners include Champion Hurdle heroes Make A Stand and Persian War, and Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Deep Sensation.
2024
- 1st - Iberico Lord 11/2, Jockey: Nico de Boinville, Trainer: Nickey Henderson
- 2nd - L’Eau du Sud 28/1, Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Dan Skelton
- 3rd - Go Dante 14/1, Jockey: Sean Bowen, Trainer: Olly Murphy
2023
- 1st - Aucunrisque 9/1, Jockey: Nick Schofield, Trainer: Chris Gordon
- 2nd - Filey Bay 4/1F, Jockey: Donagh Mayler, Trainer: Emmett Mullins
- 3rd - Teddy Blue 10/1, Jockey: Caolin Quinn, Trainer: Gary Moore
2022
- 1st - Glory And Fortune 20/1, Jockey: Stan Sheppard, Trainer: Tom Lacey
- 2nd - I Like To Move It 12/1, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- 3rd - First Street 14/1, Jockey: James Bowen, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
2021
- 1st - Soaring Glory 17/2, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr, Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill
- 2nd - Fifty Ball 14/1, Jockey: Joshua Moore:, Trainer: Gary Moore
- 3rd - Edwardstone 14/1, Jockey: Tom Cannon, Trainer: Alan King
2020
- 1st - Pic D’Orhy 33/1, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd - Ciel De Neige 13/2F, Jockey: Aidan Coleman, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd - Remiluc 66/1, Jockey: Tom Cannon, Trainer: Chris Gordon
2019
- 1st - Al Dancer 5/2F, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- 2nd - Magic Dancer 20/1, Jockey: Richard Patrick, Trainer: Kerry Lee
- 3rd - Blu Cavalier 100/1, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill, Jr., Trainer: Ali Stronge
2018
- 1st - Kalashnikov 8/1C, Jockey: Jack Quinlan, Trainer: Amy Murphy
- 2nd - Bleu Et Rouge 10/1, Jockey: Barry Geraghty, Trainer:Willie Mullins
- 3rd - Spiritofthegames 20/1, Jockey: Bridget Andrews, Trainer: Dan Skelton
2017
- 1st - Ballyandy 3/1F, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- 2nd - Movewiththetimes 6/1, Jockey: Barry Geraghty, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 3rd - Clyne 6/1, Jockey: Adam Wedge, Trainer: Evan Williams
2016
- 1st - Agrapart 16/1, Jockey: Lizzie Kelly, Trainer: Nick Williams
- 2nd - Starchitect 16/1, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: David Pipe
- 3rd - Flying Angel 25/1, Jockey: Ryan Hatch, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
2015
- 1st - Violet Dancer 20/1, Jockey: Joshua Moore, Trainer: Gary Moore
- 2nd - Cheltenian 22/1, Jockey: Richard Johnson, Trainer: Philip Hobbs
- 3rd - Activial 8/1, Jockey: Noel Fehily, Trainer: Harry Fry