History
The present version of the event was introduced in 1972, when it replaced a previous race, the Spa Hurdle. It was initially known as the Stayers' Hurdle, and in its early years it was sponsored by Lloyds Bank. It was backed by Waterford Crystal from 1978 to 1990, and by Bonusprint from 1991 to 2004. The race used to be held on either the Tuesday or the Wednesday of the Festival, but it was moved to the Thursday in 1993. It was formerly contested on Cheltenham's Old Course, where its distance was 3 miles and 1 furlong.
The title of the race was changed to the World Hurdle when Ladbrokes took over the sponsorship in 2005.
Read more about this topic: World Hurdle
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—Terry Hands (b. 1941)
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—Conor Cruise O’Brien (b. 1917)
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—Ishmael Reed (b. 1938)