Mark Howard's Champion Hurdle Preview

Mark Howard’s Champion Hurdle Preview

Mark Howard, regular pundit on Racing UK and author of the popular ‘One Jump Ahead’ series, casts his eye over the Champion Hurdle contenders.

Hot on the heels of news that last season’s Champion Hurdle third Binocular has been ruled out of this year’s renewal, stablemate Zaynar entered the record books for all the wrong reasons when turned over at odds of 1/14 in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso.

Inevitably all the talk was of Nicky Henderson’s five year old losing his unbeaten record but it is worth remembering he was conceding eight pounds to a smart horse on ground which almost certainly wouldn’t have suited. Henderson proved last year these races are merely preps and not the real thing as Punjabi was a beaten favourite in the Kingwell Hurdle before winning hurdling’s blue riband at odds of 22/1. The grey is likely to be sporting cheekpieces on the big day and, granted livelier ground, he remains a player despite this unexpected hiccup en route.

Talking of the reigning champion, Punjabi was scheduled to line up in the Kingwell Hurdle once again last weekend but the prolonged cold snap put paid to those plans. Alan Fleming was also left frustrated as he was set to run his Christmas Hurdle runner-up Starluck. Both are likely to have racecourse gallops instead in preparation for big event.

The countdown is well and truly on and, whilst Nicky Henderson’s stranglehold on the ante-post market doesn’t look quite so formidable as it did seven days earlier, the head of Seven Barrows still looks likely to have a say in the final outcome.

Irish trainers Charles Byrne and Noel Meade must be more than satisfied with the way things have progressed since Christmas. Solwhit has added three Grade 1 victories to his burgeoning CV including the Irish Champion Hurdle in January with his only blemish coming in the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle. That race, of course, went the way of last year’s Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Go Native. Rather like Solwhit, the seven year old is three from four this winter as he chases the £1m bonus. Ridden with tremendous confidence by Davy Condon at Kempton last time in the Christmas Hurdle, he was surely value for more than his winning margin of a short head. Meade will be praying the heavens don’t open between now and the 16th March as good to soft or faster is ideal for the Double Eclipse gelding.

Medermit was only a neck behind Go Native in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last March and many believe he was unlucky not to come out on top. Initial plans to send the grey chasing were put on hold following an excellent run in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November off top weight. Beaten three lengths by a rejuvenated Khyber Kim, he chased home the same rival in the Boylesports Hurdle over the same course and distance. Alan King’s charge completed his preparation with a comfortable four lengths win at Haydock in another recognised trial in January. He appears to have genuine each-way claims with his yard in much better form now.

For more information on Mark please contact via mark.howard@mhpublications.co.uk