With reigning champion Faugheen absent and the much-fancied Arctic Fire also injured, this year’s Stan James Champion Hurdle does have a bit of sub-standard feel about it.
But Willie Mullins, who trains both the afore-mentioned, still has some ammunition in his locker as he bid for a fourth straight triumph in the Blue Riband of hurdling. He saddles the improving Sempre Medici, Nichols Canyon and new favourite Annie Power, who has been supplemented for the race having been diverted from another crack at the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.
Stan James Champion Hurdle Current Sponsors Odds
Annie Power (9/4), Nichols Canyon (11/2) and The New One (6/1), Identity Thief (13/2), My Tent Or Yours (11/1), Top Notch (16/1), Camping Ground (20/1), Hargam, Peace And Co and Sempre Medici (25/1), Lil Rockerfeller (33/1), Sign Of A Victory (100/1)
Annie Power, like a few of her rivals, is definitely better over further and drying ground could be a problem. The New One was only fifth last year but didn’t arrive in top-top-form as had been the case 12 months earlier when he was a very unlucky third. Nichols Canyon ran as though something was amiss last time having looked impressive up to the turn of the year, including a defeat of Identity Thief at Leopardstown.
CAMPING GROUND looks overpriced given he was very impressive over 2m4f at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. He wouldn’t want the going to get any quicker but the general 20/1 is just too big in a fairly open race – I suspect he would have been half those odds if he was trained by a Mullins or a Henderson.
The Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle gets proceeding of to a cracking start – but do I detect a feeling unease surrounding long-term ante-post favourite Min?
There was a rumour last week that Ruby Walsh was thinking of deserting the dual Punchestown winner in favour of a stablemate but that proved unfounded. However, the sponsors’ best 9/4 confirms that confidence is evaporating with several shrewd judges suggesting that Min does not have the class or speed of his stable’s recent winners in the 2m contest, though new customers with betway can have 7/1 with a stake of up to £10.
With market rival Altior now out to 4/1 in places, we’ll row in with the latter’s stablemate BUVEUR D’AIR at a widely-available 13/2. Also unbeaten over hurdles, the form of his Newbury win in November could not have worked out better and his trainer does not regard this imposing individual as a second string.
Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Current Betting
Min (9/4), Altior (10/3), Buveur D’air (13/2), Tombstone and Supasundae (12/1), Bellshill and Silver Concorde (14/1), Charbel (25/1), North Hill Harvey (33/1), Mister Miyagi and Penglai Pavilion (40/1), Petit Mouchoir and Holly Bush Henry (50/1), William H Bonney (66/1)
The first day ends with a competitive-looking novices’ handicap chase but it could be worth saving some of that betting kitty to back DOUBLE SHUFFLE.
Tom George’s gelding only weakened after jumping the last when fourth to the classy More Of That at Cheltenham in November having chased home a race-fit Art Mauresque, rated 144, at the track on his chasing debut. He then went to Ludlow and gave weight and a beating to subsequent easy Wincanton winner Fourth Act and looks to have been let in lightly in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase – he is 14/1 with Ladbrokes.
Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase Current Best Odds
Aloomomo (6/1), Willow’s Saviour (10/1), Ballyalton (12/1), Double Shuffle, Bouvreuil and Mckinley (14/1), Javert (12/1), and Thomas Brown (16/1), Rezorbi, Bridgets Pet, Domesday Book, Five In A Row, Katgary and Killala Quay (20/1), Amore Alato (22/1), On Tour (25/1), Fourth Act, Racing Pulse and Twelve Roses (33/1), Jayo Time (40/1)
