Cheltenham Festival tips: Horse-by-horse guide to the Unibet Champion Hurdle
Matt Brocklebank runs through the contenders for the 2018 Unibet Champion Hurdle and recommends a bet in the 'without the favourite market'.
Buveur D'Air
The reigning champion is odds-on to retain his crown and few would bet against Nicky Henderson's charge in doing so. He's a brilliant hurdler, is so quick over his obstacles and he seems to be getting quicker the more experience he gains. Yes, he hasn't had a hard race this season, winning his races on the bridle, but Henderson can be relied upon to have him cherry ripe for this assignment and even the ground has come in his favour now as well, as he loves it soft. A top-of-his-game Faugheen would treat us to a fascinating duel, but with that scenario looking unlikely this could well be relatively easy for the Seven Barrows hotshot.
Ch'Tibello
Around 10lb shy of the pick of these rivals on BHA figures and clear to see why after being beaten by My Tent Or Yours, The New One and Elgin so far this season. Still scope for a touch of improvement and genuinely testing ground would play to his strengths more than one or two others, but class shortage clearly a significant issue and he's unlikely to get in on the act when it really matters.
Charli Parcs
Fascinating to see him coming here rather than take up handicap options at the Festival and clearly a sign of the regard in which he's held by connections. That shouldn't come as a great shock given his juvenile campaign promised plenty, though he was only sixth in the Triumph last March after falling heavily in his prep at Kempton. Brought along steadily this term it seems but bare facts leave him with a mountain to climb and suspicion is last year's juveniles may not have been up to much anyway. Better ground would have been ideal and a strong pace might not be enough to bring him into the equation for the places.
Elgin
Just six years of age and he's won half of his 10 career starts over hurdles. Beaten favourite when fourth in warm handicap at Chepstow first time out but progressed with every outing since then, winning three times including the Greatwood Hurdle at this venue and the Grade Two Kingwell at Wincanton last month. He's tough, battle-hardened and handles just about all types of underfoot conditions. There are few negatives really and with further improvement in the offing, last year's Sky Bet Supreme seventh looks ready to graduate into the big league.
Faugheen
Amazing hurdler who burst on the Cheltenham Festival scene with a devastating victory in the 2014 Neptune Novices' Hurdle. That came in the midst of an 11-race winning spree, including the 2015 Champion Hurdle, and defeat first time out in the following season didn't stop him winning a couple more Grade Ones that winter. Injury struck and he missed the whole of last season and though looking right back on song with a 16-length romp in the Morgiana at Punchestown, he 'bounced' badly when pulled-up at Leopardstown over Christmas. Definite signs of recovery when second to Supasundae in the Irish Champion Hurdle early last month but it's now a huge ask for him to produce something close to his very best at the age of 10 against some talented and hungry youngsters. Suspicion is he'll win or finish nearer last and on balance it's looking increasingly unlikely that the latter scenario will pan out, even with cheekpieces employed for the first time.
Identify Thief
Sixth in Annie Power's Champion a couple of years ago and that wasn't a flash in the pan after some top-class efforts that season. Career has unfortunately taken a nosedive and while latest second to the useful mare Forge Meadow left the impression an upturn in fortunes could be possible, he's not up to winning this event after such a long time in the wilderness and has so much to find based purely on last season's Aintree effort when completely blown away by Buveur D'Air.
John Constable
Beaten less than two lengths by the eased-down Buveur D'Air at Sandown but unlikely to get anywhere near as close here. Thrived in the summer last year when winning at Market Rasen so there could be some doubt over the suitability of the soft ground, but, the bottom line is he just doesn't look anywhere near good enough to trouble the judge.
Melon
If Labaik had done his usual trick of refusing to race a year ago we would be talking about an eight-length winner of the Sky Bet Supreme with Melon. That was just his second start over hurdles and he remains lightly-raced and therefore unexposed after just six hurdles starts. Didn't run well in a first-time hood at Leopardstown on his latest start but the headgear is now removed and he goes well at Cheltenham, having also travelled well in the International Hurdle in December. He had to settle for third in the end that day but is weighted to reverse the form with My Tent Or Yours and he makes some appeal in the without the favourite market.
Mick Jazz
Was the one to take advantage of Faugheen's flop in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas but was beaten seven lengths by Supasundae in the Irish Champion Hurdle (over four lengths behind Faugheen). That's probably about as good as he is and the suspicion is he'd be running in a handicap if his mark were a little lower. Next year he might well be.
My Tent Or Yours
Second four times running at this meeting after finishing runner-up in the Sky Bet Supreme behind Jezki and then three successive Champion Hurdles. Could well finish in the same position again this year but he has a task in confirming the form of his International win in December with third-placed Melon, a horse that was just two lengths behind after attempting to concede 6lb.
Wicklow Brave
Was last seen finishing midfield in the Melbourne Cup but he's a top-class operator over hurdles on his day including when beating My Tent Or Yours at Punchestown last year. Had previously finished seventh in the Champion Hurdle behind Buveur D'Air 12 months ago but that doesn't tell the whole story as he was reluctant to start that day, losing many lengths. If he jumps off with them this time, he'd have an each-way chance.
Yorkhill
The enigma that is Yorkhill takes his place in the Champion Hurdle with David Mullins taking the ride. He's not been anywhere near his best this season, running eighth over three miles in the Leopardstown Christmas Chase before finishing sixth over 2m1f in the Coral Dublin Chase last month. Was outpaced from an early stage that day, which doesn't bode well for this test and his excellent Cheltenham record has been attained with Ruby Walsh on his back.
Verdana Blue
Almost two stone below stablemate Buveur D'Air in the ratings and the 7lb mares' allowance doesn't look enough to help her get involved. Would prefer better ground as well and had a tough race last time when beaten in the Betfair Hurdle.
Verdict
BUVEUR D'AIR should have little trouble in retaining his crown if Faugheen fails to fire in the first-time headgear. Now he's rising 10 with two below-par efforts to his name the last twice, the percentage call is to leave him out of calculations. Stablemate Melon remains unexposed after just six starts and can reverse International Hurdle form with My Tent now he's 6lb better off, while the supplemented Elgin can complete the trifecta in third.
- BUVEUR D'AIR
- Melon
- Elgin
Related links
Next Off
Most Followed
MOST READ RACING
