Number Of Irish Winners On Day 1

No Winners 66/1

1 Winner 20/1

2 Winners 4/1

3 Winners 13/8

4 Winners 13/8

5 Winners 11/2

6 Winners 66/1

Ireland VS Great Britain

Supreme Novices’ 2/5       -   15/8

The Arkle 1/2       -   13/8

William Hill Trophy 12/1     -   1/25

Champion Hurdle 13/8      -   1/2

Cross Country Chase 1/14     -    6/1

Mares Hurlde 1/6      -    4/1

Tuesdays big race The Champion Hurdle. Go Native will land a £1m bonus if he wins here but there are 10 horses standing in his way. The Champion Hurdle has in many way been the hardest race antepost to fathom. There has been more in outs than the hokey cokey for the Champion Hurdle Field. We know that there are eleven runners, but who will win?

Nicky Henderson saddles three in the race with Punjabi, the reigning champion being the choice of stable jockey Barry Geraghty. In my view he has made a mistake, I think Zaynar will perform better and in my view represents the best each-way value in the race. He was beaten at Kelso but I am prepared to forget that, the ground was a joke and he will get perfect going at Cheltenham. Last year he won the Triumph Hurdle and is looking to emulate Katchit to win the Champion Hurdle as a five year-old. However only one five year old from 79 that have started since 1985 have won.

What is interesting is that Ireland have a strong hand in The Champion Hurdle with Solwhit and Go Native reopposing. Go Native beat Solwhit in TheFighting Fifth Hurdle and I think can do it again. Here is that run at Newcastle last year;

Go Native looks very strong here. Go Native has only been beaten once this season which was by Voler La Vedette and has done nothing wrong since. Certainly against this field I would opt for Go Native. Binocular has looked a shadow of the horse he was, Punjabi won an egg and spoon race last time and has shown nothing since his Champion Hurdle win last year, Celestial Halo could run well but I am prepared to overlook Paul Nicholls’ horse here.

I think this is a really tough race but I am going with two in The Champion Hurdle.

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Tony McCoy rides Binocular in Champion Hurdle

Indeed, he had initially been ruled out of the race by Henderson on February 17 after suffering a muscle problem. But following a pleasing schooling session on Wednesday, he came through a gallop on Friday morning with flying colours. The recent Sandown scorer will be ridden by Tony McCoy.

Binocular will add a third string to the Champion Hurdle bow of the Seven Barrows handler, who will also be represented by the Barry Geraghty-ridden Punjabi and Zaynar, the mount of Andrew Tinkler. Binocular could finish only fifth in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, but showed more promise when third in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He then won a three-runner race at Sandown but connections were not happy in the aftermath and he was ruled out of the Festival. Having gone back into training last week, Henderson is now satisfied that he should take his chance.

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Punjabi…

Barry Geraghty has chosen to ride Punjabi in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s stable jockey was aboard the gelding for his victory in the race 12 months ago and has stayed loyal despite having the option of partnering Zaynar.

The trainer confirmed riding plans for his three runners in the race, saying: “Binocular will be ridden by AP (McCoy), Barry (Geraghty) will ride Punjabi and Andrew Tinkler will now ride Zaynar.

“They are all very well and all three are pleasing me.”

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Andrew Tinkler is thrilled to be on Zaynar….

Andrew Tinkler has expressed his delight after picking up the ride on Nicky Henderson’s Zaynar in Tuesday’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The news comes after the Seven Barrows handler was able to firm-up jockey plans for the race following confirmation that last year’s third and stablemate Binocular would take his place in the line-up.

The JP McManus-owned gelding had initially been ruled out of the race on February 17 but following a pleasing schooling session on Wednesday, he came through a Friday gallop with flying colours.

His participation means McManus’ retained jockey Tony McCoy will be aboard Binocular and with Barry Geraghty opting to ride last year’s winner Punjabi, Tinkler will now get the leg up on Zaynar.

“It’s brilliant news and he’s a horse who I obviously had a good win on at Ascot and he goes there with a live chance,” said Tinkler.

“His form is there to see and he’s obviously a Cheltenham winner.

“I think on better ground he’ll come out with a bit more zest and a bit more speed and apparently he’s in good form at home.

“His schooling went well the other morning and he’s a very, very good ride to get.”

Zaynar’s Champion Hurdle credentials took a big knock when he was beaten as the 1-14 favourite at Kelso last time, but Tinkler was keen to praise his conqueror, Quwetwo.

“I think Nicky was glad he went there as he had to be beaten some time and a lot of attention was on Zaynar’s defeat, where as the winner didn’t get the credit he deserved,” Tinkler told At The Races.

“I’ll be watching re-runs of Champion Hurdles and seeing where the best place to be is, but I believe Zaynar is going there in tip-top condition.”

Geraghty admits the decision to side with Punjabi was not an easy one but his recent success at Kempton left the jockey suitably impressed.

Speaking on his blog on www.attheraces.com, Geraghty said: “After a lot of hard thinking, I’m going to stay loyal and ride Punjabi in the Champion Hurdle.

“It was not an easy decision to make because Zaynar is a very talented horse that any jockey would want to ride, but I couldn’t get off the reigning Champion Hurdler when he’s in such good form.

“He’s a horse that’s done it on the big stage and he knows what to expect on the big day.

“But more important still, he just gave me the most unbelievable feel at Kempton, when he really picked up impressively.

“I’m sure he is simply a spring horse and just comes to himself at this time of year, it was just a much better feel at Kempton to the one he gave me the time before at Haydock.

“My decision should not reflect at all on Zaynar as I’m sure he’ll run a big race.

“It is a tribute to the team that Binocular is now back in the picture.

“I got the impression that Nicky was buzzing after he schooled last week.

“It’s great that Nicky and the owners are letting Andrew Tinkler ride Zaynar in the Champion and I really am delighted about that because he deserves the chance on a well-fancied ride in a championship race.

“He gave him a terrific ride when they won at Ascot early in the season.”

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Tony McCoy expressed satisfaction with comeback kid Binocular, who came through a Wednesday schooling session with flying colours. The 14-times champion jockey put the JP McManus-owned six-year-old through his paces over 13 flights of hurdles at Nicky Henderson’s Upper Lambourn base.

Tony McCoy liked what he saw

Although Binocular impressed McCoy, his participation in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle is unlikely to be revealed until he works on Friday.

“His jumping was as good as it has been all season,” the rider told the Daily Telegraph. He schooled very well, and I was very happy with him, but we won’t know whether he runs until he works.”

Henderson last month ruled Binocular out of the Champion Hurdle – he was third in the race in 2009 – due to a muscle problem, which has since showed signs of improvement.

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Binocular still in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham

Solwhit had been challenging for favouritism before scoping badly on Monday and he faces a race against time to be fit for the big race. Two notable absentees are Dunguib and Quevega but both have alternative Cheltenham Festival targets with the former heading to the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Quevega defending her crown in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Binocular, has declared last year’s winner Punjabi and Zaynar. Celestial Halo, second in the race last season, is set to represent Paul Nicholls.

A strong Irish team is headed by Go Native and also includes Donnas Palm, Ebadiyan, Jumbo Rio, Kargali, Muirhead, Raise Your Heart, Royal And Regal, and Won In The Dark. Khyber Kim, Medermit and Starluck complete the declarations.

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TATANIANO AND LONG RUN TAKEN OUT OF ARKLE CHASE

Tataniano and Long Run do not feature among the 17 six-day acceptors for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham on Tuesday. The former, trained by Paul Nicholls, bypasses Tuesday’s two-mile novice championship to instead run in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase on Friday.

“He’s absolutely fine, but we just didn’t think he was good enough for the Arkle and he’s going to go for the Grand Annual instead,” said owner Andy Stewart. It was obviously disappointing when he was beaten by a horse of Emma Lavelle’s (Suntini) at Newbury last time and while he could be placed in an Arkle, he probably wouldn’t be good enough to win it. Novices have a reasonably good record in the Grand Annual and he should have a good chance of winning that, so hopefully it works out. We obviously lined Poquelin up for the Grand Annual last year but that didn’t work out, so hopefully Tataniano can do the business. I may still have a runner in the Arkle as I own Nomecheki, so we’ll see.”

Paul Nicholls is now set to rely on Woolcombe Folly while Long Run waits for the RSA Chase.

Market leaders Captain Cee Bee and Sizing Europe speadhead a strong Irish challenge which also includes the Willie Mullins-trained trio of Quiscover Fontaine, Shakervilz and Sports Line.

The home team is headed by Somersby and Riverside Theatre, the latter set to be joined in the field by stablemate Mad Max.

Kangaroo Court, Leo’s Lucky Star, Nomecheki, Shoreacres and I’m Delilah are the other British-trained acceptors while Foster’s Cross, Nicanor and Osana complete the Irish team.

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Solwhit was Champion Hurdle Favourite

A winner of three of his four starts this season, including the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, he could be forced to miss out after scoping dirty just over a week before the race. Trainer Charles Byrnes said:

“Things are very much in the balance with Solwhit as he has scoped dirty and we’ve put him on antibiotics. The plan had been for him to travel over to England on Saturday morning but that will have to be put on hold now. We’ll have to scope him again later in the week and see how it’s looking. It’s obviously very disappointing as he has never given any indication anything was wrong, apart from one cough. We’re just going to see how he reacts to the antibiotics and make a late decision.”

Here is Solwhit in action….

Solwhit drifted out to as big as 29-1 on Betfair soon after the news was broken, but is now trading at between 13-1 and 14-1 on the exchange. Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin said:

“The Champion Hurdle has been one of the most volatile ante-post markets in recent years. Solwhit now becomes the fourth horse to deliver favourite-backers a potential hammer blow, following the woes, setbacks and defeats that have befallen one-time market-leaders Hurricane Fly, Binocular and Zaynar.”

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Go Native Not Happy…
The news Cheltenham have already taken the decision to start watering was not met with much glee at Noel Meade’s Tu Va Stables.

Meade houses current Champion Hurdle favourite Go Native, who is also chasing the WBX.COM £1million bonus after having won the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle this season.


Go Native landed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the meeting last term on good to soft ground, and Meade hopes clerk of the course Simon Claisse is not too liberal with the water. Meade said:

“I’m sure a lot of trainers of soft-ground horses will welcome the news, but then there are those like us that don’t really want it. But he handled it last year in the Supreme when it was good to soft and it had rained on the Monday night. The danger is if they get it wrong and over-water or it rains heavily overnight, you just never know. The ground at Kempton was against him – it was tacky – and that’s what he doesn’t want. He’s in fine form at the moment anyway and we are just counting down the days.”

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Sublimity claimed the hurdling crown three years ago and was fourth and 15th in the two subsequent renewals at the Cheltenham Festival. He had appeared to be back on top form this term, being placed in three Grade One outings, but a late setback means trainer Robbie Hennessy has had to call time for this season. He said:

“He’s got a suspensory injury. It’s just a knock and it’s hard to really know how he did it – it could have been rolling around in his box, getting cast or in a routine gallop. He’s lame and the vets have told us he needs three months’ rest so he won’t be back this season. We’re all gutted here. It’s a shame as he had a really good gallop at Leopardstown last week. He’s been in good form and running well all year and the ground is just starting to coming right for us. It’s just one of those things. He could be sound again in two weeks’ time but he just needs the time off as he could end up lame again.”

Sublimity had been as low as 12-1 to land a second Champion Hurdle crown on Tuesday week. The Latest Champion Hurdle Prices are;

Big Bucks'

Big 4 Special – Which Horse Will Start At Shortest Price? ~ Special
8 Dunguib
4 Master Minded
4-5 Big Buck’s
9-4 Kauto Star


Big 4 Special – Which Horse Will Win By Furthest? ~ Special

11-8 Kauto Star
9-4 Master Minded
7-2 Big Buck’s
5 Dunguib
14 No Winners

Big 4 Special – What Will Happen First? ~ Special

4-6 Dunguib Wins Supreme Novices
11-4 Master Minded Wins Queen Mother
6 Big Bucks Wins World Hurdle
14 No Winners
20 Kauto Star Wins Gold Cup


Big 4 Special – How Many Of Big 4 Will Win? ~ Special

6-4 2 Winners
5-2 3 Winners
11-4 1 Winner
13-2 4 Winners
14 No Winners

Dunguib Winning Distance Special ~ Special
5-2 Under 4 Lengths
10 Exactly 4 Lengths
5-2 Over 4 Lengths

Master Minded Winning Distance Special ~ Special
5-2 Under 5 Lengths
5-2 Over 5 Lengths
10 Exactly 5 Lengths


Big Bucks Winning Distance Special ~ Special
5-2 Under 4 Lengths
5-2 Over 4 Lengths
10 Exactly 4 Lengths

Kauto Star Winning Distance Special ~ Special
5-2 Under 7 Lengths
5-2 Over 7 Lengths
10 Exactly 7 Lengths

How Many Irish Trained Festival Winners ~ Special
7-4 6.5 – 8.5
6-4 Over 8.5
2 Under 6.5

How Many Winners Will R. Walsh Have At The Cheltenham Festival 2010? ~
6-4 4.5 – 6.5
7-4 Over 6.5
2 Under 4.5


How Many Winners Will P.Nicholls Have At The Cheltenham Festival 2010 ~
33 None
14 One
12 Two
9-2 Three
9-4 Four
5-2 Five
5 Six
12 Seven Or More

Gold Cup 2010-Kauto Star v Denman v The Field ~ Special
4-6 Kauto Star
11-4 The Field
3 Denman

Having been off the track since finishing just a short-head behind Go Native in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day, the five-year-old showed a fantastic turn of foot to land the digibet Casino Handicap over a mile. Fleming believes that outing will leave Starluck in perfect condition for Cheltenham and hopes his charge can silence those who doubt his ability to get up the hill.

“We went to Kempton hoping he’d have a good blow and come out of it safe and sound, so to win was really a bonus,” said Fleming. He was running a nice race and then when Liam (Keniry) gave him a slap, he really took off and has done it well.  That should leave him spot-on for the Champion Hurdle and he’s an easy horse to train so we’ll just tip away with him now and keep him to his normal routine. People will say Cheltenham doesn’t suit but he is a much stronger horse this year and has even improved a good bit since the Christmas Hurdle. If he does handle the track, I think he could be the dark horse for the Champion Hurdle at around 16-1.”

Starluck is unlikely to be the only Festival contender for Fleming, with On Borrowed Wings and Aather both set to contest handicap hurdles.

“On Borrowed Wings is in good form and will probably go for the conditional jockeys’ hurdle,” the trainer added. Aather would be a possible for the County Hurdle if he gets in and if he got a nice weight he could run well. If he doesn’t get in, he might go for the Imperial Cup at Sandown the weekend before.”

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