The worst looking Champion Hurdle field I can recall. I suspect the trainer feels Envoi Allen is not ready yet, even in a dire year. He's been hyped to the absolute tits but he is still a 154 rated horse on official figures for the moment. The lure of unbeaten horses is strong but he needs another chunk to win. There are worse bets than him though. You can get 5/1 WAR on him and money back if he does not line up. I feel Honeysuckle and Benie Des Dieux are worse value at their odds. Benie Des Dieux thrashed Penhill last time but there are clear reasons not to buy into the form. It was a 3 mile race on Heavy ground and former champion stayer Penhill has had his problems, hence the 8/1 odds that day. Second favourite Apples Jade was pulled up and she has mostly been out of sorts for a while now. The test over 3 miles on a ploughed field was very different to what a 2 mile Champion Hurdle on better ground would be. I think she is terrible value myself. I was listening to Radio 5 after the Irish Champion Hurdle and could not believe when the Sports News round-up led with the headline "Racing has a new superstar after the unbeaten Honeysuckle landed the Irish Champion Hurdle today" I know we hear a lot about "Fake News" these days but this was surely "F*** ! News" The runner up in that Champion Hurdle was officially rated 146 but somehow got a mark of 160 from the Racing Post. The official Handicapper was more cautious on 152 but the fact is that Honeysuckle has been winning soft races at short odds. Just because some were Grade 1 status does not mean they were Grade 1 quality and that seems to be an area where some punters get trapped into assuming that a Grade 1 is automatically the top quality. Any race is only as good as the overall strength of the field when several of the runners have run to their best ability. The trainer of Honeysuckle seemed lukewarm about taking Honeysuckle to the Champion Hurdle and it's probably wise not to be buying into the Superstar tag. Honeysuckle isn't even favourite for the Mares' Hurdle, which seems odd for a "Superstar" Willie Mullins has had several crocks in the build up to Cheltenham and he's tailed away to a 10% strike rate after averaging about 30% earlier in the year. I have noticed that some of his unraced horses this season have missed intended prep races. Fly Smart and Rayapour were subjects of positive reports regarding their ability but it took a little longer before they received any entries and then both of them failed to stand their ground. It's not been a smooth run up for Mullins and I wonder how he will fare at Cheltenham this time around. The Champion Hurdle picture is muddled and you know it is bad when a springer in the market at 14/1 is a 10YO on the downgrade to 159 called Supasundae. I don't think I could bring myself to bet on the race now.
Good shout. Somewhat surprised that he's still available at 16's for the Final after his Qualifier win. Will be interesting to see how the assessor reacts tomorrow morning.
Second favorite for the race Wolf Prince will miss the Festival, Saint D'Oroux now 20/1 with Betfair 14-16/1 rest of the bookies.
Not hit hard by the handicapper at all. Welsh Saint raised 4 lbs (to 138). Now a best priced 12/1 for the Final (single figures in a place). From the same heat Kilbricken Storm dropped to 140. Remains 33/1 for the Final but you would only really want him NRNB given what Col has said about the owner being somewhat fixated on the old ‘Stayers Hurdle’.
Samcro proving very popular this morn in the Marsh (ex JLT). 16/1 available yesterday now as low as 6/1. Has someone tipped it or dare I say has there been a whisper?!?
Elliot update: Envoi Allen: “I couldn’t be happier with him. The Ballymore is the plan & the Supreme would only be considered if the ground came up heavy in the going description. He might have a Racecourse gallop next week.” Champagne Classic: “If I had my way I would go for the National Hunt Chase with him as I think the race is made for him.” “Battleoverdoyen (RSA Chase) is a horse I would be nervous about taking to Cheltenham as he didn’t enjoy it last year.” Samcro is all set to run in the G1 Marsh Chase. Coeur Sublime is on course for the Champion Hurdle. Apple’s Jade: “If she runs in anything, it will be the Stayers’ Hurdle. However, her work the other day was a bit lifeless. I think she will be covered at the end of the season. She’s a multiple G1 winner & is a horse of a lifetime.” Column Of Fire - chief hope in Martin Pipe Delta Work - only runner in Gold Cup Farouk D’Alene - Champion Bumper The Bosses Oscar - Martin Pipe Glenloe, Ravenhill & Roaring Bill - Kim Muir Abacadabras - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Galvin - Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase Ben Dundee - Brown Advisory The Storyteller & Sire Du Berlais - Pertemps Battle Of Wills -Triumph Hurdle Shattered Love -Ryanair Chase Tiger Roll - Cross Country Fury Road - Albert Bartlett Easywork - Ballymore Conflated - Coral Cup ( ) Eclair De Beaufeu & Chosen Mate - Grand Annual Death Duty, Daylight Katie, Ballyadam & Felix Desjy to miss Cheltenham.
Anyone have a view, or any info, on Thomas Derby’s entry for the CH? About 12/1 with most bookies, but way longer than that on the exchanges. Entered to run at Fontwell on Sunday. They seem to have reverted to hurdles after just the two tries over fences. Could be interesting in what looks a weak CH.
thought about it a few months ago but missed the big prices think he was originally planning to go for the Aintree Hurdle but given the way the race has fell apart might be worth taking a shot please log in to view this image
I always think supreme form is worth taking seriously. In fact in the days when I had the time to invest, I used to keep close tabs on the first four home, at subsequent festivals. Amazing how many very good horses have gone close in the Supreme before going on to greatness in later years. I was there the year War of Attrition just got touched off by Brave Inca - that pair were certainly worth following.
Native River ruled out of Cheltenham and Aintree. https://www.racingpost.com/news/lat...old-cup-and-grand-national-with-injury/423866
W. Mullins update: Cilaos Emery will be supplemented for the Champion Hurdle “The thinking is because it’s a wide-open Champion Hurdle, it is worth running in the race.” Al Boum Photo & Kemboy - Gold Cup Cash Back - Arkle Melon - Marsh Chacun Pour Soi & Un De Sceaux - Champion Chase Min & Duc Des Genievres - Ryanair Chase Easy Game - Marsh Asterion Forlonge - Supreme “That’s the way I’m thinking at the moment” Elixir d’Ainay & The Big Getaway – Ballymore Aione - Albert Bartlett Colreevy - Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Benie Des Dieux - Mares’ most likely option Faugheen - target yet to be decided between Marsh or RSA, connections waiting till closer to the time Stormy Ireland - Mares’ Hurdle Sharjah - Champion Hurdle Carefully Selected - National Hunt Chase “We picked this race out for him a long time ago” Allaho - RSA Chase Billaway - Foxhunters Chase Tornado Flyer – Marsh Franco De Port - Martin Pipe or Coral Cup Ciel De Neige - County or Coral Cup Bacardys - Stayers’ Hurdle Janidil - Albert Bartlett Monkfish - Albert Bartlett Dolcita - Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Appreciate It/Ferny Hollow - Champion Bumper Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle contender Lamarckise on track for the race “She’s a lovely mare with a bright future & anything she does at Cheltenham will stand her in good stead for the future.” Royal Rendezvous - Marsh Concertisa - “‘May need to go in a longer handicap instead of the Mares’ Novice” Lord Royal - “disappointing yesterday but could still turn up in Albert Bartlett” Elfile & Laurina - “we’ll see how they get on today”
Entries for all 10 handicaps https://files.constantcontact.com/205db977201/13c1066c-88d0-4ccf-ab96-54ef2a382e38.pdf
