15:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 12 March 2024

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

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

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 13.88s

Colonel Mustard^b1²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: L Fowler| OR: 146| D

50/1

Good effort back hurdling when 1½ lengths second of 5 to Nemean Lion in Kingwell at Wincanton last month but received 3 lb from his reopposing rival on that occasion so there's no reason why he'll turn the tables. Blinkered first time.

Form: 223-252

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Iberico Lord³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| CD

11/1

Good winner of the Greatwood over C&D on his reappearance in November and shrugged off a lesser run behind stablemate Luccia at Ascot in December when bagging another big handicap win in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (2m, soft) last month. Capable of even better. Supplemented for £18,000 last week.

Form: F12-171

Irish Point⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| D

9/2

Wrapped up his novice hurdle campaign with a 2½m Grade 1 success at Aintree. A second Grade 1 win came over just short of 3m at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting but his Down Royal reappearance success prior to that came over 17f so he isn't short of speed. Can follow State Man home.

Form: 2411-11

Nemean Lion²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 151| D

12/1

Took his form up another notch when landing the second Grade 2 success of his career in the Kingwell at Wincanton last month, giving weight and a beating to Colonel Mustard. More will be needed to seriously trouble State Man but this likeable type should give another good account.

Form: 31-1521

Not So Sleepy⁹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: H Morrison| OR: 158| D

33/1

Now a 12-y-o but he was better than ever at the end of 2023, winning a Flat handicap at Newbury in September and the rearranged Fighting Fifth at Sandown (2m, heavy) in December. Fifth in the last 3 running of this race but he might go a place or two better this time.

Form: 55/355-1

State Man³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169| C| D

2/5

No match for Constitution Hill in this race last season but that's his only defeat in his last 11 starts, gaining second successive wins in Grade 1 Morgiana, Matheson and Irish Champion this winter. Can't be opposed.

Form: 121-111

Zarak The Brave⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| BF| D

22/1

Really smart effort to win the Galway Hurdle in August. Pulled up in Tipperary Grade 3 in October but back on track with small-field Grade 3 success at Naas in January. More needed.

Form: 22-31P1

Luccia⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140| D

33/1

Useful hurdler who resumed winning ways in valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy (Handicap) at Ascot (2m, good) just before Christmas. Her strong-travelling style provides some hope she can cope stepping up significantly in class but she'll need a career best to reach the frame.

Form: 143-231

Forecasts

State Man (2/5), Irish Point (9/2), Iberico Lord (11/1), Nemean Lion (12/1), Zarak The Brave (22/1), Luccia (33/1), Not So Sleepy (33/1), Colonel Mustard (50/1)

STATE MAN's only defeat over hurdles in the last 2 years came at the hands of Constitution Hill in this race last season and in the absence of that outstanding rival he's fully expected to make it 11 career wins. Irish Point's Grade 1 success at Leopardstown over Christmas came at just short of 3m but he was speedy enough to win a Grade 3 over just in excess of 2m on his reappearance and can give the selection most to do ahead of Kingwell-winner Nemean Lion.