Cheltenham

Champion Hurdle Runners

March 13th, 2011 by Dave Fallon

Menorah – Phillip Hobbs – Richard Johnson

A really likeable horse with plenty of class and has everything in his locker that’s needed to win this. Won last year’s Supreme Novices ‘Hurdle in fine style and had Dunguib behind him that day. Put in two brilliant performances this season, both at Cheltenham, when winning the Greatwood Hurdle off top weight – which isn’t an easy thing to do – and then beat Cue Card (the current Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite) in the International Hurdle.

Jockey Richard Johnson thinks the world of him and it’s impossible to see him finish out of the first three. He jumps well – will love the fast pace and won’t be stopping when they meet the hill after the last flight. Big chance.

Odds: 11/4 (Paddy Power)

Oscar Whisky – Nicky Henderson – Barry Geraghty

Has come of age this season and seems to be still improving. He warmed up for this with two comfortable victories, firstly at Cheltenham over 2m 4f and then at Ffos Las where he won the Welsh Champion Hurdle over 2m. As with a few others in this race I think he’s better over 2m 4f and the fast pace could take him off his feet. Although there’s a touch of class about him, I think he’s just short of the top level over this trip and the best he can hope for is a place.

Odds: 7/1 (Paddy Power)

Peddlers Cross – Donald McCain – Jason Maguire

He’s never tasted defeat on a racecourse and completed a great season last year by winning at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. He’s already beaten Binocular this season when winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle but that was a falsely run affair.

As good he as he undoubtedly is, I just think a fast run two miles will catch him out and he might get run off his feet in the earlier stages of the race. I also think 2m 4f is his best trip for now and in time he will make a great 3m chaser. The trainer and jockey love him and rightly so, but I can’t see him finishing in the first three in this.

Odds: 4/1 (Paddy Power)

Hurricane Fly – Willie Mullins’ – Ruby Walsh

Has always been held in the highest regard by his trainer Willie Mullins’ and has had his fair share of injuries. He’s already shown this season how good he is winning four on the spin including, the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. While he clearly has ability, I’ve not been impressed with the quality of races he’s won this season. All of them lacked the hustle and bustle of a large field and a really fast pace.

His jumping looks good but again there’s still a question mark over it. However, he could be something very special and we’ll know exactly how good he is after this race, but he’s a big danger to all and has a serious chance.

Odds: 4/1 (Paddy Power)

Khyber Kim – Nigel Twiston Davies – Paddy Brennan

Ran a blinder in this last year when finishing second and in my opinion, is well over priced for this year’s renewal. Finished fourth behind Binocular in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on his only run this season so he will be very fresh this.

Seems to lack a finishing kick over 2 miles and I believe 2m 4f suits him better. He should be thereabouts turning for home and might finished placed again.

Odds: 11/1 (Paddy Power)

Mille Chief – Alan King – Robert Thornton

This horse has been highly thought of by connections for a long time. An injury set back his progress last season an caused him to miss the Triumph Hurdle. However he’s starting to show what all the hype was about this season with some decent displays.

Won a Handicap at Sandown without coming off the bridle and then went on to beat Celestial Halo by a short head in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. Celestial Halo has come out and won since, but that form should not be good enough to win this and I think he has a lot to find against the main contenders.

Odds: 11/1 (Paddy Power)

Dunguib – Phillip Fenlon – Brian O’Connell

Went off hot favourite for last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and could only finish third behind Menorah. He made up a lot of ground that day to get as close as he did and if he’s improved like Menorah has this season then there’s nothing between them in the form book.

He finished off last season with a disappointing run at the Punchestown Festival behind the likes of Solwhit and Hurricane Fly and it was whispered afterwards that he couldn’t handle the top top level. He’s only had one run this season at Naas, when he won easily so he will be very fresh for this.

I’ve no doubt he can handle himself among the big boys. He’ll handle the ground, track and the fast pace, and I think he’s the fly in the ointment to the big three at the top of the market. He’s the one I’ll be backing.

Odds: 9/1 (Paddy Power)

Clerk Choice – M.C. Banks – Tom Molloy

Has an excellent cruising speed and has improved dramatically since last year. Finished ten lengths behind Menorah in the International Hurdle at this track in December on his last run and he deserves to have a crack at this. However he won’t be good enough to trouble the protagonists and it would take a mammoth effort from him just to be placed.

Odds: 50/1 (Paddy Power)

Thousand Stars – Willie Mullins – Katie Walsh

The second string of the Willie Mullins stable and has played third fiddle, so to speak, behind Hurricane Fly and Solwhit for most of the season. It was those two he finished third behind in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on his last run.

I see no reason why he can reverse the form with his stable mate Hurricane Fly and even if he did, he then has Menorah and Dunguib to worry about. Should be there or thereabouts turning for home but will then fade very quickly and others would have to run bad races for him to get a place.

Odds: 33/1 (Paddy Power)

Overturn – Donald McCain – Graham Lee

A bold front runner and has won some good races on the level and over hurdles. Ran very well in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton finishing second to Binocular and then disappointed in the Kingwell Hurdle behind Mille Chief at Uttoxeter. Trainer Donald McCain said that run was too bad to be true and while he is a decent horse, I think he’s outclassed here.

Odds: 50/1 (Paddy Power)

Bygones Of Brid – Karen McLintock – T J Murphy

Not much to write home about in the form book and finished a flattering eleven lengths behind Peddlers Cross on his last run at Kelso. Has absolutely no chance in this field.

Odds: 100/1 (Paddy Power)

Selection: DUNGUIB Outsider: KHYBER KIM

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Categories: Cheltenham

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