15:05 Cheltenham

Tuesday 16 March 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 3m 54.63s

Abacadabras^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 158| D

10/1

Smart hurdler who disappointed when 23¾ lengths fifth to Sharjah in Matheson at Leopardstown over Christmas. Back on song when second in Irish Champion since but Honeysuckle 10 lengths ahead of him.

Form: 12-2152

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Aspire Tower⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 160| D

33/1

Front runner who was second in last year's Triumph. Improved again when accounting for Abacadabras in Down Royal Grade 2 on reappearance and fine second to Sharjah in Matheson since.

Form: 11F2-12

Goshen²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 164| BF| D

11/2

Had the 2020 Triumph at mercy before an unseat at the last. Suffered fibrillating heart when disappointing in International on hurdle return but well and truly back on track in Kingwell last month.

Form: 111U-01

James Du Berlais¹²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

14/1

Smart hurdler for Robert Collet in France, winning 3 times at listed/Graded level in first half of the season. Ended his time over there with close second in Auteuil Grade 1 in November. Bit to find.

Form: 121212

Not So Sleepy⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 149| D

125/1

Front-runner who has won back-to-back renewals of the Betfair Exchange Trophy (Handicap) at Ascot but needs to raise his game significantly to get involved at this level. Pulled up in this last year.

Form: 110P-R1

Saldier^p1³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| D

80/1

Smart at his best but beaten a long way in Matheson and Irish Champion since returning from over a year on the sidelines. Cheekpieces on first time. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 31F/1-66

Sharjah^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| D

11/1

Won a third successive Matheson at Leopardstown in December. Well-held third to Honeysuckle in Irish Champion since but bounced back from poor run in that last year to chase home Epatante in this.

Form: 4162-13

Silver Streak⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: Evan Williams| OR: 163| D

22/1

Placed in 2019 running of this but well behind Epatante last year. Beat that rival in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but did enjoy run of race from the front. Probably more a place than win contender.

Form: 26-1C21

Epatante⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 161| BF| CD

4/1

Decisive winner of this race last year. Very impressive in Fighting Fifth on return and excuses when beaten by Silver Streak at Kempton over Christmas. Likely to make bold bid to defend her crown.

Form: 9/111-12

Honeysuckle³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 161| C| D

11/10

Produced an outstanding performance when beating Benie des Dieux at 2020 Festival and in even better form when easily making it a perfect 10-10 over hurdles in Irish Champion latest. Leading claims.

Form: 1111-11

Forecasts

Honeysuckle (11/10), Epatante (4/1), Goshen (11/2), Abacadabras (10/1), Sharjah (11/1), James Du Berlais (14/1), Silver Streak (22/1), Aspire Tower (33/1), Saldier (80/1), Not So Sleepy (125/1)

HONEYSUCKLE looked better than ever when easily landing the Irish Champion last month and is taken to get the better of last year's winner Epatante and extend her unbeaten record to 11. Goshen put himself firmly back in the mix for this with his impressive Kingwell success and looks best of the remainder.