2009 Cheltenham World Hurdle RunnersCHELTENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 17: Black Jack Ketchum, ridden by Tony McCoy, clears the final hurdle on his way to victory in The Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle on the final day of The Annual National Hunt Festival held at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 17, 2006 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

The World Hurdle is the key event of day three of the Cheltenham Festival. The race boasts a total prize fund of £250,000 and is contested by some of National Hunt racing's finest jumpers over hurdles.

Inglis Drever

As the 11-8 favorite at the 2008 Ladbrokes World Hurdle, Inglis Drever certainly made somebody's day and finished strongly with jockey Denis O'Regan by taking the lead from Kasbah Blitz over the final stretch.

Inglis Drever is the only stayer to have won the Ladbrokes World Hurdle event on three occasions (2008, 2007 and 2005) and looks like a strong contender if owner Howard Johnson decides to run the horse again at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival.

Black Jack Ketchum

Black Jack Ketchum will probably emerge as the favourite Cheltenham World Hurdle runner as the Cheltenham Festival approaches. The eight-year-old is deadly over hurdles and has a peerless record of 8 wins from 11 starts.

What is likely to make his opponents even more nervous is the fact that Black Jack Ketchum has taken 4 wins from 6 starts at Cheltenham Racecourse. The World Hurdle is a race for stayers where stamina is all important. This World Hurdle runner has all the stamina he needs, having won 3 races from 6 starts made over 3 miles or longer.

Flight Leader

Flight Leader is a top-notch emerging hurdler in National Hunt racing. In just under two years of racing over hurdles this 2008 Cheltenham World Hurdle runner has claimed 3 wins from 9 starts including another 3 placed finishes.

Despite not having the highest win ratio over hurdles, Flight Leader seems to excel on Cheltenham Racecourse with a record of 2 wins and 1 third placed finish at Prestbury Park. More importantly, Flight Leader handles longed distances with ease and has won 2 out of 4 starts in races over 3 miles or more.

Lough Derg

French born Lough Derg is a David Pipe-trained racehorse who has all the experience to win the 2008 Cheltenham World Hurdle. Unlikely many other potential World Hurdle runners, Lough Derg also has experience over fences that will be to his advantage when taking on the unique Cheltenham Racecourse. Lough Derg has an excellent record over hurdles with 8 placed finishes from 15 starts, including 5 wins.

Lough Derg’s performance at Cheltenham Racecourse is decent with 3 wins from 11 starts. If Lough Derg has any weakness it is his approach to the longer races. Although Lough Derg has finished placed in 2 races over 3 miles and 1 furlong, he remains winless over any distance over 3 miles. Nevertheless, with his excellent jumping and track record at Cheltenham Racecourse this 2008 Cheltenham World Hurdle runner remains a serious contestant for a placed finish.

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