# Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las: 2010 to 2024

_Ffos Las staged the Welsh Champion Hurdle from 2010 to 2024. The race moved to Chepstow in October 2025. Its Ffos Las years, winners and course notes._

*Source: [https://stablebet.co.uk/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/welsh-champion-hurdle-guide/](https://stablebet.co.uk/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/welsh-champion-hurdle-guide/) · last updated 2026-03-02*

The Welsh Champion Hurdle was [Ffos Las](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-complete-guide/)'s biggest race from 2010 to 2024. In October 2025 it moved to Chepstow as part of the new three-day Welsh Racing Festival. It is a Limited Handicap over about two miles. This guide covers its Ffos Las years. The race is now run at [Chepstow](/uk-racecourses/chepstow/chepstow-complete-guide/).

The race came to Ffos Las in 2010, a year after the course opened, and stayed until 2024. It sat on a card that typically included several supporting races, which made Welsh Champion Hurdle day one of the busiest and most competitive meetings at the track. For the full story of how Ffos Las came to be, see the [opencast to racecourse](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-opencast-to-racecourse/) guide.

This guide covers the history of the race, memorable winners, the course and conditions, and betting angles. If you are planning a [day out](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-day-out-guide/) at Ffos Las today, the course still stages the West Wales National, and the [betting guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-betting-guide/) covers the current fixture list.

## History of the Welsh Champion Hurdle

The Welsh Champion Hurdle came to Ffos Las in 2010, a year after the course opened. It became the course's flagship jumps race — a contest that would put Ffos Las on the map and give Wales a hurdles race to call its own.

### Early Years

The race arrived in the course's second year. Ffos Las had just emerged from the transformation of Europe's largest opencast coal mine, and the Welsh Champion Hurdle was a statement of intent. The course wanted to attract quality horses, and the race grew in stature over the years that followed. For the full story of the course's creation, see the [opencast to racecourse](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-opencast-to-racecourse/) guide.

### A Welsh Fixture

The race typically takes place in late summer or early autumn, bridging the gap between the flat season and the core jumps campaign. It has become a target for hurdlers preparing for bigger races later in the year, and for those looking for a competitive contest in Wales. The [complete guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-complete-guide/) has fixture details.

### Sponsorship and Prize Money

Sponsorship has varied over the years. Check the [Ffos Las website](https://www.ffoslas-racecourse.co.uk) for current prize money and sponsor. The race remains the highlight of the Ffos Las calendar, and the card around it is usually strong.

## Great Winners & Memorable Renewals

The Welsh Champion Hurdle has been won by a mix of established hurdlers and up-and-coming types. The race often attracted horses on the way to bigger targets, and winners have gone on to success at other courses. The [betting guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-betting-guide/) has more on form and trends.

### Memorable Renewals

Early renewals established the race as a serious contest. The track's fair, galloping layout means that the best horse on the day usually wins. There are no hidden traps — just a straightforward test of speed, stamina, and jumping. For the course layout, see the [complete guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-complete-guide/#the-course).

### Trends

Horses with course form often ran well. The Welsh Champion Hurdle favoured fluent jumpers who could gallop and quicken. At Ffos Las the going was typically good to soft. Irish raiders won the race, and Welsh and English stables were well represented. The [history](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-history/) of Ffos Las has more on the course's development.

### Planning a Visit

Welsh Champion Hurdle day was the busiest at Ffos Las while the race was staged there. It is now run at Chepstow. The [day out guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-day-out-guide/) has tips for visiting Ffos Las on its current fixtures.

## The Course & Conditions

At Ffos Las the Welsh Champion Hurdle was run over the hurdle track, a left-handed oval of about a mile and a half. The course was built from scratch on reclaimed mining land, with excellent drainage and a fair, galloping layout. For the full course description, see the [complete guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-complete-guide/#the-course).

### The Layout

The hurdle circuit runs inside the chase track, with sweeping bends and a long straight. The obstacles are well positioned, and there are no tricky angles. Horses that can jump fluently and maintain their rhythm have an advantage. The run-in is fair, and the finish is straightforward.

### Going and Conditions

Ffos Las drains well. The Welsh Champion Hurdle was usually run there on good to soft ground, depending on the weather. Carmarthenshire can be wet, but the track rarely becomes heavy. Check the going report before you travel or bet. The [betting guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-betting-guide/) has more on conditions.

### A Fair Test

At Ffos Las the race was a fair test. The best horse on the day usually won, with no draw bias, no severe undulations and no hidden traps. The [day out guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-day-out-guide/) has tips for visitors.

## Betting Angles & Trends

At Ffos Las the Welsh Champion Hurdle tended to favour horses with solid form. The track is fair, and the best horse on the day usually won. Look for runners with course form, good going form, and a profile that suits the trip.

### Course Form

Horses that have run well at Ffos Las before are worth considering. The track is consistent, and some horses take to it. The [complete guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-complete-guide/) has more on the course character.

### Going and Trip

Match the horse to the conditions. At Ffos Las the race was typically run on good to soft ground over about two miles. It is now run at Chepstow, so check the going there before betting. The [betting guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-betting-guide/) has strategies for Ffos Las.

### Trends and Stats

Check recent renewals for trends. Favourites have a reasonable record — the track's fairness means form often holds up. Irish raiders have won the race, so don't overlook runners from across the water. The [day out guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-day-out-guide/) has tips if you're attending.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### When is the Welsh Champion Hurdle run?

The race is now run at Chepstow in October. Ffos Las staged it from 2010 to 2024, and while it was there the date moved: the early runnings were in February, and it settled into October from 2016.

### What type of race is it?

The Welsh Champion Hurdle is a Limited Handicap hurdle. Ffos Las staged it from 2010 to 2024, over the course's hurdle track, and it moved to Chepstow in October 2025. It attracted quality hurdlers from Britain and Ireland. The [complete guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-complete-guide/) has more on the course.

### How do I get to Ffos Las?

The course is near Trimsaran in Carmarthenshire. Postcode SA17 5HF will get you there. Car is the most practical option. The [day out guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-day-out-guide/) has full transport details.

### Is it a busy day?

It was while Ffos Las staged it, drawing one of the biggest crowds of the course's year. The race is now at Chepstow, so book there for the current running. The [day out guide](/uk-racecourses/ffos-las/ffos-las-day-out-guide/) has tips for planning your visit.