I think they're all very self explanatory unfortunately. F - CH - has jumping is a concern as I've said before but he's unbelievable and you all know how long and how hard I championed him last season. More of That - WH. Looks outstanding to me. Best ante post bet at the moment. There's nothing in that field that I would lose sleep over. That's a poor race as it stands. Vautour - will win whatever race it runs in but Arkle looks by far the most likely option. Josses Hill will be tough competition but this is a potentially great horse. Annie Power - if you had the probable CH favourite and the probable Arkle favourite, why would you take them on with your own horse when the Mares race is there for the taking? The one you've not mentioned who I think really is worth discussing is Champagne Fever. If i could lease this chap for Cheltenham i would send him to the QMCC and not bother with the Gold Cup.
I must be missing something, but I really don't get all the fuss about Faugheen and I simply cannot be having him winning a Champion Hurdle. My honest view at this stage is The New One would wipe the floor with him. Faugheen is rated 158 and I am really struggling to find a decent animal that he has beaten. I have also been more visually impressed by Vautour, he is a much more fluent hurdler and has a smashing turn of foot, whereas Faugheen is guessy and for me looks more of a grinder. For me Vautour is the speedier of the 2 and I would see him as more of a Champion Hurdle horse than Faugheen. I think the 2 races at the Punchestown festival summed it up for me - Faugheen was able to dominate rivals who were already punch drunk from being annihilated by Vautour at Cheltenham, whereas Vautour, over a trip arguably too far for him to show his true speed, beat a fit horse in Apache Stronghold in convincing fashion. I would have Vautour as my Champion Hurdle horse and Faugheen for the World Hurdle.
