A race that needs no introduction, the Champion Hurdle is the pinnacle of hurdles races - read about it's history and previous winners on wikipedia here. 5 horses have won the race 3 times - Hatton's Grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, See You Then and Istabraq - and this season the reigning champion, Hurricane Fly, will bid to join that exclusive club.
As in most years, at this early stage in the season the race looks a mouthwatering clash between the established stars and the top novice hurdlers from the previous season. With Hurricane Fly becoming the first horse to regain the Champion Hurdle since Comedy Of Errors in 1975, one might expect him to already be a warm favourite for this seasons event. However, his poor showing in the race in 2012, plus the emergance of some serious looking novices last season, mean that he is not even favourite for the race in some books, and 5/1 is freely available on him. Much will depend on how quickly Willie Mullins can get him race fit - and keep him race fit. During his 2 successful Champion Hurdle campaigns, "The Fly" had 5 races and won all 5 (start with the Morgiana or Hatton's Grace, then the Istabraq Hurdle over Christmas, the Irish Champion Hurdle end of January, then Cheltenham and round it off with Punchestown). It is telling that during the 2011/12 season, when he was beaten at odds-on at Cheltenham, Mullins did not have him ready to race until the Irish Champion and, although he won that race, he was not at his brilliant best at the festival. If Hurricane Fly wins the Morgiana, Istabraq and Irish Champion Hurdles this time around then he will go to Cheltenham at around the 2/1 or 9/4 mark, so if you fancy him to complete the hat-trick then now is the time to back him.
Hurricane Fly's chief rival, not only at Cheltenham but also at home in Ireland, is likely to be the ultra-impressive Triumph Hurdle winner Our Conor. Dessie Hughes' charge, unbeaten in 4 over hurdles, formed the highest profile leg of the Brian Cooper success story at Cheltenham as he romped away with a competitive looking Triumph Hurdle by 15 lengths. Time will tell what that form is worth, but he certainly looked the real deal and his first step into open company will tell us alot about his prospects. Cooper's return from injury is an added bonus.
The English challenge at this stage also looks to revolve around last season's novices with My Tent Or Yours and The New One both prominent in the betting. Here the prices from Oddschecker September 7th (Bet 365 prices):
Our Conor 9/2
Hurricane Fly 5
My Tent Or Yours 6
The New One 7
Jezki 8
Rock On Ruby 12
Zarkandar 12
Annie Power 16
Grandouet 16
20/1 Bar
The key trials in Ireland are the Morgiana, Hatton's Grace, Istabraq and Irish Champion Hurdles and it is entirely possible that Hurricane Fly and Our Conor will meet in one or more of these. In England, the Fighting Fifth, International (formerly Bula) Hurdle, Christmas Hurdle and Kingwell Hurdle are probably the most recognised trials, although Christmas Hurdle winners have a notoriously poor record at Cheltenham.
As in most years, at this early stage in the season the race looks a mouthwatering clash between the established stars and the top novice hurdlers from the previous season. With Hurricane Fly becoming the first horse to regain the Champion Hurdle since Comedy Of Errors in 1975, one might expect him to already be a warm favourite for this seasons event. However, his poor showing in the race in 2012, plus the emergance of some serious looking novices last season, mean that he is not even favourite for the race in some books, and 5/1 is freely available on him. Much will depend on how quickly Willie Mullins can get him race fit - and keep him race fit. During his 2 successful Champion Hurdle campaigns, "The Fly" had 5 races and won all 5 (start with the Morgiana or Hatton's Grace, then the Istabraq Hurdle over Christmas, the Irish Champion Hurdle end of January, then Cheltenham and round it off with Punchestown). It is telling that during the 2011/12 season, when he was beaten at odds-on at Cheltenham, Mullins did not have him ready to race until the Irish Champion and, although he won that race, he was not at his brilliant best at the festival. If Hurricane Fly wins the Morgiana, Istabraq and Irish Champion Hurdles this time around then he will go to Cheltenham at around the 2/1 or 9/4 mark, so if you fancy him to complete the hat-trick then now is the time to back him.
Hurricane Fly's chief rival, not only at Cheltenham but also at home in Ireland, is likely to be the ultra-impressive Triumph Hurdle winner Our Conor. Dessie Hughes' charge, unbeaten in 4 over hurdles, formed the highest profile leg of the Brian Cooper success story at Cheltenham as he romped away with a competitive looking Triumph Hurdle by 15 lengths. Time will tell what that form is worth, but he certainly looked the real deal and his first step into open company will tell us alot about his prospects. Cooper's return from injury is an added bonus.
The English challenge at this stage also looks to revolve around last season's novices with My Tent Or Yours and The New One both prominent in the betting. Here the prices from Oddschecker September 7th (Bet 365 prices):
Our Conor 9/2
Hurricane Fly 5
My Tent Or Yours 6
The New One 7
Jezki 8
Rock On Ruby 12
Zarkandar 12
Annie Power 16
Grandouet 16
20/1 Bar
The key trials in Ireland are the Morgiana, Hatton's Grace, Istabraq and Irish Champion Hurdles and it is entirely possible that Hurricane Fly and Our Conor will meet in one or more of these. In England, the Fighting Fifth, International (formerly Bula) Hurdle, Christmas Hurdle and Kingwell Hurdle are probably the most recognised trials, although Christmas Hurdle winners have a notoriously poor record at Cheltenham.
