15:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 12 March 2019

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 59.07s

Brain Power^p⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158| C| D

33/1

Weakened quickly from the second last when finishing a well beaten eighth of 11 in this race in 2017; back from a frustrating spell over fences when beating Silver Streak by 1¾L in the Grade 2 International Hurdle (good to soft) in December.

Form: UF2F-41

Buveur D'Air³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 172| BF| CD

11/4

Gamely fended off Melon when taking this race for the second straight year in 2018; imperious when disposing of Samcro in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle (soft) before a surprise defeat at Kempton; a quite brilliant hurdler who sets the benchmark.

Form: 111-121

Espoir D'allen⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 162| D

16/1

An exciting youngster; has continued his march through the ranks winning yielding/soft Grade 3 contests at Naas (x2) and Limerick; clear scope for further progress, and possible that he's capable of making his mark at the very top level.

Form: 114-111

Global Citizen⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 159| D

50/1

Yet to compete at this track but has enjoyed a productive season; pace-setter who posted a career best when beating Silver Streak by 3L in The New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock (2m, good to soft); tough task with Verdana Blue and Buveur D'Air.

Form: 16-2141

Melon^p1³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| D

20/1

Generally on song at Cheltenham - excelled himself when beaten just a neck by Buveur D'Air in this race in 2018; lightly-raced this season (disappointing); shouldn't reverse Leopardstown form with Apple's Jade; wears newly-applied cheekpieces.

Form: 352F-44

Sharjah⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| D

20/1

Took the scalp of stablemate and former Champion Faugheen when a decisive winner of the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (2m, good) in November; followed up in the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown; competes as a fresh horse.

Form: 6-31311

Silver Streak⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 156| BF| D

80/1

Has made rapid progress since winning the Swinton Hurdle (2m, Haydock) off a mark of 132 in May; no issues whatsoever regarding this track with form-lines closely associated with Brain Power and Global Citizen; tough task at the very highest level.

Form: 6-11222

Apple's Jade^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 166| C| D

7/4

Connections have ducked the safe option of the Mares' Hurdle following her scintillating success in the Irish Champion; unbeaten this season (4-4) and in receipt of a 7lb mares allowance will provide reigning Champion Buveur D'Air with a stern test.

Form: 33-1111

Laurina²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| C| D

5/2

An effortless winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018 (Mares' Novices'); unbeaten since joining Willie Mullins (6-6), mopping up low-key 2m4f contests at Fairyhouse, Sandown and Punchestown; soft ground ideal but faces her toughest assignment yet.

Form: 1111-11

Verdana Blue¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: N J Henderson| OR: 157| D

33/1

Dual-purpose performer; surprisingly lowered the colours of stablemate Buveur D'Air in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day; followed an unconventional route into this race and will be doing very well to repeat her peak form at this track.

Form: 00-1141

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (7/4), Laurina (5/2), Buveur D'Air (11/4), Espoir D'allen (16/1), Melon (20/1), Sharjah (20/1), Verdana Blue (33/1), Brain Power (33/1), Global Citizen (50/1), Silver Streak (80/1)

BUVEUR D’AIR bids to become only the sixth triple winner of the blue-riband of hurdling (Istabraq (1998-2000) the most recent) and he arguably faces his most difficult opponent yet giving 7lb to the blossoming Apple’s Jade. However, in some respects he faced a similar challenge in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November (against the very well-regarded Samcro) and he passed that test with absolutely flying colours. So often the underestimated Champion, he can finally take his deserving place in Champion Hurdle folklore. In terms of looking for the future generation, the talented 5yo Espoir D’Allen fits the bill and therefore rates as a reasonably fair each-way option.