Cheltenham 2014 : Champion Hurdle Preview

While the Gold Cup is the race that attracts the most viewers and the most media interest for many Racing aficionados it is the Champion Hurdle that is the highlight of the Festival. Here is our guide to the runners and riders for the big race on Tuesday (15:20).

The New One is the 5/2 favourite with bet365 for the Champion Hurdle and with the firm promising best price on every runner from televised Channel 4 races then there is no reason to look elsewhere for your bets when it comes to the Cheltenham Festival. The Nigel Twiston-Davies runner seems to have followed the same path as Rock on Ruby who won this in 2012 and was the first winner for 19 years not to have been given a prep race before Christmas. The horse has not appeared on course since coming second at Kempton on Boxing Day to My Tent or Yours. The key reason that The New One heads the market is the

Victory in the Neptune Novices last year at the Festival. Strong running speed, good stamina and a love of the course means that this is the deserved market leader.

Hurricane Fly is the defending champion and will look to make it back-to-back victories and become only the sixth horse to win the race three times, the latest of which was Istabraq in 98, 99, 00. The Willie Mullins runner has won 21 races over hurdles and has never finished finished out of the first three in 24 starts over the smaller obstacles. The jury is out on just how strong the race was last year with some sighting the two and a half length victory as a sign of a weak field and others as how good the Fly is. If Hurricane wins this time out then you can add him to the elite and he will be popular at 3/1. This is not to say that the race is a two horse race in fact both Our Conor and My Tent or Yours are 4/1 chances. The latter is owned by JP McManus and has won six of eight over hurdles and finished runner-up in the other two. The Nicky Henderson runner has won the last four and saw off The New One at Kempton in December yet is expected to go off at a bigger price. In terms of Cheltenham form the seven-year-old came second to Champagne Fever last year when going off as favourite in the Supreme Novices Hurdle.

The former, Our Conor, won by 15 lengths in the Triumph Hurdle last season following a season plan designed to make him peak at just the right time and I expect more of the same this season. Dessie Hughes is a smart trainer and his mount ran Hurricane Fly down to one and half lengths in a race last time out and with the stronger pace at Cheltenham expected to suit more I think that Our Conor could pass the Fly this time around. Of the others Jezki could be dangerous with seven wins from ten over hurdles and came third in the Supreme Novices last year though a disappointing last placed finish on the last run is a concern as last time out failers to not tend to do so well.

At a bigger price you could make a case for Melodic Rendezvous each-way at 20/1 especially if the rain comes. The Jeremy Scott runner is being overlooked a little because this is not the most fashionable yard though a record of six wins from his last seven starts over hurdles has to be respected. A record of five wins from five runs on heavy surfaces means that if the heavens open then you should be pouring on this horse.

VERDICT: I think the Fly will be popular but I suspect that this year might be one too many and the three young hurdlers will contest it. With Our Conor the selection to narrowly see off The New One and My Tent or Yours.

RECOMMENDATION: Our Conor to win the Champion Hurdle, 4/1 (bet365)

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11/03/2014     © Frixo 2026