2011 Champion Hurdle antepost betting preview

Horse Racing Betting

Since the great Istabraq won three successive Champion Hurdles in 1998, 1999 and 2000, only Hardy Eustace has managed to win this race twice, with Conor O’Dwyer steering him to success in 2004 and 2005 (although Harchibald should really have had his name on the cup in the latter year).

Every year, the Champion Hurdle is a competitive heat and this season’s renewal promises to be no different. The enigmatic Binocular is apparently the one they all have to beat, with the JP McManus-owned horse winning the race in 2010 after finishing third in 2009.

Ladbrokes currently offer 7/2 about a horse that is likely to go off favourite, although it has not particularly impressed this year and there has been lots of excitement surrounding an Irish horse that might finally make it to a Cheltenham Festival.

Hurricane Fly has the makings of a wonder horse. Injury has prevented it from lining up at this race for the past two years, although as the day draws nearer, it finally appears as though the son of Montjeu will be raring to go.

The Fly is currently available at odds of 11/2 with sponsors Stan James and this will be a popular price with punters that can recall him winning the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in April.

The big question mark is whether this Irish raider will act at the Cheltenham track and plenty of quality horses have made it to the Festival only to disappoint in unfamiliar surroundings.

Menorah is among the favourites and Paddy Power offer 11/2 about a horse that upset Dunguib in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year by winning the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Philip Hobbs has declared himself delighted with his charge ahead of Tuesday’s showcase race and let’s not forget that this is someone who brought Rooster Booster to Champion Hurdle glory a few years ago.

Hobbs claims that there are no faults with the horse and there is improvement to come, although has cited Peddlers Cross as a big danger and the bookies agree with their 11/2 quote (Paddy Power).

The Donald McCain-trained horse was an easy recent winner at Kelso and comes into the race unbeaten for the season although that could be said of many horses that arrive at the Festival and it’s another matter as to whether he can find an edge over his rivals.

Not that the Champion Hurdle is a four-horse race and wouldn’t it be typical to see Dunguib come back and win this race after failing to land the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle? Ladbrokes go 14/1 that we see the buzz horse of last year claim the crown.