The Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton: Complete Guide

The Kingwell Hurdle was inaugurated in 1971. It was designed from the start as a Champion Hurdle trial — a race that would give two-mile hurdlers a chance to sharpen up before Cheltenham. The timing, in February, was deliberate. It sits between the Christmas programme and the Festival, giving connections a clear run at the Champion Hurdle without over-racing their horses.

The Early Years

In the 1970s and early 1980s, the Kingwell Hurdle established itself as a recognised trial. The race was run at Wincanton, which had already built a reputation for quality jumps racing. The course history tells the story of how Wincanton became a key venue. The Kingwell Hurdle was part of that rise. Horses that won or placed here often went on to Cheltenham. The race was on the map.

Desert Orchid and the 1980s

Desert Orchid won the Kingwell Hurdle in 1984. He was still a novice hurdler at the time, but he had already shown his talent. He made much of the running and held on to win — a sign of the front-running style that would define his career. He would go on to finish well beaten in the Champion Hurdle that year, but his victory at Wincanton was the start of a love affair with the course. He would win five times at Wincanton in total. The Kingwell Hurdle was the first.

The 1990s and 2000s

The 1990s saw Kribensis win the Kingwell Hurdle before going on to win the Champion Hurdle in 1990. The race had established itself as a genuine trial. In the 2000s, Azertyuiop added his name — a brilliant two-miler who would go on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase over fences. Binocular won in 2009 and 2010, the latter year en route to Champion Hurdle glory. Zarkandar won in 2010 and 2012. The roll of honour was becoming a who's who of jumps racing.

Grade 2 Status

The Kingwell Hurdle has been a Grade 2 since the grading system was introduced. It sits below the top-tier Champion Hurdle trials — the Constitution Hill at Cheltenham, the International at Cheltenham — but it's a serious race. The prize money attracts quality fields. The timing and the distance make it a natural prep for Cheltenham. Connections take it seriously.

The Modern Era

The race continues to attract the best two-mile hurdlers. Horses that win or place here often go on to the Champion Hurdle. Some skip Cheltenham and target other races. But the Kingwell Hurdle remains a key fixture in the jumps calendar. It's the day when Wincanton puts on its best show. The crowd turns out. The television cameras are there. The race matters.

The Kingwell Hurdle has been won by some of the best hurdlers of the modern era. Here are a few of the standouts.

Desert Orchid (1984)

Desert Orchid won the Kingwell Hurdle as a novice in 1984. He made much of the running and held on to win — a sign of the front-running style that would define his career. He would go on to finish well beaten in the Champion Hurdle that year, but his victory at Wincanton was the start of a love affair with the course. He would win five times at Wincanton in total. The Kingwell Hurdle was the first. The grey would return as a chaser and capture the hearts of the crowd. The Desert Orchid Chase now honours his memory.

Kribensis (1990)

Kribensis won the Kingwell Hurdle in 1990 before going on to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Richard Dunwoody, he was a classy performer. The Kingwell Hurdle was his final prep before Cheltenham, and he passed the test. He went to the Festival as the favourite and won. The race had established itself as a genuine Champion Hurdle trial.

Azertyuiop (2003)

Azertyuiop won the Kingwell Hurdle in 2003. He was a brilliant two-miler — fast, athletic, and a natural over hurdles. He would go on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase over fences, but his success at Wincanton showed his talent. He was trained by Paul Nicholls, whose Ditcheat yard is just down the road. The local connection added to the story.

Binocular (2009, 2010)

Binocular won the Kingwell Hurdle on two occasions — in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, he went on to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Tony McCoy, he was one of the best hurdlers of his generation. The Kingwell Hurdle was his final prep before Cheltenham. He passed the test and went on to Festival glory.

Zarkandar (2011, 2012)

Zarkandar won the Kingwell Hurdle in 2011 and 2012. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he was a tough, consistent performer. He went on to finish third in the Champion Hurdle in 2012. The Kingwell Hurdle was a key part of his preparation. He proved that the race could produce horses that ran well at Cheltenham even when they didn't win.

The Kingwell Hurdle is run over two miles with eight hurdles. The distance and configuration mirror the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. It's a fair test — no quirks, no hidden challenges. What you see is what you get.

The Track

Wincanton is a right-handed, galloping track. The circuit is roughly a mile and a half round, with an uphill finish. The hurdles are well spaced. Horses get a chance to stride out. The track suits speed horses when the ground is good, but when the ground is soft or heavy, stamina comes into play. The uphill finish can favour stayers in the closing stages.

Ground Conditions

The race is run in February. The ground is often soft or heavy. The South West gets plenty of rain in winter. Horses that act on the ground have a significant advantage. Form from the summer and autumn on good ground doesn't always translate. Check the official going description before you bet. When the ground is testing, mud-lovers and stayers can outrun their odds.

The Viewing Experience

The grandstand overlooks the straight. You'll see the horses jump the last hurdle and run to the line. The course layout is straightforward. The parade ring and winner's enclosure are close to the main facilities. For a day out at the Kingwell Hurdle, you'll get a clear view of the action.

Comparison to Cheltenham

The Champion Hurdle is run on a left-handed track with an undulating layout. Wincanton is right-handed and galloping. The two courses are different. But the distance and the number of hurdles are the same. Horses that win the Kingwell Hurdle have passed a test. Whether they can translate that to Cheltenham depends on the horse. Some thrive at both. Some prefer one or the other. The Kingwell Hurdle is a useful guide — not a guarantee.

The Kingwell Hurdle attracts quality fields and offers betting interest. Here are some angles to consider.

Champion Hurdle Form

Horses that have run well in the Champion Hurdle or in other Grade 1 hurdles often run well here. The race is a step down in class for some — a chance to sharpen up before Cheltenham. When a horse has placed in the Champion Hurdle and returns for the Kingwell, it's worth noting. The form is usually reliable.

Ground Conditions

When the ground is soft or heavy, stamina comes to the fore. Horses that act on the ground have a significant advantage. Look for horses that have won or placed on soft or heavy elsewhere. When the ground is good or good to soft, speed horses come into their own. The race can be won by a quick type that gets an easy lead. Check the going before you bet.

Paul Nicholls

Paul Nicholls trains at Ditcheat, a few miles from Wincanton. He has won the Kingwell Hurdle with Azertyuiop and Zarkandar. When he has a runner, the form is worth noting. He knows the track. His horses are often well prepared. If you're weighing up a Nicholls horse against a rival, the local knowledge can be the tiebreaker.

Course Form

Horses that have run well at Wincanton before often run well again. The track is straightforward, but some horses take to it. When you see a "W" or a placed effort at Wincanton in the form, it's worth noting. The betting guide has more on course form.

Trends

Past winners have often had a run in the last 60 days. They've often run in graded company. They've often acted on the ground. The race can throw up a surprise — a horse stepping up from handicap company — but the trends favour horses with proven form in graded hurdles. Study the form and respect the going.