HISTORY OF THE WELSH CHAMPION HURDLE

Andrew Lowrie of optimum racing recalls the glorious history of Wales’ great race

The latest edition of the Welsh Champion Hurdle will be staged at Ffos Las in October. Although run as a limited handicap these days, it formerly attracted the very best hurdlers from both sides of the Irish Sea.
The old Welsh Champion Hurdle had previously been held at Ely racecourse in Cardiff and at Caerleon. First run at Chepstow in 1969, the locally-trained Persian War won what was a high class renewal, getting the better of Drumikill whom he had al...