Having been out all day, I've only just watched the Irish Champion Hurdle, and I must say that was very impressive from the current champ. The only horse I would have fancied to give him a run for his money was Spirit Son, but without him the race looks like abit of a penalty kick for Hurricane Fly, providing he gets there safe and sound. I just don't see what is going to stop him. It's funny how all of last seasons champions are all favourites this year, Big Bucks and Hurricane Fly look like bankers, whilst Sizing Europe and Long Run will no doubt be tough go beat. I don't think I can remember a year were all 4 champions have retained, could it happen for the first time this year
I have a funny feeling about Sizing Europe. I can"t choose the horse to beat him at the moment, but I do think he will have a tougher race than suggested in some quarters. He is all class but I just wonder if a couple of real speeeballs might cause him a problem. Not sure who though really given Finians Rainbows change of tactics. I think he is a worthy favourite and loves course and distance, BUT I do think it was too easy to get carried away by the Tingle Creek. What would you guys say is his main danger?
I've never been a huge fan of the horse to be honest Toppy and have never backed him before but I can't see anything to beat him this year. It looks a weak renewal and he looks some way clear of the remainder.
Before the Victor Chandler, I only seen 2 threats to SE, and they were Finians Rainbow and Big Zeb, but if Finians Rainbow couldn't hold off a very average horse in Somersby, then he's not going to be a threat in the CC. So with SE at 5/2 and BZ at 4/1, id say you could back both as nothing else is in there league. You also must remember that SE and BZ have met 4 times and BZ has won 3 of those, so you could argue that perhaps SE got a little lucky last year. BZ hit a few fences close home, which he didn't the year before. I know alot will say it's that SE is a Cheltenham specialist, and there probably right, but I certainly wouldn't be suprised to see BZ get his crown back, even at 11 as he's looked as good as ever so far in Ireland this season
The problem for me with Big Zeb is that he hasn't looked as good as ever in Ireland (at least in my opinion). He has made harder work of beating Noble Prince and Forpadydeplasterer than I would have liked. On a line through Forpady, Finian's Rainbow, and therefore Somersby, would have the beating of Big Zeb this season. That for me makes Sizing Europe banker material with his Tingle Creek win head and shoulders above anything else seen this season.
