The feature race on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival is undoubtedly the Champion Hurdle, a grade one event run over two and a half miles. When looking at recent results in this event it is impossible to ignore the efforts of the Aiden O'Brien trained Istabraq. In winning three successive of this race he has become a Cheltenham legend. Istabraq aside however, favourites in the betting for the Champion Hurdle has fared poorly in recent years and many outsiders have taken places at large odds. If your an each-way punter looking for value this could be your race as any entrant that has illustrated sound jumping ability in the run upto Cheltenham is in with a chance.

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The Champion Hurdle in 2003 began in extremely unusual circumstances with the 2002 winner Hors La Loi remaining at the start as the race got underway. Two other fancied entrants were very slowly away and the confusion resulted in a field well strung out before the halfway point.

One of the entrants suited by the fantastic early pace was the Peter Hobbs trained Rooster Booster. Under Richard Johnson he ran the perfect race, remaining at the rear of the field for as long as possible and upon making his move at the final turn there was only going to be one winner. Eleven lengths behind the winner can the second placed horse in the 2002 Supreme Novices, Westender who had been one of the betting market leaders left trailing after his slow and confused start. The favourite in the Champion Hurdle betting, Rhinestone Cowboy, came in a disappointing third but is likely to improve before the 2004 race.

Champion Hurdle Results
Year	Horse	Trainer	Starting Price
2003	Rooster Booster	P Hobbs	9/2
2002	Hors La Loi III	J Fanshawe	10/1
2000	Istabraq	A OŽBrien	8/15 Fav
1999	Istabraq	A OŽBrien	4/9 Fav
1998	Istabraq	A OŽBrien	3/1 Fav
1997	Make A Stand	M Pipe	7/1
1996	Collier Bay	J Old	9/1

Following the excitement of the Champion Hurdle comes the Handicap Chase.