Memorable Internationals: five epic renewals of Cheltenham's big December hurdle

The International Hurdle was established in 1963 and has an illustrious roll of honour. In the build-up to Saturday's renewal of the Unibet-sponsored Grade 2, we look back at some of the legends to have landed the prestigious prize

Bird's Nest 1977

The late 1970s was the golden era for two-mile hurdlers but in this race it was all about the brilliant Bird's Nest, trained by Bob Turnell. Although he never won the Champion Hurdle, he was one of the best of that generation and proved it with three International wins in 1977, 1978 and 1980.

See Saturday's entries for the Unibet International Hurdle

The first of those three was particularly memorable, when he beat the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Night Nurse and had a battle to the line with Dramatist.

Champion Hurdle winners Bula, Comedy Of Errors and Sea Pigeon were other notable winners of the race in the 1970s.

Relkeel 1999

Relkeel enjoyed three successive wins in, what was then, the Bula Hurdle and in the final of those he produced a performance of brilliance and tenacity.

The ten-year-old jumped the last level with Far Cry, aged six years younger, but his resilience paid off as he held off that rival by a neck with Richard Johnson standing up in his irons and punching the air after he crossed the line.

Relkeel: three-time winner of the International HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

That victory was Relkeel's last, but Alan King's star is still remembered with a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham. Far Cry, meanwhile, went on to endure two more narrow defeats including in the 2000 Ascot Gold Cup behind Kayf Tara.

Rooster Booster 2002

The last horse to win the International and Champion Hurdle in the same year was the great Rooster Booster, a feat which Elixir De Nutz will hope to replicate in the same yellow and black silks for Terry Warner on Saturday.

Rooster Booster: the last horse to win the International and Champion Hurdle in the same seasonCredit: Gerry Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

That was a hot renewal featuring the previous year's Champion Hurdle first and second, Hors La Loi and Marble Arch, but it was the tough grey who prevailed from the front, despite an error at the last, to hold off the challenge of Landing Light. Just three months later Rooster Booster completed the famous double at the festival.

Menorah 2010

Menorah became the first horse to beat the mighty Cue Card in the 2010 race. After winning the Supreme Novices' at the festival in March and the Greatwood at the start of the new season, Menorah capped a memorable calendar year in the Cotswolds with a brave success. He raced prominently before picking up powerfully to beat Cue Card by four and a half lengths, with two-time King George winner Silviniaco Conti back in third.

Menorah: defeated Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti when landing the International in 2010Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The New One 2016

The International has featured some quality finishes in the past few seasons and The New One has often played a big part. Nigel Twiston-Davies's consistent hurdler won the race three times, with his victory in 2016 perhaps the most memorable.

The New One: defeated My Tent Or Yours in a thriller in 2016Credit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

He raced with his usual zest before getting the better of old foe My Tent Or Yours in a ferocious battle up the Cheltenham hill. The following year, those two star hurdlers treated racegoers to another clash. This time My Tent Or Yours gained revenge.

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