We take a closer look at the main protagonists in this year’s Champion Hurdle in the hope of finding some value.
Sweet smell of success for Honeysuckle?
She was deadly when defending her crown in the Irish Champion Hurdle and already has a Cheltenham win on her CV following a battling success in last year’s Mares’ Hurdle.
Now 10-10 under Rules, Henry de Bromhead’s seven-year-old is hard to knock and looks a worthy 9/4 favourite with bet365* in receipt of the 7lb mare’s allowance.
That said, she may face competition from the lead from Goshen, who like her likes to be ridden from the front, and this is her toughest task to date.
Cheltenham redemption for Goshen?
A return to front-running tactics did the trick for Gary Moore’s charge at Wincanton last time and he’s now as short as 100/30 to make up for an unlucky defeat in last year’s Triumph (10 lengths clear when unseating his rider at the last). He could have plenty of these in trouble if getting his own way out in front (?).
However his tendency to jump right at his hurdles is concerning given the race is run on the Old Course, which is always on the left-hand turn and much sharper than the New one.
Can Epatante return to her best?
A searching pace could set things up nicely for last year’s winner Epatante but, as she showed when turned over at 1/5 in the Christmas Hurdle, won by Silver Streak with plenty in hand, she’s not unbeatable by any means.
There were no obvious excuses that day and it’s not hard to argue that this year’s renewal is far stronger, so current best odds of 7/2 with bet365* don’t really excite.
Best of the rest?
The aforementioned Silver Streak (14/1 bet365*) is one of several horses in the 10/1 to 16/1 bracket and he’s entitled to plenty of respect based on his Kempton win and could well improve on last year’s sixth should the ground dry out.
Neither Abacadabras (8/1*) or Sharjah (12/1*) could lay a glove on Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion, and a bigger threat could come from Aspire Tower.at 20/1 with bet365* Henry de Bromhead’s second string was put away for this after finishing a good second (behind Sharjah) over Christmas and some of his early juvenile form really catches the eye.
Any dark horses lurking?
Sharjah’s trainer Willie Mullins could also be represented by James Du Berlais, a highly-rated French import with form figures of 2-1-2-1-2-1-1-2. Twice a graded winner on very soft ground, he looks an exciting prospect and has halved in price of late into a 22/1 shot with bet365*.
Where does the value lie?
Honeysuckle looked better than ever last time and is a worthy favourite to extend her unbeaten record under Rules to 11, but a chance is taken on ASPIRE TOWER at an each-way price – 20/1 and four places with bet365*. His latest second was another step in the right direction for the improving youngster and he’s reported to be in “great form” at home.
* Champion Hurdle betting odds correct at the time of article publication. All odds are subject to change.
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