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.

Champion Hurdle Betting Advice;

• Go Native- To Win.
• Zaynar- Each-way

Get your £60 Free Bet….

The ATR Team Preview;

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.

Latest Champion Hurdle Industry Prices;

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.”

Get a £25 Free Bet for the Cheltenham Festival;

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.”

Punjabi

But this time round he had been expected to take the mount on stablemate Binocular, before he was ruled out with a muscle problem. That left a straight choice between Punjabi and last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar, and it looks likely the Irishman will plump for the former.

Henderson said on Monday: “Barry Geraghty is very likely to ride Punjabi. Nothing’s set in stone but I’d imagine that’s the way we’ll go. I spoke to Dave Roberts (Tony McCoy’s agent) and AP is on standby to ride whichever one is free.”

Zaynar lost ante-post favouritism for the Champion when being beaten at long odds-on at Kelso last month. And it now looks as though he’ll have McCoy’s assistance at Prestbury Park.

When asked whether McCoy would school the grey ahead of the Festival, Henderson said:

“I’d imagine he has done before. I would imagine he’s likely to have a sit on him before Cheltenham. The cheekpieces will go back on Zaynar in the Champion.”

Zaynar out to 6/1 with Stan James

For there is nobody better at serving up his Cheltenham offerings perfectly prepared, and while some might occasionally be a fraction underdone, you’ll never see them overcooked.

Hence, those ‘layers’ of Zaynar (at 8-1 generally) are taking the type of risks normally associated with an outbreak of salmonella. On Sunday, those dangers were underlined when Henderson, the first to train 100 winners this season, declared Zaynar to be “fine” after his recent Kelso excursion.

Zaynar, sent off a 1-14 favourite, had been beaten one length by the lumbering giant Quwetwo on Thursday, and while there must have been immediate concern that such a race on heavy ground might set him back, Henderson allayed those fears with an upbeat report.

“It was horrific ground, and he was not as straight as I wanted, but he has come through the race fine. He was racing alongside ‘a tank,’ who was ploughing through it. In fact, an extraordinary picture in the Racing Post shows Zaynar fetlock deep in that mud,” he said.

Henderson is clearly delighted he ran last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner for fitness reasons, as he now has every chance of getting him to post spot on for the Champion Hurdle, which the trainer may well end up dominating, even in the absence of the much-discussed Binocular, who has gone wrong.

The other piece of good news for Henderson is that Kempton Park are to add an eighth race on Saturday, which will be a replica of Wincanton’s abandoned Kingwell Hurdle in all but name. This will give him the opportunity to run Punjabi, the defending champion, who is still ridiculously long for the Champion Hurdle, at 11-1.

“I know it’s getting tight before Cheltenham, but I’d rather see him have the race than not have the race,” the trainer told me. Weather will remain a constant worry for all trainers with an eye on the Festival, and as Henderson reiterated: “The forecast is not good.”

Meanwhile, trainer Philip Hobbs reported all his high-profile runners from Saturday have come back in good order despite their disappointments. Dream Alliance, pulled up when toiling in Haydock Park’s Blue Square Gold Cup, is OK. “Unfortunately, he can be inconsistent, and can turn in a race like that,” Hobbs said.

Planet Of Sound has come back with a bruise to his left eye, but is otherwise fine following his fifth-fence fall in the Betfair Ascot Chase, and Menorah, overturned by Lush Life in a novices’ hurdle, will probably benefit from a truly-run Spinal Research Supreme Novices Hurdle.

Best finish of the day at Ascot featured amateur Josh Moore getting back up on Panjo Bere to beat Ruby Walsh on I’msingingtheblues in the Trisoft Handicap Chase. Moore is likely to cherish the picture of the finish for years to come. No doubt, he will also remember the Walsh pat on the back after crossing the line.

Henderson says don't be put off Zaynar

Nicky Henderson though says he was just desperate to get a run into the horse before the Festival, and not too much should be read into the result.

He said: “If it was again under normal circumstances i wouldn’t have run anything in that ground yesterday, but if he didn’t run there it meant we had to go straight to Cheltenham and while we toyed with that idea we took the view that we needed the run.”

While some punters may be writing off Zaynar after his shock defeat, Nicky Henderson believes without the run he’d have had no chance of victory at Cheltenham.

“All I can say is that somebody said to me well you probably wish that you hadn’t run him but the answer is I’m glad I did because he needed it badly and if he’d gone to Cheltenham without that race he definitely wouldn’t have won the Champion Hurdle at least that was a race under his belt. You’ve got to ignore the result because it obviously doesn’t bare true relation – Punjabi got hammered in the Kingwell three weeks before it last year and won the Champion Hurdle.”

Stan James go 6/1 about Zaynar in The Champion Hurdle….

Zaynar out to 6/1 with Stan James

The Champion Hurdle picture looks more difficult than ever. Zaynar is now 8/1 for the Champion Hurdle with William Hill and Ladbrokes as Solwhit is installed as favourite. For me however the ground was a huge factor and for a bit of value Zaynar may be worth a punt with headgear back on. Stan James reacted quickly to the defeat;

Solwhit is the new 7/2 favourite (from 4s) for the Champion Hurdle with Stan James following the shock defeat of Zaynar (6s from 4s) at Kelso earlier today; his Borders conqueror Quwetwo only holds a Festival engagement in the Arkle and is 20s from 50s despite never having jumped a fence in public.

Champion Hurdle 2010 ~ Outright Ante post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)


7-2 Solwhit (from 4s)
9-2 Go Native (from 5s)
6 Zaynar (from 4s)
8 Khyber Kim
10 Punjabi
10 Medermit
12 Celestial Halo
14 Dunguib
14 Starluck
14 Sublimity
40 Bar

Zaynar beats Walkon in the 2009 Triumph Hurdle

Last year’s JCB Triumph Hurdle winner has been campaigned at two-and-a-half this season, winning the Coral Ascot Hurdle and the Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle. It was suggested after his victory in the latter at Cheltenham that he would take in a two-mile trial before Cheltenham, but that may not be the case.

“It’s not necessary for sure – it would probably be preferable but I don’t mind going two-and-a-half again if necessary,” trainer Nicky Henderson told sportinglife.com.

Despite the cold-snap Henderson has been able to keep his powerful string in Lambourn on the go.

“We’re ticking along quite well. It’s not easy at the moment, we’re having to improvise, but we’re ticking over alright,” he said.

David Pipe got hold of the four-year-old after an easy win in an Auteuil claimer but he looked to have plenty on his plate with a couple of hurdles to jump as 4-11 favourite Ranjobaie and Tony McCoy appeared to be travelling better.
Plumpton winner Notus De La Tour earned a quote of 33/1 with Stan James for the Triumph Hurdle after his facile success at Plumpton on his British debut.

Head of PR Charlie McCann: ” The David Pipe trained juvenile could hardly have made a more impressive British debut and, having landed his previous start at Auteuil by 20l, he is clearly going the right way.”

Zaynar beats Walkon in the 2009 Triumph Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle 2010 ~ Outright Ante Post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)

10 Mille Chief
10 Pistolet Noir
12 Carlito Brigante
14 Alaivan
16 Royal Mix
20 Westlin Winds
20 Advisor
20 Mirific
25 Stormy Weather
25 Me Voici
25 Barwell Bridge
25 Zaidpour
33 Notus De La Tour (first show)
33 Remember Now
33 Gilded Age
33 American Ladie
33 Sunwise
33 Braveheart Move
33 Olofi
33 Jump City
40 Bar

Carlito Brigante could have his prep for Cheltenham’s JCB Triumph Hurdle at Musselburgh on February 7 as long as the ground is suitable.

Gordon Elliott’s charge is a top-priced 14-1 for the juvenile championship after slamming Alaivan by 11 lengths at Leopardstown on Boxing Day on his first start for the County Meath trainer.

“He’s come out of the race very well and we were delighted with him,” said Elliott.

“He may go for the race at Musselburgh in February if the ground is good. He has to have good ground, then hopefully it will be Cheltenham after that.

“He’s a nice horse, the ground is the key to him and he’s improving all the time. He’s a horse to look forward to.”

Zaynar – favourite to be favourite.

Nicky Henderson must juggle a strong team for top hurdling honours and Sky Bet make stablemate and Fighting Fifth flop Binocular 4/1 next best in their 2010 Champion Hurdle special. Henderson’s trio is completed by reigning Champion Hurdler Punjabi, who is 12/1 to be market leader when the tapes rise for the hurdling crown at the Festival next March.

Hurricane Fly, who started the season as favourite with Sky Bet for the 2010 Champion Hurdle, is third best at 9/2 to regain his position at the head of the market for Willie Mullins come race time.

His Punchestown conqueror Solwhit is a 10/1 chance to start favourite with Sky Bet next spring, while fellow Irish raider and Fighting Fifth winner Go Native is an 8/1 chance.

Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: “Binocular and Hurricane Fly are set to clash at Leopardstown and a convincing performance from either would shake up an already wide open Champion Hurdle market.”

Who will start favourite in the 2010 Champion Hurdle, Sky Bet: 2/1 Zaynar, 4/1 Binocular, 9/2 Hurricane Fly, 8/1 Go Native, 9/1 Celestial Halo, 10/1 Solwhit, 10/1 Any other, 12/1 Punjabi, 16/1 Khyber Kim

Nicky Henderson’s Zanyar now heads the betting for the Champion Hurdle with William Hill in an afternoon of changes in the ante-post market. The five-year-old took the closing Grade Two Hurdle at Prestbury Park and was subsequently cut to 4-1 from 5-1 favourite.

Zaynar can Win the Champion Hurdle

Thirty-five minutes earlier Cheltenham was left shocked when Khyber Kim lowered the colours of odds-on favourite Celestial Halo who was eased to 8-1 from 6-1, with the winner slashed to 12-1 from 50-1 for the Hurdling Blue Riband.

In one of the most open heats for decades, just four points split the front five in the betting for the Champion Hurdle with second-favourites Hurricane Fly and Binocular both at 5-1, Irish raider Solwhit at 6-1, and last year’s runner-up Celestial Halo at 8-1.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’Today’s events have muddied the waters even further for ante-post punters. Zaynar has entered the Champion Hurdle fray fairly late-on but is now the only leading contender unbeaten this season, and fully deserves to be favourite.’’

Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle: 4-1 Zaynar, 5-1 Binocular, Hurricane Fly, 6-1 Solwhit, 8-1 Celestial Halo, 12-1 Go Native, Khyber Kim, Punjabi, 20-1 Voler La Vedette, Sublimity, 33-1 Medermit, Starluck, 40-1 Quevega, (Others On Request) (EW 1/4 1,2,3)



In other ante-post news, Poquelin was promoted to 9-2 (from 10-1) second-favourite for the Ryanair following his victory in the Boylesports Gold Cup, whilst Tell Massini enhanced his lofty reputation further with his win, and now heads the betting at 5-1 for the Albert Bartlett three-mile hurdle, and 10-1 (from 14-1) for the newly-named Neptune Investments Hurdle.



Skybet…
Zaynar is the new 4/1 favourite with Sky Bet for the Champion Hurdle after he extended his unbeaten sequence to five over hurdles with victory in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson will aim last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner at the Champion Hurdle and will refit the cheekpieces used last year at the Festival to focus his concentration.

Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: ‘He is the one contender yet to disappoint and his elevation to head the market was justified following the defeats in the International of last year’s Champion Hurdle 1-2.’