The 2013 Stan James Champion Hurdle traial has been switched from Haydock to Doncaster and is now scheduled for 26 January 2013.
The last horse to win this Champion Hurdle Trial on the way to success in the main event was the mare Flakey Dove in 1994. Inglis Drever did win this in 2005 before going on to win the first of his three World Hurdles. Connections of the 2011 Champion Hurdle runner up Peddlers Cross will be hoping the race may be the start of something similar for their horse as he embarks on a staying hurdling career after an unhappy time over fences.
Other notable horses on the roll of honour include the multiple Aintree Hurdle winner Al Eile and Champion Hurdle winner Rooster Booster. Paul Nicholl’s sent Celestial Halo out to win the 2012 renewal.
Haydock Champion Hurdle Stats 2003-2012
- The last 8 favourites finished in the first 3 with 4 winning
- Five of the last six winners were aged 5 or 6
- Winners have been in a OR band between 142 and 168
- The last 8 winners were trained by 8 different trainers
Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial Winners 2003-2012
| Year | Horse | Age | Jockey | Trainer | SP | OR | FoF |
| 2012 | Celestial Halo | 8 | Daryl Jacob | Paul Nicholls | 6-5 | 165 | 1 |
| 2011 | No race | ||||||
| 2010 | Medermit | 6 | Robert Thornton | Alan King | 11-4 | 158 | 2 |
| 2009 | Songe | 5 | Tom Siddall | Charlie Longsdon | 7-1 | 143 | 3 |
| 2008 | No race | ||||||
| 2007 | Afsoun | 5 | Mick Fitzgerald | Nicky Henderson | 11-8 | 154 | 1 |
| 2006 | Al Eile | 6 | Timmy Murphy | John Queally | 5-1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2005 | Inglis Drever | 6 | Graham Lee | Howard Johnson | 4-5 | 152 | 1 |
| 2004 | Rooster Booster | 10 | Richard Johnson | Philip Hobbs | 5-4 | 168 | 1 |
| 2003 | Flame Creek | 7 | Seamus Durack | Noel Chance | 9-4 | 142 | 3 |
