Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle
| Grade 3 race | |
| Location |
Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1920 |
| Race type | Hurdle race |
| Sponsor | Randox Health |
| Website | Cheltenham |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2m 1f (3,420 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Five-years-old and up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse |
£90,000 (2016) 1st: £45,560 |
The County Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong (3,420 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The County Hurdle was established in 1920, and its inaugural winner was Trespasser, ridden by George Duller. Its title between 1995 and 2016 was the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle in honour of Vincent O'Brien, an Irish racehorse trainer who retired in 1994. During his career O'Brien recorded a total of twenty-three victories at the Cheltenham festival.
For many years the County Hurdle was traditionally the last race to be run at the Festival. However, a new running order was announced ahead of the 2009 meeting, and it is now the second race on the final day.
Most successful horse since 1946:
Leading jockey since 1946 (4 wins):
Leading trainer since 1946 (4 wins):
a The race was abandoned in 1931 because of frost, and in 1937 because of flooding
b It was cancelled in 1943–45 because of World War II.
c The 1947 edition was abandoned because of snow and frost.
d It was cancelled in 1949 due to frost, and in 1955 due to snow.
e The race was abandoned in 1975 due to waterlogging, and in 1978 because of snow.
f The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.
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