The Grade 1 Hurdle run at Kempton on boxing day should in theory be a pointer to the Champion Hurdle but until Buveur D’air completed the Christmas – Champion Hurdle double in 2017/18 only three winners had followed up at Cheltenham in the same season ( Lanzaraote , Dawn Run & Kribensis ). Prior to Buveur D’air the last double was in 1989-90 and for many punters winning this race was seen as a negative for Cheltenham. Epatante also completed the double last season so maybe that angle has now gone.
The race has been a J P McManus benefit in recent years with Epatante, Buveur d’Air, Yanworth, My Tent or Yours, Darlan and Binocular all winning in the last decade. Nicky Henderson has trained 7/10 winners including the last three. Nico De Bonville is the only jockey apart from the now retired big 3 of McCoy, Walsh and Geraghty to have ridden the winner in the last decade. Aidan Coleman will be hoping to add his name in 2020.
Silver Streak was a surprise winner in 2020
Christmas Hurdle Winners 2002-2020
| Year | Horse | Age | Jockey | Trainer | OR | SP | FOF |
| 2020 | Silver Streak | ||||||
| 2019 | Epatante | 5 | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson | 150 | 2-1 JF | 1/P |
| 2018 | Verdana Blue | 6 | Nico de Bonville | Nicky Henderson | 152 | 11-2 | 2 |
| 2017 | Buveur d’Air | 6 | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson | 169 | 2-11F | 1 |
| 2016 | Yanworth | 6 | Barry Geraghty | Alan King | 157 | 5-4F | 1 |
| 2015 | Faugheen | 7 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 171 | 1-4F | 1 |
| 2014 | Faugheen | 6 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 164 | 4-11F | 1 |
| 2013 | My Tent or Yours | 6 | Tony McCoy | Nicky Henderson | 160 | 11-8 | 2 |
| 2012 | Darlan | 5 | Tony McCoy | Nicky Henderson | 151 | 3-1 | 4 |
| 2011 | Binocular | 7 | Tony McCoy | Nicky Henderson | 164 | 5-4 | 1 |
| 2010 | Binocular | 7 | Tony McCoy | Nicky Henderson | 171 | 13-8 | 1 |
| 2009 | Go Native | 6 | Davy Condon | Noel Meade | 164 | 5-2 | 3 |
| 2008 | Harchibald | 9 | Paul Carberry | Noel Meade | 162 | 7-1 | F |
| 2007 | Straw Bear | 6 | Tony McCoy | Nick Gifford | 161 | 9-2 | 2 |
| 2006 | Jazz Messenger | 6 | Niall Madden | Noel Meade | 140 | 10-1 | 4 |
| 2005 | Feathard Lady | 5 | Ruby Walsh | Colm Murphy | 137 | 6-4 | 1 |
| 2004 | Harchibald | 5 | Paul Carberry | Noel Meade | 145 | 8-11 | 1 |
| 2003 | Intersky Falcon | 6 | Liam Cooper | Jonjo O’Neill | 160 | 11-4 | 2 |
| 2002 | Intersky Falcon | 5 | Charlie Swan | Jonjo O’Neill | 162 | Evens | 1 |
