Cheltenham previews – Champion Hurdle – 16th march 2010

Written by: Declan Rix on 15th March 2010

Cheltenham previews - Champion Hurdle - 16th march 2010 | read this item

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This year’s Champion Hurdle is one of the most competitive in recent years. In seasons gone by, the Irish had a real strangle hold on the Tuesday showpiece but that trend has evaporated in the last two years. Alan King took it in 2008 with Katchit and Nicky Henderson claimed 2009 glory with 25-1 ‘outsider’ Punjabi. Both Katchit and Punjabi hold entries again, along with 2007 hero Sublimity.

This year’s Irish challenge is headed by Charles Byrne’s Solwhit and last year’s Supreme Novice winner, Go Native. Contenders from Britain high on the list include Nicky Henderson’s trio of, Zaynar, Binocular and Punjabi. Other horses to note are the Nigel Twiston Davies’ trained Khyber Kim, Paul Nicholls’ Celestial Halo, Alan King’s Medermit and Alan Fleming’s Starluck. I will be hugely surprised if the winner doesn’t come from the above mentioned.

The race is hugely competitive but there are major doubts about some of the above. For me, Starluck won’t come up the hill but on a flat track could possibly win this. Medermit is a classy animal but his hurdling has a bit to be desired. He simply won’t get away with inaccurate jumping in the Champion Hurdle. Celestial Halo is an out an out galloper and will most certainly get tapped for toe coming down the hill, by then, the race could be over. Khyber Kim needs soft ground to produce his best and will not have it on the opening day of the festival.

Like last year, Punjabi seems to be creeping in the back door but I think this year’s renewal is a stronger race. A further negative is his turn of foot compared to some of the market principals. He will be on the premises jumping the last but his inability to quicken will prove his undoing this year. One of Henderson’s other runners, Zaynar, is too short at 5-1. He is a classy and progressive animal but the two mile trip will surely be on the sharp side for the son of Daylami. More importantly, he hasn’t beaten a top two mile hurdler in any of his runs. Factor all this into his short price and I’m willing to pass him over. Irish Champion Hurdle winner, Solwhit, also has chinks in his armour. He has a clear preference for soft ground. Furthermore, he has never had the priceless experience of running at Cheltenham. At 3-1, there is value to be had elsewhere.

And so there were two, Binocular and Go Native. Go Native was one of last season’s top novice hurdlers and impressive winner of the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle. He is a strong traveller but doesn’t find as much as expected off the bridle (very similar to his former stable mate Harchibald). I can see Go Native cruising jumping the last while everyone else is flat to the boards, but what will he find when he really needs it, especially up the dreaded Cheltenham hill? There is a length and a quarter separating Go Native and Binocular on their Christmas Hurdle running. That was at Kempton, which is one of the flattest tracks in England. Cheltenham is a whole different ball game and will bring out the best in Binocular. I really get the feeling we haven’t seen the best of him. Come March 16th, Nicky Henderson should have him peaking.

At 8-1, he represents better value then Go Native but expect a big run from Noel Meade’s new stable star.

An Each-Way bet for the race is Medermit at 16-1, if his jumping holds up; he should run a big race.
Written 1st March

Topics: Champion Hurdle Preview - 16th march 2010, Cheltenham previews