15:30 Cheltenham
Tuesday 13 March 2018
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)
- 4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 87y | Heavy (Soft in places) | 11 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 5.00s
T: N J HendersonJ: B J Geraghty
Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, soon leant on rival, led before 2 out, hard pressed by runner-up after, driven flat, edged right towards finish, found extra close home op 4/7 tchd 8/11
T: W P MullinsJ: Paul Townend
Mid-division, closed on downhill run after 5th, not much room and checked after 3 out, challenged from next, upsides winner flat, edged right towards finish, held close home op 14/1
T: G ElliottJ: D N Russell
Held up rear of mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd from next, unable to quicken last, soon edged left briefly, no impression but kept on
T: H De BromheadJ: Sean Flanagan
Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 4th, hit next and lost further ground, kept on before last, went 4th flat but no chance with leaders tchd 66/1
T: A KingJ: Wayne Hutchinson
Held up in mid-division, effort 2 out, went 4th but not pace of leaders from home turn, stayed on same pace and lost 4th flat
T: W P MullinsJ: Ruby Walsh
Led, headed after 1st, chased leader, mistake 4th, led after 3 out, soon leant on rival, headed before 2 out, weakened well before last op 5/1
T: W P MullinsJ: Mr P W Mullins
Held up in last trio, headway on outside 3 out, chasing leaders after next, soon ridden and beaten, weakened before last
T: D SkeltonJ: Harry Skelton
Held up in last trio, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, well held and hanging left before last
T: Evan WilliamsJ: L P Aspell
Held up in rear, niggled along before 3 out, well beaten after 2 out
Also Ran
T: N J HendersonJ: N D Fehily
Tracked leader, led after 1st, clear before 5th until approaching 3 out, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
T: W P MullinsJ: D J Mullins
Held up in last trio, took keen hold, last and ridden before 3 out, soon losing touch, well behind 2 out, pulled up before last tchd 16/1
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits
Non-Runners
13
Verdana Blue31
Weight: 11-3| Age: 6
T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner
NR
10
My Tent Or Yours87
Weight: 11-10| Age: 11
T: N J Henderson J: Aidan Coleman
NR
Betting Breakdown
Tote Win:£1.50Pl:£1.10, £2.10, £4.20EX:£6.80Trifecta:£61.00Tricast:£75.36SF:£6.67Swingers:£1.70, £6.40, £17.00
Forecasts
Buveur D'Air (8/15), Faugheen (6/1), Yorkhill (10/1), My Tent Or Yours (12/1), Wicklow Brave (14/1), Melon (16/1), Elgin (16/1), Mick Jazz (33/1), Ch'tibello (50/1), John Constable (50/1), Identity Thief (66/1), Verdana Blue (66/1), Charli Parcs (100/1)
If Faugheen returned to the form that saw him win this race in 2015, he would surely go close to landing his ninth Grade 1 here, but with doubts about exactly how much ability the 10-year-old has retained after two below par efforts at Leopardstown, the most likely winner has to be BUVEUR D'AIR. Nicky Henderson's charge may not have beaten much so far this season, but the manner of his victories have been most convincing and he could be the first horse to win back-to-back renewals of the race since Hardy Eustace in 2004/2005. My Tent Or Yours and Elgin can fight it out for minor honours with the former narrowly preferred given his record at the course.
- Buveur D'Air
- Faugheen
- My Tent Or Yours
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £266,384.002nd: £99,958.003rd: £50,049.004th: £24,931.005th: £12,536.006th: £6,268.00
MOST READ RACING
Unlimited Replays
Watch and analyse all UK & Irish races with our Race ReplaysLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits