The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle is the commercial name for the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle which is a Group One National Hunt hurdle race that is held on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. This is a race that is run on the racecourse’s Old Course over a distance of two miles and five furlongs. The race, which has ten hurdles to clear, is open to horses aged four years or older and is for novice hurdlers.
H2: Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle 2022 Stats
| Date | Wednesday, 16th March 2022 |
| Start Time | 13:30 |
| Race Distance | Two miles and five furlongs |
| Number of Jumps | Ten |
| Race Type | Hurdle race |
| Purse | £93,750 |
| Horses’ Minimum Age | Four years and up |
2022 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Betting Odds
| Horse | Novibet Odds |
| Sir Gerhard | Evs |
| Dysart Dynamo | 11/5 |
| Ginto | 4/1 |
| Journey With Me | 4/1 |
| Stage Star | 6/1 |
| State Man | 9/1 |
| Kilcruit | 10/1 |
| Three Stripe Life | 12/1 |
| The Nice Guy | 14/1 |
| Classic Getaway | 16/1 |
| I Am Maximus | 16/1 |
| Whatdeawant | 25/1 |
| Ramillies | 50/1 |
| Colonel Mustard | 50/1 |
| Jerrash | 50/1 |
| Adamantly Chosen | 50/1 |
| Haxo | 66/1 |
| Scarface | 66/1 |
| Hemlock | 100/1 |
2022 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Betting Tips
Sir Gerhard leapt to the head of the betting and is currently priced as the even money favourite. This follows from his eye catching debut over the flights at Leopardstown over Christmas. Last season’s Champion Bumper winner then went on to build on that success by adding a Group One win to his CV when he took down the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle by eight lengths from Highland Charge. That was at the Dublin Racing Festival, but he has been back at the track since wining by six lengths, this time to Three Stripe Life, who himself is a 12/1 shot for this race, and he is definitely now a leading contender for this Wednesday’s contest.
Over in County Kildare, Dysart Dynamo won the Group Two Moscow Flyer at Punchestown by a whopping 19 lengths and is another who looks to hold a real threat. Be aware, though, that the Willie Mullins runner could yet go in Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Another interesting name is Henry De Bromhead’s Journey With Me who beat the much fancied pair of Minella Crooner and Kilcruit on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown. Something similar here would make him another of the leading contenders.
Although Stage Star was beaten by Knappers Hill last April, he has since gone on to put a run together of three wins on the spin across the three months prior to Christmas, and all by more than six lengths. This trip should suit the Paul Nicholls’ six year old more than some of the other names in the field and he stands a great chance making his festival mark.
All About The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of two miles and five furlongs the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle is titled as the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle for sponsorship reasons. This is a British Group One National Hunt hurdle race which is open to novice hurdlers aged four years or older and opens the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. In total, the horses involved are required to jump ten hurdles.
A History Of The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle first took place in 1971 when it was then known as Aldsworth Hurdle. Over the years it has carried other names relating to the sponsors at the time, just as is the case today with Ballymore Properties who are in their second stint as race sponsors. The present day sponsors revived their naming rights on the race in 2018 having had a three year sponsorship agreement in place during the mid to late noughties.
The registered and non commercial name of the race is the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle which takes its name in honour of Baring Bingham, who was a developer who purchased Prestbury Park in 1898 before organising the inaugural Cheltenham Festival in 1902. While this race does take place on the Prestbury Park’s Old Course, due to high winds on the day of the planned running in 2008, the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle switched to Cheltenham’s New Course.
Former Winners of Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
| Year | SP Odds | Winner | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2021 | 6/4 | Bob Olinger | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead |
| 2020 | 4/7 Fav | Envoi Allen | Davy Russell | Gordon Elliott |
| 2019 | 8/1 | City Island | Mark Walsh | Martin Brassil |
| 2018 | 8/11 Fav | Samcro | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
| 2017 | 14/1 | Willoughby Court | David Bass | Ben Pauling |
| 2016 | 3/1 | Yorkhill | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2015 | 9/2 | Windsor Park | Davy Russell | Dermot Weld |
| 2014 | 6/4 Fav | Faugheen | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2013 | 7/2 | The New One | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 2012 | 2/1 Fav | Simonsig | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson |
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Records
- The Ballymore Novices’ all time leading jockey is Ruby Walsh with four wins.
- Four wins is also the record for Willie Mullins which makes him the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle leading trainer.
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Betting FAQs
Who is the favourite to win the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle?
This could change but right now it is Sir Gerhard.
Which channel broadcasts the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle?
In Ireland, viewers looking to watch the race can do so on Virgin Media.
What is the distance of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle?
This race has a distance of two miles and five furlongs and has ten hurdles to clear.
Is this a right handed track or a left handed track?
This is run on a left handed track.
Are winning favourites common or rare in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle?
Well, over the past ten years, only three of the starting price favourites have gone on to win this race, but all but one of the starting price favourites has at least finished among the places. Of the non favourite winners, only on went off with a double digit starting price which was 14/1 and belonged to the Ben Pauling trained Willoughby Court in 2017.
