The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle 2025 is one of the most competitive handicap hurdles of the Cheltenham Festival. Historically dominated by Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton, this race consistently produces high-class winners with a blend of novice potential and seasoned The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle is a highly competitive 2m1f race, with W Mullins (7 wins) and D Skelton (4 wins) dominating in recent years. Novices and second-season hurdlers have an excellent record, with 18 of the last 21 winners fitting this profile. Horses aged 5 or 6 tend to thrive, especially those with a strong recent RPR and form over similar trips.
📊 Key Trends & Winning Profile
✅ Trainer Impact: W Mullins (7 wins) and D Skelton (4 wins).
✅ Age Profile: 5 and 6-year-olds dominate.
✅ Form: 16 of the last 19 winners had a best RPR within last three runs.
✅ Headgear: Only Arctic Fire has won wearing headgear in the last 15 years.
✅ Market Guide: 4 of last 24 winners were outright favourites.
✅ Experience: Horses rated between 134–139 (unless Mullins/Skelton).
✅ Hurdle Runs: No more than 19 previous runs over hurdles.
✅ BF Last Time: No last-time-out beaten favourites have won since 2013.
🏇 Recent Winners & Trends Analysis
| Year | Winner | Age | OR | SP | Trainer | Jockey | Last Race (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Absurde | 6 | 138 | 12/1 | W Mullins | P Townend | 4th, G1 Nov Hdle (40) |
| 2023 | Faivoir | 8 | 134 | 33/1 | D Skelton | B Andrews | PU, Betfair Hurdle (34) |
| 2022 | State Man | 5 | 141 | 11/4F | W Mullins | P Townend | 1st, Limerick Md Hdle (45) |
| 2021 | Belfast Banter | 6 | 129 | 33/1 | P Fahey | K Sexton | 2nd, G2 Navan Hurdle (19) |
| 2020 | Saint Roi | 5 | 137 | 11/2F | W Mullins | B Geraghty | 1st, Tramore Md Hdle (72) |
🔍 Key Takeaways:
✅ Lightly raced novices thrive.
✅ Best RPR last 3 runs = key.
✅ W Mullins & D Skelton dominate.
✅ Beaten favourites = poor record.
✅ 5- or 6-year-olds strongest.
✅ Headgear is rare.
🎯 Expert Verdict: Who to Bet On?
The ideal profile is a 5 or 6-year-old, lightly raced novice or second-season hurdler, trained by W Mullins or D Skelton, with a strong recent RPR and no more than 19 hurdle starts.
📈 Best Bets for William Hill County Handicap Hurdle 2025 – Top Selections
| Horse | Odds | Trainer | Age | OR | RPR | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absurde | 6/1 | W Mullins | 7 | 146 | 151 | Defending champion, strong flat form. |
| Kargese | 3/1 | W Mullins | 5 | 141 | 150 | Last season’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up. |
| McLaurey | 7/1 | E Mullins | 6 | 136 | 146 | Improving, big win at Leopardstown. |
| Hansard | 14/1 | G & J Moore | 7 | 142 | 156 | Consistent in big fields. |
| Ethical Diamond | 16/1 | W Mullins | 5 | 143 | 147 | Improving novice. |
✅ Absurde
✅ Defending champ, classy flat form.
✅ Ideal OR and age.
✅ Proven at Cheltenham.
💪 Verdict: Major contender.
✅ Kargese
✅ Strong novice form.
✅ Last RPR shows progression.
💪 Verdict: Likely to be primed for this.
✅ McLaurey
✅ Well-handicapped, improving.
✅ Leopardstown win key form.
💪 Verdict: Each-way value.
🚫 Runners to Avoid
❌ Fils d’Oudairies – Poor recent form.
❌ Irish Panther – Below ideal OR and form.
❌ Norman Fletcher – Inconsistent form.
💰 Each-Way Value
➡️ Ethical Diamond (16/1) – Novice with upside.
➡️ McLaurey (7/1) – Improving with big win last time.
➡️ Hansard (14/1) – Consistent in top company.
✅ Best Trend Fit: Absurde
✅ Best RPR within last 3 runs.
✅ Ideal OR and age.
✅ Big-field experience.
💪 Verdict: Strongest profile fit.
🏆 Top Selection: Absurde – Defending champion, ideal profile.
💼 Best Each-Way Bet: McLaurey – Improving and value price.
🚀 Dark Horse: Kargese – Could surprise at strong odds.
📩 Get Free Cheltenham Festival Tips & Predictions
At PuntHub, we provide free expert Cheltenham tips daily via our open proofing service. Stay ahead of the market and get the best Arkle Chase betting insights before the big day!