Defending champion Binocular heads a list of 13 acceptors for this year’s Stan James Champion Hurdle but Nicky Henderson‘s seven-year-old may be facing a stiffer task this season than last in what promises to be one of the most competitive races of recent years.
Binocular (a general 3/1) was an impressive winner last March having disappointed when favourite 12 months previously. He was beaten by Peddlers Cross in the Fighting Fifth at Newbury on his reappearance this term but easily confirmed last year’s Champion Hurdle form with Khyber Kim (a general 16/1) in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton next time and strolled to victory in his prep race at Sandown subsequently. A fluent jumper of hurdles, AP McCoy’s mount has plenty in his favour but is far too short in the betting considering the quality of this year’s race appears much stronger.
Peddlers Cross (6/1 with Paddy Power and Wiliiam Hill) is certainly a contender. Winner of last year’s Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle over a longer trip at The Festival, Donald McCain‘s charge has extended his unbeaten record under Rules this season despite not being at his best when beating Bygones Of Brid (a general 250/1) at Kelso last time. One who is certain to be suited by the likely strong pace, Peddlers Cross makes more appeal than Ireland’s chief hope Hurricane Fly. Willie Mullins‘ gelding is 5/1 with Victor Chandler and extrabet on the back of a three wins in his homeland this winter. Undoubtedly talented, those victories in falsely-run races haven’t told us a great deal about the seven-year-old, however, and he’s never raced at Cheltenham before which is normally a disadvantage. Fellow countryman Dunguib (14/1 with bet365, Coral and William Hill) has never really lived up to his hype and still has a lot to prove at this level. Along with Oscar Whisky, who is a 12/1 chance with Boylesports, Coral and extrabet, he also finished behind Menorah in last seasons’ Supreme Novices Hurdle.
Menorah has hardly stood still since last year’s big win, scoring twice more in a Grade 3 and a Grade 2 back at Cheltenham. He clearly loves the track and, with decent ground forecast, could be the one to beat at the 9/2 with Betfred and Paddy Power as the five-year-old Mille Chief (16/1 with Coral, Victor Chandler and William Hill) wasn’t that impressive in landing the Kingwell at Wincanton and his age group have a shocking record in the Champion Hurdle,
