Champion Hurdle, 13-03-12

TheMilkyPirate

Champion hurdle 2m Grade 1 Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle is the highlight of day one of the Cheltenham Festival and the most prestigous hurdle race run all season. It is open to horses aged four years old and upwards, and in 2011 carried a total prize fund of £370,000

Latest odds:

Hurricane Fly (5/6) , Grandouet (7) , Zarkandar (15/2) , Binocular (10) , Oscars Well (14) , Rock On Ruby (14) , Oscar Whisky (20) , Thousand Stars (25) , Overturn (40) , Brampour (50) , Mikael Dhaguenet (50) , Peddlers Cross (50) , So Young (50) , Zaidpour (50) , Celestial Halo (66) , Starluck (66) , Staying Article (66) , Dare Me (100) , Final Approach (100) , Flat Out (100)

Going with the obvious one here again and that is the imperious Hurricane fly, Looks better than ever this year and even 5/6 may look big come half 3 on the 13th of march. I've always liked Grandouet and he will be my bet w/o Hurricane fly.

HigginsJ

Zarkandar

Hard to put up any e/w alternative with any great strength of conviction. Overturn as a big priced e/w could at least give you a run for your money.

If HF turns up like he did in the Irish Champion it will be a cruise to a 10l victory. Winning margin might actually be a bet of interest over/under

Huntey

HigginsJ wrote: »

If HF turns up like he did in the Irish Champion it will be a cruise to a 10l victory.

He looks flashy over here because he is a speed horse, he won't ever look as dominant at Cheltenham because the track doesn't play to his strengths.

mallachyrivers

Huntey wrote: »

HigginsJ wrote: »

If HF turns up like he did in the Irish Champion it will be a cruise to a 10l victory.

He looks flashy over here because he is a speed horse, he won't ever look as dominant at Cheltenham because the track doesn't play to his strengths.

I think he looked different class over there last year! He will romp home again!

Huntey

mallachyrivers wrote: »

I think he looked different class over there last year! He will romp home again!

He is different class, but he won't be winning by 10 lengths on the bridle.

prettyboy81

Zarkandar

Hurricane Fly will be more dominating in the race this year, can't see any horse getting with 5 lengths, just looked at last years race again on YouTube....what a race Peddlers Cross gave him!

ft9

Zarkandar

Huntey wrote: »

He is different class, but he won't be winning by 10 lengths on the bridle.

I think he will win this by about 10 lengths Huntey, maybe not on the bridal up that hill.

I feel he is now going to show us the superstar in him by blowing opposition away. I simply can't wait for it.

I have a much bigger interest in Hurdles rather than Chasing, which may seem odd, and Hurricane is special, no doubt about it.

hucklebuck

Binocular

I think the only way he could win by 10 lengths is if it is soft or heavy which is very unlikely, he seems to handle the ground better than his 2 mile rivals like in the Irish Champion this year or the hurdle race in Leopardstown December 2010.

Even if I am wrong I can't see Ruby shoving him along if he hits the front on the steele and the rest are under pressure as he will more than likely run in Punchestown.

eoghan_85

Zarkandar

Only worry for HF is the chance that his temperment might get the better of him in the next few weeks. I'm sure Mullins won't let that happen and if he arrives to the track unscathed no other horse will come near him. Last year they kept him away from the parade ring and brought him straight to the post to avoid him getting overly excited. This didn't stop some English report for C4 I think insisting on going down interviewing Ruby whilst on his way down. Could see Ruby uncomfortable with her being there. Was roaring at the tv for her to F off!

mdwexford

HF will be held on to as long as possible so it would be hard to put that much distance between himself and the field regardless of how well hes going.

Lot of speed horses in it this year, hope its a breakneck gallop and the big guns are all swinging away on the bridal two out.

Juwwi

Binocular very impressive there maybe its going right handed thats the key to him.

His record right handed 1113111311 ( 8 from 10 )

His record left handed 211351342 (3 from 9)

Huntey

robbie1977 wrote: »

Binocular very impressive there maybe its going right handed thats the key to him.

His record right handed 1113111311 ( 8 from 10 )

His record left handed 211351342 (3 from 9)

It probably has more to do with the opposition he is coming up against.

Juwwi

Huntey wrote: »

It probably has more to do with the opposition he is coming up against.

He was fav in 8 out the 9 races but just noticed 3 of the defeats was first time out for the season.
Disregarding first time out runs it does'nt look as bad.

Shane732

Zarkandar

Personally I think HF is every bit as good as Istabraq....

Binocular's race was a poor race today.

RichieLawlor

Zarkandar

Shane732 wrote: »

Personally I think HF is every bit as good as Istabraq....

Binocular's race was a poor race today.

While I'm a big HF fans aswell your second statement is bollocks.

Celestial Halo has been in super form and is always a good yardstick. Apart from HF in the Champion, binocular will be best of the rest

Huntey

RichieLawlor wrote: »

While I'm a big HF fans aswell your second statement is bollocks.

Celestial Halo has been in super form and is always a good yardstick. Apart from HF in the Champion, binocular will be best of the rest

It isn't bollocks Richard. Celestial Halo is a good handicapper at this stage. He certainly isn't a decent yardstick when talking about grade 1 horses.

Juwwi

Huntey wrote: »

It isn't bollocks Richard. Celestial Halo is a good handicapper at this stage. He certainly isn't a decent yardstick when talking about grade 1 horses.

On ratings he's only 1 pound behind Binocular.

Huntey

robbie1977 wrote: »

On ratings he's only 1 pound behind Binocular.

For somebody who isn't a big fan of Binocular I do think it is offensive to the horse to suggest he is only a lb better than Celestial Halo.

Hulk Hands

I dislike the horse, but my god evens was a gift there today. Was reasonably impressed. I think the 9's with hills is big, he's my idea of the runner up

hucklebuck

Binocular

Celestial Halo is a decent yardstick, I think he ran well today considering he won a tough handicap carrying top weight in heavy ground about a month ago.

After todays showing by Nicholls horses I noticed that Zarkandar is his only winner out of his last 30 runners. If the yard is in a flat spot that was one hell of a performance yesterday for a first run.

ste2010

Zarkandar

Huntey wrote: »

RichieLawlor wrote: »

While I'm a big HF fans aswell your second statement is bollocks.

Celestial Halo has been in super form and is always a good yardstick. Apart from HF in the Champion, binocular will be best of the rest

It isn't bollocks Richard. Celestial Halo is a good handicapper at this stage. He certainly isn't a decent yardstick when talking about grade 1 horses.

Agree celestial halo isn't a good yardstick..he's a champ hurdle horse of the past. His price of 66-1 reflects that in antepost factoring in the fact e won't e going anyway. Major over reaction in my opinion by ladbrokes. 9/2??? No thanks

sting60

Mc Coy on numerous occasions has stated that Binocular won a poor Champion Hurdle.Talking to Frank Berry last year at a charity event and he said prior to 2011 CH that Hurricane Run is in a different planet to all other 2 mile hurdlers if fit and ready.Would Binocular beat him his answer was NO.If Hurricane Fly is fit and ready in three weeks he wins,there is no form with any other horse to suggest otherwise.

kiers47

Zarkandar

ste2010 wrote: »

His price of 66-1 reflects that in antepost factoring in the fact e won't e going anyway.

So you Know for a fact he wont be going? Where do you get your info?

RichieLawlor

Zarkandar

kiers47 wrote: »

So you Know for a fact he wont be going? Where do you get your info?

I think Celestial Halo is going to run in the World Hurdle. To be a pacemaker for Big Bucks to make sure Oscar Whisky doesn't catch him on the hop in a slow run race.

kiers47

Zarkandar

Huntey wrote: »

It isn't bollocks Richard. Celestial Halo is a good handicapper at this stage. He certainly isn't a decent yardstick when talking about grade 1 horses.

He has won a grade 2 or better every season since arriving at Nicholls calling him a handicapper is bollocks. Im with Richie here. He is a very good yard stick.

RichieLawlor wrote: »

I think Celestial Halo is going to run in the World Hurdle. To be a pacemaker for Big Bucks to make sure Oscar Whisky doesn't catch him on the hop in a slow run race.

I think they will stick to the champion. His Cheltenham form is actually quite good so id say they'll let him take his chance for some place money.

sting60

In order of betting for the Champion Hurdle here are the offical ratings.Hurricane Run 173,Zarkandar 151,Grandouet 164,Binocular 166,Oscars Well 157,Rock On Ruby 158,Celestial Halo 165.Going strictly on ratings Zarkandar has no chance,infact the handicapper was not impressed after his win yesterday dropping him 3lb.Put pure and simple HR in a handicap would be giving the next best Binocular 7lb and the second fav Zarkandar 22lb.

UrbanSea

Grandouet

Where did you see he dropped him 3 lbs? I struggle to believe that

Colonel Sanders

Zarkandar

Celestial Halo is rated 160+ & managed to win a handicap of that kind of mark on soft ground. While I don't think he has the speed for 2m any longer to say he's not a solid yardstick is ludicrous IMO & Binocular smashed him yesterday. Add in the fact that it was an after thought after Grandouet picked up a knock & I think it was a very, very decent effort

Last time I posted a detailed reply re. the champion the front 3 hasn't run yet this season so my opinion was HF would win if he lined up fit & well & I liked Bino without

Now HF has run in & demolished the Irish Champion, Spirit Son is out & Zarkindar has won a fiercely competitive handicap when Nicholls has warned he wouldn't be fully tuned up

I was looking at Binocular in the w/o HF market & didn't think he'd run again before the festival but may have missed the boar now

Also re. Ladbrokes quote of 9/2 they were 11/2 before yesterday so obviously don't want to lay it

RichieLawlor

Zarkandar

UrbanSea wrote: »

Where did you see he dropped him 3 lbs? I struggle to believe that

I've never in my life seen a horse dropped 3lbs for winning the biggest handicap hurdle of the year on his first start for 10 months.

So ya, that's complete nonsense

Colonel Sanders

Zarkandar

Didn't explicitly say but think it was obvious, for me HF wins if he gets there fit & well

kiers47

Zarkandar

sting60 wrote: »

In order of betting for the Champion Hurdle here are the offical ratings.Hurricane Run 173,Zarkandar 151,Grandouet 164,Binocular 166,Oscars Well 157,Rock On Ruby 158,Celestial Halo 165.Going strictly on ratings Zarkandar has no chance,infact the handicapper was not impressed after his win yesterday dropping him 3lb.Put pure and simple HR in a handicap would be giving the next best Binocular 7lb and the second fav Zarkandar 22lb.

*Fly!!!

Colonel Sanders

Zarkandar

RichieLawlor wrote: »

UrbanSea wrote: »

Where did you see he dropped him 3 lbs? I struggle to believe that

I've never in my life seen a horse dropped 3lbs for winning the biggest handicap hurdle of the year on his first start for 10 months.

So ya, that's complete nonsense

Dropped 3lbs? What??

sting60

kiers47 wrote: »

*Fly!!!

Sure.What price Hurricane run at his best.

sting60

UrbanSea wrote: »

Where did you see he dropped him 3 lbs? I struggle to believe that

Put his name into Attheraces site.It was a very competitive handicap yesterday[all bunched together in the handicap] yet he failed to stay close up for a long way but ran on.The question is can he fail to stay close and then quicken to beat seasoned championship horses which will be going a few strides quicker than yesterday.

RichieLawlor

Zarkandar

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

Dropped 3lbs? What??

Someone above claimed Zarkandar was dropped 3lbs for winning on Friday

Huntey

kiers47 wrote: »

He has won a grade 2 or better every season since arriving at Nicholls calling him a handicapper is bollocks. Im with Richie here. He is a very good yard stick.

It was one of the most brutal grade 2 races I have seen this season. Desert Cry and Marsh Warbler are both handicappers, it was a grade 2 in name only.

He is a good handicapper at this stage. Beating handicappers in graded events doesn't mean he is a grade horse.

He is a decent yardstick in the sense that if you don't beat him snugly with plenty to spare than you haven't a hope of even placing in the Champion Hurdle.

UrbanSea

Grandouet

This is impossible. The handicap ratings were last updated on the 15th of February

Huntey

Zarkandar probably ran to 154 - 158 the other day.

He certainly wasn't dropped 3 lbs which is just a ludicrous assumption.

sting60

UrbanSea wrote: »

Where did you see he dropped him 3 lbs? I struggle to believe that

To clear this up.I rang a friend and he told me that the horse was dropped from 154 to 151 for yesterdays race and was not updated but will get a hefty hike tomorrow maybe to 165/168.Sorry for any misinformation about this.

ste2010

Zarkandar

kiers47 wrote: »

ste2010 wrote: »

His price of 66-1 reflects that in antepost factoring in the fact e won't e going anyway.

So you Know for a fact he wont be going? Where do you get your info?

I should have probably removed the word "fact" but I think most people know what I'm talking about kiers. Even if he's there, he might as well not be..there's not a hope he could contest with hurricane fly "IMO". Don't get me wrong I was prob the loyalist follower of celestial halo. Backed him in every race starting with his first in chelt until his fall in aintree hurdle 2 years ago.
He's a thing of the past for the champ hurdle and id be prepared to offer my liver to a yemenese liver dealer if he is in the top 3 at chelt.
My main point anyway was ladbrokes going to 9/2 is an over reaction. It would be different of he bet rock on ruby or grandouet.

Shane732

Zarkandar

Huntey wrote: »

Zarkandar probably ran to 154 - 158 the other day.

He certainly wasn't dropped 3 lbs which is just a ludicrous assumption.

Agreed I think Zarkandar was around the 154 - 158 mark.

I think Binocular was around the same mark, maybe 160.

Hurricane Fly is in a different class........

kiers47

Zarkandar

Huntey wrote: »

It was one of the most brutal grade 2 races I have seen this season. Desert Cry and Marsh Warbler are both handicappers, it was a grade 2 in name only.

He is a good handicapper at this stage. Beating handicappers in graded events doesn't mean he is a grade horse.

He is a decent yardstick in the sense that if you don't beat him snugly with plenty to spare than you haven't a hope of even placing in the Champion Hurdle.

It was a bad grade 2 ill give you that but if i were the owner i would be happy to let him take his chance in the champion hurdle. He is a good yardstick in the same way that thousand stars is a good yard stick at mullins's not a grade1 horse but capable of putting in decent performances in good races when the conditions drop right, also he never stops trying. We can agree to disagree if you want but that is my opinion.

premierstone

Zarkandar

kiers47 wrote: »

It was a bad grade 2 ill give you that but if i were the owner i would be happy to let him take his chance in the champion hurdle. He is a good yardstick in the same way that thousand stars is a good yard stick at mullins's not a grade1 horse but capable of putting in decent performances in good races when the conditions drop right, also he never stops trying. We can agree to disagree if you want but that is my opinion.

Celestial halo is nowhere near the class of Thousand Stars, having said that I think what was impressive about Binocular yesterday was he's jumping which looked back to its very best, but the reality is what it highlighted to me is how far ahead of the rest Hurricane Fly really is, basically he's 3 main rivals are a horse who is past hes best and two horses who are only out of juvenile company.

Huntey

sting60 wrote: »

To clear this up.I rang a friend and he told me that the horse was dropped from 154 to 151 for yesterdays race and was not updated but will get a hefty hike tomorrow maybe to 165/168.Sorry for any misinformation about this.

He won't be getting anywhere near a mark of 165/16 for that performance. Thankfully your friend isn't a handicapper.

premierstone

Zarkandar

Huntey wrote: »

He won't be getting anywhere near a mark of 165/16 for that performance. Thankfully your friend isn't a handicapper.

About 157/158 I would have thought, definitely nowhere near mid 160's

sting60

Huntey wrote: »

He won't be getting anywhere near a mark of 165/16 for that performance. Thankfully your friend isn't a handicapper.

Totally agree it looks too much but he knows his stuff as he buys and sells horses.Tomorrow will tell.

kiers47

Zarkandar

premierstone wrote: »

Celestial halo is nowhere near the class of Thousand Stars.

IMO they are somewhere around the same level. The ratings suggest the same.

ste2010

Zarkandar

kiers47 wrote: »

premierstone wrote: »

Celestial halo is nowhere near the class of Thousand Stars.

IMO they are somewhere around the same level. The ratings suggest the same.

Thousand stars won the French champion hurdle last year...although its a different distance surely this ends this comparison. TS has also had te life run out of him up until his last race. He has a nice break now and I'd expect him to perform better than his last 2. My hope with him is he runs in the world hurdle, but I'd he ran in the champion I would easily consider a w/o hurricane fly bet

newuser89

Other (please specify)

I backed binocular the other day as I don't rate celestial halo
Didn't rate binocular until after the race it was a great performance.
So I'm thinking now that binoculars last race is better than it visually looked
That overturn ran to form and the other too were much better.
Rock on ruby would be the e/w bet now I think as he should of won .
Stiff track like Cheltenham plays to his strengths,Nichols dark horse

mdwexford

Zarkander will go up about 6lbs I would imagine.

It was a very nice run from Binocular and if anything happens to HF before or during the Champion Hurdle he will take some stopping. Whether he can beat HF is doubtful but who knows.

Id fancy Binocular to beat Peddlers Cross in a CH by at least the same distance HF did.

Johner

Zarkandar

Paul Nicholls
Zarkandar came back on Fri with a dirty nose & cough. Which probably means he should have won by further!